2011 Australian Open: Spaniard Rafael Nadal's dream crushed
Spain's Rafael Nadal's puzzle is still missing a piece as the professional was eliminated from the 2011 Australian Open after losing to compatriot David Ferrer in the quarterfinals of the championship. Similar to the 2010 Australian
Open, Rafa was knocked out of the tournament after having made it through to the quarterfinals. Nadal's dream seemed to have been crushed as early as in the first set of his match against Ferrer, as his injury began to pose problems for him.
Ferrer initiated the match with a 6-4 win in the first set and followed it up with a 6-2 win in the second set, shortly before the Spaniard took the deciding third set 6-3 to end Rafa's reign. In spite of the fact that the injury
quite obviously had an effect on Nadal's game, the professional stated that he did not want to dwell upon his injury out of respect for fellow citizen, Ferrer.
''I can't say nothing about the injury. Seriously, I would prefer I don't talk a lot about the injury … tonight I don't know nothing and, second, respect to the winner and a friend,'' It's obvious I didn't feel at my best, I had
a problem in the match in the beginning and after that the match was almost over and that's all I can say. It seems I always have problems when I lose and I don't like to have this image," said Nadal.
Having retired last year, Nadal said that he hated retirements and it was not the day to go out as he had done it last year.
Additionally, Ferrer stated he did not wish to win in this manner. ''I did my game, I played, I received, I would try to go into the net. But if Nadal wasn't injured he would normally have won in three sets. This is a victory for
me, but it's not how I like victory normally," added David.
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