• ATP Tour

Nadal not thinking about French Open

ESPN staff
April 23, 2013

Rafael Nadal insists he is not yet thinking about the defence of his Roland Garros title as he prepares for his opening match at the Barcelona Open.

The world No. 5, who has won a record seven French Open titles, saw his eight-year unbeaten streak at the Monte Carlo Masters snapped by Novak Djokovic in Sunday's final.

But while Djokovic openly admits that the year's second grand slam is his priority, Nadal remains intent on focusing on each tournament as it comes, which for now means extending his 34-match unbeaten streak in the Catalan capital.

"I play Barcelona, that's my schedule. Roland Garros is very far," Nadal, who faces Carlos Berlocq in his opening match in Spain, told Sky News Australia. "I will try my best now to play a very good week in Barcelona, it's a tournament that I love."

Nadal refused to be downhearted after losing in Monte Carlo for the first time in a decade, insisting he was happy with his physical progress after a seven-month lay-off to recover from tendinitis in his left knee.

And the Spaniard believes he will be fully fit by the time he arrives in Paris.

"We have Barcelona, then we have Madrid, then we have Rome," Nadal added. "I have enough time."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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