Rafael Nadal

RAFAEL NADAL has vowed to make his first appearance at the US Open since 2019 a memorable one.

Nadal also heads into the main draw of the US Open with a stellar win percentage in 2022, having won in 35 of his 39 matches (89.7 per cent) this year. However, a 7-6 (9), 4-6, 6-3 defeat at the hands of Borna Coric in the first round cut short his attempts to get in some much-needed on-court practice ahead of the US Open on August 29. Nadal is currently ranked at No 3 but has his sights set on extending his run at the summit after spending 209 weeks as the top-ranked player in men’s tennis in his career.

The Spaniard lost 7-6(9) 4-6 6-3 to Borna Coric on his return from a six-week injury layoff.

“I need to move forward and just start to think about the energy that the crowd gives me in New York. [Terms of use,](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/user-policies-a6184151.html) [Cookie policy](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/cookie-policy-a6184186.html) and [Privacy notice.](https://www.independent.co.uk/service/privacy-policy-a6184181.html) “I am positive,” he added. I need to return better. I need to practise. [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. [The 36-year-old also withdrew from last week’s ATP Masters event in Montreal due to the issue](/sport/tennis/rafael-nadal-wimbledon-eugene-canada-andy-murray-b2139066.html) but did not seem hampered by it against former world number 12 Coric, and instead put his defeat down to a lack of time on court. “I need to improve. [Rafael Nadal](/topic/rafael-nadal) has played down concerns ahead of the upcoming US Open despite defeat at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday. “Obviously I didn’t play my best match, something that can happen,” Nadal said. I need days, and that’s the truth. “In terms of practice, I need to start to be in a grand slam mode, practising the way that I need to practise to be competitive since the beginning there, and I hope I will be able to make that happen.

The 36-year-old from Manacor has thus hoisted himself to 22 Majors, extending over Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the all-time ranking. The Serbian ...

There have been several iconic rivalries over the years, and one of the greatest ones in men’s tennis is that of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Tennis is a sport of legendary rivalries that brings out the best in players while captivating fans around the globe. But listen, you know Rafa's serious when he arrives at a tournament almost a week in advance to get used to the conditions in Cincinnati," Roddick said.

Rafael Nadal admits he wasn't back to full fitness as he was beaten by Borna Corcic in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters on his return to tennis.

Now that I won, it’s kind of crazy.” However, he used his protected ranking to get into the main draw of the Cincinnati Masters. “It has been very, very special,” said Coric. I know the way," Nadal said. "You lose, you move forward. US Open

The 36-year-old Spaniard was pushed to the limit and beyond in what was his first match since an abdominal tear forced him out of Wimbledon.

"Obviously I had my chances in the beginning. "I need to practise. I need to return better.

RAFAEL NADAL was beaten in three sets by Borna Corcic in his first match back from injury at the Cincinnati Masters.

This time, it's the Serbian who will be missing [over his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19](/sport/tennis/1654723/Novak-Djokovic-US-Open-Federer-Nadal-tennis-news). And afterwards, the icon seemed to cite practice, more time on court, an improvement in play and his return of serve as areas to address before Flushing Meadows. In his first match back [since withdrawing from Wimbledon with an abdominal injury](/sport/tennis/1637148/Rafael-Nadal-injury-Wimbledon-withdrawal-Nick-Kyrgios-final-tennis-news-breaking), Nadal lost 7-6 (9-7) 4-6 6-3 to the world number 152, later admitting he's only managed two practice sets in the past 40 days.

Things didn't go according to plan for Rafael Nadal during his comeback match at the Western & Southern Open, but the 22-time Grand Slam winner won't be ...

[US Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/us-open/) [ATP Tour](https://www.tennis365.com/category/atp-tour/) [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) You move forward. [Tennis News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/tennis-news/) “You lose. He later added: “For some weird reason at this tournament I never had the best feelings. So that affects a little bit in terms of not sure if you are able to try your best in every serve.” It has been a difficult injury to manage, to be honest.

Rafael Nadal said it was "difficult to take a lot of positives" as his return from injury ended in a second-round defeat at the Western & Southern Open in ...

I need to return better. "I need to practice. "The main thing for me is to stay healthy," Nadal told reporters.

Rafael Nadal will swiftly move on from his surprise defeat to Borna Coric at the Western & Southern Open, as he aims for success at Flushing Meadows.

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The 22-time grand slam champion is back on tour after recovering from the abdominal muscle tear that forced him to pull out ahead of the Wimbledon semi-finals.

“Of course it’s better to win but, at the same time, there remains one week and a half for me before New York. I was honestly just looking forward to playing this match. The Spaniard said: “I’m probably going to do some tests after here to confirm that everything stays the way that we want.

Since the late 1990s, many Spanish players have made their mark, both at the Grand Slam level and in the ATP rankings. From Carlos Moyá to Juan Carlos Ferrero, ...

The dynamics and the sport changes very quickly and you need to be ready to accept both things, the victories and the amazing things that can happen but at the same time, the injuries the tough moments, the losses. The world number three in this 2022 has won two Grand Slam titles out of three (Australian Open and Roland Garros), but has not won any title at the 1000 level. In recent years, other tennis players have appeared on the circuit, but have not achieved the same feats as the Iberian champion.

Playing at the Western & Southern Open outside Cincinnati for the first time since withdrawing ahead of his Wimbledon semifinal with Nick Kyrgios due to an ...

“I need to move forward and just start to think about the energy that the crowd gives me in New York,” he said. Nadal will be the No. “I need to practice. I need to return better. So coming back from a tough period of time, [it is] something that's easy to accept and easy to say congrats to Borna, that he played better.” Still, the loss should be taken in context.

The 22-time grand slam champion is back on tour after recovering from the abdominal muscle tear that forced him to pull out ahead of the Wimbledon semi-finals.

The 25-year-old said: “I was out for the last two years. “Of course it’s better to win but, at the same time, there remains one week and a half for me before New York. The Spaniard said: “I’m probably going to do some tests after here to confirm that everything stays the way that we want.

Rafael Nadal was back in action for the first time since being forced to withdraw from Wimbledon after reaching the semi-finals.

"I need to move forward and just start to think about the energy that the crowd gives me in New York. "I am positive," he said. I need to return better. I need to practise. I was honestly just looking forward to playing this match as I haven't had that in the last two years. "I was out for the last two years and I didn't play on the big stage in front of the crowd and everybody.