Nicolas Almagro: 'Matches against Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros were special'

Former world no. 9 Nicolas Almagro ended his career at home in Murcia last year, struggling with a left knee injury for a couple of years and dropping out from the top-100 in the summer of 2017. Nicolas won 13 ATP titles on clay from 23 finals (all on the slowest surface), never playing in the title matches at some big tournaments but reaching four Major quarter-finals, three at Roland Garros that he lost to his compatriot Rafael Nadal. Speaking for the ATP site, Nicolas shared how he spends the retirement days, enjoying with his wife and kids at home and giving his best to stay entertained since they can't go out much due to a coronavirus. The Spaniard has been working with three young American players and also some tournaments like Acapulco, sharing his experience and knowledge with the organizers in delivering the best possible conditions for both the players and fans.

Due to a coronavirus, that has been put on hold and Nicolas can only remember his playing days and some bright moments, like those clashes against Rafa in Paris or the Davis Cup final in Prague in 2012. In their first Roland Garros clash in 2008, Nadal toppled Almagro 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, winning almost double of Nicolas' points and controlling the pace with eight breaks of serve to race into the semis. Two years later, the Murcia native fought much harder against the king of clay who prevailed 7-6, 7-6, 6-4 in two hours and 35 minutes after only three breaks of serve in the entire clash! In 2012, they were the rivals in Paris again and Nadal grabbed a 7-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory, never losing serve and earning three breaks to have the upper hand in sets two and three and move into the last four. 

"What we remember are the moments we have shared: three Roland Garros quarter-finals against Rafa Nadal and 2012 Davis Cup final in Prague. These are the moments that they were lucky to experience close up, and they always say that if they didn't know me they would probably never have seen it."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/34JRcVQ