Advertisement

Updated August 31st, 2022 at 14:21 IST

US Open: Rafael Nadal survives scare in first round against Australian wild card Rinky Hijikata

The No. 2 seed is now a perfect 20-0 in Grand Slam play this season with titles at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, his lone setback a semifinal pull-out at Wimbledon due to an abdominal tear, an injury that cost him a shot at the calendar-year Grand Slam.

Rafael Nadal
Image: AP | Image:self

 

Returning to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for the first time since 2019, when he raised the fourth US Open trophy of his career, Rafael Nadal turned back an upset bid from Australian wild card Rinky Hijikata on Tuesday night, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

The No. 2 seed is now a perfect 20-0 in Grand Slam play this season with titles at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, his lone setback a semifinal pull-out at Wimbledon due to an abdominal tear, an injury that cost him a shot at the calendar-year Grand Slam.

"Retiring is, in my opinion, much tougher than lose. That's the thing, no? The sports is about winning or losing, not about retiring. When you retire, you can't compete. The feeling is much worse than losing a match, no? But that's what happened. In some way it's part of my tennis career, too. In the other hand, of course I'm having an amazing year in terms of results, but at the same time a tough year because I went through the foot, the rib, stress fracture on the rib, then the tear in the abdominal. A lot of things going on during the last six months and a half, seven months. At the same time we coming back from a tough period of time. Yeah, can't complain much. Even if I went through, I was able to win tournaments and be in the position today. Today I was able to win a match again, no? Be in the second round of the US Open, it's important for me. I was able to come back after a tough first set,' Rafael Nadal on having to retire at Wimbledon due to injury even though he hasn't lost a match in a slam this year.

Advertisement

Published August 31st, 2022 at 13:47 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo