Nadal: “It was a perfect start, I played very solid”

Rafa Nadal is back and he has done it as if 200 days had not passed since his last game before the pandemic break. The Spaniard took the roll in his debut in the land of Rome against Pablo Carreño (double 6-1) leaving very good feelings.

“I have played a good game, surely he is a little tired after his career in New York, where he had a great tournament. It was a perfect start, very solid, landing good shots with both my forehand and backhand, and I didn't make too many unforced errors. It was a very serious game where I did a lot of things well, a fantastic game, you can't ask for more. Starting in this way has been an injection of positive energy, “Nadal said.

The man from Manaus regretted the absence of public on the tracks of the Foro Italico imposed by the coronavirus pandemic: “The feelings are not the same as always. Playing without an audience, especially in a tournament like Rome, which is always very exciting … I miss them (the spectators), honestly, it was all very strange. It is impossible to describe how necessary they are. “

“It was a very slow return, step by step, avoiding any type of injury to my body. The objective was to travel that path with the utmost caution to arrive ready for the competition”, Rafa assured about his process of resuming the activity. “It is a lot hotter than in May. The tracks are much faster, even at night. The ball was flying a lot, it was more alive,” he added.