Rafael Nadal Admits He Was ‘Nervous’ At U.S. Open, But Advances To Remain Alive For 23rd Major Title
Rafael Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam titles, but apparently he can still feel nervous in the early rounds.
Playing at the U.S. Open for the first time since winning here in 2019
No. 2 seed Nadal admitted to feeling nervous entering his first round match with Rinky Hijikata
an Australian ranked No. 198 in the world who played college tennis at North Carolina.
I was a little bit nervous, no?” No. 2 seed Nadal said. “First match here in New York after three years, night session, it's always exciting.”
A fired up Hijikata came out racing all over the court and broke Nadal with a forehand reflex smash at the net for a 4-3 lead en route to taking the first set and putting Nadal on upset alert.