More prolific than ever being Rafael Nadal as for quiet and in-depth interviews in recent times. The Spaniard calmly sat down again before a posh interviewer and gave a very interesting and nuanced talk for RTVE, in which he reviewed his career paying special attention to some burning issues. One of them is how he faces the future and gives the feeling that tennis fans can be calm since Nadal was seen more determined and firm than ever when making it clear that he maintains a great illusion and that he does not contemplate the withdrawal from professional tennis in the short term.
- Importance of Toni Nadal in his beginnings and concentration routines
“I don’t know how to quantify at the percentage level how important my uncle is to my success, but there is a basic principle like that probably if it weren’t for him, I would not have dedicated myself to playing tennis. I have also felt very closely the support from all my family and my environment, “said a Rafa who revealed that he started at 3 years old, making it compatible with football until he was 13 years old. “At 10 my uncle forced me to play with one hand and I spontaneously came up with it with my left,” he said.
Asked about his many routines between points, he clarified something curious. “I would never do anything to annoy or mislead the rival. Yes it is true that I have done the pants all my life, there is no remedy. The rest of things I have been incorporating because they are the way I have to be able to stay focused. It is true that I can take longer than other players to serve, but that is precisely why it seems perfect to me that there is a clock that measures time and I adapt, “said the Spaniard.
- Rivalry with Federer for memorable matches
“We have a good relationship, we are great teammates. For me, the 2008 Wimbledon final is one of the most emotional games of my entire career. It hurt a lot to lose the 2007 match because I looked prepared and after the game I thought that maybe I would not return. to have another chance like that. It was epic because there was everything, people who saw it on television have no idea of how little light there was in the last points, we were at the limit, “he said.
He was asked about the 2009 Australian Open, where he was able to overcome a titanic effort in the semifinals against Verdasco. “I was wrecked before the final, I felt with very little energy and a flattening sensation. Some reflections that Toni made me before the game were important and starting well seemed key to get hooked on the game and be able to cope with fatigue. I was absolutely blown away for several days, “he declared with a laugh
- The magic of the Davis Cup and the Olympics
Nadal has always been characterized by being a player with a lot of character and giving the maximum in appointments where he defends something more than his own interest, but those of an entire country. “The match against Roddick in the 2004 final is one of those that marked my career and that I will never be able to forget. I think that performance of mine is remembered a lot because of the novelty and how young I was, but the real architect of the victory was Carlos Moyà that he won two games, “he commented. “Regarding the Olympics, I lived unforgettable moments. Gold in doubles with Marc, one of my best friends, was an unexpected and enormous joy.”
- Review of his triumphs at Roland Garros
“My first title there I do not think it was the most complicated or the most surprising. I was already a favorite for having won the main tournaments on clay and youth gives you that self-confidence and it is daring that is needed, I had energy to spare “, reveals a man who is clear about which have been the most difficult. “I would stick with 2011, because it was being a difficult year for me, and especially with 2020. This was the most unexpected win due to the conditions in which we played,” he said.
“I suffer a lot playing cold, my body suffers. Also, the balls do not take effect on me, I felt that my shots were less effective. But little by little I improved and the key was the warm-up I did before the final. There the sensations were unbeatable and I went out on the court with the conviction of having recovered my maximum level. Of course, the score could be bulky, but there were key moments that could have changed everything, even in the first two sets, “he said.
- Perception of the future and mood in the face of retirement from professional tennis
“You never know, maybe I have already reached my limit, those things cannot be known. What I do know is that I maintain a great illusion to continue working and giving myself the opportunity to be competitive, I want that when the day comes to leave it there will be been after having given everything. I have many passions beyond tennis and that takes pressure off me, I am not thinking about what my life will be like after tennis. It is a scenario that I still do not contemplate and I face it naturally “, Rafael Nadal highlighted with his usual fortitude.
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