Rafa Nadal, with an open heart, is already thinking about retirement: “I consider it my last year and I want to enjoy every moment”

Rafael Nadal He assured this on Monday before returning to the competition in Barcelona ATP 500 that he wants to “enjoy every moment” in a season that is considered his last year in tennis.

“On a personal level for me it is a gift to be at Barcelona. I consider it my last year and I want to enjoy every moment,” said the former world number one in a press conference after training at the Real Club de Tennis in Barcelona .

The 37-year-old Spanish tennis player will test himself again in an official competition for the first time since January, when he suffered a serious thigh injury at the ATP 250 in Brisbane.

Since, the winner of 22 Grand Slam tournaments had to withdraw from several tournamentsAs the Australian OpenHe Doha ATP500 and the 1000 Masters From Indian wells and of You love me and more recently that of Montecarlowhich opened the slow season on the field leading up to Roland Garros.

“Not being able to be in Monte Carlo hurt me, but luckily things have improved. “I’m also totally realistic that just being here is a big illusion,” Nadal revealed.

“Today I feel well enough to be able to take the field tomorrow, this is very important. It means a lot to me to be able to play in Barcelona once again, a place where I have had incredible success and unforgettable memories,” he said. the Spanish tennis player, who won the Barcelona trophy twelve times.

The Majorcan arrived in Barcelona last week optimistic, however warning that he could not yet guarantee his participation, although on Monday he confirmed that he will begin his adventure in the tournament on Tuesday in the first round against the Italian Flavio Cobolli.

“I will give my best,” Nadal warned, warning that “the last week of training was positive.”

Nadal also showed his regret at the belated loss of his young compatriot Carlos Alcarazwho announced on Saturday that he would not participate in the Barcelona tournament due to the injury that also forced him to leave Monte Carlo.

“I see it as something negative for him, especially because he is injured. Let him recover quickly and well,” said Nadal, for whom “it is bad for the tournament to lose the number one in the draw.”

The Majorcan tennis player, who could have faced his compatriot in a hypothetical semi-final, said on Monday that he was “not able to think about the semi-finals”.