By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday January 14, 2023
Entering a Grand Slam with six losses in his last seven matches is uncharted territory for the 22-time major champion.
Photo Source: Getty
What’s it like to head into a Grand Slam with one win in your last seven matches? For the first time in his career, Rafael Nadal – he of 22 Grand Slam singles titles – can answer that question.
Nadal was asked if he felt vulnerable coming into the Australian Open with zero wins on the season and just one win from his last seven matches, dating back to last year’s US Open, where he fell to Frances Tiafoe in the round of 16.
His reply? Typically, as honest as it gets…
“Yeah, of course,” Nadal told the media on Saturday. “Without a doubt, no? I have been losing more than usual, so that's part of the business.”
There is one massive caveat, however: Nadal has always used fear as a motivator, and his own personal doubts have no doubt fueled him to work harder than ever over the last few weeks as he ramps up his preparations for this year's Australian open
The 36-year-old Spaniard, who will face rising British talent Jack Draper (ranked 40 this week) in his opening round, has a difficult draw that could see him face Frances Tiafoe in the round of 16, Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals, all simply to reach the semifinals.
He’s aware of the challenges that lie ahead, and eager to hit the ground running.
“Just accept the situation,” he said. “I think I am humble enough to accept that situation and just work with what I have today. I need to build again all this momentum. I need to build again this confidence with myself with victories. But it's true that I have been losing more than usual.
“Of course, we can talk about things that happen last year, all the situations that I had faced. But the real thing is I have been losing more than usual.
“That's the true. I need to live with it and just fight for the victories, no?”
But Nadal isn’t at rock bottom confidence-wise – far from it, in fact. He reminded the media that he played decent tennis in his two losses at United Cup, to Alex de Minaur and Cameron Norrie, which both came in three tight sets.
“By the way, I didn't play that bad the first two matches the year,” he said. “I lost against two great opponents, but having very positive chances to win both matches.”
Add to that improving form that can come from several weeks of hard, focused practice, and we move closer to the Nadal that has historically had a habit of rampaging his way through Grand Slam draws.
Is he ready to work his magic, at the age of 36? We will soon find out…
“I already have been here for three weeks, practicing every day with that conditions, with the best players. That helps a lot in general terms,” Nadal said. “My situation, I don't know what can happen on Monday, but my personal feeling, without a doubt, is better now than three weeks ago, in general terms.”
Nadal says that win or lose, he is on the right path as the 2023 season heads into its first major event.