Rafael Nadal expressed that despite his dominant win at the Madrid Masters, where he defeated Darwin Blanch 6-1, 6-0, he recognizes that he can’t consistently perform at 100% on the Tour anymore. While the victory showcased his prowess with nine winners against Blanch’s 27 unforced errors, Nadal pointed out that his opponent’s inexperience and mistakes played a significant role in the outcome.
Acknowledging Blanch’s potential as a rising star, Nadal highlighted the challenges the young player faced in the match. Blanch, although a top 10 junior, has yet to break into the top 1000 professionally and obtained a wild card for the tournament due to his management by IMG, the owner of the Madrid Open.
Nadal, at 37 years old, is nearing the end of his ATP career, possibly playing his final event on home soil. He mentioned his ongoing battles with injuries, affecting his ability to consistently perform at his peak. He expressed a desire to prolong his career to create lasting memories for his family, especially his son, born in October 2022, but acknowledged the uncertainty due to physical limitations.
Looking ahead, Nadal faces Alex de Minaur in Madrid, aiming for a victory against a top 20 player for the first time since the 2022 ATP Finals.
