NEW YORK—Rafael Nadal says his knees are stable and spirit is strong as he launches his quest for a fourth US Open title.
Since losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Madrid semifinals in May, Nadal has posted a 20-1 record with his lone loss coming to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon semifinals.
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Nadal obliterated Daniil Medvedev, 6-3, 6-0, capping a rousing run to the Coupe Rogers title in Montreal earlier this month. That title run has empowered him for Flushing Meadows.
"Of course, winning in Montreal helps," Nadal told the media in Flushing Meadows "I am ready for the action. Hopefully remain couple of days of good practices. Let's see if I'm able to make that happen."
A year ago, nagging knee pain cost Nadal, who pulled the plug in his US Open semifinal while trailing Juan Martin del Potro two sets to none.
This time, the 18-time Grand Slam champion says he fit and ready to go.
"I hope to be ready," Nadal said. "Last year, honestly, I was not that bad. Of course, my feeling on the knees are better this year than last year. Last year the problem was I played three or four very, very long matches. That's tough. Then happened in that semifinals the thing with the knee. I hope to be ready for it. I think I am playing well. I am practicing the right way during these days."
The second-seeded Spaniard received a break in the draw as rival Federer resides in the top half of the draw alongside defending champion Novak Djokovic. That means if the seeds hold true to form, Nadal would need to beat only one of the Big 3 to capture his second US Open title in the last three years.
"I have to win my matches to have an advantage because I only can meet them in the semifinals," Nadal said. "I have plenty of work before that to know if I have an advantage or not. So let's see if I am able to do my work for my side.
"That's not an advantage or disadvantage. That's part of the draw. That's part of the things that happen when you are No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. For example, in Wimbledon was the other way. They changed. Now here is the opposite. Let's see what's going on."
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