Rolex Paris Masters: the king of Roland-Garros Nadal finally says yes to Bercy

2020-10-20T14:07:02.528Z

Only three weeks after his thirteenth Porte d'Auteuil coronation, the world number two will return to the capital with the Parisian Masters 1000 (2-8 November).

Thirteen times winner in the west of Paris, Rafael Nadal is still looking for a first coronation in the east of the capital.

Far from his kingdom Roland-Garros and his blessed land, the Mallorcan never really shone on the side of the Porte de Bercy indoors with a final disputed and lost in 2007 (against Nalbandian) ... With those of Shanghai and from Miami, the Rolex Paris Masters is one of three Masters 1000s missing from its huge list of achievements.

It must be said that he disputes it quite little (8 participations), often injured at this time of the year.

Or, it is during the tournament that his body lets go (forfeit before his semi-final last year against Shapovalov or forfeit before his quarter against Krajinovic in 2018).

The 34-year-old Spaniard announced his participation in the Paris tournament on social networks this Tuesday afternoon.

"It's the time of the indoor season [...] Yes, I am preparing for Bercy", he declared from his academy in Manacor.

It's indoor season time ... this picture was earlier today practicing at the @rnadalacademy ... And yes ... getting ready for # ParisBercypic.twitter.com / SajEB4JMEW

- Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) October 20, 2020

A small surprise because at Roland Garros, after his 13th coronation, he had not displayed much optimism about the rest of his season: “I don't know what I'm going to do, will I continue? to play ?

I haven't made a decision.

I have to talk about this with my family and my team in the days to come to make the smartest decision.

Before this match, I was only thinking of Roland-Garros.

Now, we'll think about the best possible schedule for me. ”.

The man with the 20 Grand Slam titles will therefore skip Vienna next week (where Djokovic and Thiem are engaged) and will end this funny 2020 season with the London Masters (November 15-22).

In Paris, the insatiable will also aim for the symbolic bar of 1,000 career victories and take on the role of favorite on paper, since Novak Djokovic has hinted that he would skip the Paris tournament, which he is nevertheless holding the title ...