After Sebastian Korda defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis on Thursday night on the BNP Paribas Open, he knew precisely who’s subsequent. When requested about his second-round Indian Wells opponent, red-hot lefty Rafael Nadal, all of the American was capable of do was snicker.
“It’s going to be totally different. I’m not going to have these first-time jitters towards him and I do know what to anticipate,” Korda stated. “He’s clearly going to know what he’s going to count on from me and it’s going to be a enjoyable match for positive.”
Picture Credit score: Peter Staples/Citi Open
Korda’s fandom of the 21-time main champion has been properly documented; Sebi even has a cat named after the Spaniard. Coincidentally, he skilled with Nadal inside Stadium 1 on Tuesday morning earlier than the draw got here out.
“It’s going to be thrilling. For the primary time ever I acquired it to a tie-break, however I misplaced it sadly,” Korda stated, once more cracking amusing. “But it surely’s going to be superior. He’s my largest idol and I look as much as him a lot. He’s an amazing particular person and I’m actually trying ahead to it. It’s going to be enjoyable.”
That is simply Korda’s second essential draw look within the BNP Paribas Open. Nevertheless, he’s lots snug on the Indian Wells Tennis Backyard, the place he remembers taking part in since he was 12. “There’s been numerous tennis that I’ve performed right here and I’m actually trying ahead to much more,” he stated.
Subsequent up on Saturday will likely be Nadal. The primary time they clashed, within the fourth spherical at Roland Garros two years in the past, Nadal simply captured a 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 victory. The American believes he’ll be capable of put these jitters behind him and deal with the duty at hand, ending the Spaniard’s excellent 15-0 begin to 2022.
“The jitters have been first-time intimidation. He’s acquired this aura about him, he’s simply an intimidating particular person,” Korda stated. “However I’m actually trying ahead to it.”
