Rafael Nadal has admitted that he doesn’t know what sort of form he is currently in ahead of his return to competitive tennis in Indian Wells.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has only been able to play one event so far this year, which was at the Brisbane International where he beat Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler to reach the quarter-finals. The event was the first he had played for almost a year after missing almost all of the 2023 season due to a hip injury. More recently, Nadal has suffered another minor injury setback with a ‘micro tear’ in one of his muscles which ruled him out of the Australian Open.
Ahead of his latest comeback bid, Nadal will participate in a multi-million dollar exhibition event in Las Vegas against Carlos Alcaraz. The Netflix slam is being held at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper, the exhibition is the second-best-selling tennis event of the past year after the US Open.
Speaking to reporters ahead of his clash with Alcaraz, Nadal provided a candid assessment about where he thinks his current form is.
“I don’t know how I am,” Marca quoted Nadal as saying when asked about his current fitness.
“I haven’t played a set since Brisbane. I’ve had better and worse moments. The most important thing for me is that I’m here (in America). If I’m here it’s already good news. Two weeks ago, beyond the results, the goal was to play Las Vegas and Indian Wells and I’m closer to achieving it.
“I don’t know what level I’ll be at in Indian Wells, but it is the least important thing today. For me, it is important to spend a few days in Indian Wells and train with professionals.”
Las Vegas will serve as a warm-up for Nadal ahead of Indian Wells which is the first Masters 1000 event of the season. It will be the first time he has played at the tournament since 2022 when he reached the final before losing to Taylor Fritz.
“The preparation for Indian Wells has been bad and for Brisbane had been good. I hope to play a set between this Sunday’s match and the three days I have left before the debut.” He explained.
“For me, the priority is to try to get out of Indian Wells unscathed. Whatever has to be left, leave it in the clay season, which may or may not be the last (of my career), I have not decided 100 per cent. At the moment things are going that way.”
It is not the first time the 37-year-old has implied that this season could be the last of his career. However, he appears to still be unsure when asked directly about his future.
“I’m not saying goodbye because then I’d say I’m not playing anymore. This is an important point and I don’t want to say it because I’m not 100% clear about it.” He said.
“In the last two years, I haven’t been able to play. Life is showing you the path. How did I imagine my farewell? At first, I didn’t imagine it because when you start to imagine something, it means that the closer you are to it. It wasn’t something I had in mind.
“I would like to say goodbye well, being competitive and enjoying myself on the court. Whether that can be or not, time will tell.”
The Netflix Slam will get underway on Sunday at 22:00 CET. Nadal is then scheduled to play his first match in Indian Wells on Thursday.
