Rafael Nadal not missing ‘that positive attitude’ going into Australian Open

Rafael Nadal admitted that he is a ‘little bit slower than usual’ and needs more consistency after his return from injury. The 20-time Grand Slam winner reached the final of the Melbourne Summer Set 1 on Saturday where he will play American qualifier Maxime Cressy. 

Nadal is playing his first competitive tournament since August. The Spaniard defeated Finn Emil Ruusuvuori 6-4 7-5 in the semi-finals at the Rod Laver Arena.

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“Of course I need to do a lot of things better on court, but the only thing that I am not missing is that positive attitude — don’t get frustrated when things are not going the way I wanted,” Nadal said after the game. 

The 2021 French Open semi-finalist further continued that he is committing mistakes, adding that it is normal. 

“It’s normal that I’m having mistakes. It’s normal that sometimes I am a little bit slower than usual. But it’s a process, and I always believed in the process during all my tennis career, and victories help.”

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Talking about 22-year-old Ruusuvuori, Nadal said, “He’s very young. He’s improving. He has big potential, so I wish him all the very best. Yeah, he had his chances tonight, and I’m happy to win against a good player like him.”

Rafael Nadal believes his next opponent Cressy is very aggressive and dangerous. The American knocked out former world number three Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 7-5 7-6(9).

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“(Cressy) is serving huge, playing very, very aggressive, and in fast conditions he’s very dangerous, so well done for him for being in the final … I hope tomorrow I will be able to play at a high level and create my chances,” added Nadal.

Melbourne Summer Set 1 is amoung a series of warm-up events ahead of the Australian Open, which kicks off on January 17.