TENNIS: Rafael Nadal’s first match since his exit from the Wimbledon semi-finals because of injury ended in defeat at the hands of Croatian Borna Coric at the Cincinnati Open.
What We Know
The global tennis icon, Fafael Nadal had spent six weeks recovering from the abdominal muscle injury and the defeat in the round-of-32 match is a huge blow to his US Open preparations.
His first competitive match after the well-deserved rest has just ended in a loss for the former champion. The Spaniard, 36, lost 7-6 (9-7) 4-6 6-3 to the world number 152.
American Taylor Fritz, who Nadal defeated in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, beat Australian Nick Kyrgios 6-3 6-2 to reach the third round.
Notable Quote
Nadal who has won the US Open in 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019 said:
“In terms of New York, it’s a Grand Slam, a different kind of tournament.”
“I was only able to play two sets before this match in the last 40 days.”
“I know that to gain condition. I will have to be on the tour practising with the guys.”
Fritz had criticised the ATP Tour’s off-court coaching trial, agitating allowing players to receive instructions during a match, went against the idea of tennis being an individual sport.
According to Fritz:
“Why are we making it not an individual sport? A huge part of tennis is as much mental as it is physical, and a big part of it is you need to be figuring it out on the court for yourself.”
“I think it’s ridiculous that you can be mentally not there, not good analytically, not good at kind of working through things and coming up with strategies, and you can have someone tell you what to do. I hate it.”
Other Games
Fritz will face sixth seed Andrey Rublev next after the Russian beat Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-7 (7-9) 7-6 (7-3) 6-2.
Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas won 6-3 6-4 against Serbian Filip Krajinovic while Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz lost to American John Isner 7-6 (7-5) 6-7 (7-5) 6-2.
Shapovalov will battle the world number one Daniil Medvedev next while Auger-Aliassime faces Italian Jannik Sinner.
