Rafael Nadal launches his Indian Wells ATP Masters title defence still feeling the sting of his loss to Stanislas Wawrinka in the Australian Open final.
“It was one of the toughest moments of my career,” said the world number one from Spain, who was hindered by a sore back in that four-set defeat by the in-form Swiss.
“It’s tough to be there for an hour and a half knowing you will not win. Not winning is not the most important thing — the worst thing is knowing you will not compete.”
Nadal acknowledged that he didn’t know if he would have been able to stop Wawrinka had he been healthy, but it clearly still rankles that he didn’t get a chance to find out.
