"It's just a quarterfinal match, I didn't win anything" says Nadal as he eyes trophy at Roland Garros

ATP
Wednesday, 01 June 2022 at 23:10
Updated at Sunday, 09 July 2023 at 15:51
Nadal Rafael Wimbledon2022 MartinSidorjak10

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic's 59th encounter was a tremendous show, with the Spaniard winning in four sets despite being the underdog.

Rafael Nadal has only been a non-favorite on the court at Roland Garros a few times in his career, and this year's quarterfinal match against Novak Djokovic was one of them. Nonetheless, the 21-time Grand Slam champion demonstrated why he is a great champion by defeating his most formidable opponent.

"I became emotional because, of course, the last three months and a half for me, the only thing that I can say is it hasn't been easy. Not going to be talking about all the things I went through the last couple of months any more now, because I have to keep going, but of course it hasn't been a fun three months. All these things... make this match more special, without a doubt."

"In the end, it has been a very emotional night for me. I'm still playing for nights like today. But it's just a quarter-final match, no? So I didn't win anything. So I just give myself a chance to be back on court in two days, play another semi-finals here in Roland Garros. It means a lot to me."

"If I am not playing good or if I am losing in that semi-finals match, [it is] not going to be because I'm not going to be focussed... I have experience on that. I am not the kind of guy and player that emotionally goes high and low. I am very stable, I think, emotionally."

"I know how the things works, no? It's the moment to enjoy today, because [it has] been a beautiful night for me, without a doubt. Very emotional one. But tomorrow [I'm] going to start thinking about things that I need to do to be ready for that semi-finals. The main goal is be focused on [keeping] the level that I have been playing today."

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