INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 13, 2021

Rafael Nadal

Press Conference

R. NADAL/D. Shapovalov

3-6, 6-4, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Do you remember when you saved two match points with Roger Federer here in the final? It's a completely different story or not? What is your reaction to what happened today, which is almost unbelievable match?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, yes, it's impossible to compare situations. That was a final. That's a third round match.

Yeah, is an important victory for me. Be able to win matches like today, 3 hours 27, in Barcelona final 3 hours 40, 38. Long matches. To be able to win these kind of matches against young players give me confidence with my body. It's true that I have to do things better for tomorrow.

But the main thing today for me is recover physically, no? Have been a positive victory for me. I fighted until the end a lot to be in quarterfinals. Tomorrow is a chance to play a quarterfinals match. I hope to be ready to compete well.

Q. Are you afraid you can be very tired?

RAFAEL NADAL: Maybe. Let's see how I wake up tomorrow morning. These kind of matches always are tough, tough to recover playing the next day. I don't have to hide that. That's the true. But let's see.

Q. I was looking at a stat that said it was the 16th time you saved match points and have gone on for victory. In your opinion, is there one specific match that you saved match points which was the most intense for you emotionally, most satisfying?

RAFAEL NADAL: I don't know. I don't remember every one. I don't know.

Q. Novak in Madrid, Roger in Rome, the first one against Youzhny in Australia.

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I think I didn't win a Grand Slam final saving match points I don't think. But, well, if I have to say one saving match points, probably here 2006 against Roger, yes.