Rafael Nadal had a rather disappointing opening match in Paris on Wednesday when he lost to the world number 31, Tommy Paul. The American played a great match, but Nadal was definitely not at his very best. As per his own admission, the Spanish legend has not played so much in the last few months. After losing in Paris, Nadal also admitted that he is not very confident about his chances at the upcoming ATP Finals in Turin.
“If nothing happens, I hope to be there. I’m excited about playing, even if it hasn’t been the perfect couple of months for me. It’s true that for the last five months I didn’t spend enough days on the Tour. I don’t even say competing on a tennis court. I say on the Tour. Practicing with the guys. That’s what I need.
For me, it’s difficult to imagine now arriving in the World Tour Finals in enough good shape to win a tournament that I didn’t win during all my tennis career.”
Rafael Nadal in 2022
At the moment ranked no.2, Rafael played his last match on the 2nd of November when he lost to world no.31 Tommy Paul 3-6 7-6(4) 6-1 in the 2nd round in Paris (draw).
At present, during this year Nadal has managed to achieve a 38-6 record. Nadal has won 4 titles in 2022 in Melbourne, Australian Open, Acapulco and French Open. Nadal got to the final in Indian Wells.
Paul in Paris, ranking, and results in 2022
At the moment ranked no.31, the American has a composed 38-26 match record in 2022. Tommy is playing at the moment in Paris where he beat the world no.20 Roberto Bautista Agut 6-4 6-4 and the world no.2 Rafael Nadal 3-6 7-64 6-1.
Tommy Paul will come up against the world no.14 Pablo Carreno-Busta in the 3rd round on Thursday at 8:30 pm on COURT CENTRAL. They have never played each other up to now in top tournaments.
Rafael Nadal and Tommy Paul clashed against each other only twice. The head to head is 1-1. Previously, the last time they competed against each other, Tommy Paul won 3-6 7-6(4) 6-1 in the 2nd round in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters) on the 2nd of November 2022.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.
Rafael Nadal and Tommy Paul |
Embed from Getty Images |