Rafa Nadal has slumped to a tough loss at the Paris Masters after falling to Tommy Paul in his first ATP match since the US Open.
In his first match back in nearly two months, and the first since the birth of his child, Nadal found himself in a tight battle during the second round in Bercy.
The Spaniard showed why he has won two grand slams in 2022 having raced away with the first set 6-3. However, match fitness may have played a part after Nadal started to look sluggish with his movement and Paul took the game to a third set.
And Nadal looked lacklustre in the third set as he missed some crucial forehands to remain in the battle.
And Paul was brilliant as he ran away with the match 3-6, 7-6, 6-1 to record the biggest win of his career.
“Physically, Nadal, struggling as the match went on,” the commentator said after the final point. Another commentator added: “Worrying looked to be struggling… the way he was feeling on the court, maybe his physical condition…bit of a head scratcher.”
The tennis world was quick to react to the tough ending for Nadal as the Spaniard now turns his attention to the ATP Finals
