Rafael Nadal On His Way to Halle and Roger Federer

Written by: Staff on 12th June 2012

Rafael Nadal On His Way to Halle and Roger Federer

epa03208283 Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal gives a press conference prior to his participation at the Madrid Masters 1.000 tournament, also known as Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open, in Madrid, central Spain, 06 May 2012. The tournament runs until 13 May. EPA/JAVIR LIZON |

Rafael Nadal has only hours to celebrate his history-making seventh title from eight French Open appearances, with the Spaniard due on Halle, Germany, to begin his pre-Wimbledon preparation in a field which includes rival Roger Federer.

Nadal made more tennis history with his defeat of Novak Djokovic in the rain-interrupted two-day final. After playing the concluding 45 minutes after an overnight rain interruption, the king of clay confessed that he had come to the court with a case of nerves.

“I really felt tired and nervous before the match. I did not feel ready or confident until three minutes before. But I think played this last set better than yesterday,” he said of a match stopped on Sunday after an hour of play in heavy drizzle.

Nadal said that he will keep trying to break records for as long as he can. “I work hard every day and wake up every day with motivation and passion to practice. I’ll play until that doesn’t happen anymore. For me this is a very emotional day, the important thing was to win Roland Garros whether it be the first, third or seventh time.

“I don’t know if I am the best or not. I am not the right one to say that. For me it’s a great and emotional day. And this seventh title is very important.”

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