PLAYERS' CUT: TONI NADAL ON THE 2009 AUSTRALIAN OPEN FINAL
Speaking exclusively to Eurosport's Players' Cut, which this week features Rafael Nadal, Toni Nadal and Carlos Moya discuss some of the 19-time Grand Slam winner's greatest rivals.
Rafa Nadal vs Roger Federer, 2009 Australian Open final
What do you remember about this match?
Toni Nadal: I know the match was really, really difficult. In the last game 5/4 for Rafael in the 5th set, 0/40. Then Verdasco won 15/40, 30/40 and Rafael was almost crying in that moment, because he was so tense. And we were lucky that Verdasco double-faulted on the match point. Because if not, I don’t know whether Rafa would have won that match. It was a very tough match.
I remember when Rafael went to warm up 3 hours before playing the final Rafael was exhausted. He had pain in his arms, in his shoulder, he had a headache. He had a lot of problems. He didn’t look good.
Did you discuss the Wimbledon final in 2008 beforehand?
Toni Nadal: The Wimbledon final was 6 months ago. We didn’t talk about that. Our problem before going on court to play this final was Rafael’s physical condition. I wanted to motivate him. He told me that he couldn’t run. And I told him for 2 hours: You have to try. You have to make this. But he told me all the time that he could not. I think every victory, every important victory, gives a lot of confidence. But the confidence always lasts for some time only, it’s not for forever. If you beat Roger Federer in Wimbledon, you know that you can beat him in Australia, too. It’s possible, it’s not easy but it’s possible. He can win this match. At the end, I think it was a very good match.
What are your thoughts on Roger Federer?
Toni Nadal: For me, he’s a wonderful player. I like to watch Roger Federer a lot. If I wasn’t the uncle nor the coach of Rafael, I would want Federer to win all the matches. But at the end, I like how he plays, because he’s very elegant but he’s very effective too. I know Federer is the best ever with I don’t know who; maybe Rod Laver or maybe Rafael, he’s not too far. But at the moment Federer is the best.
Toni Nadal and Carlos Moya were speaking to Eurosport as part of its Players' Cut series which this week features Rafa Nadal. Players' Cut airs from 7pm CEST each evening this week. Check local listings.
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