Seven-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal is heading for next week’s tournament at Roland Garros with firm favouritism after defeating Roger Federer to win the Rome Masters on Sunday.
Nadal, who missed six months with a knee injury, has returned to the circuit with a remarkable 36 wins from 38 matches.
“If you’d told me that four or five months ago I would have said you are crazy,” Nadal said.
“So after eight tournaments, six victories, and two finals, it’s a dream for me.”
Nadal’s latest triumph was a comfortable 6-1, 6-3 win over former world number Federer in Rome.
Reflecting on his whole tournament in Rome, Nadal added: “Here, I only had one bad match, against (Ernests) Gulbis, but I was there mentally.
“I won that match with a lot of fight and a positive mentality. And yesterday and today I played at a very high level.”