Spanish world No. 1 Rafael Nadal said the Australian Open final, which he lost to Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka, was "the worst hour and a half" he ever spent on a tennis court.
"I knew I had no chance of winning (the Australian Open final), but I had no intention of retiring. It was the worst hour and a half that I have spent on a tennis court," Nadal told the Spanish radio network Monday night. (Related: Devastated Nadal says injury made win impossible in Aus Open final)
Wawrinka won his first major title by beating Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the Australian Open final Jan 26.
Nadal was seeking to become the first man in the Open Era - which began in the late 1960s - to win each of tennis' four biggest titles at least twice.
The Spanish star, who sustained a back injury in the final of the year's first Grand Slam tournament, said it had been a bit harder to recover from the loss in Melbourne than from other defeats.
The Spanish star said he had not yet decided whether he would play in next week's tournament in Buenos Aires. (Also read: Rafael Nadal not to miss any tournaments due to back injury)
"I am fine. I underwent another examination today (Monday) and I have continued the same treatment since I returned from Melbourne. I have not yet hit the court or done any exercise, I have been resting and have tried to do the right rehabilitation so I can get back on court as soon as possible, am my goal is to do it Thursday," Nadal said.
Nadal said he planned to play in the Davis Cup if he remained healthy, joining Spain's team on court in September as it tries to stay in the World Group.
Rafael Nadal says Australian Open final was his worst experience
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