Rafael Nadal

Nadal is short on matches after suffering an abdominal tear at Wimbledon and Australian wild card Hijikata seized his opportunity on Arthur Ashe Stadium with a ...

In some way it was not the day to play perfect. Then I was a little bit nervous. Nadal said: “Obviously it was a tough match.

Rafael Nadal has been dealing with injuries that could threaten his career, but he earned a first-round victory over Rinky Hijikata at the U.S. Open.

“I am enjoying the fact I am here,” he said. “I was a little nervous, but I remembered I didn’t have anything to lose going into that match, playing an older and more experienced player,” said Tien, who is considering college and will compete in the junior U.S. [Emma Raducanu](https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-09-11/emma-raducanu-defeats-leylah-fernandez-us-open-womens-title) of Britain, who has struggled since she won the U.S. At the rate the American men are going, they will still be chasing that next Slam title by the time Tien is ready to play against the big boys. It was tough to see the once-dominant Williams, who debuted here in 1997 and won the title here twice, unable to cover the court. [It was] a day to just make the job done, and that’s what I did,” said Nadal, the No. [Australian Open](https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2022-01-30/rafael-nadal-wins-australian-open-for-21st-major-title) this year and followed up by [winning his beloved French Open](https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2022-06-05/rafael-nadal-defeats-casper-ruud-for-14th-french-open-title) for the 14th time, giving him a men’s-record 22 Grand Slam singles titles. “I just love being here, love playing here, the excitement of getting here, and the lead-up is all just — it never gets old. “I have what I have,” the four-time U.S. “In some way, [this] was not the day to play perfect. Nadal clinched it on his fifth match point, threading a fierce forehand down the line to secure a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 victory under the closed roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium. His chronic foot problems and recent abdominal tear now mean that any point might truly be the last of his career if his worn-out body won’t allow him to continue.

RAFAEL NADAL had to fight back from a set down to win on his US Open return in Tuesday's night session.

Nadal was taking part in his first US Open match since defeating Daniil Medvedev in a memorable five-set affair to earn his four and most recent crown in 2019. Nadal's US Open preparations were far from ideal after withdrawing from his Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios with an abdominal injury in July. The Spaniard returned to the hallowed hard count in Tuesday's night session with a fighting performance but explained his retirement fear after his latest victory.

A fired-up Rafael Nadal was as motivated as ever as he roared back from a set down to overcome Rinky Hijikata of Australia in their US Open first-round ...

Then when he comes back he's got the foot problem and then he goes to Roland-Garros and then all of a sudden he won, so I'm so impressed again with what Rafa is doing. He is probably the best player or athlete that I have ever met at knowing how to deal with adversity because he deals with that very well and this is so difficult.” “I think probably one of the most difficult seasons of his career, from where he came from and for the things he had in the beginning and in the middle of the season as well. I think we need to wait of course but it could be one of the most surprising ones because he's come a long way from before Melbourne. And he's got the experience to know how to deal with the big winners of the tournament.” “Then before Roland-Garros, we didn't know if he was going to play and then if he's capable of winning here, that will be a major impact. So at least, that will be a major effort. "For some time I thought I may not be able to be back, so I am super happy. "I think I didn't play a good game with my serve. That's what I did today," he continued. "But from where he came, he came from a lot of problems. "It's been a long wait," Nadal said in his on-court interview.

Rafael Nadal was involved in a testy exchange with a journalist at the US Open after it was put to him that he receives preferential treatment from umpires.

I have a problem that I am sweating a lot. I don't understand why John can say that on the TV. I don't think I have a different treatment from the umpires at all. But I am going to have a chat with him later (smiling). If not, check the clock. Nadal: I never said that. You have to go to the farthest place of the court to take the towel.The problem for players like me that am sweating that much, you know when you go to pick up the towel, you are going to be in trouble with the time. Question: You have not been following the serve clock rule. John McEnroe has been pointing out you are not following that rule. It seems like the umpires are not enforcing the rule in your case. John McEnroe has been pointing this out. US Open

'I'm going to chat to him later': Nadal hits back at tennis great's 'joke' accusation.

“I don’t think I have different treatment from the umpires at all. “I have a problem, that I am sweating a lot, and when you are playing a game during these very humid conditions, we have the biggest problem today. To me, it’s a big joke if somebody says that.” I don’t think I am receiving different treatment at all. but yes for the time clock. Never for breaking the racquet...

Rafael Nadal may have swept past Rinky Hijikata in impressive fashion after losing the opening set of their US Open first-round clash, but he was "nervous".

"You need to be humble enough to go through this process and accept that you need to fight and you need to accept that you going to suffer. "As I said, last week I lost a match in the first round. I know what I have to do better for the next couple of days. It was a day to just get the job done, and that is what I did. "You know, that is the sport. In some ways, it was not the day to play perfectly. Things start to go your way, then you start to feel more relaxed, more comfortable. My opponent did it very well for a while. I was not perfect, but happy. "But then I think I played better. "Well, obviously a tough match," Nadal said in his post-match press conference. Yes, I went through this tough moment.

The 25-second shot clock rule was introduced in 2018 to speed the game up and to give players a timeframe within which they are expected to serve.

He takes a look at the clock again… Shouldn't they have it at 15 seconds on the second serve? 'I have a problem that I am sweating a lot. Never for doing a mess on court. Never for breaking a racquet. John McEnroe criticised them for not penalising the Spaniard for the time he takes between serves

Nadal won 4-6 6-2 6-3 6-3 against Hijikata to ensure he continued on at this years US Open; he will face Fabio Fognini in the second round.

"But then I think I played better. [skysports.com/tennis](http://www.skysports.com/tennis), our Twitter account [@skysportstennis](https://twitter.com/SkySportsTennis) & Sky Sports - on the go! "I think I didn't play a good game with my serve. Nadal said: "Obviously it was a tough match. But I'm happy. Then he had the break.