Rafael Nadal says 'winning helps' him battle through injury after another fine French Open showing
- Planet Sport writer
- 26 May 2022
Rafael Nadal showed little signs of his foot injury as he eased himself into the third round of the French Open.
Rafael Nadal produced his 300th career Grand Slam win at the French Open before declaring himself as free from injury as he can expect.
Nadal overcame French wild card Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 to easily ease into the third round on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The Spaniard has had a mixed season so far, with it starting with winning a record 21st major at the Australian Open but slowly declining due to injury.
A degenerative foot injury has been his chief tormentor, and he was visibly struggling with it during his defeat to Denis Shapovalov at the recent Rome Masters.
However, he believes he is now dealing with the injury better, and he knows that Roland Garros, where he is a 13-time champion, always helps bring the best out of him.
When @RafaelNadal turns on the jets 💨#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/5iClQ2G5Jl
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 25, 2022
"Of course, the last couple of months haven't been easy," Nadal said, "even [though] the beginning of the season has been fantastic, unforgettable and very emotional.
"After Indian Wells I had the problem on my rib, I had to be off the court for a while so it's day by day work.
"The victories helps a lot and playing rallies with matches like tonight [is] so important so that gives me the chance to have another practice tomorrow and then another match after tomorrow."
"So day by day just enjoying the fact that I'm in Roland Garros, most important tournament of the year for me so far, just enjoying that fact and let's see what can happen."
Nadal will face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschlup in the third round after he got a walkover against the injured Fabio Fognini.
