Rafael Nadal’s press conference following his Round 3 win over Cameron Norrie at the Australian Open 2021.
(Reuters) – Rafa Nadal said his suspect back was no longer worrying him as he eased into the second week of the Australian Open by beating Britain’s Cameron Norrie on Saturday.
He said the most positive aspect of his routine third-round win was that the lower back problem that had dogged his build-up and prevented him serving properly was much improved.
“The back was not getting better each day. It was getting better today,” Nadal, who is tied with Federer on 20 Grand Slam singles titles, told reporters.
“Was the first day I feel an improvement, and that’s the most important thing for me today, more than any other thing.”
Nadal’s service speeds have been down so far at the tournament but he won 77% of points behind his first serve and an impressive 69% on his second delivery.
“I need to come back to my normal serving,” Nadal, who faces Italian Fabio Fognini, said. “Of course I was not serving my normal serve for the last 15 days.
“Today is the first day that I started to serve again my normal serve. So of course I didn’t serve bad, but I can do better, I think. And I’m looking forward to do it better.”
“The biggest victory is the back is better for the first day.”
Source: Reuters
Djokovic reported that he had an abdominal muscle tear. Watching him exercising and doing crunches and twists, if that’s a tear then I’m Naomi Osaka’s aunt !
😂😂
Geezzz Thiem loses to Dimitrov, 6-4, 6-4, 6-0.
That was a surprise. Thiem looked empty. Felix A A’s loss was a shock after being so dominant.
I didn’t see Diego’s match and I was not happy about his loss to Karatsev, ranked 114.
Who is this guy from Russia. After Diego, FAA is the second seeded player he beat. There are now three Russians in the second week. Is this legal 😂😂😂
Will be a tough one for Rafa from now onwards…I just hope that he doesn’t injure himself here….Vamos Rafa
Is a positive report all the best in the next much Rafa vamosssssss champ you can do it good luck ❤️🎾😘👍🎾😘
Glad that your back is a bit better rafa do be careful and stay safe vamos rafa xxx
Round of 16 – good luck to Rafa, Andrey, FAA, Grigor, and Milos
Djokovic v Raonic
Lajovic v Zverev
Thiem v Dimitrov
Auger-Aliassime v Karatsev
Rublev v Ruud
McDonald v Medvedev
Tsitsipas v Berrettini
Fognini v Nadal
Happy to hear this❤️
Wonderful news👏 All the best against your next tricky opponent, Fabio Fognini. 🍀❤️
Good match, Rafa – another straight sets victory saving some energy 👌
Rafa
Congratulations in your match today. You certainly were moving better..you said you’re still having pain, so hopefully this will has eased greatly by Monday in your match v Fabio.
So so happy to have you back..missed you terribly..Buena Suerte…Vamos.
Tennis World reports that Rafa has tied a record with Fed and McEnroe by winning 30 sets in a row at Majors. That would be 7 matches at Roland Garris and 3 at the AO. Let’s go for 33 on Monday!
Such welcome news from Rafa. Here’s to his continued improvement.
Best of luck vs Fognini.
There are plenty of spicy fourth round matches on the women’s side.
Yup! Looking forward to Swiatek vs Halep rematch.
That’s really the best news! Rafa will give everything he has against Fognini.
👏💪👍🤛we are there-🙏 for positive report-all the best🎾🍀❤️
That’s good to hear – the draw looks very tough from now on!
….Don’t overdo it in practice….
Phew! Positive news! Don’t overdo it practice, Rafa and the very best of luck in round 4. Just silence Fognini.
I hope he will be fine for Monday game. Vsmosssss!!!