Two-time Indian Wells champion Rafael Nadal says he feels good about the transition from clay to hardcourt but added that he’s not expecting too much about how he’ll fare at the BNP Paribas Open 2013 considering his nagging knee issues.
“I feel very good. I’ve practised two times here,” said Nadal. “But seriously, I understand my situation after seven months. I think it’s not the right moment to talk about the knee. I am here to try my best and that’s what I’m going to try. We’ll see how the knee responds on hard. The results on clay were positive, especially because the knee was feeling better and better every week, especially last week. Now I’m going to try here.”
The 26-year old Mallorcan is participating in his first hardcourt event this season. He’s had a successful campaign in the Latin American “Golden Swing” last month, having won two titles out of three final appearances in three tournaments. He finished runner up in Vina del Mar and won titles in Brazil and Mexico.
During his several months of absence on the tour, Nadal said that the most disappointing decision that he had to make was not participating at the London 2012 Olympics where he should be defending his gold medal win in singles.
“The hardest one was the first one, [missing] the Olympics. When I had the decision, I had to take it. I didn’t have another choice,” Nadal said. “It was a tough decision. I didn’t get to [carry] the flag in the ceremony, representing all the sports and competitors. It was a sad moment for me. These kinds of opportunities aren’t forever. There may only be one in a lifetime. I lost that opportunity. But all I can do is be positive, keep working and try to be in Rio in 2016.”
