Rafael Nadal is very pleased with his victory over Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round of Roland Garros. The 21-time Grand Slam winner only had to give up nine games to the best Dutch tennis player (6-3, 6-2 and 6-4).
“It was a very good test and I played my best game of the tournament without a doubt,” said 35-year-old Nadal. “I am very satisfied with my level during the first two sets and the start of the third set.”
“That is very good news and I will go back to training on Saturday knowing that I have raised my level quite a bit. I have to hold on to this now and keep working on specific things. I then try to be ready for the race again from Sunday.”
Van de Zandschulp hardly needed a moment against Nadal. The number 29 in the world fought back in the third set from a 4-0 deficit, but the set was not in it.
Rafael Nadal was a size too big for Botic van de Zandschulp.
Rafael Nadal was a size too big for Botic van de Zandschulp. Photo: EPA
Nadal meets uncle Toni in eighth finals
In the next round, Félix Auger-Aliassime is Nadal’s opponent and that is a spicy duel. The Canadian is in fact assisted by Nadal’s uncle, Toni Nadal, with whom Nadal celebrated great successes. Toni Nadal is said to have indicated that he will not coach Auger-Aliassime in the duel with his cousin.
“I don’t know what will happen, but I don’t worry about it. It’s not an issue for me,” said Nadal. “I know he wants the best for me. And now he’s guiding another player, no problem at all.”
Nadal also discussed the presence of Zinedine Zidane in the stands of Court Suzanne-Lenglen. “I didn’t like him, but I knew he was there, because the public chanted his name,” said the number five in the world, a big fan of Real Madrid. “I didn’t have a chance to see or speak to him after the game.”
Nadal has won Roland Garros thirteen times. The last time was in 2020. Last year, the Spaniard stranded in the semifinals.