Rafael Nadal 'excited' and says he is 'increasing' his level ahead of Italian Open - 'Things are happening'
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Updated 08/05/2024 at 14:34 GMT
Rafael Nadal will continue his clay comeback at the Italian Open this week. Nadal, 37, plays world No. 108 Zizou Bergs in the first round and has spoken about how he is "increasing" his level. "Things are happening... the line is going up, without a doubt," said Nadal, who looks to be building towards a final appearance at the French Open this summer.
'Happy about the way I feel today' - Nadal confident ahead of Rome campaign
Rafael Nadal says he is “excited about the way” he is now able to play and his level is improving as he continues his comeback at the Italian Open.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion made his return from injury a month ago in Barcelona.
There he won just one match, but in his following tournament in Madrid he looked sharper as he reached the last 16.
He will be looking to take further steps forward in Rome, where he is a 10-time champion.
“It’s a good moment, even if the results are not what (they) used to be,” said Nadal, who faces world No. 108 Zizou Bergs in the first round on Thursday.
“But I am increasing my feeling, my level… I want to keep going.
“The line is going up, without a doubt. Happy to be today where I am because one month ago for me was almost impossible to think that I will be able to play in Barcelona, then in Madrid, and now being here in Rome…Things are happening.
“All the matches are tough for me today and difficult and more unpredictable than what the matches used to be for me, especially on clay. I accept that role. I accept that challenge. I am excited about the way that I can be able to play if I keep working the proper way and my body allows me.”
Nadal's progress appears positive ahead of his likely final appearance at the French Open this summer.
The 37-year-old looks set to be playing his final season on tour, having returned at the start of 2024 in Brisbane following nearly a year out.
“It's day by day. This will be my third week almost in a row on the tour, third tournament almost in a row,” added Nadal.
"That hasn't happened for a super long time - that's good news.
"I need to keep going. I need to keep exploring how I will be able to manage to play every day. But I'm happy the way that I feel today."
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Nadal will be one of the headline names in Rome alongside world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
Missing from the event will be Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz as both are recovering from injury issues.
"When you push your body to the limit, you get injured," said Nadal.
"When the game is faster and faster and faster, you get injured.
"When you play most of the year on hard courts and the surfaces are tougher for the body, you get injured. That's the simple answer.
"It is also about the tournaments, about the business, about the sport. At the end the players want to make money. The tournaments want to make money. The cycles come together.
"We accept that role. Things happen. You cannot complain about that. You accept what's going on. You keep going. You get injured, you have to recover well.
"They are young (Alcaraz and Sinner), they are going to have plenty of time to play in Rome and have a lot of success here. No drama."
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