Rafael Nadal avenges defeat to Alex de Minaur in Madrid, admits he still “needs time” to return to peak form

Rafael Nadal showed his class once again as he avenged his recent defeat to Alex de Minaur with a hard-fought victory in Madrid on Saturday. The Spanish superstar, who is bidding farewell to his home tournament, battled past the Australian in straight sets to book his spot in the third round.

Despite struggling with physical issues, Nadal put on a masterclass in front of a star-studded crowd that included the King of Spain and football legend Zinedine Zidane. The 37-year-old displayed his trademark fighting spirit to overcome the world number 11 and set up a clash with Argentina’s Pedro Cachin.

However, Nadal was quick to downplay any talk of a return to his peak form, acknowledging that he still needs time to fully recover. The 22-time Grand Slam champion emphasized the importance of taking things step by step and focusing on his recovery process.

Looking ahead to the French Open, Nadal revealed that he will make a decision on his participation after the upcoming tournament in Rome. The clay-court specialist stressed the importance of feeling competitive and ready to fight on the court, rather than just participating for the sake of it.

On the other hand, De Minaur expressed his disappointment with his performance, labeling it as “unspeakably horrendous.” The Australian admitted that the challenging conditions in Madrid affected his game but credited Nadal for raising his level and producing a strong performance.

As Nadal continues his farewell tour at the Madrid Open, fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see if the Spanish legend can add another title to his illustrious career before bidding adieu to his home tournament.