(Sydney) Rafael Nadal lost on Saturday against Briton Cameron Norrie (3-6, 6-3, 6-4) in his resumption match counting for the United Cup, the mixed ATP tournament used to prepare the Internationals for Australia, of which the Spaniard is the defending champion.
The N.2 at ATP, who had never lost to 14e world player in their previous four clashes, notably struggled on his 1er service in a match that lasted 2 hours 44 minutes.
“It’s not at all disastrous”, however relativized the player. “I can and I have to do better but as I said I haven’t played much so far. Him, I think he had played two days ago and it is an advantage”.
“Then I have to work physically to be faster, stronger, make fewer mistakes, improve my decision-making and play longer. I can improve, the Australian Open does not start for two weeks, ”he added before facing Australian Alex de Minaur (N.24) on Monday.
The 36-year-old Spaniard, who won the Australian Open in 2022 then a new Roland-Garros to bring the record for Grand Slam victories to 22, had already experienced a lackluster end to 2022, like his premature elimination at 1er turn during the Masters in early November.
“The last few months have not been easy for me,” he admitted on Wednesday, after suffering in the second half of the previous season from recurrent foot pain and abdominal tearing. “My main objective now is to find good sensations on the court, to be competitive”.