MELBOURNE, Australia | He holds the record for major trophies, he is the defending champion in Australia and he has more than 20 years of professional tennis in his body, but it was a “vulnerable” Rafael Nadal who came before reporters on Saturday in Melbourne.
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While outside, employees sprayed the participants of the traditional “children’s day” with water guns to make them forget the ambient 36 degrees, in the large conference room looking like a hall. of cinema, one of the greatest champions in history admitted that he was going through some of the most difficult moments of his career on the pitch.
“Yes of course [que je me sens vulnérable]“Dropped the Spaniard, favorite (on paper) of these Australian Open. “Without a doubt. I lost more than usual, but that’s part of the sport.
Untouchable at the start of last year, winner in Australia and on his beloved land of Roland-Garros, Nadal became unrecognizable after this injury to the abdominal muscles which forced him to withdraw on the eve of the Wimbledon semi-final.
Five small victories
To say that “Rafa” has lost “more than usual” in recent months is an understatement. Since August, the 36-year-old legend, the man with 22 Grand Slam titles, has won just five matches in as many tournaments.
However, the treatment to the left foot that he receives in order to relieve a degenerative disease from which he has suffered since the beginning of his career seems to bear fruit.
And no, he said on Saturday, it was not the birth in October of his son – also called Rafael – that turned his game upside down. Even if it required, at the start, “a lot of changes” .
In fact, Nadal refuses to use these injuries suffered last year as an excuse for his recent performances. “Of course we could talk about everything that happened, about those situations that I had to deal with. But the truth is that I am losing more than usual,” he said.
Unlucky draw
The good news for the Spaniard is that he feels good in training. The bad news is that he must now find “momentum” during matches.
In Melbourne, that goal could be difficult to achieve, as “Rafa” will face off Monday (Sunday around 10:30 p.m. EST) against the talented Briton Jack Draper, 40e world at 21.
It was this same Draper who had indicated the exit door to Félix Auger-Aliassime in the second round of the United States Open last September.
Nadal recognizes it, the draw did not give him a gift. “For a top seed, [Draper] is probably one of the most difficult opponents to face in the first round, he noted. He’s young [21 ans]powerful, he is climbing very, very quickly in the standings.”
“I’m just here to give myself a chance,” he added. I know he plays very well. He probably has a great career ahead of him.”
Vulnerable, but happy
The sequel – if there is a sequel – doesn’t look any simpler. Among his potential opponents in the following rounds are Brandon Nakashima, winner of last year’s ATP “Next generation” final, Frances Tiafoe, his crush in New York, Stefanos Tsitsipas, the third seed, or Auger -Aliassime, ranked sixth in Australia.
But even if the chances of him retaining his title seem slim, Nadal does not seem to care too much. If he says he is currently vulnerable, he is also happy.
“I have good training. What I need is to chain the victories. I hope it will happen here. And if not, I will continue to work to make it happen as soon as possible.”
“There’s no doubt I can lose on Monday, but it won’t be the end of the world. It will be a difficult time, no doubt. But I will accept it.”