Google News Rafael Nadal comments on starting 2023 with 0-2 record
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Rafael Nadal says he is feeling well physically but admits he needs to act and reacter faster on the court. Nadal, 36, started the 2023 season with back-to-back defeats. After suffering a surprise defeat to Cameron Norrie, Nadal picked up another shock defeat as this time Alex de Minaur upset the Spaniard 3-6 6-1 7-5 win.
"I need to be a little bit faster, a little bit more dynamic on court, to read a little bit better the ball. That gives you the confidence, the hours on court, playing matches, and that's it. In terms of physical issues, I can't complain.
Happy for that," Nadal said after the match, per Chris Oddo.
Rafa: "I need to be a little bit faster, a little bit more dynamic on court, to read a little bit better the ball. That gives you the confidence, the hours on court, playing matches, and that's it.
In terms of physical issues, I can't complain. Happy for that." — Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) January 2, 2023
How Nadal lost to de Minaur
De Minaur earned the first break of the match in the fifth game and opened a 3-2 lead.
Down by a break, Nadal responded by claiming back-to-back breaks - winning four games in a row - and taking the first set. After winning the first set, Nadal broke de Minaur in the first game of the second set. Just when it seemed the match might be soon coming to an end, de Minaur stunningly broke Nadal three times in a row and won six consecutive games to send the match into a decider.
In the third set, de Minaur broke Nadal in the fifth game but the Spaniard broke back immediately in the following game to tie the set to three games apiece. After blowing an early third-set break, de Minaur broke Nadal again in the 11th game to take a 6-5 lead.
In the 12th game, de Minaur routinely served out for the match. After losing his first three meetings against Nadal, de Minaur finally clinched his first win against the Spaniard. "I think it's definitely up there [as one of my best wins].
It's one of those achievements that you have unlocked in your career. But also, it's a big win for myself, one that I really needed," de Minaur said of beating Nadal.
