Rafael Nadal still doesn’t know whether he will take part in the French Open.
(CNN) — Rafael Nadal said he tries to enjoy every moment he spends on the tennis court while battling injuries.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the Madrid Open, Nadal, who has played just five matches this year, questioned his participation in next month’s French Open, a tournament he has won a record 14 times.
“I will fight and do what I think I need to do to be able to play in Paris, and if I can play, good, and if I can’t, I can’t,” he said. “As I am today, I wouldn’t play in Paris. “If Paris were tomorrow, I wouldn’t be on the field, that’s the reality.”
However, the 37-year-old is determined to take part in the Madrid Open, which he hopes will be his last. On Thursday he faced American Darwin Blanch, a player 21 years his junior, and beat him 6-1, 6-0.
“I don’t think I’m ready to play at 100%,” Nadal said before the match. “I think I’m ready to go out and play tomorrow and that’s important for me, to be able to play one last time here in Madrid means a lot to me.”
“At least I can once again enjoy this field where I have lived wonderful moments.”
Earlier this month, Nadal played at the Barcelona Open and lost in the second round to Australian Alex de Minaur. He previously bowed out in the third round of the Brisbane International in January and then withdrew from the Australian Open.
Nadal has won five Madrid Open titles, most recently in 2017.
It seems unlikely that Nadal will ever be able to add another title to his 22 Grand Slam titles, but injury problems aside, the tennis player admitted on Wednesday that he is satisfied with the current level of his game.
“I’m not playing badly, it’s more about physical limitations,” he said. “I’ve been through a lot in the last year and a half to two years, so my body isn’t feeling good enough to feel liberated in terms of injuries.
“I’ll be on site tomorrow,” he added. “A few weeks ago I didn’t know if I’d be able to play (on the) professional tour again (…) Yes, it’s not ideal, of course it’s not ideal, but at least I’m playing and I can have fun again, especially on some tournaments that are very emotional for me,” Nadal said.
“I can enjoy the fact that I might be able to say goodbye on the court.”