- Seoul slams Russian treaty with N. Korea, Zelensky urges 'tangible pressure'
- De Zerbi hails Greenwood as Marseille await Paris Saint-Germain
- Under-fire Ten Hag blames injuries for derailing Man Utd
- Wounded Arsenal must show 'ruthless mentality' against Liverpool: Arteta
- Howe challenges Newcastle stars to step up
- UK's Labour govt prepares to unveil its first budget
- New Zealand eye history after Santner's 7-53 in India Test
- Guardiola backs Man City's Foden to emerge from slump
- England reeling at 24-3 after gritty Shakeel century
- Pakistan judicial reforms see next top judge passed over
- Germany promises more visas for Indians during Scholz visit
- Postecoglou says hype will not affect teenage star Moore
- PSG reject league order to pay Mbappe 55 mn euros in back pay
- Olympic champion Zheng finds mojo to reach Tokyo semis
- Gritty Shakeel century gives Pakistan lead over England in third Test
- Tropical storm leaves towns submerged, 76 dead in Philippines
- Ancelotti 'not losing sleep' over improved Barca ahead of Clasico
- New Zealand lead by 301 after Santner's 7-53 in India Test
- Stock markets diverge in steady end to week
- UK climate strategy ruled lawful in landmark court case
- Lebanon says Israeli strike that killed media workers a 'war crime'
- Slot targets Arsenal scalp after flying start for Liverpool
- Shakeel's gritty century lifts Pakistan to parity in third Test
- Uganda court sentences former LRA commander to 40 years
- Marc Marquez clocks lap record to go fastest in Thai MotoGP practice
- Smog in Pakistan megacity ends outdoor play for schoolkids
- New Zealand on top after Santner's 7-53 in India Test
- 'End of an era' for Hezbollah after Israel killed its leader
- 'End of an era' for Hezbollah after Israel's killed its leader
- Lebanon minister says Israel strike puts second Syria crossing out of service
- Ahmed triple strike leaves Pakistan 187-7 in third Test
- Lebanon says Israeli strike killed 3 media workers
- Asia markets diverge after Tesla boosts Wall Street
- Tunisian freediver Walid Boudhiaf eyes records and developing the sport
- Schauffele makes up ground in Japan after opening-day nightmare
- Santner takes seven as New Zealand bowl out India for 156
- Lebanon says Israeli strike kills 3 journalists
- Beyonce v Joe Rogan: stars power up US election
- Locals fume as Lisbon's historic trams become tourist 'toy'
- India 107-7 after Santner takes four wickets for New Zealand
- Myanmar rebels take the road to Mandalay
- Taiwan president says 'won't yield an inch' in defence of island's territory
- Thunder roll past Jokic's Nuggets to open NBA campaign
- Bezzecchi quickest in opening practice for Thai MotoGP
- Commonwealth struggles to overcome splits over brutal past
- Stafford throws four touchdowns as Rams beat Vikings
- More than 150 Rohingya refugees rescued off Indonesia: UN
- Thai massacre families demand justice as charge deadline expires
- Asia markets split after Tesla boosts Wall Street
- Stung in Europe, Bayern and Dortmund face tricky away trips
Nadal welcomes unusual role of underdog
Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal said on Wednesday he was "excited to be playing in Rome" despite entering the Italian Open unseeded and ranked 305.
"All the matches are tough for me today, difficult and more unpredictable than what they used to be for me, especially on clay," the 37-year-old, 10-time Italian Open winner said.
"I accept that role. I accept that challenge. I'm excited about the way that I can be able to play if I keep working the proper way and my body allows me."
The 22-time Grand Slam singles champion has recently returned to the circuit after a long absence due to injury.
He will open his campaign against Belgian qualifier Zizou Bergs with the Spanish icon taking nothing for granted but confident of his current match preparation.
"I'm excited to be playing in Rome. It's a tournament that brings back a lot of unforgettable memories," said Nadal, who turns 38 on June 3.
"But it's day by day. This will be my third week almost in a row on the tour, third tournament almost in a row.
"That hasn't happened for a super long time -- that's good news.
"I need to keep going. I need to keep exploring how I will be able to manage to play every day.
"But I'm happy the way that I feel today."
Nadal is not the only top player with injury issues. Young stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are missing Rome.
"When you push your body to the limit, you get injured," said Nadal.
"When the game is faster and faster and faster, you get injured.
"When you play most of the year on hard courts and the surfaces are tougher for the body, you get injured. That's the simple answer."
But he said that such issues were inevitable.
"It is also about the tournaments, about the business, about the sport."
"At the end the players want to make money. The tournaments want to make money. The cycles come together.
"We accept that role. Things happen."
"You cannot complain about that. You accept what's going on. You keep going. You get injured, you have to recover well.
"They are young (Alcaraz and Sinner), they are going to have plenty of time to play in Rome and have a lot of success here. No drama."
Ch.Havering--AMWN