US Open: Nadal will return when he is 'mentally ready to resume competition'

It was not a great Rafael Nadal this Monday at the US Open.

Less effective, less mobile, less eye-catching than usual, he never managed to really counter the game set up by an exceptional Frances Tiafoe just to win in four sets 6-4, 4-6 , 6-4, 6-3.

“It's simple: I played a bad game and he had a good game.

(...) I was not able to oppose many things to him.

He was better than me,” conceded the Spaniard, reluctant to hide behind false excuses after a defeat.

However, the questions are not lacking after this setback which could prevent him from becoming world number 1 again (Editor's note: He will be if neither Ruud nor Alcaraz reach the final) instead of a Daniil Medevedev eliminated by Nick Kyrgios.

Asked about his physical condition and his limited preparation following his abdominal tear at Wimbledon, he did not hide: "I did what I could, but things did not work out as I should have. desired.

I trained well, however, the week before the tournament.

But when the competition started, my level dropped.

It's the truth.

For some reason.

I don't know... mental issues, since a lot has happened in the last two months.

Maybe... But it doesn't matter.

In the end, the only thing that happened,

is that I lost in the round of 16 of the US Open, against a player who was better than me.

»

Big Foe comes up with the big win!

🙌

Catch the rest of today's action on The Changeover.

https://t.co/5E1bZtj5k7

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 5, 2022

Eliminated in New York, the Spaniard will quickly return to Europe and focus on his family, his wife being pregnant.

“I need to go home, the last few months have been difficult.

I have more important things than tennis to settle.

And then decisions will be made based on how things are going in my personal life, which comes before my professional life,” he explains.

And what about the end of the season?

“I'm going to do a mini preparation to try to end the year in Europe with a good feeling.

There are still tournaments to come if all goes well.

I don't know when I'll be back, but when I feel like I'm mentally ready to start competing again, I'll be there,” promises Nadal.