Nadal says he is not 100% fit ahead of Madrid debut

Rafael Nadal admitted on the eve of his debut in the Madrid Open tennis tournament that he is still short of full fitness as he continues his 'goodbye' season.

Rafael Nadal of Spain competes during the men's singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Daniil Medvedev of Russia at Australian Open in Melbourne Park, in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 30, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

"The week has been good in some respects. I don't think I'm ready to play at 100%, but I think I'm ready to go out and play tomorrow," Nadal told the press, although he admitted he probably "wouldn't play," if he wasn't in Madrid.

The former world number one has been training in the Spanish capital since his second-round defeat in Barcelona last week, when he suffered a hip injury.

"If it was Paris, I would not go on court. That's the reality and that is why I want to try and go out and play, because I want to try to go and play and feel good," continued Nadal, who has his sights set on a final appearance at the French Open.

"I am going to do the things I have to do to be able to play Paris. I want to try to go out and play in Paris and feel capable of competing well," the Spaniard continued, although he insisted world "wouldn't end" if he can't play in Roland Garros.

"I also have the Olympic Games," he added.