Rafael Nadal: 'I did much more than what I ever dreamed'

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Paula Badosa credited Rafael Nadal for encouraging her to believe and stay aggressive against world number 13 Harriet Dart Badosa came from a set down to beat world number 98 Dart at the United States Cup 6-7 (6). 7-6(5) 6-1. Nadal, who also represents Spain in the United Cup, made himself heard on the Spanish bench during the match between Badosa and Dart. In the end, Nadal's efforts were not in vain, as Badosa beat Dart in a match that lasted over three hours. "He's very into the games. I really appreciate that. Yeah, he's very supportive. Yeah, I mean, a little bit of the game, stay aggressive. He was really going, like, telling me, like, stay very aggressive, especially with my right hand, with the serve. That was kind of what he was trying to do. Also, she was a bit tired, so she had to go for more punches. So, yeah, he was very supportive of me and told me the same thing," Badosa said of Nadal, according to Sportskeeda. On the first day of the tie between Spain and Great Britain, Nadal lost to Cameron Norrie, while Nuria Parrizas-Díaz was defeated by Katie Swan. After those two defeats, Spain found themselves in a very uncomfortable situation and lost 2-0 to Great Britain. Heading into the third match of the tie, Badosa knew she needed to beat Dart to keep Spain's hopes up of defeating Great Britain. Badosa got the point for Spain, but Spain's hopes of beating Great Britain were dashed after Albert Ramos-Vinolas lost to Dan Evans in the fourth match. In the fifth match of the tie, Dart and Jonny O'Mara defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro and David Vega Hernández to seal a 4-1 victory for Great Britain. In the end, Badosa's win over Dart became Spain's only win in their tie against Great Britain.

Nadal dismissed any such speculation

Rafael Nadal recently dismissed all speculation about his retirement following his defeat in the 2023 United Cup. "So you are very, very interested on my retirement (smiling). I mean, that's, for the moment, is not the case. When this day arrives, I'm going to let you know, guys. Don't keep going with the retirement because I'm here to keep playing tennis," the Spaniard stated. "The only reason that I make sense to keep playing if I really enjoy what I do, and if I really feel it. If I don't feel it, I mean, I did much more than what I ever dreamed," he added.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/ZKo2wr8

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