With Cautious Optimism Nadal Rests Before Going To Paris

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 21st May 2013

With Cautious Optimism Nadal Rests Before Going To Paris

epa03707788 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal serves the ball to Swiss player Roger Federer during their final match of the Italian Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 19 May 2013. Nadal won 6-1 and 6-3. EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI |

Despite his six titles this season during a storming return from seven months of knee injury absence, Rafael Nadal is taking nothing for granted as the king of clay bids for a record eighth French Open title when the Grand Slam starts at the weekend.

Nadal finished his tune-up at the weekend with another title in Rome thanks to a straight-sets win over Roger Federer in the final. The Spaniard flew home for a few days of much-needed decompression on the island of Mallorca before heading off to Roland Garros.

The soon-to-be 27-year-old is not buying all of the idle chatter which has all but handed him the Paris trophy, preferring instead to stick to his usual quiet demeanor. “If I play like this and I arrive to Roland Garros and somebody beats me I shake his hand and so I am happy.

“I’m playing much better that some months ago and I’m doing the right things to play well. I don’t really want to talk about Roland Garros.

“When you play and win many titles in a row like I am doing then you are doing things well – but I can also can reach Roland Garros and lose in the first round. This is the sport and this is tennis.”