Rafael Nadal practises on the courts at Flushing Meadows, where the US Open starts on Monday. Photo: Anthony Behar / Rex
A year after watching last year’s final on television, Rafa Nadal is back in New York, revitalised and ready to make up for lost time at the US Open.
A knee injury forced Nadal to miss the last grand slam of 2012, spoiling his chances of reaching the final for a third straight year.
With Nadal absent, Britain’s Andy Murray went on to win his maiden grand slam title, beating Novak Djokovic in a five-set thriller.
“When I was in that period of time outside of the tour I didn’t follow the tour every week, because at the end I was focused on my recovery,” Nadal told reporters at Flushing Meadows ahead of Monday’s opening play.
“But a few matches you cannot miss, and for sure I watched all the final. It was a great final.”
This time Nadal is back, fully fit and at the top of his game, having won back-to-back Masters events at Montreal and Cincinnati. – Reuters
For more Rafael Nadal news, click here.
For more breaking sporting news and views, visit MySport24 on Twitter and Facebook.
