2024-01-05 20:27:59
The Majorcan, who was making his return during this tournament after a year off due to injuries, physically collapsed against the Australian Jordan Thompson (55th), winner in three sets this Friday, January 5.
No pass of three for Rafael Nadal in Australia: the 37-year-old Spaniard, who made his comeback in Brisbane after more than eleven months of interruption and two operations, lacked chest in the final against the Australian national Jordan Thompson (55th), winner (5-7, 7-6 (8/6), 6-3). “I need matches, to also play doubles, and to train well, spending hours on the court is very important for me,” Nadal said Thursday, January 4 after his second round.
On this point, his wish was granted: against Thompson, Nadal spent almost three and a half hours on the court (3:20 precisely): 1:14 in the first set, 1:19 in the second, a little less in the third (51 minutes). But not for the expected result.
Beaten, the Majorcan will be able to regret the two faults committed on the first two of his three match points, by sending a high backhand volley, then a forehand in the corridor, while he had taken the upper hand each time in the ‘exchange. Nothing to regret, however, on the third, well and truly saved by the Australian, from a deep comeback.
Breathless
The former world number 1, falling to 672nd place after his long interruption, was jostled from the start by a very incisive Thompson, particularly in return of service. Which allowed him to make the break first, at 3-3, via a climb to the net to push Nadal into error. But he, like the champion he always is, reacted immediately by taking the opponent’s service in the next game. While he was serving to get back to six games all, Thompson’s mind then cracked: a double fault, a backhand in the net, his racket thrown to the ground, and the Australian found himself trailing 0-40 , offering the set to Nadal on a new ball in the net.
In the second set, the Majorcan had opportunities, first to break, then to fold the match in two sets by obtaining three match points. But he failed to seize his chance, opening the door for Thompson to return.
???? For the 9th time in his career, Rafael Nadal ???????? lost after obtaining at least one match point. pic.twitter.com/ADYgWPujjX
— Game, Set and Maths (@JeuSetMaths) January 5, 2024
Very eye-catching, this 29-year-old player who had not won a single set during their two previous face-to-face matches, managed to equalize at one set all. The third set was fatal for Nadal: winner in two sets during the first two rounds, the Spaniard, away from the competition for too long, then ran out of strength.
Like the best days
Despite the concern born from the pain felt, and despite the defeat, the holder of twenty-two Grand Slam titles can nevertheless nourish reasons for satisfaction: if he seemed a little rusty on certain races forward, if his service was faltering, he sustained long rallies and regained his splendor on certain points, like this backward smash and this backhand leg kick to pick up a drop shot from Thomson at 4-4 in the second set, or this cross backhand passing at the end of the race at the start of the third set. Like the best days.
More annoying, however: the Spaniard felt “muscular” pain in his left thigh at the end of the match, in “a very similar place” to the one where he had injured himself a year earlier. He then left the court briefly before ending the match. He wanted to be reassuring by explaining that it was only a question of “the overworked muscle after a few days of effort and a very difficult match” and said he hoped “to have the chance to [s]”train next week and play in Melbourne”, while being “not 100% sure of anything at the moment”.
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