"I get just as excited when I see Tiger Woods play... I maintain hope that things will get better" - Rafael Nadal optimistic amid Madrid Open 2024 run
Rafael Nadal booked his spot in the third round of the 2024 Madrid Open on Saturday, beating Alex de Minaur in straight sets in the second round. With the 7-6(6), 6-3 result, the Spaniard earned his first top-20 win since 2022, when he beat Casper Ruud at the ATP Finals.
Currently on his comeback trail, the 22-time Grand Slam champion has three wins in four matches on clay, having reached the second round at the Barcelona Open last week. There, it was to De Minaur that he lost in the second round.
At his press conference after exacting revenge over the Aussie, Rafael Nadal shared his thoughts on the future and the allure of live sports.
The former World No. 1 made comparisons to the emotion he experienced as a fan when watching golf superstar Tiger Wood at times, saying that it was likely that he stirred the same emotion in his own fans.
At the same time, the former World No. 1 kept himself grounded, remarking that in reality he had to start afresh with the next match in sight.
"Those of us who compete, although we are also infected with that excitement and emotion, see what sport is in the general state, not only in the emotional state. Not as a player, I get just as excited when I see Tiger [Woods] play and I feel overwhelmed, the reality is that it's a long time without competing," Nadal said (via Punto de Break).
"You get excited, but the reality is that it is a game, in two days we start again and my glass of energy and confidence is filling up, but today I am far from being able to aspire to things. I think it is an important step forward, that with small steps big things are built, but unfortunately the reality is different," he added.
Regardless, Rafael Nadal shared a sense of optimism brought on by his run in Madrid, stating that he maintains the hope that things will get better.
In the meantime, he was content to keep playing tennis simply because doing so still continued to excite and motivate him.
"That doesn't mean I'm not excited and hopeful for the future. If I didn't have them, I wouldn't be here. If I am here it is because I maintain hope that things will get better and because playing tennis continues to excite and motivate me," Nadal said.
"I have to be convinced that my physique responds, I have to regain confidence in my body" - Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal also spoke at the press conference about whether the win over Alex de Minaur changed his perspective, answering in the negative.
The Spaniard was of the opinion that one win does not change how he views things, instead giving more weight to how his body responds in his day-to-day training.
At the moment, Nadal maintained that he needs to regain confidence in his body and in himself first, which he admitted was in an unusual position to be.
As for the run in Madrid, the Mallorcan remarked that it was good match practice regardless, especially as it means he has been able to play five matches over a two week-period (two from previous Barcelona Open) to give him more confidence.
"My perspectives are determined by my day to day life, not a match. To have a change of perspective on the situation I have to be convinced that my physique responds, I have to regain confidence in my body, which is normal not to I have it because a lot of things have happened in recent times," Rafael Nadal said at the press conference.
"Then I have to regain confidence in myself at the tennis level and in every sense. Last week I played two matches, this one, if nothing strange happens. I will be able to play three. That's five games in two weeks at least. It's an important advance, I haven't been able to do it in two years," he added.
Up next, the 37-year-old will take on Pedro Cachin in the third round in Madrid.