Three days away from his thirty-sixth birthday, and with a left foot that leaves him little respite, grandpa Nadal wrote a new page in his legend on Tuesday evening by defeating world number 1 Novak Djokovic at the end of a berserk match lasting more than four hours.

Asked about his state of form, after more than 8h30 of combat in two games and barely 48 hours, the Mallorcan did not hide his (good) surprise.

“I'm surprised, yes, I'm not going to lie.

But this court is special for me, it has something unique.

And it's true that the day when I needed it the most, I managed to play at a level that I didn't have a short time ago, "he said at a press conference, late. overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Rafa pessimistic for the post-Roland

“The public has been incredible, as since the start of the tournament.

I think they know that I won't be here for very long (smile)", he added in reference to this damn Muller-Weiss syndrome which eats the bone of his left foot and could, at short or medium term, force him to put an end to his career.

“I am very clear about this.

I'm old enough not to hide things.

I don't know what can happen after here, I have what I have on my feet.

If we are not able to find a solution, it will become super difficult for me, admitted the record holder for the number of Grand Slam victories.

I just enjoy every day that I have the chance to be there, without thinking too much about what may happen in the future.

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At Roland with his personal doc

Because the future, he knows, is not necessarily all rosy.

“Of course I will continue to fight to find a solution to find a solution, for the moment, we don't have one.

The last three and a half months have not been easy for me, that's the only thing I can say.

In Rome [elimination in the round of 16 in mid-May with extreme foot pain], I didn't have my doctor.

With the doctor here, you can do things that help, he acknowledges.

It's not the time to talk about that, but I'm doing everything I can to try to play this tournament in the best possible conditions.

I don't know what can happen afterwards, honestly.

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