Rafael Nadal did not have the best United Cup debut. The Spaniard lost to Cameron Norrie 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first point of the tie between Spain and Great Britain in an intense and equal duel in which he ended up being blamed for the lack of rhythmsomething normal at this stage of the competition.
“I know I could do a lot more, but I wouldn’t say today’s game is a disaster either. I need to be stronger, make fewer mistakes, and improve my fitness because now I lack speed. As I play, I will improve my decision-making in important moments”, assured the world number 2 after the game.
“If I win a game I know everything will be better and I will play more relaxed. I think it is time to learn from the negative things for now, although I also believe that I have done things well and positive things can be taken. of having a contest to the end against a good player who came with more rhythm than me. I have the feeling that I have to improve a lot to be able to compete for important things, but I also have enough time to achieve it in the next two weeks” warned the Spaniard, who wanted to highlight the excellent performance of his rival..
“I give all the credit for this result to Cameron. He is a top player, we know each other and I think he did everything perfectly today. You have to put things in context; if the Wimbledon points were counted, I would be higher in the ranking,” he said.
Nadal also had good words for his next rival, Alex de Minaur, with whom he will see them on Monday. “He is a great tennis player, he plays at a very high intensity, he is very fast, he has improved his serve… I know it’s going to be a tough game and I have to play well to have a chance to win.”.
The only tense moment of the press conference came when the Spaniard had to answer, for the umpteenth time, the question about his hypothetical withdrawal. “I don’t need to keep playing tennis for any reason. What drives me to continue is my passion for the sport, when I lose, I will leave and you will be the first to know. Lately, every time I come to a press conference I feel like I have to retire, it’s like you’re interested in what’s going on.. Don’t pursue it because I’m here to play tennis and it’s not time to retire,” the 22-time Grand Slam champion settled.
Source: La Verdad
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