From Paris-Bercy to Turin the result does not change. On the contrary. Against Tommy Paul, Rafael Nadal had won the first set before collapsing in the tie break and letting go completely in the third. Against Taylor Fritz, a player of a completely different caliber, he only lasted one set.
The 7-6(3) 6-1 final was emblematic. Nadal continues to struggle with a slow rehabilitation in the major circuit after the ‘bad’ North American interlude and a fleeting appearance in the Laver Cup. “I think I played a good first set.
The serve worked well. He has played an incredible game, so I can only congratulate him. The first break in the second set may be there, the second may not. I need to play more matches at this level, also because I am training well.
I think it’s perfectly normal”, he explained at the press conference. “It’s probably not the ideal tournament for me and it’s not easy to return to the circuit after a few months of hiatus, especially if you don’t have the right feeling on the track.
Against such strong opponents and on a surface that doesn’t give you the opportunity to make mistakes, small details can make the difference and the player who is more aware of his own means at the moment wins.”
Nadal is obviously not out of contention for the semi-finals yet. Even if the path seems decidedly uphill. “It hasn’t been the start he expected, but I still have a chance in this tournament. What have I improved since Paris? Not much, seeing the result”, he said smiling.
“In training I feel competitive, but the matches are another story. I repeat, against the best players the details make the difference.”
Rafa Nadal lost to Fritz
Rafael Nadal remains positive about his chances at the ATP Finals in Turin, despite losing his opening match in straight sets to Taylor Fritz.
“Tennis and the sport in general, it’s about time. I have less time than him to do what I want to do on the ball. I felt that everything was going so fast. When that’s happen, normally you are under stress and you don’t have the time to play the kind of shot that you want.
In most of the points of the match, I was in a defensive position and he was in an offensive position. That’s what happened,” said Nadal. “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 made that happen, when you face the top players, you are more ready, no?” he expressed.
