THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Do you think it’s best performance against Djokovic since the last final at Roland Garros? Is the first question. The second is if you think it’s better for you to play against Djokovic on the best-of-five sets than on the best-of-three sets.
RAFAEL NADAL: I am playing well. No, no. I have been, I think, a beautiful match, a little bit unlucky for me today, so many chances in the first set. Obviously with that 4-2, Love-30, and then 15-30, good point for me, good forehand that was a winner and was out for just a little bit. We don’t need to talk about I think in the second, no?
So happy in a very close match, and I have to congratulate him. He played, I think, great. And that’s it. He’s winning a lot, so probably that makes a difference.
No, when somebody is winning as much as he is doing last year and months, two years, we know the dynamics are so important. He was hitting great shots in important moments, no? That’s it.
But I am playing well. I think I am playing well during the whole clay court season. It’s true that in Madrid I didn’t play well the last two matches against Joao and especially the last two sets against Joao Sousa in quarterfinals, and semifinals against Andy I didn’t play very well.
But in general I’m playing well in the most of the matches most of the time. And today I was there mentally fighting for every point, hitting good shots. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know if it’s better for me best-of-five or best-of-three. Is something that I don’t think about it now. The only thing that I think is I have been very, very, very close this afternoon, and that’s positive.
Q. After a match like this, what is the lasting feeling? Comfort of knowing how high a level you’ve played today or disappointment of the loss?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, no, no. I came late here not because I was disappointed. I came late because I was in doping and just for like this (indicating small space between index finger and thumb) I didn’t came before, maybe a little bit.
No, I was not disappointed. Well, it’s obvious that when you feel that you are so close to take both sets, you know, it’s obvious that you go out of the court and you feel that you cannot be 100% happy.
But overall I am playing well. As I said before, I have been competing at the highest level against the best player. Play a match like this, best player of the world, that’s the only thing that give me the confidence that I am ready for the things.
Q. Obviously your head to head with Novak is much more even than the head to head you have with Roger, but can you see a similarity between this rivalry and the rivalry you had with Roger, which went through phases when you won a lot even if matches were really, really close?
RAFAEL NADAL: I answered that question so many times. You know, let’s talk about all of this — I’m tired about asking these kind of questions. The only answer for me now is I feel happy to be part of both rivalries.
You know, have been both special ones and that’s it. And we’re gonna talk about that when we finish our careers. Hopefully not very soon (laughter).
And that’s it. No, no, I feel lucky and unlucky at the same time to be at the same moment than those great players.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
Chantelle for sure Novak will come out all guns blazing , if the other players thought he was a force to reckoned with before they haven’t seen anything yet. There is no way he will let the FO escape him this year his ego couldn’t take it . Even if he takes it this year he will always wish it was him who stopped Rafa’s reign at Rolland Garros not stan. Novak and his family have a real thing about Winning Rafa and Roger you could see that this week . I think when he beats them especially Rafa it’s like he trying to convince everybody who loves Rafa look I won I’m the best it’s me you should support ,never going to happen
Yep. I always felt Novak wanted to steal Rafa’s thunder hence the sickening exaggerated emulation, chest out, roaring, the things Rafa did naturally and unconsciously. So he just doesn’t get it that it takes more than winning to be loved. He simply does not have Rafa’s charisma – the je ne sais quois!
You aré totally right!!! Champions, like Rafa, are born, not made!!! The joker, became a champion, after injuries, did start crippling Rafa’s game… But Rafa it’s coming back around slowly but surely… Vamos Rafa!!!
Anybody taking bets on what name hmmmmmmmmmm Nostradamus /prophet/deep-great thinker/miomo will come up with for the FO ,I’m think God Almighty or we could have the second coming and Jesus might like to comment on Rafa’s performance
LOL
LOL he he he
I cant quite believe it! I would have preferred Rafa to be the one to take Novak down but Murray – cool!. It shows some erratic form in Novak since Monte Carlo (losing in 1st round, being bageled etc) or maybe Rafa just tired him out.
The takeaway for Rafa on Andy’s win is that Rafa can quit saying Nole is unbeatable.
I eagerly await RG. Does anyone know when the seedings go up?
RAFA ROCKS
That’s Rafa Margo – everyone is also a ‘future number 1’.
Of course Teresa. Even sports reporters are constantly talking about “the next gen” players but I bet Rafa has a lot of steam left, barring injury.
RAFA ROCKS
I only watched a little of the match, but was rooting for Andy. I was surprised to see how negative Novak has become. His nerves will be even worse in Paris. He did get a tough draw with his late match yesterday, but I thought Andy should have won in Madrid too. This is not a big loss for Djokovic, but it will be huge for men’s tennis. I always thought that Novak won some tight matches as much on his aura as his skill. This will help some of his competitors in the early rounds believe that they can beat him. Hopefully this will help our Rafa too.
