'I can’t give you an update on injuries,' Rafael Nadal refuses to discuss his long list of physical challenges that impede his return as he promises to show up in Barcelona

As he now gears up to set foot on the clay in Barcelona, he talked on various topics coming into the match. The King of Clay will begin his campaign against World No. 62 Flavio Cobolli. In the press conference before the match, Nadal found the funny yet worrying side of his long list of injuries.

I can't give you an update on injuries because the list is long. I can only tell you that today I feel good enough to be on the court tomorrow and that means a lot. said Rafael Nadal

Nadal‘s fans would just be happy to know that their favorite player is again in a position to compete. With the speculation on 2024 being the 22-time Grand Slam singles title winner’s final season, seeing him nothing would top seeing him retire on the court.

Rafael Nadal admits to thinking this year’s Barcelona Open will be his last time at the tournament

Despite his success in the 2022 season when he won the Australian Open and the French Open, Nadal’s injuries have troubled him. He picked up an injury in his abdomen during the Wimbledon quarter-finals. Despite his father telling him to retire, he continued playing and won the match but withdrew before the semis.

Since then, the injury concerns have only increased. The 2023 season was no different, as he didn’t play the entire season after his campaign ended Down Under. Knowing his struggles, he has reached Barcelona this year thinking it will be the last time he plays there.

I don't know what may happen in the future, but I take it as if it were my last time at Godo. I will try to be competitive. It was a positive week of training. We know the problems there are; we don't have to hide anything. said Rafael Nadal

The 14-time Roland Garros winner also talked about being tired of constantly speaking about his troubles. He admitted that despite the struggles being strictly on the professional level, the constant conversation around him has worn him down.

I get tired of telling about my hardships when I have no reason on a personal level. Very good things happen to me too. The only thing that can happen is that things happen and I can't continue playing. concluded Rafael Nadal

The first-round clash in Barcelona will be the first career meeting between Nadal and Cobolli. While the Spaniard will make his surface debut for the season, Cobolli comes in with a 1-2 record on clay this year. He last played in the qualifiers of the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters but lost to Sumit Nagal.