Rafael Nadal fell at the furst hurdle in his comeback as he lost to Tommy Paul at the Paris Masters in what was his first match since the US Open.
Suddenly from 40-0 up at 2-1, the American found himself facing a break point but was handed a lifeline as Nadal narrowly missed the line and failed to convert before Paul held for 3-1. The set went to a tiebreak and it was the 25-year-old who took an immediate mini-break lead thanks to a double-fault from the Nadal racket. There was some rust for the second seed in the first game of the match as he found himself at deuce after being 40-0 up but managed to hold on.
Tommy Paul battles back to defeat Rafael Nadal in Paris, handing the Spaniard a loss in his first ATP Tour match since the US Open.
[Tommy Paul](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/tommy-paul/pl56/overview) earned the biggest win of his career by defeating new dad [Rafael Nadal](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/rafael-nadal/n409/overview) on Wednesday at the [Rolex Paris Masters](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/paris/352/overview). He produced a highlight-reel shot as he tracked down a lob in set two, opting for a spinning forehand rather than a tweener and roping it past a stunned Paul for a passing-shot winner. Nadal was millimetres from levelling the set after digging out of a 0/40 hole on return, but a would-be winner landed just wide with Nadal's challenge unsuccessful. [Auger-Aliassime, Rublev Complete 2022 Nitto ATP Finals Field](/en/news/nitto-atp-finals-2022-field-is-set) [Nitto ATP Finals](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/nitto-atp-finals/605/overview) from 13-20 November. A fifth break finished the match after two hours, 32 minutes. A loose service game from Nadal handed Paul an early lead in the decider, and the American drove home his advantage after surviving a dramatic game to hold for 3-1. The American began to dictate from there, creating three further break chances with his aggressive baseline game before sealing the set in the tie-break. I've only played him the second time, but the first time I was so nervous. "I had a lot of fun out there. With his 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-1 victory, the American denied the World No. I was pretty relaxed going onto the court and the day before.
The former junior standout has come of age after a breakthrough 2022 season, scoring the biggest win of his career at the Rolex Paris Masters.
I always wear them. They make custom clothes, and I love the hats. I was on the bobcat pulling them in. While this is his fifth Top 10 victory of the year, Nadal marks his first win over a "Big 3" player. 2 Rafael Nadal, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1—not only avenging an Acapulco defeat to the 22-time major champion but also culminating what has been a meteoric rise that began last November when he won his first ATP title in Stockholm. News
As he sat slumped in his chair after losing his serve for a second time in the decisive set against America's Tommy Paul, Nadal looked lost.
[ATP Tour](https://www.tennis365.com/category/atp-tour/) We are lucky today that, with technology, we can do video calls any time you want, so that always helps, but it is not easy.” [WTA Tour](https://www.tennis365.com/category/wta-tour/) “It has always been tough to leave home, but this time even more. I know it’s been a slow Europe swing for me, so I’m pumped to get that W.” “I had a lot of fun out there. “I came out playing pretty well. [Tennis News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/tennis-news/) It was weird, this time I wasn’t really nervous. I was pretty relaxed going onto the court and the day before. [ an appearance at the ATP Finals](https://www.tennis365.com/atp-tour/rafael-nadal-schedule-update-as-his-coach-confirms-he-plans-to-play-in-paris-and-turin/). “I’ve only played him the second time, but the first time I was so nervous.
Tommy Paul overcame Rafael Nadal 3-6 7-6(4) 1-6 at the Paris Masters to reach the third round as the second and fourth seeds both crashed out on the same ...
I know it's been a slow Europe swing for me, so I'm pumped to get that W [win]." "I had a lot of fun out there. I was pretty relaxed going onto the court and the day before. "I came out playing pretty well. It was weird, this time I wasn't really nervous. “I've only played him the second time, but the first time I was so nervous.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner had played only one match between the US Open and his Paris Masters defeat – a doubles encounter in Roger Federer's farewell match ...
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The 22-time Grand Slam winner had played only one match between the US Open and his Paris Masters defeat – a doubles encounter in Roger Federer's farewell match ...
[ATP Tour](https://www.tennis365.com/category/atp-tour/) You never know when it is going to be the last, especially at my age. [WTA Tour](https://www.tennis365.com/category/wta-tour/) [Tennis News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/tennis-news/) That’s what I need. It’s true that for the last five months I didn’t spend enough days on the Tour. “Just give myself a chance to enjoy another Finals. “But, yeah, nothing to lose. [Billie Jean King Cup](https://www.tennis365.com/category/fed-cup/) After a good year, going there, just trying my best.” I am going to try — [if] nothing happens, if I am feeling okay — to be there [in Turn] a little bit earlier than usual and have some practices.
Second seed Rafael Nadal and fourth seed Daniil Medvedev both suffered second-round exits at the Paris Masters on Thursday.
"It's like, he did a bad match like I can do a bad match, for example. I know it's been a slow Europe swing for me, so I'm pumped to get that W." "I had a lot of fun out there. "I came out playing pretty well. I was pretty relaxed going onto the court and the day before. "I've only played him the second time, but the first time I was so nervous.
