By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Friday December 30, 2022
Norrie rallied from a set down to notch his biggest career win over the legendary Spaniard in Sydney.
Photo Source: Getty
Rafael Nadal’s new season got off to a solid enough start on Saturday night in Sydney, the 22-time major champion winning the opening set 6-3 to stretch his streak to 11 sets won and zero lost against Cameron Norrie at the United Cup.
But 36-year-old Spaniard could not keep Norrie at bay and ended up falling 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to the British No.1 in a heated two hour and 44-minute contest.
Nadal has now dropped five of his last six matches, dating back to his round of 16 loss to Frances Tiafoe at the US Open, but he remains upbeat about his chances this season.
“Was not a disaster at all,” Nadal said. “I can do things, of course, better, and I need to do it. But as I said, no, not many matches before. I think [Norrie] played the first match two days ago. I think that's an advantage, especially if you win the match the way that he did.
“I need to be a little bit faster physically, a little bit more solid, some less mistakes and making better decisions at some point, playing a little bit longer.”
Norrie took the play to Nadal over the second and third sets, pushing the Spaniard around in the rallies and earning a bevy of break point opportunities. He was the more aggressive player, and the more opportunistic one.
Nadal lamented his missed chances, and stressed the need to build some confidence before he takes the court for his title defense at the Australian Open, which begins on January 15.
“Even without being a great match for me, was not a bad match either,” he said. “I had, I think, very good chances, because in the third I had Love-30, 15-40 (Nadal had two break points with Norrie serving at 3-2 and another one with Norrie serving at 4-3).
“I had my chances. Didn't convert it. Need to accept that. Especially in the beginning of the season, it's important to catch these chances, because then the road is easier. When you win a match, then you will feel better, more confident, you relax yourself. But that was not the case.”
Nadal was quick to brush aside any talk of an impending retirement from the sport. During his post-match press conference he was quick to stress that he is in Australia because he believes in his chances and aims to compete for the biggest titles in the sport.
“I lost my match. That's it, no?” he said with a smile. “Every time that I am coming to a press conference seems that I have to retire. So you are very, very interested in my retirement. I mean, that, for the moment, is not the case. When this day arrives, I'm going to let you know, guys.
“Don't keep going with the retirement because I'm here to keep playing tennis.”
It must be said that Norrie has been on the rise for the last two seasons and he played an extremely solid match to defeat Nadal. The Brit earns his first Top-2 victory (his fifth Top-5 win), and his first triumph over Nadal after four consecutive straight-set losses.
Norrie saved five of six break points and converted two of 11 to edge Nadal. The 27-year-old World No.14 is 2-0 at United Cup – he also defeated Alex de Minaur, 6-3, 6-3.