MADRID (AP) — Rafael Nadal will play in the Madrid Open despite not being fully fit and didn't seem too optimistic about his chances of being ready for the French Open next month.
The 37-year-old Nadal said Wednesday he would not play in Paris if he arrives there feeling the same way that he is feeling ahead of his opening match in Madrid this week.
“The sensations haven't been perfect this week. If it wasn't Madrid, maybe I wouldn't play. But there are a lot of emotions involved," Nadal said. “I don't know what's going to happen in the following three weeks. I'll keep fighting and doing the things that I think I need to do to play in Paris. And if it's possible, then it's possible. If not, then not. I'm not going to play in Paris the way I'm feeling today. It it was Paris, I wouldn't be playing.”
Nadal has said this is likely his farewell year on tour, and is hoping to be competitive one last time at Roland Garros, where he is a 14-time champion.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has won a record five times in Madrid, with his last title in the Spanish capital coming in 2017. He is scheduled to debut on Thursday against 16-year-old American Darwin Blanch.
“Hopefully I can play without many limitations,” Nadal said. “Then we’ll see what happens. If I play without limitations, even if I lose, then it will be positive.”
Nadal, who had hip surgery last summer, lost to Alex de Minaur in the second round in Barcelona in what was his first tournament in more than three months.
“The goal is be on court. Enjoy as long as possible,” he said. “I mean, that’s the thing. Try to finish the tournament alive in terms of body issues, and enjoy the fact that I will be able to compete one more time in the professional tour and here at home in Madrid, a place that give me everything, no, in terms of support.”
He said he is giving himself “a chance” and hopes to “find better feelings” in his body going forward.
“I don’t lose hope. I just accept the situation that I have today,” Nadal said. “I mean, I am not playing bad. It’s about more body limitations. ... That’s not allowed me to compete the way that I would like to compete.”
WOMEN'S DRAW
Former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka earned her first win on clay in two years by defeating lucky loser Greet Minnen 6-4, 6-1 in the first round.
Osaka had eight aces and faced one break point for her first clay win since beating Anastasia Potapova in the first round in Madrid in 2022.
“There’s a basis to my game and I want to stick to that, but also respect the court,” said Osaka, who returned from maternity leave in January. “It’s a work in progress for me, but I’m watching a lot more matches on clay, I’m trying to do my homework as best as I can.”
Qualifier Jessica Bouzas Maneiro rallied to defeat fellow Spaniard Paula Badosa 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 to earn her first WTA 1000 main-draw victory and improve her 2024 record to 30-7.
“The tennis level is there, but I need to recover emotionally,” said Badosa, a former No. 2 in the world. “Every week is a disappointment. I've been at the top and it's tough to see myself at the bottom right now.”
American Sloane Stephens beat Martina Trevisan 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, while compatriot Bernarda Pera lost 7-5, 6-2 to Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Maria Lourdes Carle posted her first WTA 1000 victory by defeating 2021 U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-2, 6-2.
AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal gives a press conference at the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal gives a press conference at the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal gives a press conference at the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Wednesday, April 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jonah Heim hit a tying solo home run in the ninth inning and Nathaniel Lowe had a go-ahead RBI single in the 10th, leading the Texas Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
With one out in the 10th, Corey Seager singled off James McArthur (1-1) to put runners on first and third. Lowe followed with his third RBI of the series to score Leody Tavares.
David Robertson pitched a scoreless 10th that included an intentional walk to Bobby Witt Jr. with two outs to seal the win for the Rangers with his first save of the season.
Kirby Yates (3-0) earned the win by tossing two scoreless innings of relief.
Heim tied it at 2 in the ninth off McArthur when his shot struck the right-field foul pole for a home run. The homer snapped a season-high four-game drought for the Rangers.
It was the third straight series win for the Rangers overall and the sixth in a row against the Royals since 2021.
Texas moved to 3-3 in rubber games this season, while Kansas City dropped to 1-5.
Rangers starter Jon Gray allowed two runs and seven hits with no walks and seven strikeouts in seven innings.
Kansas City's Daniel Lynch tossed five innings of shutout ball in his season debut with just two hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Lynch retired 10 straight after getting out of a bases-loaded jam in the first.
Vinnie Pasquantino gave the Royals an early 2-0 lead with a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the first and an RBI double in the third. But Kansas City went 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.
ROSTER MOVES
Kansas City recalled Lynch for the start and optioned RHP Colin Selby to Triple-A Omaha to make room.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rangers rookie OF Wyatt Langford left Saturday night with right hamstring tightness and was scheduled to have an MRI on Sunday. The team expected to know more by Monday.
UP NEXT
Rangers: Texas will head to Oakland for a four-game series. Andrew Heaney (0-4, 5.10 ERA) will start against the A's.
Royals: Kansas City will host Milwaukee for three games starting Monday night, when Cole Ragans (2-2, 3.44 ERA) will take the mound.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Texas Rangers' outfielder Leody Taveras catches a ball or an out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Nick Tre. Smith)
Texas Rangers' pitcher Jon Gray throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Nick Tre. Smith)
Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. slides into third base after a hitting a triple during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Nick Tre. Smith)
Kansas City Royals' catcher Salvador Perez takes a swing at the ball during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Nick Tre. Smith)
Kansas City Royals' Daniel Lynch IV pitches the ball during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Nick Tre. Smith)
Texas Rangers' pitcher Jon Gray pitches the ball during the first inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Nick Tre. Smith)
Texas Rangers outfielder Evan Carter leads off of first base during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Nick Tre. Smith)
Kansas City Royals outfielder MJ Melendez runs towards third base during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Nick Tre. Smith)
Texas Rangers third base Josh Smith makes contact with the ball during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Nick Tre. Smith)
Texas Rangers' catcher Jonah Heim takes a swing at the ball during a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, May 5, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Nick Tre. Smith)
