A Madrid tournament rich in tennis… but also in emotions. If the Frenchman Corentin Moutet took the time to drink a coffee given by a supporter, for his part Rafael Nadal won his first round under the eyes of his 17-month-old son. In the arms of his mother, Maria Francisca Perello, Rafael Junior witnessed his father’s demonstration in two sets against the young 16-year-old American, Darwin Blanch (6-1, 6-0).
Despite this easy victory against an opponent ranked above 1000th in the world, the Mallorcan has no illusions about his state of form and his ability to display a good level at Roland-Garros (May 26-June 9). ). “I’m not going to make any decisions on Paris here. I will take it after Rome (the last Masters 1000 before Roland-Garros, Editor’s note),” Nadal said. “We don’t spend our days talking about whether I’m going to go to Paris or not. I will make my way. If I can do it, I can do it. Otherwise, no.”
In a press conference after the match, the man with 22 Grand Slam titles expressed the wish to “play a little longer and give him [Rafa Jr.] a memory of me playing tennis”, but remains aware that it will be difficult for him to physically go the distance and “make it happen”.