Rafael Nadal has vowed to risk even more injury to try and front up ready for the French Open in just over a fortnight, with the 10-time Rome Masters champion counting on progress this week to help his effort.
The 37-year-old who is expected to retire after nearly two decades sometime this season, reached the second round at the Foro Italico after a nearly three-hour effort and now takes on seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz at the weekend.
Nadal is playing his third event after spending months off court with various injuries and said he will go for broke in his effort to make a complete return to the Tour.
“Now is the moment that I need to try, I need to go for everything.
“If something happens, something happens – that’s the truth.”
Nadal won the last of his 10 titles in 2021 and did not play here a year ago due to injury.
He has already made his comeback start in Barcelona (2nd round) and Madrid (4th round) but is expecting more from himself at the Foro Italico.
“I have Roland Garros in just two weeks and a half, so… (the moment has arrived where) I need to prove myself if I’m able to push my body to the limit that I need to push to feel myself ready for what’s coming.
“I need to lose my fear.”
The No. 305 said that going for broke is just in his nature.
“If something wrong happens, we’re going to accept it. But now is the moment to push. I feel more ready to try it than before.”
