MADRID: On the eve of the start of his 2019 campaign at the Madrid Open, a frank-speaking Rafael Nadal admits that he still has ‘a strange feeling’ after being hampered by illness.
Nadal, who is bidding to win his first title of the season this week, has been forced to reduce his practice schedule at the tournament. Canceling one session on Sunday. It is the latest setback for the Spaniard, who has been hampered with injury problems in recent months. The most recent of which was a knee problem that forced him out of Indian Wells and Miami.
“Sunday I woke up not very well with a stomach virus. Yesterday I trained a little bit and today I trained a little bit more.” Nadal said during a press conference. “I’m not going to lie I still have a strange feeling.’
“The positive side is that I have been able to train for at least 1.5 hours.”
Whilst the recovery signs are promising, there are still concerns coming from the Spaniard and his team. This week he has been monitored by Dr. Angel Ruiz Cotorro. His first match in the Spanish capital will be against rising star Felix-Auger Aliassime. A player who has climbed more than 70 places in the ATP rankings since the start of the year to 30th.
“It’s true when you have a stomach virus the body is a bit weaker at the beginning, the body is more prone to injury.” He admits.
“Hopefully this will not affect my performance or how I will play.”
“He’s going to be a difficult opponent. For him, things are a bit more even with the altitude and condition.”
Despite his turbulent run in recent time on the tour, the 32-year-old is confident that he is on the right path to reaching his peak once again. The clay season is critical for Nadal’s ranking as he has more points to defend than anybody else. At the French Open, he will bid to win the title for a record 12th time.
During his conference, the Spaniard has hinted that he has been dealing with a variety of issues both on the court and in his personal life. However, he refrained from going into detail about what those were.
“I would have liked to come here with four titles, (but) there’s no more pressure,” Nadal explained. “There has been a lot of issues that have happened over the past 18 months. Some things you (the media) know, some things you don’t.”
“I think I’m on the right path, whatever my path is tomorrow we will see. I think I have more confidence in my body and I am building up my confidence”
It is evident how much Nadal values his privacy. In recent months there has been speculation about his current deal with Nike and if he has renewed his contract. Last year Roger Federer separated from the company to join Uniqlo. As for Nadal, he is giving nothing away.
“I’ve never spoken about this in public. The contract is private for me and I’m not going to share the details. It’s something between me and Nike and that’s it – period.”
Nadal’s clash with Auger-Aliassime is set to take place on Wednesday. Nicknamed the king of clay he has been labeled as the favourite to win the title by some of his rivals. Including world No.1 and 15-time grand slam champion Novak Djokovic. However, he has his own interpretation.
“I’m nearly 33. I’ve been here (in Madrid) since I was 18. I hear the same story. Sometimes things work out, sometimes it doesn’t. The favourite player is the one who is going to win the trophy on Sunday.” He said.
“In the past, I have had some really good results on the clay, but the past is the past. Now I will just try to win matches.”
So far in his career, Nadal has won $6,094,606 in prize money at the Madrid Open (excluding 2019). A figure that would place him 131st on the all-time prize money earners.
