Rafael Nadal is excited for the tennis season to get back underway after his favoured clay campaign was postponed until later in the year but has warned he will only return to the French capital on one condition.
Nadal has won a record 12 titles at Roland Garros but is not defending his crown this week as the event has been rescheduled.
A new start date of September 20 has been pencilled in for the clay Grand Slam to close out the season.
World No 2 Nadal is expected to make the short trip from his Mallorcan home to Paris, his second home.
But if some countries’ lockdown restrictions are not permitting travel then the 19-time Grand Slam winner has suggested he could also skip the event.
“I do not see the future from a professional point of view, but from a medical and health point of view,” the Spaniard said.
“As for Roland Garros, if it is possible to play in optimal conditions and in total safety, if everyone can play, if we are all together, yes, I will be there.
“But today we have to take precautions and be responsible with the right decisions to guarantee the safety and health of everyone in tennis.”
Travel restrictions are still very tight in the majority of countries which could limit the French Open field.
Spectators will not be permitted to attend the Grand Slams this year to avoid mass gatherings.
A similar stance has been taken in professional football as the Bundesliga returned behind closed doors.
But Nadal is not a fan of playing in empty stadiums.
“It is possible,” Nadal explained. “Football is being played behind closed doors.
“But if you ask me if I like it, the answer is no. Nothing can replace the presence of the public and the energy it generates.”
Nadal does not have a tennis court at home so he had to wait two months before he could pick up a racket.
“I feel good. Like the rest, I have not been able to leave the house in two months,” he said.
“Luckily, I had weight training machines at home to train and keep myself physically fit.
“Little by little I have resumed training several days a week, but not all seven.
“It has been a gradual and very slow recovery that we have done with care and caution.
“The objective is to be ready for the day when we return to play tennis, but we still don’t know that.”
