CINCINNATI, United States —
Rafael Nadal is
keeping expectations in check while focusing on fitness as he prepares for the
Cincinnati Masters.
اضافة اعلان
The world number three, who handed in an abdominal
muscle injury walkover in his Wimbledon semi-final with Nick Kyrgios, takes the
second seeding behind Daniil Medvedev in the American Midwest at the joint ATP
and WTA tournament.
With Novak Djokovic missing due to his refusal to
get a COVID-19 vaccination, the 36-year-old Spaniard has one less dangerous
opponent to deal with at the US Open tuneup.
Nadal could return to the top ranking spot for the
first time since January 2020, which would mean a top seeding at the
US Open starting on August 29.
That could pass if he wins the Cincinnati title and
Medvedev fails to reach the quarter-finals.
But for Nadal, it’s all about keeping healthy,
letting the results fall where they may.
“Number one is nice but staying healthy is the most
important thing,” Nadal said on Sunday. “I don’t have a goal of returning to
number one.”
The 2013 Cincinnati champion said that his goal will
be to “stay healthy and finish the season playing where I want to play.”
The Spaniard said that with a baby on the way, his
playing schedule might have to be moderated.
Nadal, who has put in a brutal training schedule
since arriving in Cincinnati at mid-week, said that still feels pain on serve
from his injury.
But he said that obstacles are part of any comeback.
“You cannot expect to play at an amazing level
immediately. You have to be humble and use the tools that you have to win the
first match,” Nadal said.
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