Rafa Nadal has admitted a lack of match practice amid dramas with his family came back to bite him in a shock loss to Tommy Paul at the Paris Masters on Wednesday.
The Spanish champion crashed out of the ATP 1000 event in staggering scenes, losing 6-3 6-7(4) 1-6 to the World No.31 as he appeared to run out of gas.
The match was Nadal’s first in singles for nearly two months after he took a break from the tour following the US Open in September.
The 36-year-old played a doubles match with Roger Federer at the Laver Cup last month, but hadn’t played singles since his loss to Frances Tiafoe at Flushing Meadows.
The 22-time grand slam champion has been spending his time at home in Mallorca with wife Xisca and their newborn son. Xisca spent weeks in hospital before the birth due to complications, but mother and baby are said to be doing well.
Speaking in his post-match press conference on Wednesday, Nadal said his thoughts were with his family at home, admitting his lack of match practice had cost him.
“It’s OK. All the credit to Tommy (Paul). It happens. I had my chances but I played a terrible game. He played aggressive,” Nadal told reporters.
“A lot of things going on these latest months, without a doubt. But we are not here to find excuses. It’s the same – you play well you win, you play bad you lose. At the right moment, I didn’t do the right thing. He had the right intensity and concentration.”
Nadal said he’s still planning to play at the ATP Finals in Turin later this month, reiterating that he desperately needs some match practice heading into the new year and a tilt at the Australian Open title.
“I hope (to be there), yes. If nothing happens, I will be there. Nothing to lose after a good year. I need days on the Tour, I didn’t compete enough on the ATP Tour. Mostly practices. Gonna keep trying my best to spend time on the Tour,” he added.
