Rafael Nadal farewell: ‘Traumatic experience’ of playing Spaniard recalled by Roger Federer’s ex-coach
Ivan Ljubicic has described facing Rafael Nadal at the French Open as a “traumatic experience” and compared it with the challenge of playing Roger Federer.
The former world No 3 admitted he finds it “difficult to accept” the reality that Nadal will not play at Roland Garros again as he discussed the Spaniard’s retirement.
Nadal will make the last appearance of his glorious career at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, which is set to be staged in Malaga from November 19-24.
The legendary Mallorcan won an astonishing 14 French Open titles — an all-time record for a single Grand Slam tournament.
The 38-year-old, who secured his 22nd major and final career title at Roland Garros in 2022, holds a staggering 112-4 record at the clay-court Grand Slam.
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Ljubicic holds a 2-7 record against Nadal and lost both of the matches he played against the ‘King of Clay’ at the French Open.
The Croatian lost 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(7) to Nadal in the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2006, while he was beaten 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 in the last 16 of the Paris major in 2011 in the pair’s final encounter.
In an interview with Eurosport, Ljubicic, who played between 1998 and 2012, spoke about the experience of facing both Nadal and Federer.
“Playing against Rafa at the Philippe Chatrier is difficult, it is a traumatic experience,” the 10-time ATP title winner said.
“I never played against Roger at Wimbledon, but I faced him many times and it was complicated because he had all the solutions.
“Rafa has a tactically quite simple tennis, but impossible to handle with his particular topspin, but Roger came up with different solutions every time, and for me, tactically, it was very complicated.”
Ljubicic, who coached Federer from 2015 until the Swiss legend’s retirement in 2022, also admitted he was surprised by Nadal’s retirement decision.
“I was surprised when he announced his retirement. Obviously I can understand why, that’s not the point,” Ljubicic added.
“But for me, Rafa Nadal is Roland Garros, and seeing that he’s not going to play Roland Garros is difficult to accept.
“Champions play like this to win, not to participate. I don’t know exactly his level of play or his physical condition, but it is not what we are used to and that allows him to be competitive at a very high level.”
It is not yet clear whether Nadal will feature in singles, doubles, or both, for Spain in the Davis Cup, with the tennis icon suggesting last month that he may not play at all if he does not feel physically ready.
“Will I be ready for the Davis Cup? Emotionally, yes, that’s for sure; physically and tennis-wise, I still have a month ahead of me,” the 22-time Grand Slam winner said at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh.
“I will prepare, I will try to be in shape to help the team win. If I feel ready and the captain feels the same way, it will be his decision. If I don’t feel ready, I will be the first to step away and see how I can help.
“First, I have to be the one who feels competitive to get into the game, then you can win or lose, that’s part of the sport. If I’m not 100% or if I’m far from winning my match, I won’t go on the court.”
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