RAFAEL NADAL KING OF TENNIS

2021 Barcelona Open SF Rafael Nadal bt. Pablo Carreno Busta  6-3 6-2

Next - Stefanos Tsitsipas

Rafa: “I am very happy to be back in a final here at an historic event, a home event [and] an important one for me. I think I did things well today, better than the other days. I have been improving every single day a little bit more.”

“Tomorrow will be a very tough one. Stefanos is playing probably better than ever. Not one set lost in Monte-Carlo and here, so it will be the toughest opponent possible. I hope to be ready. It is going to be a tough one, but I need to be ready to increase my level and let’s see.”

Photos: Quality Sport Images; Getty Images; EFE; REUTERS; AFP

• Last game & Interview

Rafa: "In today's match there have been good things & others not so good, as the short balls at the end of the 1st set. But the truth is that I've been taking steps forward during the whole tournament & being in yet another final in BCN means a lot to me. We'll see what happens."
"Tsitsipas comes from winning MC, in the Final here & w/o losing a set. He's playing at very high level. The best Tsitsipas I've seen. I'll need to be at 100%. He'll play well for certain & tho I've taken steps forward I don't know if enough for tomorrow's match." 
"But I still have 1 day to improve a little more. Hope to be ready. I'll have to play w/depth, using my FH to his BH not letting him use his FH comfortably, serve well & hit the ball well & w/intensity. It's an important match for me, beyond the result, to compete it well."

Translated by Genny SS

• Post-match interview

• Highlights