"What’s the excuse today, Claydal?" - Tennis fans react to Rafael Nadal's 2R loss at the Cincinnati Open Comment Share Rafael Nadal during his opening match at the Cincinnati Masters Making a comeback after more than a month on the sidelines, Rafael Nadal faced a shock defeat and a rare second-round exit against 152nd-ranked Borna Coric at the Cincinnati Masters. An abdominal muscle tear forced Nadal to withdraw from his semifinal clash against Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon in July. Undefeated (19-0) in Grand Slam events this year, the Spaniard's 2022 win-loss record now stands at 35-4. Failing to fully recover from the injury, Nadal withdrew from the Canadian Open a couple of days before the ATP 1000 tournament kicked off. He returned to Cincinnati for the first time in five years to prepare for the upcoming US Open. However, former World No. 12 Borna Coric registered his third win in five matches against the 36-year-old, beating him 7-6(9), 4-6, 6-3. The 22-time Grand Slam champion received mixed reactions from tennis fans around the world. While some mocked the star for his first-round exit against an unseeded player, others were unphased, suggesting that he was rusty and would get back to his top form for the last Major of the year. "99 times out of 100, I root for Coric. The one time would be the time he plays Nadal. Of course, he’d choose tonight to make his big comeback win. Rafa was definitely not Rafa tonight, and if he had to lose, I’m glad it was to Coric who deserved it tonight," a fan tweeted. Midnightangel@Midnigh82015526@josemorgado 99 times out of 100, I root for Coric. The one time would be the time he plays Nadal. Of course he’d choose tonight to make his big comeback win. Rafa was defintiely not Rafa tonight, and if he had to lose, I’m glad it was to Coric who deserved it tonight.5@josemorgado 99 times out of 100, I root for Coric. The one time would be the time he plays Nadal. Of course he’d choose tonight to make his big comeback win. Rafa was defintiely not Rafa tonight, and if he had to lose, I’m glad it was to Coric who deserved it tonight. "Do I think this Cincinnati loss, Rafael Nadal’s 1st match back since an Ab injury at Wimbledon in an event that uses different balls than the USO + an event where Rafa has his worst win % of any 1000, is concerning for his chances to win a 5th US Open Title in 3 1/2 weeks? NOPE," a user posted. Vansh@vanshv2kDo I think this Cincinnati loss, Rafael Nadal’s 1st match back since an Ab injury at Wimbledon in an event that uses different balls than the USO + an event where Rafa has his worst win % of any 1000, is concerning for his chances to win a 5th US Open Title in 3 1/2 weeks? NOPE!!15910Do I think this Cincinnati loss, Rafael Nadal’s 1st match back since an Ab injury at Wimbledon in an event that uses different balls than the USO + an event where Rafa has his worst win % of any 1000, is concerning for his chances to win a 5th US Open Title in 3 1/2 weeks? NOPE!! "Coric missed a whole year due to injuries, dropped out of the top 200, returned to the tour and looked hopeless, had to grind it out in Challengers. And now he's just beaten Rafael Nadal in a Masters 1000. Everyone will make this about Nadal but this is Coric's moment," another tweet read. ryan@holdenthebluesCoric missed a whole year due to injuries, dropped out of the top 200, returned to the tour and looked hopeless, had to grind it out in Challengers. And now he's just beaten Rafael Nadal in a Masters 1000Everyone will make this about Nadal but this is Coric's moment 12716Coric missed a whole year due to injuries, dropped out of the top 200, returned to the tour and looked hopeless, had to grind it out in Challengers. And now he's just beaten Rafael Nadal in a Masters 1000Everyone will make this about Nadal but this is Coric's moment Here are a few more reactions: Sushant Tandon@sushanttandon@TennisTV @borna_coric Great match! Coric played supremely well going for the winners(17 of the FH, compared to Rafa's 9). His serve was very good.Rafa played really well too and made it a physical contest.He seemed to be just rusty.Expect him to find momentum prior to the US Open.Entertaining match!13@TennisTV @borna_coric Great match! Coric played supremely well going for the winners(17 of the FH, compared to Rafa's 9). His serve was very good.Rafa played really well too and made it a physical contest.He seemed to be just rusty.Expect him to find momentum prior to the US Open.Entertaining match! Pras@mdpsetyo@CincyTennis @RafaelNadal Not to be today. But as @RafaelNadal has proved time and again, He lives to fight another day. On to NYC. Let's go, Champ!18@CincyTennis @RafaelNadal Not to be today. But as @RafaelNadal has proved time and again, He lives to fight another day. On to NYC. Let's go, Champ! Magellanic@UtopiaNotFound@TennisTV @borna_coric What’s the excuse today?! Claydal ?261@TennisTV @borna_coric What’s the excuse today?! Claydal ? Raduconnor ?@slay_suweiPeople saying Nadal can beat Djokovic at US and he’s out here struggling against Djokovic lite, give me a breakkkkkk645People saying Nadal can beat Djokovic at US and he’s out here struggling against Djokovic lite, give me a breakkkkkk https://t.co/0W8MZk9w4S AR@BuggyWhipFHMedvedev lost his first masters match back last week. Djokovic lost his first match at Monte Carlo this year on a new surface. Give the sane grace to Nadal on a HC. It’s been a dangerous injury. Hardly practiced the serve. The way I see it, he came out of this week healthy. Big W686Medvedev lost his first masters match back last week. Djokovic lost his first match at Monte Carlo this year on a new surface. Give the sane grace to Nadal on a HC. It’s been a dangerous injury. Hardly practiced the serve. The way I see it, he came out of this week healthy. Big W Gracie@Frances_grace2@atptour @borna_coric @CincyTennis Media: If Rafa wins this tournament he will be #1 in the world! WoW!....Rafa: Loses in his first round match to the #152 player in the world.LOL, pure comedy ???191@atptour @borna_coric @CincyTennis Media: If Rafa wins this tournament he will be #1 in the world! WoW!....Rafa: Loses in his first round match to the #152 player in the world.LOL, pure comedy ??? Gracie@Frances_grace2@TennisTV @borna_coric Injury excuse from Nadal incoming in 3...2...1...!! (and against Coric of all people, who actually has suffered *real* injuries).251@TennisTV @borna_coric Injury excuse from Nadal incoming in 3...2...1...!! (and against Coric of all people, who actually has suffered *real* injuries). Diogo@dioooogooo@josemorgado i think it means a lot, he played a really bad match, his game is not there, i know he gets better at each match, but he has a lot to improve in 1 week, i dont remember seeing nadal play so bad for a long time@josemorgado i think it means a lot, he played a really bad match, his game is not there, i know he gets better at each match, but he has a lot to improve in 1 week, i dont remember seeing nadal play so bad for a long time Konte Yoru !!@konte_yoru@TennisTV @borna_coric let's all laugh at nadal 62@TennisTV @borna_coric let's all laugh at nadal I played against a tough opponent who has beaten me in the past so he knew how to do it - Rafael Nadal on Borna Coric Borna Coric (L) and Rafael Nadal after the match. In the hope of becoming the World No. 1 by the end of the Cincinnati Open, third-ranked Rafael Nadal lost to World No. 152 Borna Coric in the first round earlier today. In a press conference after the match, the Spaniard congratulated Coric for the way he fought back his injuries and came back on the tour. Nadal also seemed hopeful of stepping up for the US Open, where he will aim for his 23rd Major. "I played against a tough opponent who has already beaten me in the past, so he knew how to do it," Nadal said. He's brave, he's a fighter. He went through some tough moments with injuries too, so happy to see him back." In terms of New York, it's a Grand Slam. If I'm not playing well, I will follow the same route as here. I need to move forward and start to think about the energy that the crowd gives me in New York. It's a very special place for me," Nadal added. Meanwhile, Coric will take on Roberto Bautista Agut in the last 16 of the Cincinnati Masters. Poll : 0 votes Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Keshav Gopalan × Feedback Thank You! 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