Rafael Nadal appeared before the media after achieving a new victory at the Australian Open, in this case against Adrian Mannarino who took him to the limit in a crazy first set. The Spanish tennis player assessed what happened in the round of 16 match, as well as what may happen from now on, with Denis Shapovalov , finally, as a rival in the quarterfinals after giving the surprise and defeating Zverev.
« It was one of the craziest tie breaks of my career. It was half the game, without a doubt. Mannarino has played very well in the first set. His ball was very difficult to control and he opened the track for me. When a player beats Karatsev and Hurkacz, he knew he was doing things right. It has the ability to make you feel uncomfortable. It is a victory that has a lot of value. I have been able to resist the difficult moments, ”said Nadal, who had to show his best face after almost half an hour of sudden death.
Rafa will face Shapovalov in the quarterfinals, whom he praised before the press. “He is one of the players with the most potential on the circuit. The first time we played I said I was going to be the winner of several ‘Grand Slam’ titles and I still think so . It has a lot of amazing stuff. If he plays well it is difficult to stop. You can’t expect an easy opponent in the quarterfinals and I’ll have to play at my highest level. I didn’t expect to be where I am a few weeks ago.”
«It is true that Zverev was a little more favourite, but Shapovalov could win and won in three sets. I am not surprised by Denis’s victory, “ he added, about what happened in the duel between the Canadian and the German on the second track of the Melbourne Park complex.
Recovering the level prior to the injury is a complete satisfaction for Nadal, as he confirmed to the media. «I have worked a lot these months to return to the circuit. I am enjoying being here in the rooms. Excited to compete with Shapovalov again . I don’t know if I feel ready to win the title. I said that a priori I was not a candidate and added that in sport things change very quickly. I am in a better position than I was 10 days ago. Here rules the court, the game and the physical. What I trust is to be prepared to compete.
The foot, which is and will be Nadal’s great must in his career, responds appropriately and allows him to fight face to face with his rivals. « The physicist has responded to me and I have put in a little more than I am used to lately. It was a shame that at 6-4 I didn’t serve well, I made an ugly serve. I’ve thrown the ball low. And the same thing happened to me on another set point. Mannarino was at a very high level and felt the pressure. I have endured mentally well and I have fought until the end. I have generated good blows in difficult moments and I have had the reward of winning half a game.