Nadal was knocked out by Tommy Paul in Paris in his first singles match since the US Open.
[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) [Privacy policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?hl=en) and [Terms of service](https://policies.google.com/terms?hl=en) apply. I don’t even say competing on a tennis court. [Felix Auger-Aliassime](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/felix-auger-aliassime) and [Andrey Rublev](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/andrey-rublev) completed the singles field for ATP Finals. That’s what I need ... I say on the Tour. “It’s true that for the last five months I didn’t spend enough days on the Tour.
Rafael Nadal cast doubt on his chances of winning a first ATP Finals title following what he called a “terrible” display in the defeat to Tommy Paul.
"A lot of things going on the last couple of months, without a doubt. Until that moment it was OK, a good match for me, knowing that is my first match since a while." You never know when is going to be the last, especially at my age. [Nadal dumped out of Paris Masters to halt No. And today for moments, putting everything in a pack, I was playing quite well." It's true that for the last five months I didn't spend enough days on the Tour. He added: "At the end, I need days on the Tour. But we are always ready to find excuses, but at the end, it's always the same. “That's what I need. "Just give myself a chance to enjoy another [Nitto ATP] Finals. 1, but those hopes were halted by a 3-6 7-6(4) 6-1 loss. [had a chance of toppling](https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/atp-paris/2022/rafael-nadal-i-m-not-returning-for-paris-masters-and-atp-finals-to-fight-carlos-alcaraz-for-world-no_sto9210248/story.shtml)Carlos Alcaraz in the race to end the season as the world No.
Rafael Nadal admits that he 'played terrible' at the 2022 Paris Masters and revealed the reasons for his shock loss to Tommy Paul.
‘I had my match in that second set with set and break. ‘I don’t even say competing on a tennis court. Practicing with the guys. That’s what I need.’ [Rafael Nadal](https://metro.co.uk/tag/rafael-nadal/?ico=auto_link_sport_P1_LNK1) admits that he ‘played terrible’ in his first match at the 2022 Paris Masters and revealed the reasons for his shock loss to Tommy Paul. Instead, the Spanish 22-time major winner put it down to a lack of time spent on the ATP Tour, with Nadal taking time off in recent months after the birth of his first child.
Rafael Nadal was surprisingly beaten by Tommy Paul in three sets in his first match at the Paris Masters.
"Yeah, credit to him too that he played with the right intensity, and right concentration and going for the shots, no? The latter was the second high-profile name to have been eliminated from the Paris Masters on Wednesday, with Daniil Medvedev also being forced to pack his bags after he was conquered in three sets by Alex de Minaur. "No, a lot of things going on the last couple of months, without a doubt," he added. "It's okay, no, all the credit to Tommy," said Nadal when quizzed on whether his injury was responsible for shaping the result. [Rafael Nadal](/latest/rafael-nadal) refused to make any excuses for his sub-par performance against Tommy Paul after he was knocked out in his first match at the Paris Masters on Wednesday night. Nadal has endured a turbulent time of things over the last few months, with a troublesome abdominal injury making it difficult for him to perform at his very best during the latter stages of the match against Paul.
Rafael Nadal is out of the Paris Masters after being defeated by Tommy Paul -- and the Spaniard isn't betting on winning the ATP Tour Finals, either.
I had my match in that second set with set and break,” Nadal said after the game. You never know when is gonna be the last, especially at my age. Knowing that it is my first match since a while,” he said. “Just give myself a chance to enjoy another World Tour Finals, no? 31 in the world, secured a 3-6 7-6(4) 6-1 victory over world No. It was Nadal’s first match since
The Paris Masters marks Rafael Nadal's first tournament since welcoming his first child with wife Mery Perello.
And he will find some comfort in long-time rival Djokovic’s experience on tour after he became a father for the first time, as the Serb said it led to some of his best results. And Nadal was remaining flexible as he navigated this new stage of his life. “And at the same time, it is true that we are lucky today that, with the technology, everything, we can do video calls any time that you want, so that helps. But the world No 7 was quick to give the credit to his wife Jelena, who supported him to continue competing. “I had one of my best seasons right after becoming a father in 2014,” the 21-time Grand Slam champion told reporters in Paris. The Spaniard has not competed since the US Open two months ago and is returning at this week’s Paris Masters, his first tournament since becoming a dad.
Making his first appearance since recovering from an abdomen injury (and celebrating the birth of his first child), Nadal fell to a surprise 3-6, 7-6(4), ...
French legend Yannick Noah has held an evolving view of Spain's Rafael Nadal and recently expressed his admiration for the 'Raging Bull'.
The Rafael Nadal forehand is undoubtedly one of the most feared shots in the history of men's professional tennis.
“At the end, I need days on the tour,” Nadal said. Before the Paris Masters, Nadal along with Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev and Novak Djokovic already qualified for the eight-man tournament in Turin from Nov. Nadal was playing his first singles match since the U.S.