Nole ensured the Spanish tennis player had “shown why he is a great champion” by qualifying for the Grand Slam semifinals.
Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic in a bout and advanced to the semifinals at Roland Garros. Despite the pain of the defeat, the Serb praised his rival: He assured that “he showed why he is a great champion” and that “he stays strong mentally” to finish the game at a high level to achieve a victory “that undoubtedly deserves him”.
The Spanish tennis player defeated world number one in four sets-6-2, 4-6, 6-2 and 7-6 (4)-to advance to the semifinals of the French Grand Slamin an exciting encounter and with many alternatives.
“I had my chances in the fourth (set). I serve to win it, I had a couple of set points.”he lamented at the press conference after the game, which began early Wednesday morning in Paris.
Nole stressed that in “one or two strokes he can reach the fifth set. Anyone can win there.”but there is none“I showed why he was a great champion. He stayed strong mentally and finished the way he did”, recognized.
The Spaniard came back from 2-5 in the fourth set to prevail and win the duel. Nadal “played better at this important moment,” the Serbian summed up. “I gave my best. I know I could have played better. I am proud to have fighting until the last blow”he added, before admitting that he lost “to a better player. I had chances and I didn’t take them. That’s all.”
Djokovic assured that he was not surprised to see Nadal’s physical level, who in the round of 16 had to play five sets and lost this tournament by various physical problems: “He’s been able, a few days after being injured and barely able to walk, to get back to 100 percent fitness. He’s done this many times in his career, so I’m not surprised anymore.”
Nadal’s last Roland Garros? The mysterious answer of the Spaniards
Nadal has a chronic injury to his left foot, known as Müller-Weiss Syndrome: it is a tarsal scaphoid dysplasia that, if operated on, will prevent him from running again in his life. Because of this, Rafa always plays with discomfort when walking. In this context, he previously said that the fight with Djokovic could be his last against Roland Garros.
Now that he has defeated the Serbian, he needs to continue playing, but that does not guarantee that he will continue to participate in his favorite tournament in subsequent editions. “Please come back. Don’t say this might be your last time,” the journalist asked. The entire stadium supported the move. However, Nadal laughed in response: “I can only say that we will meet in two days.”
Photo: Tim Clayton / Corbis via / Getty Images.
Source: Tycsports
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