This year’s Cincinnati Masters 1000 will have Rafael Nadal’s return to activity as one of its central focuses and most attractive points of the week. The Spanish tennis player, 36 years old and number three in the world, will try to get into a rhythm for the US Open where he will try to reach another Grand Slam title, taking advantage at least for the moment of the absence of Serbian Novak Djokovic.
But in Cincinnati, a tournament that he has not played for five years, he arrives with great enthusiasm. “I am happy to return to Cincinnati after a few years without having the option to compete here. I have a small tear in my abdomen, which is dangerous.
This zone is always complicated, since in each service one puts all the tension there. I’m trying to progress little by little, being even a little more conservative. I hope to be ready for action in the first round, I can’t wait to compete again.
The 2022 season is being very good for me and I am enjoying it, I want to continue enjoying this week in Cincinnati”, commented the Mallorcan in statements taken up by Punto de Break. As second seeded, Rafa will only have to make his debut in the second round against the winner of the clash between the Italian Lorenzo Musetti and the Croatian Borna Coric.
“If you are playing well, and I think you have been doing it more or less, then you have a better feeling on the court.”
Bellis opens up on Nadal
Former World No. 35 CiCi Bellis gave her thoughts on Rafael Nadal’s physical state while speaking alongside Andy Roddick on Tennis Channel.
“Obviously he is getting into the latter stages of his career so just staying healthy and maintaining his body is the biggest thing for him right now,” Bellis said. “His game’s going to be able to show for it like we’ve seen this year, so I think just making sure he’s healthy for the Open is gonna be the biggest thing.”
Andy Roddick also stressed that Rafael Nadal’s early arrival in Cincinnati shows that he means business. “Props to Rafa’s management for getting him into that Wednesday night timeslot, giving him as much time as possible to get ready and get his practice reps in.
But listen, you know Rafa’s serious when he arrives at a tournament almost a week in advance to get used to the conditions in Cincinnati,” Roddick said.
