Less rushed than the day before when he finished playing Sinner later at 9:00 p.m., but considerably more exhausted after beating Shapovalov in a battle that lasted almost three and a half hours, Rafa Nadal addressed the media by telematic means.
Meaning of the triumph: “Being able to win games like today, long and against young players, gives me confidence in my body. Now I have to recover after a positive victory for me and that allows me to be in the quarterfinals. I have to prepare to compete well ”.
Match points: “I don't remember every time I saved match points, but I don't think I ever won a Grand Slam saving one.”
Effect of victory: “In the end they are victories that are satisfying, personally quite a lot. When you have fought both physically and mentally, they give you confidence and security. You have to have the right attitude, without complaining, because I haven't played at the best possible level and you usually lose that way. Looking ahead to tomorrow, I would have liked a shorter game, but they are fights and battles that remain in the memory and that can be used for a few weeks ”.
Roland Garros: “I go my way to do what I can and what I know. Today it was difficult to do it when things started so bad on all sets. I made good passings and the drive worked for me, I was also improving the serve percentages. This tournament is very important to me and I live from my day to day, I don't just think about four appointments a year. I think I will have a chance to arrive at Roland Garros well prepared. I have a good load of games, with bad games, good games and different situations ”.
Next rival: “In the end, each day is a different story. Against Nishikori I saved the match in Barcelona in the third set. Here against Zverev the situation would be different, because the game is more controlled. I prefer to play against him here and not in Madrid, where there is the worst possible situation to play against someone like him ”.
Epic: “When you are losing 6-3 and 3-0 you think about winning two games with the wind in your favor, although neither of them were going well. You go on, because if you let go you're in the shower in five minutes. So I choose to fight and not fail in attitude. Try not to miss with the head if I do it with the racket. That is sport, fighting even if things seem impossible. Just to win one game a year like that, it's worth all the effort ”.