Rafael Nadal gives verdict on Roger Federer following their epic Wimbledon semi-final

Wimbledon
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has admitted that he was simply beaten by the better player o the day when he lost his Wimbledon semi-final to old rival Roger Federer on Friday.

The Spaniard has played in three Grand Slam finals, winning two of them, since Federer’s last shot at a major title, and was well-fancied heading into their clash on Centre Court .

However, it was Federer who emerged with the win, and Nadal is happy enough to give him credit for it – as well as lamenting his own misfiring backhand.

“I think his return was better than my one this afternoon. I didn’t receive well today.

“When that happens, he’s in advantage, he’s in the control of the match generally because you feel little bit more under pressure than him.

“Even like this, I had, yeah, the early break in the third. I had a couple of mistakes in that moment. That have been a tough moment I needed to resist.

“The beginning of the third probably was one of the keys of the match. Then I think at the end of the match I started to play much better, no? But was late.

“I think today the backhand didn’t work as good as in the previous rounds. I was little bit too worried about my backhand, so I was not able to move with freedom to the forehand.

“I was a little bit too worried about not missing with the backhand. When that happens against player like him, is so difficult. As I said, I think he played aggressive, he played a great match, and just well done for him.”

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Rafael Nadal Roger Federer

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