2021 Roland Garros SF Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic 6-3 3-6 6-7(4) 2-6
Rafael Nadal: “No doubt he deserved to win. Probably was not my best day out there. Even if I [fought] and I put a lot of effort [in], the position on the shots has not been that effective tonight. Against a player like him that takes the ball early, you are not able to take him out of his positions, then is very difficult.”
“Even like this, I had the big chance with set point, 6-5, second serve. Anything could happen in that moment. Then I make a double-fault, easy volley in the tiebreak.”
“It's true that [there] have been crazy points out there. The fatigue is there, too."
"These kind of mistakes can happen. But if you want to win, you can't make these mistakes. So that's it. Well done for him. Have been a good fight out there. I try my best, and today was not my day."
"My opportunities to win here are not eternal. In our sport, you must admit both victory and defeat. I do know that I can't win the tournament 15, 18, 20 times. It's not a disaster at all."
"I'm sad, I lost at the most important tournament of the year for me. But it's just a defeat on a tennis court you know, and tomorrow I'll be at home with my family. That's OK.”
“Is true that probably the conditions were a little bit slower later on. We had been playing with very warm and high bounces. During the night the situation goes a little bit the other way, so it bounces a little bit less. The ball gets less topspin. That's more favourable for him."
“Doesn't matter. That's tennis. The player who gets used to the conditions better is the player who deserves to win."
"I have to rest a little, physically, mentally as well, and then I'll tell what is my schedule."
Photos: Getty Images; FFT; BPI; REUTERS