3 keys for Rafael Nadal to go far in the Madrid Open as road to Roland Garros swansong continues

Rafael Nadal's return to clay came at the Barcelona Open where the Spaniard could only reach the second round. But, considering the context in which the last two years of his career have taken place, it is very positive that he has been able to make contact with his favorite surface, which will now have a new chapter in the Mutua Madrid Open 2024.

As is already known, Nadal is playing the last year of his professional career. In January he started playing in Brisbane, but got injured and did not return until the aforementioned Barcelona Open. Therefore, Rafa has to be aware of his chances in an ATP 1000 like Madrid. Practically nobody, as is logical, is betting on a long participation in the tournament. However, Rafa is synonymous with miracles, and with him on court nothing is out of the question. But how will Nadal have to face the Madrid Open in order to go far?

Now he is going to have to be much more aggressive. His normal clay court game was based on chewing the points until he could win them, and to be honest, right now the matches can't go long for him considering his age, his physique and his history with injuries.

In the second round his potential opponent will be again Alex de Minaur, a player who already beat him in Barcelona, also in the second round, and who almost won the first set of that match. The important thing for Nadal should be that the match does not take so long. For this, we tell you the three keys that Rafa will have to focus on.

3 KEYS FOR RAFA NADAL TO GO FAR AT THE MADRID OPEN.