Rafael Nadal has the best mentality, is obsessed with winning - Gonzalez
The former world No. 5 Fernando Gonzalez faced Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal 23 times combined, beating the Swiss only once and the Spaniard only thrice. In an interview, Gonzalez recalled when he beat Nadal in 2004 Miami just after the Spaniard had won his first out of the 40 matches played against the Swiss. "He had beaten Federer the day before, he was 16, 17, 18 years old. He was world No. 40 and you knew he would be very good, he had so much energy. The warm up was like a match. Rafa is probably one if not the sportsman with the best mindset. He is obsessed with winning and improving since he was a kid. Rafa is more physical, Roger delivers a bigger show but they are totally different. One is lefty, the other is right. They improved, evolved and kept playing over the time," said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez also recalled the 2006 Toronto semifinals match against Federer where he got close to winning: "He had beaten me like six, seven times, always 7-5, 6-4, 7-5. I lost the first set in 17 minutes, then I took the second but he still prevailed."
On his 2004 Olympic gold medal, he concluded: "That's huge. When I went to Athens‑‑ I play only two. In '04 when I went to Athens, I said maybe that's the only one. It's the chance I'm gonna have. Then I have the second chance and also have a great week. And also I think maybe this gonna be the end, no? After, you know, when I was like 27, 28, I always was enjoying every single time thinking about can be the last time. So I enjoy a lot."
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2OuaqdD
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