Nadal refuses to write himself off in his Paris happy place

Rafael Nadal said on Saturday he is keen to test the luck of the draw with  confidence rising on the eve of the French Open.

The unseeded 14-time champion, who has been through more than two seasons of on-off play due to a variety of injuries, is ready to face fourth seed Alexander Zverev in a first-round test on Monday.

Zverev, champion last weekend in Rome for the second time, has won his last six clay matches but trails Nadal 3-7 in their career series.

The Spaniard who turns 38 next month and who now ranks 276th, confirmed that he is feeling his power returning on the practice court and is quite hopeful of holding his own against the German.

“It’s a super-tough first round, maybe I’ll go there and repeat the disaster of Rome (2nd round loss to Hubert Hurkacz),” Nadal said.

“It’s a possibility, of course. I don’t want to hide that.

“But in my mind I’m giving myself a chance to play competitive. I’ve not played a  five-set matches since a super long time ago (2023 Australia).

“I’m asking myself (questions). But the answer is gonna be on Monday, that’s it. 

“This is just talking and talking, it’s my feelings. My feelings are better. I want to enjoy that match.

“I feel competitive so let’s see.”

Nadal said that his training at Roland Garros has gone well and he can feel his chances rising.

“I’m having a good week of practices, probably the first week since I come back

playing tennis that I am able to run the proper way without having a lot of limitations. 

“That encourage me.

“(But it doesn’t) mean, of course that I’m gonna be out there on Monday and I’m gonna play incredible.

“In some way this place is magical for me. If I did not have in my heart any hope to have success here and to create a beautiful thing this year, I would not be here.

“I have the motivation and a small hope to play well.”