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MONTE CARLO. — Rafael Nadal admitted that it will be “hard to return to the practice court” after a shock semi-final defeat by Fabio Fognini ended his bid for a record-extending 12th Monte Carlo Masters tennis title on Saturday.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion starts his Barcelona Open title defence on Wednesday, as he also fights to keep his world No. 2 ranking before the French Open gets underway next month.
The 32-year-old said he played “one of my worst matches in 14 years on clay” in losing 6-4, 6-2 to Italian Fognini, having been forced to save three match points at 5-0 in the second set.
“It will be hard to return to the practice court,” a subdued Nadal said after his fourth loss to Fognini, three of which have come on his beloved clay.
“I lost an opportunity in a very important event for me. I’m sad for that.”
Nadal has struggled with knee injuries this season, and was playing his first event since withdrawing before an Indian Wells semi-final against Roger Federer last month.
“There was little chance for me to start the clay court season in a perfect way,” he insisted.
“It was a bad day, the kind of day where the feeling is not there at all. It’s difficult to find positive ways today.” — AFP.
Online Reporter