The Australian had beaten him in Barcelona. At the end of the match Nadal said: «I played at an excellent level, but not enough»
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Italy’s Flavio Cobolli during the ATP Barcelona Open “Conde de Godo” tennis tournament singles match at the Real Club de Tenis in Barcelona, on April 16, 2024. (Photo by Pau Barrena / AFP)
Madrid Open, important victory for Nadal who beat De Minaur 7(8)-6(6), 6-1 in two hours. Very tough first set ended in tie break won by the Majorcan. At the end of the match Nadal, although happy with the victory, said he was not satisfied: «I played at a very good level, but not good enough».
Davis Cup atmosphere in Madrid for Nadal
“Marca” commented on the climate in favor of the Spanish tennis player:
“Nadal has always found extra motivation to play in front of an audience that idolizes him. De Minaur won the toss and chose to respond. The Australian was aware that to date the serve is his opponent’s weak point. The referee for the match was Fergus Murphy. Rafa had the entire crowd backing him except eight people. They were sitting on the Sydney player’s bench. The atmosphere was the closest thing to the Davis Cup.”
During the match there was a controversial episode where Nadal argued with the match referee. As Sky Sport explains well, in the third game of the first set Nadal, down 15-30 on his serve, stopped and grounded a shot from the Australian who was out for him. Meanwhile, the Australian closes the point and the referee gives the score 15-40 because Nadal didn’t ask for the challenge. An episode that sparked the Mallorcan’s fury and boos from the public.
The interview of the Majorcan tennis player with “Repubblica”
Rafa Nadal interviewed by Repubblica on the possibility that he may retire soon. Today he plays in Madrid against Darwin Blanch.
“It will not be the end of the world (possibly not being in Paris, ed.). The world doesn’t end with Roland Garros. I have always accepted things. Life is not all black or white. And, anyway, there will be the Olympics. This event will be in my mind.”
But how hard is it to accept all this?
“Honestly? Winning and losing is part of our daily life. What made me happy all my life, more than winning, was giving my all. I rarely had the feeling of returning home without having done everything possible to make things go well.”
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