Nadal: “At the moment it feels like I can’t move”
Giving up is not an option for Rafael Nadal in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday night. “I didn’t want that,” he says after the three-set defeat. “I’m the defending champion here. I didn’t want to leave the place with a task. It’s better if it ends like this. I lost, there is nothing more to say. I congratulate my opponent.”
Nadal says a little more. The hip gave him a lot of problems, he explains. “Right now it feels like I can’t move. We have to do tests first to know exactly what’s going on.”
One thing is clear: Nadal wanted to set course for his 23rd major title at all costs. Did he ask his supervisors if he should give up to avoid further damage? ‘I didn’t ask her. I’m old enough to make my own decisions,” he says, almost defiantly. In the end nothing helped. “It’s a tough moment. It’s a tough day today, I have to accept that and move on. I can’t complain about my life – it’s just one more injury, one more difficult moment. I can’t say it wouldn’t destroy me mentally, that would be a lie.”
And further: “It’s hard for me. But I hope it’s not too bad. In the end, I’ve had three very good weeks in training recently, so I hope I won’t have to stay away from the pitch for too long. After that, it’s going to be hard to catch up because it takes a lot of work.” Apparently, even at the age of 36, a longer rehab does not worry him. “I’ve been through this process too many times in my career, but I’m ready to do it again.”
Giving up is not an option for Rafael Nadal in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday night. “I didn’t want that,” he says after the three-set defeat. “I’m the defending champion here. I didn’t want to leave the place with a task. It’s better if it ends like this. I lost, there is nothing more to say. I congratulate my opponent.”
Nadal says a little more. The hip gave him a lot of problems, he explains. “Right now it feels like I can’t move. We have to do tests first to know exactly what’s going on.”
One thing is clear: Nadal wanted to set course for his 23rd major title at all costs. Did he ask his supervisors if he should give up to avoid further damage? ‘I didn’t ask her. I’m old enough to make my own decisions,” he says, almost defiantly. In the end nothing helped. “It’s a tough moment. It’s a tough day today, I have to accept that and move on. I can’t complain about my life – it’s just one more injury, one more difficult moment. I can’t say it wouldn’t destroy me mentally, that would be a lie.”
And further: “It’s hard for me. But I hope it’s not too bad. In the end, I’ve had three very good weeks in training recently, so I hope I won’t have to stay away from the pitch for too long. After that, it’s going to be hard to catch up because it takes a lot of work.” Apparently, even at the age of 36, a longer rehab does not worry him. “I’ve been through this process too many times in my career, but I’m ready to do it again.”
