UNITED CUP

December 31, 2022

Rafael Nadal

Team Spain

Press Conference

C. NORRIE/R. Nadal

3-6, 6-3, 6-4

Team Great Britain - 1

Team Spain - 0

THE MODERATOR: Tough luck, Rafa. What impressed you the most in Cam's game today?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I mean, we know each other. He's a top player. Putting in context, if Wimbledon give the normal points, he would be in a very high position of the ranking, and he's playing well, no? He beat the first day against Alex 6-3, 6-3. Yeah, didn't impress me much because I know he's very good, no. So knowing that, he did a lot of things well. Very solid. No mistakes. Serving well.

So, yeah, well done for him.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. What about yourself? How did you feel today in let's say the first match of the season?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, was not a disaster at all. I can do things, of course, better, and I need to do it. But as I said, no, not many matches before. I think he played the first match two days ago. I think that's an advantage, especially if you win the match the way that he did.

And then I need to be a little bit faster physically, a little bit more solid, some less mistakes and making better decisions at some point, playing a little bit longer.

No, as I said, it's all the credit to him that he did a lot of things very well. In my case, I think there is a way to improve, but I have time before the Australian Open starts in two weeks. But either way, we still focus on this competition. Let's support now Nuria, and then let's see what can happen, because we need to win this tie to keep having any chances.

I feel sorry did not give the point to the team. But as I said, even without being a great match for me, was not a bad match either. I had, I think, very good chances, because in the third I had Love-30, 15-40. Yeah, I had my chances. Didn't convert it. Need to accept that.

Especially in this beginning of the season, it's important to catch these chances, because then the road is easier. When you win a match, then you will feel better, more confident, you relax yourself. But was not that case.

So that's over, and now it's time to take the negative things, try to fix that. At the same time have been some positive things that I have been competitive against a great player. So let's take that too.

Q. I guess you'll get asked this a lot in the next year or so, I know you haven't put a limit on how far you want to go, but when you have days like today, do they make you more determined to keep pushing ahead as long as you can, or are there some times you just come off the court and think, Gosh, this is getting hard?

RAFAEL NADAL: No. I mean, when arrive the day that is go out on court and say, That's getting hard, is the day to say goodbye. I don't want to and I don't need to keep playing for no one reason. The only reason that I make sense to keep playing if I really enjoy what I do, and if I really feel it. If I don't feel it, I mean, I did much more than what I ever dreamed.

But either way, for me, I lost my match. That's it, no? Every time that I am coming to a press conference seems that I have to retire (smiling).

So you are very, very interested on my retirement (smiling). I mean, that's, for the moment, is not the case. When this day arrives, I'm going to let you know, guys. Don't keep going with the retirement because I'm here to keep playing tennis.

Q. Obviously a new mixed teams event here. How have you found the experience of being with other Spaniards here so far?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, different approach. I mean, beginning of the season I think is a little bit always strange feelings for everyone, because it's the first event. You really don't know how you arrive.

Yeah, good atmosphere, easy. We know each other. No, we are working well as a team but is true that the competition, the format don't give you a lot of chances, a lot of room for mistakes, no? Losing my match now we are under a lot of pressure. So let's see.

Q. I want to ask, next match against Alex de Minaur, where do you think he's at as a player and the way he's developed?

RAFAEL NADAL: He's a great player. Playing super fast. Playing with very high intensity. Taking the ball very early. Improved the serve.

Yeah, gonna be another very tough match that I need to play very well to have any chance. So let's see.