In the second match of his tennis comeback in Barcelona on Wednesday, Rafael Nadal suffered defeat at the hands of Alex de Minaur. The 25-year-old Australian, currently ranked No. 11 in the world, secured a 7-5, 6-1 victory, marking his first win over the 22-time Grand Slam champion on the ATP tour.
Here’s what Rafa said to the Spanish press after the match:
“I am leaving convinced that I have taken a step forward, it was not today where I had to…leave everything and die. I have to give myself the option to do this in a few weeks, at least try. If I had died at a general level today, I would never have the opportunity to do so in a few weeks, so I have to play according to the objective I have.
“I have to measure according to how I feel, so I will play in Madrid according to this factor. If my body responds and I accumulate good training, I will be able to take a step forward in Madrid. If my body is capable of assimilating the loads progressively, that must help me to demand more and more from it, but I don’t know.
“On a logical level, the idea is to progress, but I’m not talking about winning games, but rather at the level of fighting for things. In Madrid go a little better, in Rome a little more… and in Paris let it be whatever God wants. Now is the time to try.”
God wants you to be happy and healthy Rafa:)
Stay safe and try again champ!
My wish for Rafa is to play as long as he wants with no further injuries. Rafa will have a full life after tennis, but I will never have another favorite to replace him. I will root for several, but it will never be the same.
Va4favre, I share your sentiments entirely.
Me too. There will never be anyone to replace Rafa for me. I have hardly watched Men’s Tennis since Rafa was injured last year. The ATP Tour is just not the same without him. I am hoping Alcaraz will do well. He is great to watch. But he is not Rafa. I do hope he is fit enough to play well at Roland Garros, even if he is not able to go deep in what may be his last French Open. He wants to retire on court. Let’s hope he can do that.
Wonderful to see you back on court. Wish you all the best. We’re with you all the way.
🍀🍀❤️❤️
Small steps necessary for the big one.
Bring on Madrid!
It was good to see Rafa looking so happy just to be on court and talking so positively afterwards. He may have lost the match, but in my eyes he’s a winner because he was able to say goodbye to Barcelona on court, playing tennis without further injury.
It was clear from that match that Rafa was pacing himself and indeed his team told him not to overdo it. Although it’s counterintuitive and hard for him to exercise restraint to protect his body when all his career he’s pushed himself to the limit, he knows that was the sensible thing to do.
Rafa I salute you. 12 Barcelona titles is truly astounding and I’m so pleased that you were able to grace the court there once more. Thanks you champ and the best of luck in the weeks and months to come.
Be happy Rafa, we are all with you❤️
I am staying positive too. I feel that Rafa was holding back a little as he should to prevent another injury. Hopefully, he continues to get stronger every day and do better in Madrid, then Rome, then the ultimate terre battu at Roland Garros. We are supporting him all the way! Best of luck, health, and tennis strength, Rafa!
We believe Rafa will get better and better with each match but will need to protect himself from getting injured. Clay has been less taxing for his body all his career. Fingers crossed that Rafa finds his best form and peaks in time for Roland Garros, which is still over a month away. There is plenty of time to hone his game. We will support you all the way, Rafa!
Rafa-this loss was not a surprise, but it stings nevertheless. You are always the realist
who teaches us how to recover. Your comments express how enormous a puzzle this is. How to achieve a goal without sacrificing physicality. From observing you, you are a master
problem solver. Know this-as long as you are still standing, still fighting-we are there💪👍🎾🍀❤️
“A man’s reach must exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?”
Looking forward to seeing you at Madrid vamos rafa xx 😘
All the best Rafa!🫶