ARTICLES:
- Rafael Nadal dismisses Alexander Zverev French Open prediction: ‘I don’t think about retirement’ | Eurosport
In a press conference ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, an event that Nadal has triumphed in twice, in 2009 and last season, Nadal denied that he had plans to retire in the next half-year, nor was he considering retiring from the sport at all.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen in six months. I have a very good relationship with Zverev, but not enough to confess something like that to him. The reality is that I’m here to play tennis, try to have a great 2023, fight for everything that I have struggled throughout my career and I don’t think about my retirement.
“You think about it week after week because that’s how you show me at every press conference. But I will answer the same every time you ask me”.
- Rafael Nadal unhappy with ‘worse’ Australian Open balls | tennishead.net
“They say (it) is the same, but the ball is worse quality, without a doubt,” Nadal said, “I think it’s a ball that doesn’t get the same spin as usual. After a couple of hits, the ball loses the pressure. It’s more difficult to hit with the right spin.”
“I think it is easier to play when you play flatter on the shots. But I need to live with it. I think I have practised enough with the ball to be ready for it.”
“The real thing is I have been losing more than usual. Yeah, that’s the truth. I need to live with it and just fight for the victories,” Nadal said. “By the way, I didn’t play that bad the first two matches the year. I lost against two great opponents, but having very positive chances to win both matches. I already have been here for three weeks, practising every day with that conditions, with the best players. That helps a lot in general terms.”
“I’m going to keep working because in the end I think I am in an improvement moment that I have been better and better every single week. I feel faster in the legs. I feel playing better with more confidence. The past three weeks of preparation here have been very positive from my point of view. Then I’m going to go on court and I’m going to try my best,” Nadal said.
VIDEO: Pre-tournament press conference
Social media related to Rafa:
Young draper fought hard.
Congrats to Rafa and Rafa fans!
😊 Good luck to Rafa in round 2🍀❤️ Vamos Rafa!💪💪
For the love of everything the media (and other players!) need to stop their propaganda about Rafa retiring! He’s WORLD NUMBER 2!!! THIS VERY MINUTE – WORLD NUMBER 2. Have you ever heard of a CURRENT WORLD NUMBER 2 player retiring???? Give us all a break and knock it off!
I’m so excited to go see Rafa in Las Vegas. An absolute dream come true for me. I never thought I would get to see him live. Sadly, it’s the exhibition with Alcaraz (whom I do not care for at all! – he’s so highly overrated it’s pathetic. However, I’m praying he is healed before then so they do not cancel the event!). But I am so excited to see Rafa. Absolute dream come true. But first, GO GET ‘EM IN MELBOURNE! Vamos Rafa!
I think these so called Sports journalists should retire because they ask the same questions year after year. They have run out of things to ask him so they have memory loss because he has said NO NOT THINKING ABOUT RETIREMENT SO GET LOST .
I don’t know why Sascha seems to think he knows what Rafa’s plans are.
Have a fantastic tournament Down Under Rafa!🍀💪❤️
Looking forward to supporting you in person in IW and Paris this year.🎾😊
That’s exciting, Mimi! We would love to support Rafa in Paris at Roland Garros. Please cheer for him loudly when you go!
Rafa and Carlos alcaraz play in Las Vegas immediately before IW this year too. Are you going to go watch their Vegas exhibition?
Hi Mary, will do ☺️ no, not going to LV.
Hoping and wishing for Rafa’s health, fitness, stamina, and happiness at this year’s AO! With these under his belt, the victories for Rafa will surely come.
Good luck for the start of the tournament❤️ Vamos Rafa
Rafa will not and should not retire from tennis as long as he can still win Roland Garros (his kingdom).
Rafa is the King at Roland Garros.
Rafa can continue to win at Roland Garros for many more years.
Considering the Paris Olympics 2024 will be played at Roland Garros, it would be a splendid achievement to also win a second men’s single Olympics gold medal at Paris 2024.
Despite physical challenges over the years, Rafa has persevered and will continue to succeed.
I am a huge fan of Rafa’s and will continue to hope and dream for Rafa’s future winning of big titles!
Rafa has been part of 5 Davis cup trophies and 2 Olympics gold medals for Spain. He has done more than enough for his country in my opinion. In his own words, the 2024 Roland Garros has more importance and significance for him than the Paris Olympics though he did want to end his career at the Olympics at one time, but no more, and i fully agree and support his decision. Spain also has Alcaraz so it’s perfectly Ok if rafa focuses all his energy towards Roland Garros. Time waits for no one in tennis and the clock is ticking so every year counts.
Rafa is the GOAT and THE Champion of all Champions.
Fans around the world LOVE him, and young tennis up-and-comers idolize him and want to be like him.
Rafa is the epitome of strength, determination, and humility.
Win or lose, Rafa is THE Best of the best!
I am so looking forward to watching Rafa’s scintillating tennis and victory at the AO in Monday’s match against Draper. 🙂
Vamos, Rafa – we will support you all the way!
Rafa is not buying into all the drama people are placing on tonight’s match, or tomorrow’s match given that the earth is round. Rafa says that he’s been practicing more than he has in the last ten years and that’s good enough for me. His mental attitude is pure Rafa; confident yet humble. I know he will come thru it like a champ.
With you all the way Rafa and wish you the best of luck, Vamos x
Cancel out the hype, Rafa. Focus on adjusting to the AO tennis balls, and reading your opponents. Of course, Z is being disrespectful to Rafa who ran to aid him after his injury. Time is ticking on every player-first Slam? No one has won 2 Slams in a year with the
personal challenges that Rafa faced🤯😱🥰now you have an even greater motivation, so
focus and fight👏👍💪🤛🍀🎾❤️
Why can the media and other tennis players..I.e Sasha Zverev keep their stupidity to themselves. Zverev is biggest culprit and seeing this happen over and over, he has no respect for Rafa. It is long past his time to gave won a GS, but of course that never is put on the airwaves. Look how concerned Rafa was for Zverev when he damaged his ankle. No respect whatsoever. Rafa for once just tell media and fellow players to get off your case.
I find it highly disrespectful to keep pressing a great Champion of the game who happens to be a remarkable human being as well, as to his retirement plans.
Rafa, I know that you possess the strength and grace, as you have approached all aspects of your sporting career in the past, be they positive or negative.
As always, I admire your calmness under fire!