Rafael Nadal (34), winner in pain this Wednesday over his compatriot Feliciano Lopez 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 in 2h30 during the 2nd round of the Rolex Paris Masters has an appointment this Thursday in the round of 16 with the Australian Jordan Thompson whom he has never met on the circuit.
After a small ceremony celebrated his 1000th victory on the circuit, the Spaniard (seeded n ° 1) has, at a press conference, shared a small journey through time.
1000th win:
“It just means I'm old.
It means that I have been playing well for many years.
Of course, I am delighted.
I can only thank all the people who helped me reach this milestone, and the people who help me in my life to be the person I am today.
It is a very special moment.
It is a symbolic number.
Even if it's not the same thing, because I'm not celebrating this milestone in the middle of the public, there is still the President of the FFT, Guy Forget, the ball collectors, the supervisors, the referees.
I still savor this moment.
I thank them all because it is a very special moment for me. ”
Paris and Rafa.
They just go together #RolexParisMasters |
@ RafaelNadalpic.twitter.com / EhuCpSRLui
- ROLEX PARIS MASTERS (@RolexPMasters) November 4, 2020
Victory as a driving force:
“I am proud of a lot of things in my career.
It is true that I have contracted injuries at different points in my career.
And I have always nurtured an unwavering passion for this sport, to continue this activity, I am also proud of it.
Even after having accomplished a lot, I have always been able to keep this hunger for victories, to move forward, while keeping the humility and to accept the challenges to overcome, to accept that there were times when things weren't going the way I wanted or expected.
But I've always had help with great people around me and a family too.
Without it, I would never succeed. ”
"2020 is a difficult year, strewn with obstacles, a sad year for many people"
Rafael Nadal
The closed door:
“This is the second tournament that I play like this.
It's sad, the energy level is hard to fetch.
At Roland Garros, we had at least 1,000 spectators.
If there are 1,000 or 1,500, that's not a lot, but it's a complete game-changer compared to a completely empty court.
But I enjoyed this showdown.
I tried to adopt the right attitude when the game was not going my way.
I look forward to playing again tomorrow (this Thursday). ”
2020:
“It has been a year full of obstacles, a sad year for many people, many people have lost family members.
It's a difficult year.
I am grateful that my family members are still healthy, but the world is in pain.
All we can do is try to be responsible.
We are waiting for a drug, a solution, a vaccine to eradicate this virus.
I hope that 2021 will be the year that sees the arrival of this remedy. ”
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