Watch: Rafael Nadal resumes training after Canadian Open withdrawal, shows encouraging signs for Cincinnati Open participation
Rafael Nadal has been spotted practicing for the first time since pulling out of the 2022 Canadian Open.
Due to his incomplete recovery from an abdominal injury, Nadal pulled out of the Canadian Open on Friday. The Spaniard had suffered a 7mm abdominal tear, which forced him to pull out of Wimbledon before his semifinal against Nick Kyrgios.
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Rafael Nadal was slated to make his comeback in Canada at the ongoing National Bank Open, but his recovery did not go as well as he hoped. His return to training has raised hopes of his participation at the Cincinnati Open, which begins on August 13.
In a video that has gone viral on Twitter, he mostly concentrated on his netplay and strengthening his hard serves, which are some of his strongest suits.
In 2013, Nadal defeated John Isner 7-6 (10-8), 7-6 (7-3) to win the hardcourt tournament and reclaimed his No. 2 ranking. With the US Open beginning at the end of the month, he will be hoping to get some match action before competing at the hardcourt Major.
His name features on the Cincinnati Masters entry list, though that doesn't guarantee his participation.
Cincinnati men's & women's entry lists https://t.co/hodPw1FyRe
"He has way too many titles, we do miss him, but it's a bit of help for sure" - Stefanos Tsitsipas on Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from 2022 Canadian Open
Following Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from the Canadian Open, Stefanos Tsitsipas rose one spot to become the third seed in the tournament.
The Greek, who was in Montreal for the draw ceremony, joked that Nadal's absence from the competition would be beneficial for him because the Spaniard has won too many titles already.
"I wouldn't say it's good or bad [news], but it helps. [Nadal] has way too many titles. We do miss him, but it's a bit of help for sure," Tsitsipas said.
Quote of the day by @MapleLeafFoods ⤵️
@steftsitsipas being fully transparent about whether Rafa Nadal's withdrawal is good or bad news: it doesn't hurt to not have a tennis legend in the draw every once in a while! 😆
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Speaking about the characteristics of the Canadian Open courts, the 23-year-old said that they were far slower than he had anticipated.
"Courts are slower than I expected, which I like," Tsitsipas said. "But I have only had two practice sessions. I want to give it a bit more time."
Tsitsipas: "Courts are slower than I expected, which I like. But I have only had two practice sessions, I want to give it a bit more time" #OBN22
Tsitsipas, who finished as the runner-up at the 2021 French Open, has historically played his best tennis on clay surfaces in recent years. Success has eluded him on hardcourts, where he has won only four titles to date. He will therefore be looking forward to making the most of the Canadian Open and entering Flushing Meadows with form on his side.