Rafa Nadal analyzed his defeat in the Roland Garros semi-final against Novak Djokovic . The Spanish tennis player did a good reading of how to take the situation when saying goodbye to Paris. “We are in a sport in which you have to be prepared to accept victory and defeat, because when you go out to play you are exposed to both every day,” said the Spaniard.
Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic staged another of those epic battles in the semi-final of Roland Garros 2021. It was the Serbian who managed to raise his arms to the sky after more than four hours of dueling and a final result of 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 and 6-2, with which he sealed the ticket to the final of the French Grand Slam. Nadal, 13 times champion in Paris, conceded his third defeat in the French capital, the second at the hands of the same executioner. But far from victimhood or frustration, Nadal fit the result well and gave another lesson in how to take adversity.
“How I feel? Well. I’m also not a person to make big celebrations when you win or big dramas when you lose. We are in a sport in which we must be prepared to accept victory and defeat , because when you go out to play you are exposed to both every day, “Nadal commented at the press conference.
“In our sport, you must admit both victory and defeat. I do know that I can’t win the tournament 15, 18, 20 times. It’s not a disaster at all.»#RolandGarros
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 12, 2021
“After winning 13 times, it somehow hurts less. But it is a defeat and I know that the years go by, and the chances of winning here are not eternal. This was an important option. But this is so », also explained the Spanish, number 3 of the ATP . “I knew you can’t win the tournament 15, 18, 20 times. It’s not a disaster after all, “added Nadal.
“I have left physically and mentally everything”
One of Rafael Nadal’s maxims on the track is to give his best, then you can win or lose, but that is not for not having tried. The Spanish recognized in that sense being satisfied because he tried until the end to continue with options in the game. “Without a doubt, I have physically and mentally given up everything I had. Conditions were a little slower at night. It is not an excuse, it is reality. We are in a sport where the one that best adapts to the conditions is the one that deserves to win . In that sense, he has done better than me, “said Rafa.
Nadal explained how the conditions were somewhat more favorable for Djokovic, since at night the ball did not take the extra effect that it is used to. «At this time of night, when the sun goes down, the track becomes a little slower, the ball is a little less alive. In this case, it is a little bit more favorable for him. My shots stop having that extra effect that makes him not see so clearly the entrance into the court, “he said.
“Even so, I haven’t been able to play the length of time I had to play in these conditions to get him out of position. This is a sport. Sometimes you win, you lose. I have won many times here and today it could not be, “added Carlos Moyá’s pupil.
In addition, Nadal wanted to recognize the merit of Novak Djokovic , who will be able to fight this Sunday to win his second Roland Garros . «Setting aside the beginning, the party has been very even. I have not been able to make a difference like other times. At times my ball didn’t do the damage it needed. At first he was making mistakes, but then he was playing well, long. He has made few mistakes overall. You have to give him credit, congratulate him, ” Nadal acknowledged.
