Q: How do you feel about Zverev?

A: "All I can say is I hope it's not too serious. I hope it's just a twisted ankle and there's no fracture "I was with him, it looks like they still have to do exams. I know how badly he wants to win his first Grand Slam tournament. We've been training a lot together, and seeing a colleague on the circuit in this state. .. Even if for me it's a dream to find myself in the final of Roland-Garros, it's obviously not how it should be. I'm really sorry for him."

Q: Did the extremely wet conditions make the court slippery?

A: "No. I don't think there's a topic here. The court isn't bad. I don't think he twisted his ankle from the court. It was from bad luck. It was an accident. It happens on all surfaces."

Q: It was your third tough match in a row.

How do you feel physically and mentally?

get where I am, to play the final of Roland-Garros.

And all the sacrifices I had to make, all the times I went through to try and keep playing, it all makes sense when you're going through times like I'm going through in this tournament."

Rafa Nadal against Alexander Zverev in the semi-final of the Roland-Garros tournament, June 3, 2022 Thomas SAMSON AFP

Q: You weren't the best either when you arrived in Australia in January.

Where are you most surprised to have reached the final?

A: "I was more surprised by my final in Australia. Finally, here we are at Roland-Garros, my preparation was bad, very light unfortunately, but we can't deny that this is the tournament in which I have had the most success in my career. No matter what state you come in, you know that if you're able to make it through the early rounds, you always have hope that at some point, that inspiration and this change. In that sense, it was more surprising in Australia. But after everything I've been through in the last few months, it's incredible. It's a major success obviously. For me, it means a lot to create one more opportunity for me to play here on Sunday."

Q: If you had to choose between having a brand new foot and winning the final on Sunday, which would you prefer?

Rafael Nadal against Alexander Zverev at Roland-Garros, June 3, 2022 Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP

A: "Losing the final, no doubt. A brand new foot would allow me to be happier in my daily life. Winning is nice and it fills you with adrenaline, but it's momentary. Life goes on , and that's much more important than any title. After the career I've had... Of course I've always tried my best to give myself the best possible chance, regardless of my physical condition, but I have my life ahead of me and I would like to be able to play with my friends in the future... My happiness comes before any title. A new foot, not having the pain that I I have on a daily basis, it would change my life."

Comments collected at a press conference.

© 2022 AFP