Boris Becker tells what Rafael Nadal needs in order to be at his best at French Open

• Tennis News
• Rafael Nadal

Boris Becker thinks Rafael Nadal must play at the Australian Open if he wants to reach his peak condition when the time comes for the clay season and the French Open. If Nadal is able to return to tennis at the start of the 2024 season in Australia, those are going to be his first tournaments in exactly a year.

Recently, Nadal and his PR denied his Australian Open participation was certain. However, Nadal himself confirmed that he is putting his best effort to be able to play at Melbourne Park. "[Nadal] won’t play his best tennis right away, but he has to play Australia.

It is a must for him to perform on clay in April — physically, mentally, playfully. His big goal when he comes back is not Melbourne, but Roland-Garros," Becker said on Eurosport's Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast.

Becker on Nadal's comeback

In May, Nadal held a special press conference in Mallorca, where he announced that he was withdrawing from the French Open due to an injury sustained to his psoas muscle at the Australian Open.

During the press, Nadal also announced his plans to retire from pro tennis in 2024. Nadal may be in a very challenging situation but Becker doesn't believe fellow players will have much empathy and sympathy for Nadal. "It will be a long, rocky road back.

The young wild ones don't sleep. They don't say, ‘Nadal, it's nice that you came. We'll let you win now,'" Becker said. Throughout his career, Nadal has proved many times that he is more than capable of making a very strong return after an injury.

If Nadal is healthy and rediscovers his form, Becker believes the Spaniard could lift more titles. "Nadal should go back on the court and play well. As far as I'm concerned, he can win big tournaments again," Becker said.