Rafael Nadal (Photo : LatinContent/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal suffered another upset at the 2016 Argentina Open against Austrian Dominic Thiem, but the "King of Clay" does not fret his latest defeat on the hard court as he shifts his focus at the Rio Open in Brazil.
Nadal failed to defend his title at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires after the Spaniard lost to Thiem 4-6 6-4 6-7 in the semifinal round of the tournament. The 14-time Grand Slam winner, who missed a game-clinching match point at 5-4 in the final set, admitted he lacked consistency against the Austrian, but insisted he is not worried about his latest setback.
"I'm not worried," Nadal said, reports the BBC. "I just lacked consistency and need to make fewer unforced errors, but that's nothing."
There were already doubts about Nadal winning the Argentina Open, after the Spaniard was slowed down by the sweltering condition of an afternoon match in Buenos Aires. Nadal said it would be good for players if organizers of the tournament could form "rules with certain temperatures."
"It would be good if, with this heat, the player could ask to suspend the match," Nadal said, reports Tennis World USA. "Conditions are extreme. It's tough both for the players and the public."
Meanwhile, Winning the Argentina Open was Nadal's chance to bounce back from a poor start of the season after losing in the opening round of the Australian Open last month. But the Mallorcan still has a chance at redemption when he competes at Jockey Club Brasileiro on Feb. 15 for a second Rio Open title.
Nadal, Rio Open's 2014 champion, will join defending champ and compatriot David Ferrer, who lost to compatriot Nicolas Almagro 6-4 7-5. Thiem, who faces Almagro in the final round of the Argentina Open, will also compete in Brazil, along with Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and American John Isner.
"It was an amazing match for me," Thiem said after defeating Nadal, reports the ATP's official website. "It was very tight from the beginning. It's special to play against the big guys, and to beat one is a dream come true."
