‘Now I understand why he has a statue here’ Alex Corretja gushes over Rafael Nadal over his staggering quarterfinal victory

Alex Corretja, Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal faced Novak Djokovic for the 59th time in his career and it was their first meeting after the 2021 Roland Garros semifinal where Djokovic beat Nadal convincingly and went on to win his second French Open title. This match was built up the crescendo for an epic clash and Rafael Nadal continued his superb run in 2022 as he squashed Djokovic in four sets, defeating the world number 1, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(7-4) to enter the semifinals at the Phillipe Chatrier for a record fifteenth time.

It had been a tough few months for Rafa who after an incredulous victory at the Australian Open, followed it up with the Mexican Open title, but then was sidelined from the staring of clay season after a rib injury at the Indian Wells. He then suffered from the reappearance of the chronic foot pain in the Italian Open, just weeks before the French Open, while Djokovic won the title in Rome. For the first time in decades, Djokovic and not Nadal was the favorite at Roland-Garros.

Also Read: “I want to win, I am supposed to win” Alexander Zverev reveals his elite mentality before the all-important semifinal showdown against Rafael Nadal

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‘Rafael Nadal is the knight here’: Alex Corretja

It was a pure spectacle as two giants of the sport strapped on for an intense battle. The first game of the match went 10 minutes and it was the indication that none of them would back down from the physically taxing fight. Nadal performed exceptionally to beat Djokovic and remind everyone why he is ‘the king of clay’ and the biggest fighter on the surface and the greatest champion of the French Clay.

Alex Corretja the former world number 1, watching the match live was extremely dazzled by Rafa. He said:

“I was not nervous at all! I was so enthusiastic; the passion these guys showed tonight again is just amazing. It’s difficult to describe with words, because from the very first ball, until the end, they were hitting it as hard as they could: not too many mistakes, only winners… forehands and backhands down the line… good serves, good volleys, good drop shots… what else could you ask for? Nothing, just live the moment!”

“It was like a dream to be here to watch this match, and now I understand why Rafa has a statue here because it feels like he is a knight here.”