A game with a thousand emotions for Rafael Nadalwho seemed ready to bid his farewell to Madrid. Never underestimate the heart of a champion though: with a great show of strength, the Majorcan prevailed Alex de Minaur with the score of 7-6(6) 6-3 managing to reach the third round of Mutua Madrid Open.
“It was very important for me to be able to compete throughout the match at a good level of tennis – Rafa’s words in the press conference –. The body has held up well, this is important. I think in the last couple of days my body has improved, but I’m not sure yet. I understand that for you, for those who are not part of my team, it is complicated to understand some things, but for me Roland Garros is the most important tournament of my career, and all the things I experienced there will remain in my heart forever. So it’s not a question of winning or losing, but of being able to take the field feeling like I can fight and compete, that I can dream. So if I’m not able to go on the field and dream, even if I have a very low percentage of being able to make those dreams come true, it doesn’t make sense for me to go on the field, right? I prefer to keep my good memories. I want to be there, even losing, but being able to take the field and dream of something important. If this happens, I will be on the field. If there isn’t even the smallest, smallest hope, I probably won’t play. These are the sensations. And it’s a best of five sets, something completely different“.
The Majorcan continued: “The last few weeks have not been easy, but in the last few days only small problems. But that doesn’t mean things will be fine in two days. Every day is a test. I am experiencing things that I have almost not experienced in the last two years. In some ways, this is one of the reasons why I can’t always be super positive. If my body feels good today, I will be very happy, because it will have been a big step forward, and steps forward are always very important“.
