Rafael Nadal’s ability to overcome physical ailments on the big stage was lauded by Stefanos Tsitsipas, who declared that the Spaniard was most threatening whenever he expressed an inability to play.
Rafael Nadal stunned the tennis world by getting past Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the French Open en route to a 14th title win despite going into the tournament with pain and foot problems. Over the course of a pre-tournament press conference, Tsitsipas used the term “reverse psychology” to describe how Rafael Nadal was at his best when considered not fully fit.
He said:
“When he says that he can’t play and that he has foot problems, that’s where he is most threatening. It’s actually reverse psychology in a way.”
“I have a lot of respect for what he did at the French Open, playing with his foot like that. They somehow make him feel like he’s immortal, the things that he’s capable of. The level of intensity that he is capable of at times when he is very uncomfortable, it would be difficult for most players to compete in these conditions physically.”
