Tennis’s ultimate fighter Rafael Nadal hopes to be ready for stiff competition at the US Open after seeing little action due to the serious abdominal injury he suffered at Wimbledon.
The 22-times grand slam winner was forced to retire from his semi-final against Nick Kyrgios at the All England Club this year and told reporters that the road to recovery presented enormous challenges.
“(It) is a tough injury because it’s dangerous, it’s risky. When you have a scar it’s a place that you put a lot of effort when you are serving,” said Nadal, who is the second seed.
“You need to find flexibility again because when you have a scar there (at the) beginning it’s not flexible ... The risk of breaking when you are doing an important movement back there on a thing that is not flexible like before, the risk is higher.”
The Spaniard withdrew from Montreal before losing in his Cincinnati opener to Borna Coric, further clouding the outlook for him to try to claim a fifth title at Flushing Meadows.
Rafael NadalCredit: Getty Images
The 36-year-old, who is competing at the US Open for the first time in three years, said he took it easy at the hardcourt tune-up event and was “doing things the best way that I can.”
“I hope to be ready for the action,” he added. “That’s the only thing I can say. I have what I have. With the tools I have today, I hope to be competitive enough to give myself a chance.”
Nadal could take the world No.1 spot from defending champion Daniil Medvedev but might run into compatriot Carlos Alcaraz in the bottom half of the draw as the 19-year-old bids for a maiden major title after winning in Madrid and Miami.
“I’m practising at a high level of intensity. I’m quite happy with the way I’m playing,” Nadal said. “From my perspective, I’m practising quite well. Let’s see what can happen.”
Novak’s choice to miss US Open: Nadal
Nadal’s open concern about his injury came as he and Medvedev, who missed Wimbledon due to the All England Club’s ban on players from Russia and Belarus, expressed their sadness and disappointment at Novak Djokovic’s absence from the US Open.
But Nadal says the show will always go on with or without the sport’s biggest stars.
Djokovic is sitting out his second grand slam of the season because of his ongoing refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
His decision not to toe the line of more than 95 per cent of his peers on tour leaves the Serb trailing Nadal, with 22 majors, by one grand slam crown in the men’s all-time title race.
Novak Djokovic with the Wimbledon trophy.Credit: AP
Fellow grand slam glutton Roger Federer, also missing the Open ahead of his planned comeback this month from another round of knee surgery at the Laver Cup exhibition event, has won 20 slams.
While politely offering his condolences for Djovokic’s latest lost opportunity, the Spaniard reminded the reigning Wimbledon champion he wasn’t the only player to ever miss a big tournament.
“I repeat what I said plenty of times: the sport in some ways is bigger than any player,” Nadal said.
“I missed a lot of important events in my tennis career because of injuries, without a doubt.
“Last year I was not here. Two years ago I was not here. The tournament continues. The world of tennis keep going.
“Even if it is not a good news for everyone, the world continues and the tennis will continue after me, after Novak, after Roger. Every year will be for the slams champion. That’s it.
“Without a doubt, Novak is one of the most important players of the last 20 years, the history of our sport. In a personal way I feel sorry for him that he’s not able to travel here.
“But in the other hand ... (it’s his choice).”
Djokovic only withdrew hours before Thursday’s draw in New York, after finally giving up hope the US Government would relax restrictions in time.
“From my personal perspective, it’s very sad news. It’s always a shame when the best players of the world are not able to play a tournament because of injuries or because of different reasons,” Nadal said ahead of his first-round match on Tuesday with Australian wildcard Rinky Hijikata.
Friends Kyrgios and Kokkinakis clash on centre court
Even their rivals will bring out the popcorn after Nick Kyrgios’s all-Australian US Open showdown with Thanasi Kokkinakis was scheduled as the feature men’s night to complete a blockbuster day-one program.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis - doubles partners, great mates and one-time Australian Open junior singles final sparring partners - will duel immediately after an emotion-charged Serena Williams potentially plays the last match of her grand career.
Nick Kyrgios.Credit: AP
Turning 41 next month, Williams earlier this month declared the US Open would likely serve as her farewell after more than two decades of dominating women’s tennis.
The record-setting former world No.1 and 23-times grand slam champion has been duly afforded top billing on Monday night, with Williams opening the evening action on Arthur Ashe Stadium against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will follow in prime time in the US, hitting world tennis’s biggest stage under New York’s bright lights around 9pm (11am Tuesday AEST).
“It will be pretty nuts,” Kokkinakis told AAP after a practice session at Flushing Meadows on Friday.
“It’s crazy to just look at the court and see how big it is. It’s a different feeling, that’s for sure.”
Almost a decade after Kyrgios trumped Kokkinakis in the 2013 Australian Open boys’ final in Melbourne, the Special Ks will be clashing for the first time in the pro ranks.
“It’s a huge match,” Aussie No.1 Alex de Minaur told AAP.
“As a passionate fan of tennis, I can’t see how that can’t be a great match - an Aussie clash on one of the biggest stages.
“I’m sure they both would have rather played different opponents but, as a spectator, it will be lots of fun to watch.”
Kokkinakis said he could barely believe the must-see first-round match-up materialised at Thursday’s draw, which ironically took place in a low-key, officials-only affair on Ashe.
He said he and Kyrgios were practising next to each other when news filtered through.
“It was pretty nuts. I got tweeted at and thought that’s got to be wrong. It’s less than one per cent chance of drawing each other,” Kokkinakis said.
“So it’s pretty crazy how it turned out.”
Reuters and AAP