Rafael Nadal speaking to reporters during a post-match press conference at the Australian Open on Wednesday. (Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal told a reporter that he was willing to wait for the right word after the latter had posed him a question about him being agitated and frustrated in his Australian Open quarterfinal match against Dominic Thiem.
Nadal was answering questions during a post-match press conference after his shocking 7-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 loss to fifth-seeded Thiem when a question from one of the reporters left him bemused.
The reporter had asked Nadal if he was “agitated” during the match but since he struggled to hear and understand the specific word, he settled on answering if he was “frustrated”- a word which he visibly understood.
“Honestly, not. I was not frustrated. I don’t see myself with a negative attitude during the whole match. I give myself all the time and opportunity,” Nadal replied.
“Even in the tough moments… I lost two tiebreaks. I know how tough it is to lose two tiebreaks. After 2 hours 30 or 2 hours 40 against a player that you know will physically not have mistakes, so you know how tough is to lose these two tiebreaks,” he continued.
“I don’t see myself frustrated or nervous at all. No, no. I just tried my best in every single moment. Sorry, I don’t see this,” he concluded.
His reply made the reporter retract on her choice of words later saying,
“Maybe it’s not quite the right word but it’s okay.” Hearing this Nadal on a lighter note said, “if you want a better word it’s okay. I am right here,” which brought a few laughs from the others sitting in the room.
Meanwhile, Nadal’s pursuit of a second Australian Open still continues after he was knocked out of the year’s first Slam event by a younger Thiem.
The World No.1 last won a title here in 2009 when he overcame Roger Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 in a tight encounter, however, since then the trophy has eluded him.
Nadal looked in good form prior to his loss against Thiem, overcoming Hugo Dellien, Federico Delbonis, Pablo Carreno Busta and local boy Nick Kyrgios in the matches before.
He was particularly superb against Kyrgios in the fourth round overcoming the Australian to set up a clash with Thiem.
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