Monfils on Nadal: “He is Our Legend”

By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Tuesday Could 28, 2024

Earlier than his night time session match on Monday in Paris, French legend Gael Monfils wanted to take a nap. However earlier than he did that, he wanted to look at the King of Clay on Chatrier.

The 37-year-old, who defeated Thiago Seyboth Wild on Monday, stated it was vital for him to look at Nadal as he took on Alexander Zverev on Court docket Philippe-Chatrier for one primary cause: Nadal is everyone’s legend.

“It is vital, as a result of he is our legend,” Monfils stated. “He is everyone’s legend. He is again. It is unimaginable to not watch him, unimaginable. After I say it is vital, it is greater than that. I do know that I like him no matter occurs.”

Nadal confirmed vastly improved type, however nonetheless was defeated by Zverev, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3, on Monday. After the match he instructed the group in an emotional speech that he wasn’t certain if he had performed his final match at Roland-Garros.

“The quantity of emotions that I had on this wonderful court docket throughout all my tennis profession is simply unbelievable,” Nadal stated. “I by no means dreamed I might be right here at nearly 38 years previous, with all of the success I had right here, profitable so many occasions – it’s one thing that I by no means dreamt of.

“For me it’s tough to say what is going to occur sooner or later. It’s a giant share that I gained’t be again at Roland-Garros, however I can’t say 100%. I take pleasure in enjoying right here, I like touring with the household, and my physique is feeling a little bit bit higher than it did two months in the past.”

Monfils stated that he was joyful to see the King of Clay enjoying so properly in Paris, and he believes that the Spaniard may very well be an element on the Olympic Video games in Paris this summer time.

“After I say it is vital, it is as a result of all of us respect him a lot, although we’re pals with him. He’s the king of clay courts. He is again, he is enjoying. It is actually vital to look at.

Monfils, who earned his 122nd Grand Slam singles win to take over the all-time lead for French gamers on Monday, was significantly impressed with Nadal’s forehand.

Lamonf strikes into spherical two, and takes over the all-time lead for French males on the majors with 122.

Monfils 122Tsonga 121Gasquet 116Borotra 103Cochet 97

— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) Could 27, 2024

“I used to be joyful as a result of he was hitting an excellent forehand,” he stated. “He is not over. He was being pushed, however he put an excellent forehand in. However possibly in two months…

‘Nicely, I believed it was unbelievable to look at. I used to be joyful to look at him.”

And he credited Zverev for having the psychological toughness to shut out the match in straight units towards a model of Nadal that might have defeated most gamers within the draw.

“Nicely executed to him,” he stated. “As a result of at present Rafa, what Rafa confirmed us at present, properly, , he would beat so many on the draw, so many.

Zverev was impressed by Nadal’s enhancements during the last a number of weeks as properly.

“Clearly there may be uncertainty whether or not he’ll come again and play subsequent yr,” he stated. “He is undoubtedly going to be again for the Olympics. However typically, at Roland Garros, clearly there are uncertainties.

“I feel the development he is revamped the previous few months and simply the distinction in degree that he is performed at present in comparison with his final tournaments was unbelievable. I actually felt prefer it was an excellent match.”