Rafael Nadal believes criticism of his form this year has gone too far. Nadal moved into the third round of the US Open on Wednesday with a 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 7-5 victory over Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman, which followed an impressive opening win over the talented Croat Borna Coric in round one.
It marks an encouraging start at Flushing Meadows for the Spaniard, who has fallen below his high standards this season, losing 14 matches and failing to go past the quarter-final of any of the three grand slams so far.
Dropping to No8 in the world means Nadal could meet Novak Djokovic as early as the quarter-finals in New York, but the 29-year-old reacted angrily after the match when asked again about his recent decline.
“I am No8 in the world. I am not No100,” Nadal said. “It seems like I am No200 in every press conference. I am not so bad. After I arrive here with the victory, I go back to the locker room saying how bad I am. Every day.
“For the fans, it is normal that they are worried because I am worried, too. If I am not playing well, I am the first one who worries.”
Nadal admitted to a loss of confidence earlier this year following March’s surprise defeat to his fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in Miami and he believes he has suffered as a result of his honesty.
“It seems like I come here and if I am telling the truth, it is bad,” Nadal said. “If I explain if I am playing with nerves or with anxiety, like I did in Miami, and I say that after in the press conference, then I don’t know what you want of me.
“People say: ‘Why do you say that? Why are you that honest? You give confidence to the opponent.’
“I believe what happens outside the court, what we are talking about here, is going to effect zero per cent the next result. The thing is you play well, you have chances to win; you play bad, you will lose. The sport is simple.”
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