Share

Nadal too busy training to watch final

Stuttgart - Dethroned French Open champion Rafael Nadal says he was too busy training to watch Stan Wawrinka's gripping final defeat of Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros on Sunday.

The nine-time French Open winner's 2015 tournament ended prematurely last week when he suffered a quarter-final rout by Djokovic.

That was only the Spaniard's second loss in 72 matches in Paris since his 2005 debut.

And Nadal, speaking at the Stuttgart Open on Monday, revealed: "I didn't watch the match... I was training."

Nadal is in Germany for the start of the grass court season.

Best level

"Starting on grass is always difficult. I'm going to try to play my best and to train as much as possible tomorrow (Tuesday) and Wednesday for my first match."

Reflecting on his three set beating by Djokovic he suggested the loss was "now part of the past".

"I must improve my level of tennis and my intensity on the court. If I can do that I'm confident that I can return to my best level.

"I'm making my debut on grass two weeks before Wimbledon and I hope that's going to help."

Swiss Wawrinka claimed a famous 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory in Paris to secure his second career major after the 2014 Australian Open.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
loading... Live
Dolphins 0
Warriors RSA 27/1
loading... Live
Pakistan 40/2
New Zealand 178/7
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
65% - 412 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
35% - 226 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE