ATP Masters Rome: Rafael Nadal - "Very important final"
Rafael Nadal is in the final of the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome. The clay court king doesn't want to hear much about preparation for the upcoming French Open at this stage.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: May 15, 2021, 09:32 pm
In the end, it is again the eternal Rafael Nadal who asserted himself on his branch at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome - and should move into the final of the classic clay court in the Italian capital. An undisputed two-set success over the service giant Reilly Opelka secured the world number three a ticket for the final of the prestigious tournament - in which it is now against the Serb Novak Djokovic.
Despite its status as a Masters 1000 event, the French Open - and adequate preparation for it - are the dominant topic in the course of the tournament in Rome. A subject that Rafael Nadal doesn't want to hear much about at this stage of the tournament: "What happens here won't have much influence on what could happen in a few weeks. If you're in a final here, of course you want it win. Rome is one of the most important events in our sport, "said the 34-year-old.
Nadal: "The game I had to play"
He is convinced that he has already prepared very well for the season highlight in Paris - now the focus is on the final: "Tomorrow's day is no preparation, on the contrary. It's a final, a very important one, and I want to Be competitive. I want to play a good game and then we'll see if I can win, "said the Mallorcan.
Nadal was extremely satisfied with his last two appearances in Italy, two appearances that of course could not be unimportant with regard to Roland Garros: "Yesterday I played a great game against Zverev and today I played the game I play had to (note against Reilly Opelka). I spent many hours on the pitch and that's good. Of course, I still have to adjust a few things, but I still have two weeks to prepare for Roland Garros. "