Rafael Nadal is more relaxed, more serene, more confident, the one who answers questions from journalists after the resounding success in three sets on such a positive Fabio Fognini. He finally trained well, free from back pain.
And the logical consequence was a good performance on the field. “In the first set I expressed my best level during the tournament. It’s normal because I managed to train two days in a row. This makes a big difference ”.
However, Rafa knows that his level will have to go up again if he wants to reach the end. But for now he is enjoying the progression shown on the field against the Italian. “My physical condition still needs to improve.
But this game helped me. I have not been able to train well in the last twenty days but yesterday I started to increase the workload again. And today I won a good match with some long rallies.
This helps me for the next game ”. Rafael Nadal scored a straight-sets victory over Fabio Fognini on Monday to advance to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, where he will meet Greek Stefanos Tsistipas.
But much of the conversation about Spanish in the first week has focused on his dubious back.
Rafael Nadal remembers his injury at the US Open 2009
In his press conference on Monday, Rafael Nadal cited his own personal experience with an abdominal injury at the 2009 US Open, which worsened as the tournament progressed.
Nadal stated that he was willing to take the risk as it was the end of the season and he had a one month window to recover after the tournament. “I remember at the 2009 US Open I started the US Open with a tension, I think, here in the abdomen,” Nadal said.
“I started with 6 millimeters more or less of tension and finished the tournament, I lost in those semifinals against Del Potro and I finished the tournament with 26 mm. Of course it was not a smart move, “he added.”
Well, it depends on what you have after the US Open. I feel like if I have to rest for a month or so, it wasn’t a disaster for me. “Rafael Nadal will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, and the Greek received a pass from Matteo Berrettini in the fourth.
round. The world No. 2 is looking to become the first man in the Open Era to win every Grand Slam twice. However, perhaps most importantly, it also aims to break Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles.
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