“When you have a scar, it’s difficult to analyse” Rafael Nadal addresses his injury concerns after crashing out of Cincinnati Masters in the 2nd round
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Rafael Nadal
World No. 3 Rafael Nadal had a short stay in Cincinnati as he lost in the second round at the 2022 Cincinnati Masters where he was playing his first match since his injury withdrawal prior to the semi-finals in the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. The Spaniard was looking to have a big week ahead of the 2022 US Open that starts in less than 2-weeks’ time.
Nadal was up against Borna Coric, currently ranked 152nd in the world and playing in the main-draw by using the protected ranking quota. The Croatian defeated Rafa in 3-sets winning the match 7-6(9), 4-6, 6-3 to register his 3rd win over Rafa and taking a lead in the head-to-head against the Spaniard. The match went on for 2 hours and 51 minutes before Borna came out on top to knock Rafa out in his return to hardcourt matches this season.
“I need to start to be in a Grand Slam mode,”: Rafael Nadal
Rafa’s return was dubious given the 7mm tear that was diagnosed in Wimbledon. However, with a month-long rest, many were expecting Nadal to have at least a couple of wins in Cincinnati if not win the title. But with the loss to Coric, doubts loomed over whether Rafa injured himself once again which the Spaniard was himself unaware of after the match and the result will come only once he undergoes some tests.
“Well, in some ways it is difficult to analyze. Because when you have a scar, then the line is very thin because the scars don’t have enough flexibility, then you feel it. But you don’t know if you feel it because of that or if because something is not going well. So you need to take care in every single moment. So I’m probably gonna do some tests after here to confirm that everything stays the way that we want. But that’s it, I am positive.
“I was able to have a week of practice here, trying my best every single day, practising days better, practising much better than the way that I played today, honestly. So, yeah, nothing happens. Of course, it’s better to win, but at the same time, of course, there remains one week and a half for me before New York.
“I say before the tournament I am sad to not play well here, this tournament is enough important, but at that moment, I have to move forward mentally. In terms of practice, I need to start to be in a Grand Slam mode, practising the way that I need to practice to be competitive since the beginning there, and I hope I will be able to make that happen,” said Nadal during his press conference.
The match against Coric was possibly the only match Nadal will play on the Tour before the 2022 US Open which starts on 29th August in New York. Although with two ATP-250 events scheduled next week, Rafa isn’t scheduled to participate in any of them and will possibly play directly at the final Grand Slam of the season looking for his 23rd major and 3rd major of the season.
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Sarthak Shitole
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