QUESTION: Will Rafael Nadal have recovered from his efforts since the round of 16 to face Casper Ruud in the final?
ANSWER: "On fast courts I would be a bit more worried. But on gravel less because historically he has always recovered well from his matches there. Even at his age I think he is doing well recover, he will rest and I don't think it will be a handicap. In the semi-finals (against Zverev who retired with an injury), he had a physical decline quickly in the match. We still hope that Rafa will come out of the shots I don't know where, but yesterday (Friday) it wasn't easy. Obviously it wasn't his best game here but, injury aside, getting there with his game, it gives confidence. difficult round passed, Rafa turns into a new player."
Q: How does he manage to perform so well when he has hardly played any warm-up matches due to injuries?
A: "He's a player who, since he was 17, and with all the injuries he's had, and all these months out, has always come back and always won. There he is. is self-convinced that with his qualities, he sharpens during the first two or three games of a Grand Slam, he finds the form, and once he is in the round of 16 or in the quarters, he becomes the Rafa again Nadal forever. And all the more so here at Roland-Garros."
Rafael Nadal discusses with his coach Carlos Moya on a training court in Melbourne, January 5, 2022 William WEST AFP / Archives
Q: Will his experience be a big advantage over Ruud who will play his first Grand Slam final?
A: "Experience tells us that it is not easy to play your first Grand Slam final against a player who has had tremendous success. But we don't know for sure that this (the victory of the most experienced) will happen again. We rely on the experience factor, but I much prefer to rely on Rafa's game. Here, it's Roland-Garros and he's Rafa Nadal!"
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