US Open: Rafael Nadal Makes A Revelation After Four-Set Win In 1st Round

Rafael Nadal has revealed he didn't expect to recover in time and compete in the US Open 2022.

Nadal's comments came after a slow start and winning the opening round 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 against Australia's young Rinky Hijikata on Tuesday.

This is Nadal's first appearance at the Flushing Meadows since he won the title in 2019. Injuries prevented him from returning to New York for the next two years but the Spaniard is just happy to be back at the US Open.

"It's been a long wait. For some time I thought I may not be able to be back, so I am super happy. Night sessions are the best. I didn't play much for the last 50 days so I just have to be humble and accept the process, day after day in practices and matches and stay positive," Nadal said in his on-court interview on Tuesday, according to ATP.

"I am just enjoying the fact that I am here, and I am here to try my best every day," added Nadal, according to BBC Sport.

The four-set victory over Hijikata meant Nadal now has won 19 out of his past 20 matches at the US Open, while he has triumphed in all 20 of his matches at major championships this year.

The 36-year-old Nadal won the Australian Open and Roland Garros before withdrawing from Wimbledon just before his semi-final clash.

Nadal, who is one of the favorites to win the final Grand Slam of the year, also has a fine chance to reclaim the World No. 1 rank at the end of the tournament.

Nadal's next fixture is a tricky one as he is set to take on Italy's Fabio Fognini, who had produced an excellent comeback to beat the Spanish star in 2015 in New York after being two sets down. However, Nadal holds a significant lead of 13-4 in the head-to-head against the 35-year-old Fognini.

After recovering from the abdominal issue, which cut short his Wimbledon run, Nadal made a comeback at Cincinnati Masters. However, it didn't turn out as he would have planned as Croatia's Borna Coric defeated him in the first round in three sets.