Hi maria. Andy is straight down the line for sure. Wot u see is wot u get and i owe him some good grace today 4 sure. He slayed the serpent! I am really pleased. Novak will not take this lying down – i expect tantrums at rg
Rafael-your opportunity is next to turn the tide on Djoko. Keep fighting-it will be yours to claim. Today was Andy’s moment. No one is invincible, so keep the fire
burning.🔥🔥🔥💪💪💪👑👑👑🏆🏆🏆❤️
rafa just have a note that it was a momentum shift
andy taken the 1 st set
it’s the matter of momentum since novak is winning to much and causes confidence to novak and hurts opponent play to remain constant under pressure
i will not say taking 1 set will completely turn the match because i know for u to turn the match from any point is possible
but it’s the form and winning to much of novak causes opponent to loose hopes
so vamos rafa
the RG is more interesting
practice hard stay healthy
best luck for ur preparations
Margo what a great end to the weekend Novak and Lewis Hamilton both down and out. Roll on the FO Rafa to win ,Runner up Andy
Indeed Maria. Americans are happy when good things happen in the UK. I think Andy is a good guy and am happy for him on this his birthday. (As long as he was not playing against Rafa. LOL)
I know Kim must be pretty proud.
I do enjoy that so British dry sense of humor.
Thanks for all your assists during this tournament and I look forward to your comments during RG.
RAFA LE ROI
This win of Andy proves that Novak is not unbeatable and he is clearly not the best!
It is the weak era that makes him last that long.
Rafa you see how agressive that Andy played today? Attacking on his second serve instead of hiding too far from baseline. Also i have to say that Andy ‘s ROS is much better than Rafa.
I hope that Rafa will win the 10th FO but if not, Andy will. Anyone except Novak.
Good win Andy and happy birthday!
When Novak loses RG he will have to be placed in a straitjacket.
RAFA ROCKS
hehehehe! You’re a wicked woman!
What did I say? C’mon. I’m hurt. LOL
It will merely be the culmination to his infantile tantrums when he was on the losing side.
Then the docs will shoot him up with Thorazine. By the time he is returned to society, the remainder of the Big Four will have retired. My brand new crystal ball says so.
Excellent display by Andy.
I’ve noticed a significant improvement in his mental discipline in the last few months. He has now shown that it is possible to beat Novak in a final. It must be very demoralising for Novak and he must feel so emasculated.
One of Novak’s fan (Nostradamus) did say that he will sack Boris if Nadal beats him, that means he will soon be on his way out now that Andy has decimated him.
RG belongs to one man this year- He is a certain man from Mallorca.
Andy and Wawrinka CAN NOT beat Nadal over 5 sets on clay- this is a fact.
Novak’s form has dipped and the law of depreciation will continue to set in
Vamos Rafa!!!
Couldn’t agree more – Murray had lost 12 of the pair’s last 13 meetings and had started to look beaten whenever he stepped on to court against Djokovic. Madrid boosted his confidence and his clay court performance generally. Shows how much of the game is won in the locker room. My worry re RG is that Novak knows Nadal all too well. No doubt his priority was always to study Rafa’s game more than anyone else’s.
Hi Chantelle Andy’s not that bad being British I support him after Rafa , he has a dry sence of humour and can be a bit temperamental at times but he is as straight as they come, no game playing or deceitfulness and like Rafa doesn’t like the limelight or celebrity status and more than that HE BEAT NOVAK
Nostradamus hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm your predictions were as good as Novak’s game today C..p
LOL You’re so whitty.
Congrats to Andy
Congrats to GB
Congrats to Andy fans
Congrats to Rafa fans who wanted an Andy win
RAFA WILL WIN RG
Witty Maria.
Down and out. Poor poor novak wot u gonna do? Rg up for grabs now. Cmon rafa – it is possible 2 beat the fool! Oh and mr prophet – thought u said no way wld andy beat novak in this final. Better clean that crystal ball. Didnt u say if he lost he wld fire boris? Lets see. Not a fan of andy but great result
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDY MURRAY thank you from the UK and Rafa Fans .Unwise Nostradamus you said Andy couldn’t do it EAT YOUR WORDS
He’s still chewing, Maria. One should not speak with food in his mouth.
Murray gets a birthday present AND is Rafa fans avenging angel. I hope Rafa watched the match.
RAFA ROCKS
The idiot novak keeps kicking off with the umpire about slippy conditions – just so he has an excuse if he happens to lose
Really? Thanks for yours and Maria’s comments. My cable is out. Watching on Scoreboard.
Sounds like Novak has become unhinged. I would like to see how the commentators and reporters cover his OBNOXIOUS behavior
RAFA ROCKS
Chances are high……having andy taken 1st set
He has.shifted the much needed momentum it will be hard for novak
Lets see
Everybody keeps saying Rafa and his team need to work on his confidence, well maybe Novak and his team need to work on his temper.GO ANDY
We can only hope Chantelle
Youre right maria – the commentators always big him up. They said however that he’s been tetchy all week – cos he knows that he’ll be beaten at rg thats why! Oh and if he’d been through what rafas been through he’d have retired by now. Novak must remember that arrogance is a bad thing – the higher u get the harder u fall. He will not cope and that will surely happen soon – you can sense it and see it – which is why he’s kicking off like the old days