“Now we’re again to Rafael Nadal, the ageless clay court docket king. I imply, he’s nearer to 16 years previous than he’s 36 years previous emotionally, and that’s the place he separates himself from the others within the ‘massive three’, I’ve to say.
“I’m certain there are some professors on the market or scientists that by no means, ever become bored with difficult themselves and discovering the results of the subsequent drawback. For Nadal, that’s the similar factor.
“So no, I don’t assume there has ever been knowledgeable tennis participant that finds it extra pleasing to really feel concern, to be afraid of the result, to be nervous, to probably not know what’s going to occur on the finish of a match.
“He’s so in love with the problem-solving a part of his career that he’s prepared to really feel that ache and to really feel that nervousness simply to search out out what’s across the subsequent nook. Rafael Nadal is prepared to take that probability.”
“Each single time I follow with him or play with him, I really feel I’m getting higher and higher,” mentioned Korda. “It’s progress. He’s one of many biggest gamers of all time proper now. He’s tremendous sizzling, hasn’t misplaced a match this 12 months. To type of push him to the sting was superior. Exhibits lots of my sport, how harmful it may be towards powerful opponents.
“To be that shut, it’s lots of positives. It reveals me that my sport goes to harm lots of people. Individuals are going to get nervous. Individuals are going to get frightened.”
Rublev mentioned, “Nobody athlete within the historical past of sport is as (mentally) sturdy as Rafa. In a person sport you may battle so much mentally. In the event you battle with somebody shut on the morning of the match, you’re disturbed, however you continue to must play. In a workforce sport, if you’re not in a superb temper, however your workforce is sweet and in the suitable temper, you don’t really feel it. Rafa is the one one who manages it, doesn’t matter what occurs outdoors the court docket. Someway he’s capable of fully flip it off and simply be within the second. He can try this even when he’s shedding.”
“It impressed me so much,” mentioned Swiatek, who solely gained three of the 14 matches in 2021 the place she misplaced the opening set.
“I used to be considering that if he might win towards a man who was serving that quick, and break him in the previous few video games, something is feasible.
“I’m believing in myself and making an attempt to do as he does.”
