ROME – Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal said Wednesday he was “happy to play in Rome” despite not qualifying for the Italian Open and ranked 305th.
“All matches are tough for me today, tougher than ever on clay and more unpredictable,” said the 37-year-old, 10-time Italian Open champion.
“I accept the role. I accept the challenge. If I continue to work properly and my body allows me, I’m happy to be able to play.”
The 22-time Grand Slam singles champion has returned to action after a long injury layoff.
The Spanish icon will open his campaign with Belgian international Zizou Bergs, and now there is nothing to do but prepare his game.
Nadal, who turned 38 on June 3, said: “I am very happy to play in Rome. This is a tournament that brings back unforgettable memories.”
“But those are the days. This will be the third week in a row, the third race in a row.
“It never happened – that’s great news.
“I just have to keep going, learn how I can play every day.
“But I’m happy with how I feel now.”
Nadal is not the only player with injury problems. Missing young stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz Rim.
“When you push your body out of bounds, you’re going to get hurt,” Nadal said.
“When the game gets faster and faster and faster, you’re going to get injured.
“If you play on hard courts most of the year and harder surfaces, you will get injured. That’s a simple answer.”
But he said such problems cannot be avoided.
“Also about race, work, sports.”
“At the end of the day, players want to make money. Tournaments want to make money. The wheels come together.
“We accept the role. Good.”
“You can’t complain about it. You accept what happened. You move on. You’re hurt, you have to heal.
“They are young (Alcaraz and Guillermo), they will get a lot of playing time in Rome and they will succeed here. No drama.”
