A defeat is always a defeat, even if you have not lost a Masters 1000 since 2017. It was not the day of Rafael Nadal in the outcome of Indian Wells 2022, due to a great version of Taylor Fritz and some discomfort he suffered during the match that prevented him from competing normally. With the disappointment of having suffered the first defeat of the course but with the smile of someone who has signed three months of scandal, these were the words of the Spaniard before returning home to prepare for the clay tour.
First impressions
“It’s been a tough day, but I want to congratulate Taylor first. That’s the main thing, that there is a winner and a loser. Today he is the winner, he deserves it, he played aggressive, so congratulations”.
Fight to the end, non-negotiable
“I did my best, even though it hasn’t been my day. These are things that happen, I have experience in all these situations, although at the moment it is difficult to play in finals like this one. I tried until the end, I even had my chances in the second set, but I didn’t convert them. It is a difficult game to analyze personally, I was not able to do many things. For him it is a great victory, his first Masters 1000 for him, a great day for Taylor. I just hope you enjoy it, I wish you all the best.”
Words for Fritz
“He is doing very well, victories like today’s help, he has played very well. He had some great games this week, especially yesterday. He has all the credit following his victory once morest Rublev, I think he had a much tougher opponent in the semi-finals than he has today. In Australia he already played great matches, once morest Tsitsipas for example, it is obvious that he is improving. With this victory a new season begins for him, he will have the option of being in the top 10 soon”
To think regarding the clay court tour
“My goal was to make it perfect before the clay court tour arrived and the truth is that they have been beautiful months. I’m sad because I mightn’t compete today, it’s hard to have that feeling on days like this, the end was ugly. But sport is never regarding the past, we have to talk regarding today, a difficult day for me. Now I am sad, but I am a very emotionally stable person, I see everything in perspective. My last two months have been incredible, unforgettable, very emotional, I have enjoyed things that months ago I never thought I might experience.
Gestures of pain during the delivery of trophies
“At that moment I felt pain, honestly. Like I said, I’m having trouble breathing, I don’t know if it’s something with the rib or what it is. When I breathe, when I move, it’s like a needle all the time in here. I get a little dizzy because it’s painful, it’s a type of pain that limits me a lot, it affects my breathing. More than sad for the defeat, something that I accepted immediately even before finishing the final, I am suffering more because of this issue.
