The first goal is to try to compete, I’m going day by day – Rafael Nadal

Veteran Rafael Nadal has revealed he is trying hard to be ready for the upcoming clay court season. The Spaniard said his first goal is to try to compete and his taking one day at a time in his recovery process.

Nadal made a much-awaited return in the Brisbane Open earlier in the season after missing almost all of 2023 action due to a hip injury. However, the 22-time Grand Slam winner’s return was cut short as he suffered a muscle tear.

The lefty was all set to make his return in Indian Wells but had to pull out at the 11th hour as he wasn’t ready to compete at the top level.

“I will do my best to try to start the clay season, which is my goal, I am working for that and striving for that goal, but I don’t dare to say anything about what might happen because lately it has been difficult for me to make predictions, unfortunately,” Nadal said before the ceremony of the Second Rafael Nadal Foundation Awards.

Nadal acknowledged he has been training hard to get back to action but hasn’t received support from his body.

“I’ve not stopped training at any time. I’m trying all the time. I feel fine, I just haven’t managed to follow the schedule I would have liked to. Hopefully, things can change, but as you can imagine I can’t say because I don’t know myself,” Nadal continued.

Nadal added he is a realist as it has been nigh impossible for him to compete against the elite athletes.

“It doesn’t matter whether I’m optimistic or not; I’m a realist. For the last year and a half or two it’s been impossible for me to compete, so the first objective is to try to compete and I’m going day by day,” Nadal stressed.

“If I had to be optimistic or negative, I probably wouldn’t even be trying. It’s a long time, I’m very old and I’ve got a very long career behind me. At the end of the day I try not to be one thing or the other, I try to go day by day, do the work I have to do to give myself opportunities and we’ll see how long we can try.”

Nadal, known as the King of Clay, will hope he makes a good return to his favorite surface.