Nadal, who will target 23rd record gram slam title on US Openhad not played a competitive match since his withdrawal Wimbledon against the semi-finals Nick Kyrgios Due to a stomach injury in early July.
The 36-year-old also withdrew last week ATP Masters The issue led to an incident in Montreal, but this against former world number 12 Couric was not hindered, and instead reduced his defeat to a lack of time on the court.
“Obviously I didn’t play my best match, something like this could happen,” Nadal told reporters. “So coming back from tough times, something that’s easy to accept and it’s easy to congratulate Borna that he played better.
“I need to improve. I need to practice. I need to come back better. I need days, and that’s true. It’s clear I wasn’t prepared enough to win the match today.”
“(It) has been a tough injury for the management. The last one-and-a-half months haven’t been easy.”
flushing Meadows The four-time US Open win has been a joyous ground for Nadal, with the last title coming in 2019.
He will be tested to confirm that all is well with the injury, which he said still raised doubts during his offer of service.
“I’m positive,” he said. “In terms of practice, I have to start being in Grand Slam mode, the way I need to practice to be competitive there from the start, and I hope to be able to do that.
“I need to move on and just start thinking about the energy that the crowd gives me New York, I know it’s a very special place for me, and I enjoy the unforgettable moments there, and I’m going to do my best every single day to make up for it.”
The US Open begins on August 29.