Frenchy-Player
Hall of Fame
“I need more matches to play at this kind of level,” the world No 2 said, “even if I am practicing well — much better than how I am competing, without a doubt. That’s normal. At the end (this) is not the ideal tournament and probably (the) part of the season to come back after a couple of months without being on the tour, because you don’t have time to get confidence.
“In the beginning you have very tough opponent in front (of you), on a surface that very small details make the difference. These small details probably goes the way the player who [has] better confidence. That was not my case last couple of matches, and that’s it. (I have to) accept, keep working; that’s the only way. I know I am practicing well and with the right attitude and doing the right things, (but) in the matches I [am not improving].
“In this tournament I still have a chance. But of course (I’m) not happy about the beginning.”
“Normally I try to come back in lower events. Normally you don’t need to play at your top to win couple of matches. Then if you make that happen, when you face the top players, you are more ready.”
Nadal does not have that luxury at this tournament, and his semifinal hopes will be on life support when he faces Auger-Aliassime.
“It’s a match like a normal tournament already, because the loser will (probably) go out of the tournament,” Nadal commented. “(I have to) just accept that I need to do better things. I hope to be ready to make that happen.
“[Felix is finishing] the season playing unbelievable, winning (three) tournaments in a row, playing so well. (It’s) another big challenge.”
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“In the beginning you have very tough opponent in front (of you), on a surface that very small details make the difference. These small details probably goes the way the player who [has] better confidence. That was not my case last couple of matches, and that’s it. (I have to) accept, keep working; that’s the only way. I know I am practicing well and with the right attitude and doing the right things, (but) in the matches I [am not improving].
“In this tournament I still have a chance. But of course (I’m) not happy about the beginning.”
“Normally I try to come back in lower events. Normally you don’t need to play at your top to win couple of matches. Then if you make that happen, when you face the top players, you are more ready.”
Nadal does not have that luxury at this tournament, and his semifinal hopes will be on life support when he faces Auger-Aliassime.
“It’s a match like a normal tournament already, because the loser will (probably) go out of the tournament,” Nadal commented. “(I have to) just accept that I need to do better things. I hope to be ready to make that happen.
“[Felix is finishing] the season playing unbelievable, winning (three) tournaments in a row, playing so well. (It’s) another big challenge.”
Nadal: Nitto ATP Finals “not the ideal tournament” for a comeback
Playing just his second match since the US Open, Rafael Nadal did not sound especially confident after losing to Taylor Fritz on Monday.
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