Rafael Nadal Feels ‘Fine’ And Will Play The French Open

Rafael Nadal feels “fine” and plans to play in what is expected to be his final French Open.

After getting crushed by Hubert Hurkacz, 6-1, 6-3, in the third round of the Italian Open on Saturday, the 37-year-old Spanish legend said he was uncertain if he would play Roland Garros, the event where he has won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam singles titles.

But now Spanish outlet AS reports that Nadal “feels fine” physically and is “less dejected” than expected after his early departure in Rome.

Nadal will travel to the French Open – which begins May 26 – with the hope of playing the tournament and is set to practice with “top players” to test himself.

Assuming there’s no hiccups in training and “things go well,” Nadal will make what could be his final appearance at the major he has dominated since winning his first title in 2005.

Nadal’s loss in Rome came 11 days after he fell in the fourth round of the Madrid Open to No. 31 Jiri. Lehečka. The 22-year-old native of the Czech Republic became the lowest-ranked man to beat the legendary Nadal in a Masters 1000 clay event or at Roland Garros when he took out the Spaniard 7-5, 6-4.

Tournament organizers unveiled five banners for him after the match, one for each of his Madrid singles titles. But Nadal declined to participate in a celebration of his career that local organizers had prepared.

It’s unclear if Nadal will announce formal retirement plans, but he has indicated he wants to compete in the Paris Olympics at Roland Garros.

Fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz has said he wants to play doubles with Nadal there.

“It would be a dream,” Alcaraz said. “Not only to win a medal at singles or doubles, but just to live the experience of a doubles with your idol would be a memory that I would keep with special affection.

“For me, it could be a dream playing doubles with him in the Olympics. Let’s see how he’s doing and how he’s going this year. Hopefully he’s going great.”