Alex Corretja salutes Rafael Nadal's determination amid 'one of the most difficult seasons of his career'

Rafael Nadal is enduring his most difficult year as he prepares for the US Open, according to Eurosport expert Alex Corretja. The Spaniard has dealt with injury problems for much of the last few years and the physical problems for the 36-year-old do not seem to be abating. Ad Nadal won both the Australian Open and French Open, but after withdrawing before his Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios he has had little chance to prepare for the upcoming US Open, which begins on August 31.

US Open'I had tears streaming down my face' — Serena reflects on 'emotional' decision to end career11 HOURS AGO Corretja acknowledged that the lack of match practice for Nadal is not an insurmountable challenge, but is not ideal. “If that would happen five, six years ago, maybe we could say okay, Rafa needs this kind of training before a Grand Slam, in order to be ready to play well, since he showed and he proved himself and everybody else that with little practice, and with little matches, he gets the rhythm he needs for the Grand Slams,” he began. “I don't think we should be concerned, of course, it would have been great for him to play maybe three matches before the US Open.

And that would have been enough. But he could get that at the beginning of the tournament with some of the matches that he will play. Last week he lost to Coric but it was okay; when you finish the tournament and you see that the guy that you lost to, wins the tournament.

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