Ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Rafael Nadal has expressed doubts about his own fitness. The legendary Spanish player has already been chosen to compete for his nation at Roland Garros. In addition to competing in the singles, he will partner with Carlos Alcaraz in the doubles.

However, since winning the 2022 French Open, which represented his 22nd Grand Slam victory, he will enter the Games unbeaten.

In the Bastad Open final in Sweden on Sunday, Nuno Borges easily defeated Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-2.

Despite advancing to the final through taxing three-set matches over Mariano Navone and Duje Ajdukovic, the 38-year-old was noticeably below par against the No. 42 in the world. And subsequently, he acknowledged that he was physically exhausted and tired from playing five matches in a week.

“The level was incredibly off from what it ought to be. Most likely the energy too,” Nadal remarked. “We’ve had a lot of long matches this week. I don’t have any physical harm, which is crucial, but I’m not used to playing long matches and four days in a row emotionally or physically.

The “King of Clay,” who has won 14 Slam titles at Roland Garros, will be playing at his preferred location for the summer games. In an attempt to concentrate on his Olympic preparations, he even withdrew from Wimbledon that year. However, he lost in straight sets to Alexander Zverev at the French Open’s opening round.

Nadal nevertheless gave a good reflection on reaching the final in Sweden despite his worries. even if he admitted that he performed much below what he had hoped to do.

“That’s positive, I played in the final,” he remarked. It’s good that I was able to play extended games without getting hurt. I had the impression that my practise when I got here was far better than my performance over the entire week of the event.

That is one thing I find lacking in satisfaction. I felt like I was playing at a high level when I came here, but I was unable to demonstrate that over the entire week.

“Well, it’s the final, and because it’s the first one in a long time, I can’t say it’s a horrible outcome. However, I was unable to feel comfortable enough for the entire week to be happy with the tennis I played.”

Nadal first won an Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008, and he presently holds two of them. He and fellow countryman Marc Lopez won the doubles title in Rio eight years after defeating Fernando Gonzalez in the championship match.