Rafael Nadal, the 38-year-old Spanish tennis legend, is preparing for the Paris Olympics 2024, seeking his third Olympic gold medal. Despite his impressive record, Nadal expressed concerns about his current performance level after a recent defeat.
In the Bastad Open final on Sunday, Nadal suffered a straight-sets loss to Portuguese player Nuno Borges. This was his first final since winning his 14th French Open title in 2022. Reflecting on the match, Nadal admitted, “The level was so far from what it should be. Probably the energy too. It has been a long week with long matches.”
Nadal has been focusing on clay-court practice, skipping Wimbledon to prepare for the Olympics, which will be held at Roland Garros—where he has claimed 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles. Despite his extensive preparation, he acknowledged the physical and mental toll of playing long matches consecutively, something he hasn’t done frequently this year.
Preparation and Partnerships
Nadal’s preparation for the Olympics included participating in the Bastad Open, marking his first tournament since an early exit at the French Open in May. He plans to compete in both singles and doubles at the Paris Games, teaming up with French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Reflecting on his week in Sweden, Nadal noted, “I played the final, that’s a positive. I was able to play long matches without having an injury, that’s good.” However, he admitted dissatisfaction with his performance, stating, “I arrived here with the feeling that I was playing at a good level, but I was not able to show that during the whole week.”
Injury Struggles and Comeback
Nadal has faced numerous challenges this year, having played only six tournaments due to injuries, resulting in a significant drop in his ranking to 261. Despite these setbacks, his determination remains strong as he gears up for the Olympics.
Nadal’s aim in Paris is to add to his Olympic accolades, including a singles gold from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a doubles gold from Rio in 2016. His journey highlights the resilience and dedication that have defined his illustrious career.
As the Paris Olympics approach, Nadal remains focused on overcoming his recent struggles and showcasing his best performance on the international stage.
