Rafael Nadal admits to mixed emotions after defeating David Ferrer in Barcelona

Rafael Nadal looked a little closer to his best as he defeated friend and countryman David Ferrer at the Barcelona Open.
Nadal has uncharacteristically struggled on the red dirt recently, but looked solid in his 6-3, 6-3 win.
“Big difference,” he said comparing this win to his stuttering performance against Leonardo Mayer in the previous round.
“It was a tough match in all ways yesterday. Today was a different energy, a different motivation.
“In general terms, for me, I needed to play with a different attitude to make a step forward, and that’s what I did today.”
The match marked Ferrer’s last appearance at Barcelona as he will retire this year, and Nadal admits he is sad to see him go.
“He deserves much more,” Nadal said.
“It has been an emotional day. Happy of course for the victory but very sad to say goodbye to one good friend.
“It was a tough moment, but I really hope that he’s very happy with this decision, and he’s able to do whatever he wants.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
More from Tennis365:
-
-
EXCLUSIVE – Laura Robson: I want to earn a place back on the Fed Cup team
-
Six things we learned from the Monte-Carlo Masters: Featuring Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and more
-
EXCLUSIVE – Clare Balding: Fed Cup success can inspire a boom in the women’s game
-
EXCLUSIVE – Judy Murray: I have no regrets over quitting Fed Cup role
-
Analysis: Grigor Dimitrov’s apparent endless decline down to struggles of identity, not quality
-
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Andy Murray has no targets for Wimbledon despite rising expectations
Andy Murray said he was in a good place fitness wise after he opened his campaign with a win against James Duckworth.
-
Wimbledon
Iga Swiatek owns longest winning streak this century after first-round win
Swiatek’s streak goes back to February and has seen her win six tournaments.
-
Wimbledon
Emma Raducanu seeks to embody the fighting spirit of Rafael Nadal
Emma Raducanu looked sharp in her opening round win.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon debut delight for Ryan Peniston as he reels off straight-sets win in opener
The British wildcard saw off Switzerland’s Henri Laaksonen.
-
Wimbledon
‘Is this Serena Williams coming to say goodbye?’ asks Australian great ahead of her Wimbledon return
“I think it could be hard for her having been away from the game.”
-
Wimbledon
Heartbroken Matteo Berrettini’s Wimbledon ‘dream is over for this year’ after positive Covid-19 test
Matteo Berrettini vows to come back stronger.
-
Live Tennis
Wimbledon day two: Follow the action from SW19 with Tennis365’s live scores and results centre here…
Catch the action from Wimbledon with our live scores and results centre…
-
Wimbledon
John McEnroe cautions ‘it could get tiring’ for Rafael Nadal’s opponents to hear about his foot injury
John McEnroe never one to mince his words.
-
Wimbledon
John McEnroe and Sue Barker under fire after sending ‘love’ to Boris Becker during Wimbledon coverage
John McEnroe and Sue Barker’s comments have not gone down well.
-
Wimbledon
Andy Murray explains why underarm serve is ‘tactically smart play’ as he insists it is not disrespectful
Andy Murray happy to use the underarm serve.