Rafael Nadal reached the 4th slam final of the year and he is the hot favorite to win the current US Open.
This year, Djokovic and Federer didn’t have a great run at the Flushing Meadows not only because of the strong opposition but also for the fact that they had to deal with some physical problems. The Serbian sensation had to surrender to a problem with his left shoulder while Roger’s movements (and confidence) were hampered by a problem to his upper back. Rafa also had some issues with his body in New York.
Nadal’s physical issues
The Spanish legend is well known for constantly dealing with injuries that have threatened his career many times. However, Rafa now has a strong “expertise” on how to overcome this kind of adversities.
Nadal won a tough quarterfinal against an inspired Diego Schwartzman. Unfortunately, the King of Clay had to call for a trainer on court to deal with a problem to his forearm.
During the post-match press conference, Nadal commented
“Good. I’m feeling good. Today was very humid day, very heavy day. I had some cramps in the end of the second, and, yeah, first five games, six games of the third.
And then I take some salt, that’s all, and then was over. Well, the body is in good shape, I think. No, not big problems. Just of course now a little bit tired, long day, 1:30. Need to go to sleep. But I really believe that I going to be in good shape.”
So, no (major) problems with his left forearm for Rafa, but…
Nadal’s poker face and how he deals with injuries
Rafa has many strengths and one of them is how he deals with injuries. Given his huge experience with this matter, he knows that the best is to show a positive attitude during the interview also in order not to give a confidence boost to his upcoming opponents.
Rafa’s condition will be clearer when he will play Matteo Berrettini in the semifinal.
Nadal at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2019
Ranked no.2, the Spaniard has a 45-6 win-loss record in 2019. The Spaniard is now having a run at the U.S. Open where he toppled John Millman 6-3 6-2 6-2, Thanasi Kokkinakis w/o, Hyeon Chung 6-3 6-4 6-2, Marin Cilic 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-2 and Diego Sebastian Schwartzman 6-4 7-5 6-2.
The Spaniard will square off with Berrettini in the semifinal. They have never played each so far on the main tour.
Nadal clinched 3 titles in 2019 in Rome, at the French Open and in Montreal. Nadal was the finalist at the Australian Open.
Nadal won 83 titles in his career: 19 on hard courts, 59 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
