Rafael Nadal is "trending up" ahead of likely final appearance in Rome

ROME, Italy—They say progress rarely occurs in a straight line, and such has been the case for Rafael Nadal as he prepares to make his 19th (and likely final) appearance at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

“Well, it's something that is not every day the same,” the 10-time champion explained during his Media Day Interview.

“Is not a line like,” he says, gesturing a steady incline. “It's a little bit like this,” he continues, gesturing ups and downs. “Even after Barcelona, I had some tough moments in Madrid. Even here the first day.”

Indeed, Nadal endured a difficult first practice that saw him appear out of sorts at the Foro Italico for his third consecutive tournament of the clay-court swing—his busiest schedule since various injuries began to take their toll at the end of 2022.

Still, Nadal offered up plenty of optimism coming off a fourth-round finish at the Mutua Madrid Open, where he completed his likely final Spanish tournament with an impressive win over world No. 10 Alex de Minaur.

Unseeded in Rome, he will play his first round on Thursday against Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs, with No. 7 seed Hubert Hurkacz looming as a possible second-round opponent.

All the matches are tough for me today and difficult and more unpredictable than what the matches used to be for me, especially on clay. I accept that role. I accept that challenge. I am excited about the way that I can be able to play if I keep working the proper way and my body allow me. Rafael Nadal

“The line is going up, without a doubt,” Nadal confirmed. “So yeah, I mean, happy to be today where I am because one month ago for me was almost impossible to think that I will be able to play in Barcelona, then in Madrid, and now being here in Rome.

“Things are happening. Is true that I was able to accept the challenge, accept that some moments I was not able to push the way that I wanted to push. Doing the things the proper way and trying to avoid a lot of risks in terms of pushing a lot on the matches, I was able to keep moving. Madrid was a good test for me playing I think two days in a row, one match over three hours.”

At 37, Nadal had previously hinted he would bid farewell to tennis this summer, either at Roland Garros or at the Olympics—either way, on clay in Paris—but the Spaniard made the surprise announcement that he would compete at Laver Cup this fall, which takes place after the US Open. While the team competition doesn’t require the same physical lift as a Grand Slam, Nadal fans were nonetheless heartened to hear he possibly planned to play through September.

“My feelings are better always,” Nadal said. “In terms of tennis, too. Why not? I am here to try my best. Tomorrow is a start. All the matches are tough for me today and difficult and more unpredictable than what the matches used to be for me, especially on clay.

“I accept that role. I accept that challenge. I am excited about the way that I can be able to play if I keep working the proper way and my body allow me.”

Nadal famously won the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on his 2005 debut and went 17-0 in his first three appearances at the Masters 1000 before going on to rack up a record-setting 10 victories in Rome.

“I was very young,” Nadal reflected. “I had plenty of energy. I have been always a very passionate person, I mean, probably in everything in life, but especially in the sport, not only as a player, but as a fan, too.”

The fans will undoubtedly be out in full force when Nadal makes his long-awaited official return to Campo Centrale on Thursday.