Rafael Nadal theory presented by Mats Wilander after US Open loss - 'The players know'
Rafael Nadal hasn't been at his best this season according to Mats Wilander and his teammates know that's the case. This comes despite the tennis legend dominating many majors this season with his fourth-round loss to Frances Tiafoe at the US Open, the first time he had been beaten in a major this year.
Nadal struggled to match the inspired Tiafoe in the fourth-round match, with the American taking a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory at home. Nadal had won every major match he had played so far this year, lifting the trophy at the Australian Open and French Open before being forced to withdraw from Wimbledon with an abdominal injury ahead of his half. -final with Nick Kyrgios.
It seems his exploits this season have caught up with him at Flushing Meadow as he seemed jaded against the energetic 24-year-old. He is now expected to take a short break to recover from his grueling campaign.
However, Wilander argued that the clay-court specialist has not been in top form all year, with his resulting success nothing short of miraculous, especially as his opponents knew he wasn't as strong as usual.
DON'T MISS:
"It's a miracle that he won two Grand Slams this year and reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon," he said. "If you look at his year, with the regular season he had, he actually won two Grand Slams - it's unbelievable. It wasn't planned, but I think the players know when Rafa n not quite 100%."
Nadal has now confirmed that he will take a break from sport to focus on his family life. The Spaniard's wife, Mery Perello, is 31 weeks pregnant and has been hospitalized after suffering complications. Fortunately, she is now on the mend but remained hospitalized as a precaution.
DON'T MISS:Nick Kyrgios and Karen Khachanov have a bitter feud that could spill over to the US OpenRafael Nadal rival Serena Williams gestures with an item of clothing during the US Open clashJohn McEnroe responds to the allusion to Nick Kyrgios' retirement with a public plea of "begging"
"I have to go [home], fix things and I don't know when I'm going to come back," he said after his loss to the world No.26. "When I feel mentally ready to compete again...I will.
"I have no idea about my schedule at the moment. There are more important things related to my personal life at home now. Personal life is always much more important than my work. It is time to reset. The months have been tough.”
Rafael Nadal hasn't been at his best this season according to Mats Wilander and his teammates know that's the case. This comes despite the tennis legend dominating many majors this season with his fourth-round loss to Frances Tiafoe at the US Open, the first time he had been beaten in a major this year.
Nadal struggled to match the inspired Tiafoe in the fourth-round match, with the American taking a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory at home. Nadal had won every major match he had played so far this year, lifting the trophy at the Australian Open and French Open before being forced to withdraw from Wimbledon with an abdominal injury ahead of his half. -final with Nick Kyrgios.
It seems his exploits this season have caught up with him at Flushing Meadow as he seemed jaded against the energetic 24-year-old. He is now expected to take a short break to recover from his grueling campaign.
However, Wilander argued that the clay-court specialist has not been in top form all year, with his resulting success nothing short of miraculous, especially as his opponents knew he wasn't as strong as usual.
DON'T MISS:
"It's a miracle that he won two Grand Slams this year and reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon," he said. "If you look at his year, with the regular season he had, he actually won two Grand Slams - it's unbelievable. It wasn't planned, but I think the players know when Rafa n not quite 100%."
Nadal has now confirmed that he will take a break from sport to focus on his family life. The Spaniard's wife, Mery Perello, is 31 weeks pregnant and has been hospitalized after suffering complications. Fortunately, she is now on the mend but remained hospitalized as a precaution.
DON'T MISS:Nick Kyrgios and Karen Khachanov have a bitter feud that could spill over to the US OpenRafael Nadal rival Serena Williams gestures with an item of clothing during the US Open clashJohn McEnroe responds to the allusion to Nick Kyrgios' retirement with a public plea of "begging"
"I have to go [home], fix things and I don't know when I'm going to come back," he said after his loss to the world No.26. "When I feel mentally ready to compete again...I will.
"I have no idea about my schedule at the moment. There are more important things related to my personal life at home now. Personal life is always much more important than my work. It is time to reset. The months have been tough.”
What's Your Reaction?
