• French Open

Nervous Nadal eyes improvement

ESPN staff
May 26, 2010
Rafael Nadal was pleased to overcome his first obstacle in the French Open © Getty Images
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Rafael Nadal has admitted to suffering from a bout of nerves during his first-round win over Gianni Mina in the French Open.

Nadal has lost just once at Roland Garros, to Robin Soderling 12 months ago, and has looked back to somewhere near his best in recent weeks. But even the undisputed king of clay can get a touch of stage fright on the big occasion.

"I was practicing really well all the days, I played very well at three tournaments [winning in Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid] but the first day here is always a little bit more nervous than usual," the No. 2 seed said. "I think I played bad, but I won anyway, without problems, so that's always important and a positive thing. But I can do a lot better next round.

"Always the feeling is a little bit different, and I have to pass this day. I remember the four times that I won here - I always had really bad first matches. I was a little bit surprised to be nervous like this, because the other years I didn't practice well before the tournament."

Horacio Zeballos is next up for Nadal and the Spaniard is looking forward to the occasion.

"I know him a little because I have friends who know him," he said. "I was told he serves pretty well, that he hits very strongly. Therefore, I have to be more regular and more consistent. I'll see if I can read his game, but we'll see in the future. I'm quite prepared for this, and I trust I'll play well."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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