Nadal Gives Health Update Ahead Of US Open, Reveals He Has A 'Little Problem'

Rafael Nadal has revealed he is facing a "little problem" ahead of the US Open 2022.

Nadal, who was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon just before his semi-final due to an abdominal issue, recently played in the Cincinnati Open.

Ahead of his opening encounter in Ohio, Nadal opened up on his fitness, saying abdominal issues are dangerous and should be monitored regularly.

"I still have a little problem with my abdomen, but I hope to be able to manage it. This is a fairly delicate area, especially when I am serving because I carry all the weight there. I'm trying to get to know my body more every day, including its limits. I can't wait to play again because up to now 2022 has been a year full of satisfaction," World No. 3 Nadal said ahead of his first round in Cincinnati, according to Tennis World USA.

"The abdominal is the place that is dangerous because in every service you put a lot of effort there, so I need to take things a little bit easier and do the highs the proper way. So I need to analyze after every day that the abdominal is still OK with no feeling because, as I said, it's a dangerous thing," added Nadal in the same interview.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner went on to add that things were going well for him and he was hopeful of being able to manage his situation.

Nadal, who was returning after an injury layoff of nearly six weeks, lost in his first match 7-6 (11/9), 4-6, 6-3 against Borna Coric of Croatia. With the loss, Nadal ended his bid to return to the top of the ATP rankings. However, the former World No. 1 will have another chance to surpass Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev in the rankings at the US Open.

The final Grand Slam of the year is scheduled to begin on Aug. 29 at Flushing Meadows, New York, with the final scheduled to be played on Sept. 11.