Rafael Nadal was downbeat on his chances appearing at the French Open next month despite playing this week’s Madrid Open. “The sensations haven’t been perfect this week,” Nadal said before facing the 16-year-old wildcard Darwin Blanch on Thursday.
“If it wasn’t Madrid, maybe I wouldn’t play … I’ll keep fighting and doing the things that I think I need to do to play in Paris.” The 37-year-old Nadal has said this is likely to be his final year on tour.