Rafael Nadal Says He Was Struggling in the Heat: “I Had Some Cramps”

World No.2 Rafael Nadal advanced to the semifinals of the US Open 2019 after overpowering Diego Schwartzman to win 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in the quarter-finals on Wednesday night at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Rafael Nadal dissipated double break lead in the first and second set, however, the three-time US Open champion recover well to secure each one of them before closing the match in 2 hours and 47 minutes after a one-sided third set.

For a change, the weather in New York has been cool and dry for the past few days. However, the humidity at the US Open 2019 rolled back in on Wednesday as it tested the resilience of the players at the Flushing Meadows.

Last year, the humidity caused troubled Roger Federer, which was one of the reasons for his defeat in the round of 16 of 2018 US Open. The similar type of humidity returned at the US Open as it hampered the quarterfinal matches on Wednesday.

Rafael Nadal also struggled to play at his best against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman due to humidity. “I Had stomach issues before the match started and was dehydrated which triggered cramping,” Nadal told the Spanish reporters.

The Mallorcan revealed to the Spanish media that he was suffering from cramps in his elbow and even into his legs a little bit at the end of the second set. However, after a salt tablet kicked in, he felt better as he finished the match quickly.

The 18-time Grand Slam champion said, “Today was very humid day, very heavy day. I had some cramps at the end of the second, and, yeah, first five games, six games of the third. And then I take some salt, that’s all, and then was over. Well, the body is in good shape, I think.”

Rafael Nadal will next face Matteo Berrettini, who reached his first Grand Slam semifinals after a thrilling five-star victory of Gael Monfils, earlier in the day. The 33-year-old also praised the Italian in the post-match on-court interview.

“I saw him play, he’s hitting huge. Big serves, big forehands, moving well, and super confident. He’s a player who is making big steps forward every week,” Nadal said on court.

However, the Spaniard explained that the victory against Schwartzman and Cilic has given him some confidence. He continued, “This match gives me some confidence … I needed two matches like against Cilic in the fourth round, today again.”

He further added, “Both victories are so important for me and now is the moment to keep going. I hope to be my 100 percent for that semifinal because I will need it.”

Rafael Nadal also revealed that he does not have a major problem in his body needs some sleep to get rid of his tiredness. “The body is in good shape, I think. No big problems. Just of course now a little bit tired, long day, 1:30 a.m. Need to go to sleep. But I really believe that I’m going to be in good shape,” the world No.2 said.

The Spaniard concluded, “Today is the moment to enjoy that feeling of being in semi-finals of a Grand Slam again. I achieved the four semi-finals of the four Grand Slams this year, and that’s a lot. Very, very happy about that.”