Rafael nadal opens up on injury: this is why i had my wrists taped

Nadal had a trainer on court in the early stages of the second set yesterday to apply the tape, which he then covered with his two large sweatbands. He appeared to have the same taping

already in place when he and Diego Schwartzman returned to complete their quarter-final clash, which Nadal emerged from a winner over four sets. And the Spaniard refuted concerns among fans

that he might be dealing with an injury. “It was very wet, very humid,” Nadal said. “The sweat was coming to my hands, so just to protect a little bit. “Because if you have tape behind the

wristband, then it holds a little bit more the sweat. That's all. “It is not usual here in Paris, but this year is very humid.” But Nadal did appear to be struggling last night, losing

the first set before earning a break of serve in the second, although he refused to blame the conditions. But the world No 1 admitted he was fortunate with the timing of the rain, which saw

play suspended and the remainder of the match eventually postponed until Thursday. “I was a bit lucky yesterday because of the rain stop. I was able to stop, to think, to calm down and to

see things a bit with more clarity,” Nadal added. “Although it was only half an hour of match, it was a great change, the feelings, going to the hotel, relaxing with this additional half

hour after the stop. “Psychologically and for tennis, I had totally different feelings. I had more confidence. I was more happy with the change. “Mentally things can be better or worse, but

the determination I had yesterday, it created great impact in the result and in the game. “This really changed totally how I was looking at the match and how my opponent was looking at the

match. “At the beginning yesterday there were no options to open the court, to win points. “And today I moved forward, and I had a better backhand. I was able to open the court on his

forehand. “Yesterday I was not able to do so. I was not gaining ground. “And when I was able to change that, I was able to win the game and the match.”