In an interview with L’Equipe, Rafael Nadal (38), still uncertain about the rest of his career, looked back on the moments following his defeat in the first round of Roland-Garros.
“Everything was ready.” Beaten from the start by Alexander Zverev for his probable last appearance on the Philippe Chatrier court, scene of his many exploits, at Roland-Garros, Rafael Nadal (38 years old) was not entitled to a tribute ceremony. The bays of the Philippe-Chatrier were nevertheless full to bursting, and emotion was at its peak. The spectators who came to see their hero’s last stand hoped for an outing worthy of the legend.
Almost everyone expected it, the timing was right. We even thought for a moment that this was going to happen when the tournament director Amélie Mauresmo approached the Majorcan to whisper a few words in his ear, but the latter had already changed his mind, convinced that the time to saying goodbye had not yet come.
“The tournament offered me one, Amélie discussed it with my team. At first, I said: ‘OK, let’s do it!’ But at the last minute, I didn’t want it, that’s the truth,” confirmed Rafael Nadal in an interview with L’Équipe. “I understand that Roland Garros wants to honor me because of what I have accomplished and, given what the tournament means to me, of course it will be great.”
“I wasn’t ready at that time.”
Not far from revealing himself and revealing the flaws behind the immense fighter he has always been on the court, Rafael Nadal did not dare to crack the armor when speaking on the court after his defeat in first round. “I don’t know if this is the last time I’m going to be here in front of you. I’m not 100% sure but if it was the last time, I wanted to enjoy the moment,” he said. only declared, refusing to project himself. The week of training preceding his entry into the competition convinced him of his ability to regain his best level, which we glimpsed against Zverev.
“Already, it would have made me sad to announce that it was the last time that I played in the tournament, knowing that I did not have the opportunity to prepare as I would have liked,” said added Rafael Nadal to L’Equipe. “And nothing prevents us from waiting a year. If the tribute takes place and I am retired, I will go there as a retiree. And if I still play, I will be present. But as on time current and before starting this Roland-Garros, I was not sure of anything. I preferred not to live with the idea that they had to pay tribute to me, because it was practically forcing me to no longer play here. and I wasn’t ready for it at the time.”
Rafael Nadal announced this week his withdrawal from the Wimbledon tournament, the Spaniard wishing to concentrate on preparing for the tennis tournament of the Paris Olympic Games (July 27-August 4) which he will play in doubles alongside his young compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, announced as his successor Porte d’Auteuil and winner of his third Grand Slam tournament last Sunday, at only 21 years old.
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2024-06-15 08:54:04
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