Rafael Nadal said the upcoming French Open will be the moment to "give everything and die" on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was cut short by Alex de Minaur.
The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, back playing this week after three months, battled well but crumbled 7-5, 6-1 against the world No 11 from Australia in the second round.
Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of the 2023 season, is hoping to compete at the French Open next month where he is the record 14-time champion.
The Spaniard said the clash with De Minaur was not the moment he was saving himself for, instead targeting his Roland Garros return as the time to go for broke in what he expects will be the last year of his career.
"For what is to come, the 6-1 in the second set is what had to happen today," said Nadal.
"It wasn't today that I had to give everything and die. I have to give myself the chance to do that in a few weeks, or at least try to.
"I will try to take a step further in Madrid, then another one in Rome and, in Paris ... there is the moment to do it, whatever happens, there is no better place to."
Nadal said the key to being able to triumph at Roland Garros was continuing to build in the weeks ahead.
"Today I felt more comfortable than yesterday."
He eased past Italian Flavio Cobolli in the first round - his first ATP Tour match since January.
However, despite flashes of supreme quality on the court named after him, Nadal was defeated by De Minaur in what he said would "realistically" be his final appearance at the tournament.
De Minaur said: "I'm sad because nobody wants Rafa to stop playing."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Rafael Nadal
