I need to stop fearing injury, says Nadal after winning Rome opener

Rafael Nadal, aged 37, expressed that he can no longer afford to be afraid of getting injured after his hard-fought victory in the second round of the Rome Open. With the Roland Garros tournament approaching, the clay court legend made a comeback after losing the first set to defeat qualifier Zizou Bergs with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the Italian capital.

However, Nadal acknowledges that he needs to elevate his performance as he prepares to face his next opponent, Hubert Hurkacz, who is currently ranked ninth in the world.

If Nadal progresses further in the tournament, he will potentially face last year's winner, Daniil Medvedev, who is currently ranked fourth in the world, as well as the beaten finalist, Holger Rune. These formidable opponents pose a challenge for Nadal as he aims to make his mark in the tournament.

The 37-year-old Spaniard spent nearly three hours on the court against Bergs, showcasing his determination to make a comeback and secure a spot in Roland Garros, most likely for the last time.

In recent times, Nadal has struggled with injuries, causing a decline in his performance and a drop in his world ranking to 305 after missing most of last year. However, his impressive record of 22 Grand Slam victories and 10 titles in Rome speaks volumes about his illustrious career.

Speaking to reporters, Nadal emphasized the importance of proving himself and pushing his body to the limit in preparation for Roland Garros, which is just two and a half weeks away. He expressed the need to overcome his fear and gain confidence in his abilities, not only for the upcoming tournament but also for his next match.

Nadal acknowledged that matches like the one against Bergs help him regain his rhythm and improve his performance. Despite moments of agility, he admitted that he still needs to adjust to his physical limitations and take calculated risks on the court. Nevertheless, Nadal feels more prepared than before to face these challenges head-on.

Nadal has made it clear that he will only participate in the French Open, a tournament he has won 14 times, if he feels competitive. Although he showed glimpses of his former self against the 108th-ranked Bergs, his serve and overall performance fell short of the Grand Slam standard. Bergs, an outsider in the tournament, is a promising player with eight titles on the Challenger tour and has previously taken sets off high-profile opponents like Stefanos Tsitsipas.

The tenacious Belgian competitor relentlessly challenged his renowned adversary throughout the match, momentarily appearing as though he could secure the most significant win of his professional journey thus far. However, Nadal exhibited resilience and ultimately emerged triumphant.