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In the night session on Sunday, fans had followed the complicated return of Rafael Nadal to the Masters. The number one seed of the tournament with the withdrawal of his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, the Majorcan was defeated in two sets by the American Taylor Fritz. The young father was almost already playing for his survival against Felix Auger-Aliassime on Tuesday. And no miracle. Inferior, Rafa lost in two sets 6-3, 6-4. The Majorcan is therefore almost eliminated, with a record of two losses and no set won. To stay alive this Tuesday night, Taylor Fritz must beat Casper Ruud without losing a set. Rafa would then have to win in two sets against the Norwegian and hope that Fritz dominates Auger-Aliassime on Thursday. We would then have to see the game average. An almost unlikely scenario.
In cruel lack of rhythm, it is only the third time in his career that Nadal loses four times in a row. But the Spaniard is far from being discouraged. “I played better than the other day, but I didn’t take advantage of my opportunities. I fought until the end. When things happen like that, it’s hard to change the dynamic with servers like Auger-Aliassime. You have to accept what is today. The two matches at the Masters were a disaster on a mental level, but not on a tennis level. My body, my year, my personal situation do not allow me to fight for this goal. I need to finish the year in a positive way, and I’m not talking about winning, but about offering an image that helps me to continue. I am still motivated, that’s why I am here at the Masters. I’m sad, disappointed, but tomorrow is another day.”
Close to the exit, Rafa is already looking towards 2023. “I have to recover the things I lost in the last six months. I have to accept the challenge and I will have to suffer a little more. I have to keep working to give myself real options in 2023. I don’t think I’ve forgotten how to play tennis and how to be strong mentally. I need to find those positive feelings, the confidence, the mental strength that it takes to be at the level I need. I don’t know if I’m going to be able to achieve it, but no doubt I’m going to die for it.”
