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ATP Masters Madrid: Rafael Nadal - A step backwards in two ways

Rafael Nadalhad to admit defeat to the German Alexander Zverev in two sets in the quarter-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid - and the defeat is not only a step backwards for the Spaniard in terms of self-confidence.

by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: May 08, 2021, 12:54 pm

Rafael Nadal at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid
© Getty Images
Rafael Nadal lost in Madrid in the quarter-finals

It was a forehand that Rafael Nadal probably only struck once in his life: Actually, the Spaniard had already booked the first point of the seventh game in the quarter-finals of Madrid against Alexander Zverev after a good stop volley, but, surprisingly, the Spaniard promoted the subsequent forehand ball from the best position next to the line.

A few moments later, the world number two acted too cautiously with two more forehand strokes from the half-field, instead of 5: 2 it was suddenly only 4: 3 for Nadal - the beginning of the end. This game was a "catastrophe", said the 34-year-old, who never really found his way back into the game afterwards.

Nadal with problems returning

"Things started well today, but at the moment of truth, when I could have steered the sentence in the right direction and thus also changed the perspective of the match, I did everything badly," Nadal did not spare himself with self-criticism. From then on he played against a "great opponent" who would also benefit from the conditions in Madrid.

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For Nadal himself - this is well known - the external circumstances in the Spanish capital during the clay court season are by far the most difficult. That could also be seen against Zverev: The 20-time Grand Slam champion barely got access to the return games due to the fast conditions and had problems getting his basic strokes to the right length.

Nadal falls behind in the ranking

But especially because of the bond with his Spanish compatriots, the week is always "very important" for Nadal: "So the feeling after a defeat is negative. I've taken steps forward, but sometimes you take a step back when you go up the stairs . I think that happened today. "

Nadal will also take a step down in the ranking next Monday - and the drop to third place is definitely one with consequences: Even if the Iberian should win in Rome, he will not be Daniil Medvedev in the world rankings before the French Open overtake more. So there could already be a duel with Novak Djokovic in Paris in the semifinals.

Here the single tableau in Madrid

madridmap

by Nikolaus Fink

Saturday
May 08, 2021, 03:30 pm
last edit: May 08, 2021, 12:54 pm