World number one Rafael Nadal admitted that he spent a “worst hour and a half” in the final of the Australian Open 2014 final, the worst he’s ever spent on a tennis court.
In an interview with the COPE radio network, the 13-time Grand Slam champion said that he intends to compete at the Davis Cup later this year in a bid for his team to retain its World Group status. Spain lost its opening round rubber last weekend where he opted to skip to recuperate.
“I knew I had no chance of winning (the Australian Open final), but I had no intention of retiring. It was the worst hour and a half that I have spent on a tennis court,” Nadal was quoted as saying during the interview with the Spanish radio network on Monday.
Stanislas Wawrinka, Nadal’s opponent in the Melbourne final, would go on to win his first Major title with a four-set victory.
“The soul is good. It wouldn’t be right to say I was not well after all the things this life has given me. I am a person that takes losses very well, I always have been, and I really do not think about them anymore after a few hours. This time it’s taking me a little more,” Nadal said.
Nadal said that he’s not yet 100 percent sure to compete in Buenos Aires next week.
“I am fine. I underwent another examination today (Monday) and I have continued the same treatment since I returned from Melbourne. I have not yet hit the court or done any exercise, I have been resting and have tried to do the right rehabilitation so I can get back on court as soon as possible, am my goal is to do it on Thursday,” Nadal said.
