US Open: Rafael Nadal becomes a night owl again in New York

Rafael Nadal feels it again, the magic of the Big Apple. The industry leader can hardly wait for the start of his title defence mission – and becomes a night owl on the first day of the tournament.

Rafael Nadal still remembers the moments after the emotional triumph in September 2017. In the belly of the huge Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest and most dazzling of all tennis stages, Tiger Woods took the newly crowned US Open Champion in his arms. The then so deeply fallen golf superstar made no secret of how much he was moved by the Spaniard’s special comeback.

Maybe Nadal was the perfect inspiration for Woods at the time. Because Woods has long since caught himself again. “Rafa”, however, has been at the top of the world rankings for some time now.

And last year’s coup from Flushing Meadows of all people sealed the perfect Grand Slam season for the dream couple Nadal/Federer. Both had divided the four major titles equally in 2017. A look at the current season shows that the rebirth of the playfully so contrary, but revered showpiece professionals all over the world was not a short-term intermezzo: Federer won the Australian Open, while Nadal picked up the “Coupe des Mousquetaires” for the eleventh (!!!) time in his Paris clay court kingdom.

But Nadal himself had not necessarily counted on the renaissance of one of the most fascinating rivalries in world sport. “It was difficult to imagine exactly this scenario eight, nine months ago. But here we are,” the 32-year-old declared at the press conference after his US Open success last year.

While between the French Open 2014 and 2017 he had to endure a three-year dry spell without a major title, at Federer it was six and a half years “without”. This time, however, Nadal has been one of the top favourites in the Queens district right from the start. Together with the permanent rival Federer and the re-started Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic.

The magic of the Big Apple has the Mallorcan, who has been training at the Bille Jean King National Tennis Center for almost a week, firmly under control again. “This energy here is difficult to compare with that in other places. I love the night sessions, and I love this special connection to the audience,” enthused Nadal.

And: On the first day of the tournament on Monday, the 17-time Grand Slam champion can become a night owl again. Like Serena Williams, Nadal is scheduled for the night session at the world’s biggest tennis stadium. Rafa” has won 24 of 30 comparisons against his compatriot David Ferrer.

The defending champion’s confidence is high, although Nadal only played one hard court tournament in preparation for New York: The Rogers Cup in Toronto – and he won it. It was his 33rd Masters prank (record!). Tiger Woods must have been deeply impressed by this.