Rafael Nadal: 'It is important to avoid this type of situation'

Twenty-time Grand Slam tournament champion Rafael Nadal has decided not to participate in the Tokyo Olympics this year and is one of the big absentees from the event. Despite this, Rafa, while he is in the preparation phase for the American hard court season and in particular with the Us Open in his sights, continues to see everything that happens in Tokyo and observes it in particular with his compatriots and compatriots of the. Just on the day, the champion of Spain published Instagram Stories with messages of good wishes for his compatriots who managed to win medals. Rafa's message to his compatriot Pablo Carreño Busta, winner of the bronze medal in today's game, which saw him as the absolute protagonist and winner against world number one and Rafa's great rival, Novak Djokovic, did not go unnoticed. Totally wrong day for Nole who, due to a physical problem, he also withdrew from the mixed doubles where he had to face the final for the bronze medal. After losing to Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals and definitely missing the chance to win the gold medal, Novak Djokovic lost his second game in a row, a rather unusual situation for a champion like him. After an abrupt start that cost him the first set, Nole reacted and managed to win the second set in the tiebreaker. The reaction did not help, however, as Carreño seemed anything but drained, he immediately started leading to 3-0 in the third set and held the lead until the end, thus closing at 6-3. Through his Instagram profile, Rafa encouraged all of his compatriots and published a message with the image of his compatriot and his friend Pablo leaving the message: "Great Pablo, what happiness! Congratulations!" Rafa won this season Barcelona and Rome. In the Barcelona tournament he won his first trophy of the season, beating Il'ja Ivaška, Kei Nishikori, Cameron Norrie, Pablo Carreño Busta and in the final Stefanos Tsitsipas, getting his twelfth title in the Catalan tournament, 61st on clay and 87th overall.

Rafael Nadal takes a shot at Djokovic

Rafael Nadal is all set to make his maiden appearance at the Citi Open in Washington. The Spaniard will be seen in action this week for the first time since his semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros. "What he achieved this year is something, well, amazing," Nadal said. "I definitely believe that he can do it, without a doubt. He's already won three, so when you win three, you can win four, without a doubt," he added. "He's going to be playing on hardcourts, probably his best surface, so why not? Of course it's something difficult. [There are] going to be other guys that want to achieve the last Slam of the season. But of course he's one of the clear favorites." During his Washington presser Rafael Nadal was also asked for his thoughts on his arch-rival's displays of anger. "Luckily there were no people in the stands and nothing else happened, but these are things that happen from time to time," Nadal said. "You have to try to avoid them. The image is not the best. It is important to avoid this type of situation, and more if you are a reference for many children."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2Vnp0rL