Rafael Nadal not discouraged by losing on return, says will be ready for US Open

Rafael Nadal was not too downhearted by defeat at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday after the Spaniard lost 7-6(9) 4-6 6-3 to Borna Coric on his return from a six-week injury layoff. Nadal, who will aim for a record-extending 23rd Gram Slam title at the US Open, had not played a competitive match since pulling out of his Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios due to an abdominal injury in early July. The 36-year-old also withdrew from last week's ATP Masters event in Montreal due to the issue but did not seem hampered by it against former world number 12 Coric, and instead put his defeat down to a lack of time on court.

Read AlsoBorna Coric crashes Rafael Nadal's 'welcome back' party in Cincinnati

Borna Coric spoiled the return of Rafael Nadal after a five-year absence from the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters on Wednesday with a 7-6 (11/9), 4-6, 6-3 upset victory in the second round.

"Obviously I didn't play my best match, something that can happen," Nadal told reporters. "So coming back from a tough period of time, something that's easy to accept and easy to say congrats to Borna that he played better. "I need to improve. I need to practise. I need to return better. I need days, and that's the truth. It's obvious that I was not ready enough to win the match today. "(It) has been a difficult injury to manage. The last month and a half haven't been easy." Flushing Meadows has been a happy hunting ground for Nadal, who has won the US Open four times, the last title coming in 2019. He will undergo tests to confirm everything is fine with the injury, which he said still created doubt in his mind during his service motion. "I am positive," he said. "In terms of practice, I need to start to be in a Grand Slam mode, practising