“I gave it my all,” Djokovic said after his 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6(4) loss. “I’m sure I could have done a better job. I’m proud of how hard I fought and stayed till the very last shot.”
Novak Djokovic, the world number one, said he was proud of the fight he put up against Rafael Nadal in the French Open quarter-final, despite admitting on Tuesday that he lost to a better player.
In each of the first three sets, Djokovic, the 35-year-old winner of 20 Grand Slam titles, gave Nadal an early break and had two set points in the fourth. In the tiebreaker, though, the Spaniard won the four-hour, 12-minute match.
The Serb complimented Nadal on his triumph and stated that his opponent’s physical strength throughout the extended struggle under the lights of Court Philippe Chatrier did not surprise him.
“I think he was a superior player in crucial times,” Djokovic remarked. “It got off to a great start. I didn’t get off to a fantastic start… As I regained my composure in the second set, I managed to win it, and I thought to myself, ‘OK, I’m back in the game.’
“But then, towards the start of the third, he had two or three more spectacular games. He was only able to push his tennis to the next level in those moments, particularly at the start of all sets, until the fourth.
“I had my opportunities. Only one or two shots are required. It was possible that I would have ended up in a fifth. Then it’s truly anyone’s game. But he once again shown why he is such a tremendous champion. Staying mentally strong and finishing the game the way he did was impressive. Congratulations to him and his group. He deserved it without a doubt.
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