Rafael Nadal: "I didn't think it would work again this year"
Rafael Nadal has crowned himself king of Paris again with a four-set win over Dominic Thiem . But during the clay court season, the Spaniard had doubts about his playful and physical condition.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Jun 09, 2019, 08:00 pm
Rafael Nadal has often belied his critics in his long career. "His game was far too strenuous to be top of the world in the long run," it said not only once. The Spaniard is now 33 years old and has won the French Open title twelve times since June 9, 2019.
With his ultimately clear final victory over Dominic Thiem, Nadal also secured his 18th Grand Slam title and is now only two major triumphs away from his long-time rival Roger Federer - the Mallorcan, especially at the beginning of the sand season, had doubts about his Competitiveness on the ashes.
"I didn't think it would work again this year," said the Spaniard right after the final he had won. After his injury-related withdrawal from the semi-finals in Indian Wells, Nadal was troubled by doubts, his body was on strike again and he - as he stressed several times - fell into a psychological hole.
Dominic Thiem: "Surreal"
The turning point follows after his opening game in Barcelona, when he beat Leonardo Mayer in three sets and then spoke of the low-energy performance of his entire career. After this game Nadal sat down with his team, got up and was supposed to increase from tournament to tournament.
You are a wonderful champion.
Dominic Thiem on Rafael Nadal
In Paris "Rafa" once again reached his top level: he only gave two sets in the entire tournament and, in the final, defeated Dominic Thiem, the man who can best be trusted to beat Nadal in Roland Garros in the near future. "Winning twelve times here is surreal. You are a wonderful champion," said the Austrian at the award ceremony.
Thiem promised to fully attack again in the coming season in Paris: "I'll try again" At least for another year, Paris will remain in Rafael Nadal's hands - despite all doubts.