Despite having won his tenth ATP Master 1000 'scudetto' in Rome and being the all-time highest winner, Spanish player Rafael Nadal showed respect for his opponent, Serbian Novak Djokovic, world number one, whom he defeated 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 in just over two hours of play.
"It has been an honor to play against him again", said Nadal in a press conference, who equalled Djokovic's 36 ATP Tennis Masters Series (TMS) and now has a total of 88 competitions won to this date.
YOU CAN SEE Rafael Nadal reached 500 matches on clay - PHOTO
Next, 'Rafa' expressed his overwhelming joy for having won the title for the tenth time at the Foro Itálico and becoming the top performer in this tournament held in Rome, the capital of Italy.
"It is incredible to have the Rome trophy in my hands for the tenth time. I had a complete tournament and I feel very happy. It is true that I have suffered and at the same time I have been lucky, especially saving the two match points against Shapovalov", said Nadal, winner of 20 Grand Slam titles.
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Since the ATP Master 1000 in Rome was inaugurated in 2005, Nadal has been adding titles to his record in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2019, and 2021. And this Sunday he achieved it precisely against the last player who was able to win the 'scudetto' on Roman soil last year.
"I don't know if it will have an influence on Roland Garros. The only thing I know is that I have won one of the most important tournaments in the history of our sport. I cannot only think about four tournaments a year, it would be frustrating. There are more things. Obviously, it is better to arrive at Roland Garros with this title under my belt", Nadal pointed out to the journalists.