‘Rafael Nadal is ready to accomplish great things’, declares former world No 2
Rafael Nadal reacts
Former world No 2 Alex Corretja believes Rafael Nadal is “ready to accomplish great things” after his encouraging run at the 2024 Madrid Open.
The two-time French Open finalist also backed Nadal to be “very dangerous” at Roland Garros if he is able to play “two or three” more matches in Rome.
Nadal was beaten 7-5, 6-4 by Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round of the Madrid Open on Tuesday in what was likely his last match in his home country.
The Spaniard was playing just his second tournament since January, when he made his return in Brisbane after almost a year out of action due to a hip injury.
The 37-year-old did not play for over three months after Brisbane due to various physical issues, before making his latest comeback at the Barcelona Open last month.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion progressed to the last 16 in Madrid with victories over Darwin Blanch, Alex de Minaur and Pedro Cachin.
Nadal is next hoping to feature at the Italian Open in Rome, which will begin on May 8, before a potential final appearance at the French Open. He last won a title when he claimed his 14th Roland Garros crown in 2022.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Corretja backed Nadal to be a serious threat at Roland Garros if he builds on the progress he made in Madrid with more match practice in Rome.
“If he can play two or three more matches in Rome, he will be very dangerous in Paris. No one will want to play against Rafa in the best of five sets,” assessed the Spaniard.
“The draw will also be important. But first, we have to see how he will behave in Rome. Rome will be key to see how he feels physically. Rafa is progressing at breakneck speed.
“When a normal player advances ten steps, he advances one hundred. He is ready to accomplish great things, which is very impressive after everything he has been through.”
Nadal expressed that he was positive about his performance at the Masters 1000 tournament as he analysed the match against Lehecka.
“I played a duel in which my rival was at a very high level and, even so, I was competitive,” assessed the former world No 1 in his press conference.
“I had some opportunities, small ones, in the first set, in a section in which I was playing better than him, and then it was not possible, he was very inspired and I congratulate him for that, but I think the first set was my best set since I’ve competed again.
“In everything: leg activity, ability to turn the ball with the drive, both with the cross and the parallel, also at the positioning level.
“Then at the muscular level, at the end of the first set, I did have a small drop, although it is logical after yesterday’s game. I am satisfied with the week in every way. Much better than I could have expected.”