Nadal: 'The 2023 season starts tomorrow'

"For me, the 2023 season will start tomorrow," Nadal said in an interview after losing to Felix Auger-Aliassime on the afternoon of November 15. "I doubt my chances in Australia. But that's good, because I'll need to consider things, work harder to improve my form."

Nadal has lost four straight games since being eliminated by Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round of the US Open in September. The 36-year-old has failed to keep up the pace in the indoor hard court season, being eliminated early at the Paris Masters and the group stage of the ATP Finals. Nadal has won four titles this season, all in the first half of the year.

"I won two Grand Slams but that's not enough," said Nadal of missing many tournaments due to injuries and poor fitness. "I should have just finished the year in 9th or 10th place because I couldn't compete with young players who could play any tournament they wanted. I've barely been able to compete for a title for the past six months. ".

Nadal still has the last match of the ATP Finals group stage with student Casper Ruud, who he defeated in the final of Roland Garros this season. The 22 Grand Slam owner thinks that he needs to find positive emotions in difficult circumstances. He said: "I'm sad because I lost, but tomorrow is always another day, another chance. I still have the motivation to compete. That's why I'm here."

In the 18th time he had enough points to attend the ATP Finals, Nadal could not break the defeat. He still does not have this noble title in his massive collection of 92 championships. His uncle, coach Toni Nadal - who is leading Auger-Aliassime - believes that Mallorca will find his level again next season. He said: "Two Grand Slams are too successful for Nadal this year. He has never played well on indoor hard courts. Nadal's job is to accumulate fitness for next season, especially Roland Garros."

Thanks to two Grand Slams this season, Nadal holds a record 22 major titles - one more than rival Novak Djokovic. The Serbian tennis player on November 15 received good news that he was granted a visa to Australia to play the Grand Slam at the beginning of the year. It was the tournament Nadal was crowned earlier this year, after defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final, and Djokovic was deported because he lacked a vaccine passport upon entry.