By Miguel Rapetti
May 27, 2024, 18:14 PM EDT
The Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal spoke this Monday after his defeat in the first round of Roland Garros against the German Alexander Zverev in three sets, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 and confessed that he still believes that He has more to give in tennis.
At a press conference, Nadal expressed the feelings he felt after falling in the first phase of the tournament for the first time in his career, after always ensuring at least his presence in the third round.
“I haven’t had any bad feelings. “I have shown myself that I am ready for more than what I have done, which has been to fall in the first round,” said the Spaniard, who regretted that the draw crossed him against “one of the best in the world.”
However, he was aware of his failures by ensuring that although he played well at times, the defeat came due to errors that he blamed on the lack of inactivity in the last two years as a result of injuries.
“I think I played a good game, putting the way I came into perspective. At times I have played well, really well. Other times I have made mistakes that are explained by the lack of filming. You don’t build a house in two days. I have been able to play without limitations, I have played the game, I have fought, I have had real options to put the game in a completely different situation against one of the best players in the world. “I leave satisfied,” he stated.
Regarding his future, Nadal assured that he has until the Paris Games to see if he is in a position to continue: “There I will take stock, I will see how I am at all levels, motivation, physical… and I will make a decision.”
Additionally, Nadal thanked the public for their support, among whom were the male and female number 1, the Serbian Novak Djokovic and the Polish Iga Swiatek, as well as his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.
The Balearic Islands also considered it unlikely that they will compete in the clay court season, because “it would be unintelligent to make the transition to grass and then return to clay again for the Games.
Finally, in what seemed like a farewell, Rafa Nadal spoke to the fans from the court after the setback and referred to how this could have been his last match at Roland Garros, something that coincided with his meeting with the cameras and microphones.
“Many things can happen in a year, (his return) will depend on whether I am able to stabilize myself and enjoy everyday life, which has been impossible these last two years. Logic tells me that it will be very difficult to make it to next year. The reality will be seen as the weeks go by. If it is my last time at Roland Garros, I leave at peace with myself, I have spent 20 years here, I have given everything for this tournament. My dream was to return, I lost, but that is part of the game,” he concluded.
Keep reading:
- Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic embrace each other in a warm embrace when they meet at Roland Garros [Video]
- Novak Djokovic will face Roland Garros with “few expectations and many hopes”
- With ovation and applause they received Rafa Nadal in training towards Roland Garros [Video]