"Can't afford to play 3-hour game": Rafael Nadal bemoans Barcelona Open 2R loss to Alex de Minaur, hopes to rebound in Madrid despite being 'hurt'

Rafael Nadal wasn't very pleased with his physical conditioning after losing 5-7, 1-6 to fourth-seeded Alex de Minaur in the second round of the 2024 Barcelona Open on Wednesday (April 17).

Nadal gave a good account of himself in the opening set, overcoming an early-break deficit to even the score at 5-5. However, it was one-way traffic from thereon, as De Minaur won eight of the last nine games of the match to go through to the third round in Barcelona in straight sets.

Speaking to the media following his defeat, Rafael Nadal rued the missed opportunities during his second-round exit from the ATP 500 tournament, before asserting that he is far from being in good enough shape to play long matches.

"Losing the first set, I couldn't fight for the match and it was over. I play with what I have and there are moments that don't matter. Nowadays, I can't afford to play a three-hour game," he said (via Marca).

The 22-time Major winner added that he was a bit disappointed by the defeat, as he would've liked to challenge for this year's Barcelona Open crown.

"I will continue my path," Nadal said. "This is tennis. In sport, generations pass and others will come. There is no player more important than the classic and historical tournaments. I have been lucky enough to write a beautiful story in Godó and others will come who will try to overcome it."

"Everything has a beginning and an end, and it is not a drama. It hurts me because I would have liked to fight for the tournament, for what is to come. The 6-1 in the second set is what had to happen today," he added.

The 37-year-old then disclosed that he will travel for this month's Madrid Masters in a few days. He also insisted that he was on terms with whatever destiny had in store for him later in the claycourt season.

"I hope to be in Madrid in a week," Nadal said. "Accumulate days of training and days of matches. The normal thing is that it was my last game in Barcelona," he added. "Life sets the path for you and it is setting it for me quite clearly."

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Rafael Nadal on possibly last Barcelona Open outing: "I have really enjoyed playing here"

Rafael Nadal hits a forehand at the 2024 Barcelona Open

Rafael Nadal also gave an insight to the media about how he was feeling following his loss at the 2024 Barcelona Open on Wednesday (April 17). The 37-year-old claimed that he wasn't too bogged down by the result, before expressing gratitude at triumphing on 12 occasions at the event.

"I'm fine. In the end, I'm a fairly stable person emotionally speaking. I take things philosophically and analyze things correctly," Nadal said.

"I have always respected the history of our sport and this tournament is one of those with the most history. I have really enjoyed playing here. I've managed to win 12 times, which is something that was unimaginable," he added.

The Spaniard's second-round defeat to Alex de Minaur on Wednesday marked the first time since 2003 that he failed to make it to the third round of the Barcelona Open. He is a 12-time champion at the 500-level tournament and has completed three three-peats at the event.