Nadal Rested And Confident Ahead Of Roland Garros Campaign
24 May 2019 01:41
With Parisian sun on his back, Rafael Nadal has been training hard at the newly refurbished Stade Roland Garros ahead of his quest for an incredible 12th trophy.
And the Spanish superstar, who has compiled the majority of his 86-2 record at the clay-court major on show courts, insists the new Court Philippe Chatrier stadium, razed to the ground shortly after his 2018 triumph, is no different to the old version.
“I don’t see a difference in terms of game experience,” said Nadal on Friday. “I think the wind is going the same way, and the feeling on the court is exactly the same. It’s looks a little bit different, from behind the royal box. For me, that’s the main difference.”
Nadal has completed two practice sessions at Roland Garros since arriving from Mallorca, where he enjoyed time off following his victory at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia - for his ninth trophy in Rome and a record 34th ATP Masters 1000 title. Read Report & Watch Rome Final Highlights
“I have been at home, one day of golf, one day of family, and came back here,” said Nadal. “I have already had two good practices here. [I’m] just trying to continue the preparation and just hold the level.”
Nadal has gone 14-3 on the spring European clay-court swing, lifting his first ATP Tour title of 2019 in Rome with victory over World No. 1 Novak Djokovic on 19 May.
When asked how he prepares for a Grand Slam championship, Nadal admitted, “It depends on the moment. It depends if you are playing well, if you're playing normal or you're playing terrible.
“I feel myself playing well, being honest, and my goal is just to keep playing at that level, because there are always things that I can improve, small things. But in general terms, is just about being healthy, main thing, and then just compete well and be fresh mentally and physically.”
The World No. 2, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday on 3 June, begins his campaign against a qualifier at Roland Garros, where he attempts to win his 18th Grand Slam championship crownreadfullarticle
