Scrappy win highlights Nadal’s start of contrast

He knows it because the 22-time Grand Slam champion, who also injured his abdomen at Wimbledon, hasn’t felt it in the last six months. Since losing the US Open in round 16, Nadal has lost 6 of 7 matches to defend his title in Melbourne.
This included losing three sets to Cameron Norrie and Alex De Minaur in the United Cup earlier in the season. Just 12 months before him, Nadal won the ATP 250 title in Melbourne in preparation for the Australian Open after returning from injury. It was built into that amazing #21 crown at the season-opening slam.
At the time, there were signs that Nadal was staying and running wild:
In his first two rounds, Clinical won his sets in straight lines and lost his only set in the first week to the dangerous Karen Khachanov. Draper, of course, is a tough first test for the top seed, and Nadal in particular doesn’t feel particularly comfortable against other southpaws — in that month’s Adelaide semi-final, he was England’s world number. It was about what he did and didn’t do with his racket, and it was different from last year.
The 36-year-old, who became his father last October, told the court:Compared to what we’ve experienced in the last six months, it’s been a positive start.
We needed the win, that’s the point. It doesn’t matter how, he later told reporters. Like I said the other day, I knew it wasn’t perfect. [And it] wasn’t perfect.
Far from it. After serving 11 times in the first set, Nadal’s racket was accidentally stolen by a ball boy after being involved in a bizarre incident. was overwhelmed by , Nadal committed 14 unforced errors (he had 46 in the match, level with Draper).
However, players like Nadal often feel better when the big stage begins. With a little more time on the pitch, a more competitive and more efficient game, the underperforming Nadal could find what he was looking for in the coming weeks.
I am ready to accept the challenge. I am ready to keep fighting for it, he said. And winning isn’t a lie, it’s a help. You feel more relaxed when you win a match. you are more confident You are more likely to resist these moments.