French Open 2022: I need to do better – Rafael Nadal wants to build on a good start

13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal reckons he needs to do better in the upcoming matches of Roland Garros to keep up the winning momentum. Nadal had convincingly won his opening round match against Australia’s Jordan Thompson 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 on Monday and he will look to continue the good show.

Nadal feels he needs to be at the top of his game in the rest of the matches as the competition will be tougher in coming matches. The Spaniard can face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Round of 16 and then can meet defending champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinal clash.

In fact, Nadal’s serve was broken in the second set by Jordan Thompson and the veteran will need to pull up his socks.

“I think I need to improve my movement. For moments, the speed of my forehand — the speed I think could be better and should be better. “Of course I am the kind of player that I am always looking for something else, looking for better things. That’s what I am going to try to find in my practice tomorrow and then in the next match.”

The experienced lefty feels it was a good start for him but there are areas in which he can improve. Nadal had troubles with his foot in the recent past and he will look to be at the top of his fitness in Roland-Garros.

“It is a good start, of course, straight sets. That’s it. I played good for a while. “Then [there are] things that I could do better and I need to do better. But it is a positive start, and that’s given me a chance to have one more day of practice tomorrow and then another chance after tomorrow.”

Nadal was at his potent best with his forehand game and he will look to better his performance. The Spaniard will take on French wild card Corentin Moutet in the second round.