Nadal fairly confident: "I feel competitive, I'm capable of playing against anyone."
After months of doubts, Rafael Nadal seems to have regained some certainty in recent weeks. Since arriving in Paris, the Spaniard has displayed a level of confidence not seen for some time.
In a press conference, he explained that he was feeling better and better, and was very pleased with the training matches he had been able to play over the last few days on the clay of Roland-Garros. So much so, in fact, that he said he felt he could be competitive against anyone. His first match will be against Alexander Zverev on Monday afternoon.
Rafael Nadal: "Honestly, my form is improving. I'm feeling better in every way. Physically, I feel less limited. I've got the motivation I need. Since my return, this is the first week I feel I've been able to run without restriction. [...]
I was already feeling good in training in Rome, but it didn't show on the court (defeat by Hurkacz 6-1, 6-3), it didn't show at all (laughs). [...]
The Rome disaster could happen again, it's a possibility, I can't hide it. The questions you're asking about me, I'm asking myself too. I haven't played enough tennis lately to have all the guarantees. But from the bottom of my heart, if I didn't feel I could do something good here, I wouldn't be here. It may not be very big, but I have every hope of playing well here. [...]
I'm enjoying myself on the court. I feel competitive in training. I haven't felt it yet in official matches (laughs), but in training, I can tell you... I can play against anyone. And I don't feel any worse than the others, so that gives me hope. [...]
I'm playing against one of the toughest opponents there is (Zverev), and what's more, he comes here having won the last Masters 1000 (Rome). He's no small opponent. But what can I do? It's the draw. I'm just trying to be ready. [I'm not anxious. No, I'm concentrating on trying to play well. That's all.
French Open 
