Nadal says French Open is moment to ‘give everything’ after Barcelona exit

Nadal, 37, was playing his first tournament in three months due to injuries, and his first on clay since winning the 2022 French Open.

Nadal showed flashes of his best against De Minaur but fell away in the second set as he lost 7-5 6-1, and said afterwards that it is about building towards the French Open this summer.

“On a personal level, for what is to come, the 6-1 in the second set is what had to happen today,” said Nadal.

“It wasn’t today that I had to give everything and die, I have to give myself the chance to do that in a few weeks, or at least try to.

“I will try to take a step further in Madrid, then another one in Rome and, in Paris… there is the moment to do it, whatever happens, there is no better place to.”

Nadal is a 14-time winner of the French Open and is expected to also target a medal at the Paris Olympics, which are held at Roland-Garros.

He said he was encouraged by his performances in his two matches in Barcelona.

“Alex is a great player. In terms of tennis today, he was in better shape than me,” said Nadal.

“He has really played at a very high level since the beginning of the season. I think he has made a very important step forward in his level of tennis. I’m just happy for him and I congratulate him for the level he played today.

“I didn’t practise a lot, so that [performance] encourages me to keep going. It tells me that, if I’m able to spend days on the tour and keep practising with the players, I really hope and believe that I can keep being competitive. If my body allows me to push the way that I need.”

Nadal was uncertain to play in Barcelona after pulling out of Indian Wells and Monte Carlo due to injury issues.

“I feel much more comfortable and happier today than one week and a half ago,” he added.

“I was able to manage to play two matches, played against a great player. I was not very far [away], without a doubt. I feel myself, if I am able to keep practising days on the tour, and my body allows me to spend hours on court and have practices the way that I need.

“I hope to be competitive. I hope and believe I can be competitive in a few weeks. That’s the way that I need to proceed today, and to give me a chance to be ready at least to compete at Roland-Garros.”