Rafael Nadal passed a tough test on the racket of Jordan Thompson to return to the quarterfinals of Rolex Paris Masters 2020. He was one point away from seeing how the duel went to the third set, but he managed to save a set ball and close the evening in the tie-break. The Mallorcan was dissatisfied with his level at the post-match press conference, in which he also gave a detailed response on how he and the rest of the members of the Players Council try to address the financial difficulties that the COVID has generated in our sport.
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– Match analysis: “The first set was good, I was able to break in all the games, I subtracted well, I hit aggressive and I hit good shots with my drive. In the second, everything changed: he served much better than in the first, I was not as fine as the rest could have been and that has led us to the tie-break. I only suffered on serve with the 6-5 game and I was lucky to win the set ball, because I was at the limit. I knew how to suffer when I had to suffer and finish the match when I had to finish it. At times well, at times I made more mistakes than I would like, but I think I can go to the hotel satisfied.
– What can improve: “Everything. Right now I would like to improve everything in my tennis (laughs). But that is every day work: trying to fix what is not working so well and stick with what is working. I think there are many things that are not working. I’m doing nothing wrong. I hadn’t played indoors for almost a year, and this is all part of the process. I need to move on, and these kinds of games help me, both yesterday and today. I think I’m playing well but I need to win more games on this surface. “
– Different feeling when playing against Spaniards, as in tomorrow’s game: “It’s one more game, we are used to it. Today I have been eating with Pablo, for example, I do not think there is something different that affects. We have known each other for a thousand years and what happens outside I don’t think it affects what is going to happen inside. They are games against players we know well, but they are games in which we all play things and are professionals. One more game and trying to give the maximum ”
– Atmosphere in the locker room, if you talk about the money cut: “The atmosphere in the dressing room is always good, there are no problems. As for the sales, I am on the Players Council so of course we talk about it. The other day, in fact, we were meeting from 4 to 9:15. For the circuit to work one thing is clear: everything has to work well. It has to be profitable for the players, but also for the promoters and organizers. If they do not do business, for us there is no circuit.
Now is the time to be together, be flexible and support each other as much as possible to survive this pandemic. We have to try that when this happens the circuit continues to enjoy a positive general economic health. It’s time to buckle up, both tournaments and players, and make an effort to keep everything moving forward. Both players and tournaments are rowing in the same direction and right now is what needs to be done, it is not the time for some to seek their personal benefit at this particular moment ”.
– Level compared to other seasons: “Last year I was feeling very well, one of the years when I was better but the abdominal thing happened to me. This year I am well aware that I have not played here for a long time, but they have won two games and this was the most important thing. Now I have to take a step further and I have to be ready for tomorrow “
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