The photos that say it all: How Rafa's wife suffers in defeat

Following an injury-ravaged 2022, Nadal lost his United Cup mixed team event opener to

But Nadal, who needed pain-numbing injections on his foot en route to the French Open title and pulled out of his Wimbledon semi-final with an abdominal injury last year, said there were still positives despite his shaky start to the new season.

"Six hours on court almost. I need hours on court. I need battles like this," Nadal told reporters.