ROLAND GARROS

June 11, 2021

Rafael Nadal

Press Conference

N. DJOKOVIC/R. Nadal

3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. It was an extraordinary match. No doubt you are absolutely devastated at the moment. What changed after the way you started the match? Looked like this was going to be maybe your night again, but he came back. What changed things around?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, at the beginning I think he was playing a little bit worse, making mistakes. He had breakpoint in the first game. Then he had game points in the next game. So could be 2-0 for him at the beginning and was 2-0 for me. Then was 4-0.

Then I think he started to make more mistakes. Then is true that probably the conditions were a little bit slower later on. We had been playing with very warm and high bounces. During the night the situation goes a little bit the other way, no? So bounce a little bit less. The ball gets less topspin. That's more favorable for him, the conditions.

By the way, doesn't matter. That's tennis. The player who get used to the conditions better is the player who deserve to win. So no doubt he deserved to win.

Q. That was described as one of the classics of French Open, that third set described by many as one of the greatest they've seen in tennis. Is that of any consolation to you or are you such a winner it's all about winning the trophy?

RAFAEL NADAL: That's sport, you know. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. I tried to give my best. Probably was not my best day out there. Even if I fighted, that I putted a lot of effort, I mean, the position on the shots haven't been that effective tonight. Against a player like him that takes the ball early, you are not able to take him out of his positions, then is very difficult, no?

Even like this, I had the big chance with set point, 6-5, second serve. That's it. Anything could happen in that moment. Then I make a double-fault, easy volley in the tiebreak. But it's true that have been crazy points out there. The fatigue is there, too, no?

These kind of mistakes can happen. But if you want to win, you can't make these mistakes. So that's it. Well done for him. Have been a good fight out there. I try my best, and today was not my day.

Q. Unbelievable atmosphere on Chatrier. Can you tell us what it feels like to be playing such a high-quality match of tennis with a crowd cheering you on till the last point?

RAFAEL NADAL: Have been amazing, the support, no? I can't thank enough the feelings. I have been super tired some moments, but the crowd gave me some energy to keep going, no?

Yeah, it's super emotional for me to feel the love of the people in the most important place of my tennis career, without a doubt. So thanks a lot to them.