Rafael Nadal mentioned on Sunday he’s prepared to win his sixth Madrid Open title as the 20-time Grand Slam champion steps up his preparation for the French Open.
Nadal can be gunning for a record-extending 14th triumph at Roland Garros, the place victory this yr would additionally edge him forward of Roger Federer’s 20 main titles and to the highest of the all-time males’s checklist.
The 34-year-old arrives in Madrid on the again of profitable the Barcelona Open final week, when he had to come via a marathon last in opposition to Stefanos Tsitsipas in what was solely the Spaniard’s third occasion of the yr.
But there may be room for enchancment for Nadal, who struggled for his traditional fluency in Barcelona and can be hoping for higher this week in the Spanish capital.
“Barcelona was an essential week for me,” Nadal said in a press conference on Sunday. “Without playing my best since the beginning, I was able to be passionate, to stay positive and to accept the challenge to try to win matches without playing my best.
“I was able to achieve another important title in my career. That’s important for my confidence.
“I really believe that winning these kinds of tournaments when you are not playing that well can then make a big difference for the next ones. I feel that that was a positive week. Now is another week and I hope to be ready.”
Nadal is the highest seed in Madrid and can play both compatriot Carlos Alcaraz or the Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in the primary spherical whereas he’s due to meet Dominic Thiem, a finalist on the French Open in 2018 and 2019, in the final 4.
The match can be open to spectators at 40 per cent capability, which may give Nadal an additional enhance on dwelling turf.
“Madrid is probably the most troublesome occasion on clay for me, everyone is aware of that,” said Nadal. “But at the same time it is one of the most emotional events for me, playing at home.
“We are going to have a chance to play with a crowd again so that means a lot to me. I am super happy to be back here.”
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