"Never thought I would get a win over Rafael Nadal on dirt, so it's something I can say when I finish my career" - Alex de Minaur on Barcelona 2R win
Alex de Minaur has opened up about his monumental achievement of beating Rafael Nadal on clay at the 2024 Barcelona Open.
De Minaur halted Nadal's Barcelona Open comeback in the second round, claiming a 7-5, 6-1 win over the Spaniard after a one-hour and 52-minute battle. The Australian, who exited the Monte-Carlo Masters after a quarterfinal loss to Novak Djokovic, will continue his bid for his second title of the season against Arthur Fils in the third round.
In his post-match press conference, De Minaur reflected on facing Djokovic and Nadal in back-to-back matches, acknowledging it as a challenging and "complicated" endeavor. Nevertheless, he expressed gratitude for being in a position to compete against the best players in history.
"It's not that easy, to be honest. It's a bit complicated, but at the same time I see it as opportunities thanks to the level of tennis I'm playing this year. Playing against the best in the world and in history is a good problem to have," he said (via Punto de Break).
The World No. 11 also rejoiced at getting a win over the 'King of Clay' on red dirt, stating that it's an achievement he would cherish at the end of his career.
However, he acknowledged that he was "fortunate" to face the 22-time Grand Slam champion near the end of his career, admitting that the outcome would likely have been different had the match taken place a few years earlier.
"Today I was able to get the victory and I never thought I would get a win over Rafa on dirt, so it's something I can say when I finish my career. I wouldn't have beaten him either if we faced each other a couple of years ago," he said.
"Now I have had a bit of fortune to play against Rafa at the end of his career, but I wouldn't have liked to play against him two years ago on clay. I already suffered on grass and hardcourts, so I don't want to imagine it on clay," he added.
"The values Rafael Nadal has had on the court have been the ideals they tell you to copy from a very young age" - Alex de Minaur
Alex de Minaur also expressed his admiration for the values that Rafael Nadal has consistently displayed on the court, disclosing that players are asked to emulate the Spaniard's example from a young age.
De Minaur also hailed the 22-time Grand Slam champion's mental strength and determination, expressing his aspiration to match the former World No. 1 in that regard.
"Like every tennis player, and especially of my generation, the values that Rafa has had on the court have been the ideals, the ones that they tell you to copy from a very young age," he said during the same press conference.
"The attitude he has in each match, the mental strength, the determination, it's something we've all seen and the plan is to be as close to him as possible, which is never easy, special in my life and in my career, as well as in the world of tennis," he added.
Following his Barcelona Open exit, Nadal is expected to be back in action at the Madrid Open as he continues to gear up for the French Open.