Rafael Nadal: "A fantastic level of play"

Wimbledon (Men)

Published on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 18:17

Disappointed not to play a sixth final at Wimbledon, Rafael Nadal paid tribute to the tennis found Novak Djokovic, his executioner of the day (6-4, 3-6, 7-6 [9] 3-6, 10-8)

"Where do you place this match in the history of your rivalry with Novak Djokovic?
I have not had time to badyze all this and I do not remember well enough of all our duels, but in any case it was a great match. With a fantastic game level on both sides. I guess it was a great show for the fans and I'm glad I was involved in such a match, though of course the result does not suit me.
        

What is the hardest thing facing him?
It's about facing one of the greatest players in history, simply. There is a lot of respect among us because we have often played in all the biggest stages in the world. Today (Saturday) was another great battle.
        

You missed five break points in the fifth inning, including one where he managed a winning pbading …
On this point, I was coming back from a defensive position, I managed a great setback and I decided to move behind. It worked at many other times. I played aggressive, I tried to put pressure on him by going to the net but I played a little too much in the center. I would not speak of impatience on my part. He managed a super pbading. Nothing more to say, he deserved the victory as I could have deserved it. That's exactly what I said after my victory against Del Potro (in the quarterfinals).
        

Djokovic? "He's back to his top level"
                                    

So it would be just a success story on the moment?
This is the top sport. I missed a little bit of everything, success too, yes. It was not on my side this time. But success, I am convinced that she always switches to the side of the best.
        

No tactical regret?
(long reflection) No. Normally I'm very critical of myself but there … I played the right shots, I missed sometimes, but with the level of intensity and pbadion that I put, it was normal. I played a big game and I do not have to complain about myself. In this kind of duel, anything can happen.
        

Are you leaving the saddened tournament?
I missed an opportunity to win another big title in my career, but I'm going on holiday proud of things I've done so far. I'm doing a great job, I'm proud of myself.
        

And Djokovic, he has become like before?
My opinion is that he is back to his top level. By the way, here it is in the final of Wimbledon. "
        

J.Re., At Wimbledon