Rafael Nadal would prefer not to play Roger Federer if he reaches the Wimbledon final – but says a showdown with his arch-rival would be fantastic.
Nadal booked his place in a first Wimbledon quarter-final since 2011 with a straight-sets victory over Jiri Vesely.
The world number one is yet to drop a set, a feat matched by top seed and defending champion Federer.
More: Tennis
Every time Nadal, 32, has reached the quarter-finals in SW19 he has gone on to progress to the final, winning the tournament twice and finishing as runner-up three times.
Asked whether avoiding Federer would be the ideal scenario, Nadal said: If hes in the final, I am excited to play Roger.
Advertisement Advertisement
I am not saying I am not excited to play against Roger in the final. I am excited. It will be a good result for me.
Facing Roger again will be something fantastic. If you ask me if I prefer another one, I say yes. Thats the point. Its about being smart, no?
The overall goal is try to win the tournament. Depends against who you play you have less or more chances to win. Thats the thing.
I can be here, I cant come here and say, No, of course I want to play against the best players.
On his progression in the tournament, Nadal added: Of course this is an important result for me.
Of course, its important for me to be in these quarter-finals. It is true that it has been a while since I have been in that position.
At the same time I have been in that position a couple of times in my career. We are not talking about already that I played a final or I won the tournament.
We are talking about me being in the quarter-finals. That, of course, is a positive result.
Federer looked in fine form as he dispatched Adrian Mannarino on Monday – the Swiss legend won the opening set in just 16 minutes, dropping only five points.
If he secures another straight-sets victory on Wednesday against Kevin Anderson, Federer will break his own record for the most consecutive sets won at Wimbledon.
Look, Im equally happy if I would have won all the matches in four sets, Federer said.
Advertisement Advertisement
That it happened to be in straights, it helps me for the season, to save energy, it helps me to save energy for the rest of the tournament.
I dont think its something anybody aims for, is to win every match in straight sets. Its like today, I hope I get off to a good start, go from there.
More: Tennis
If it happens, it happens. It shouldnt be, for the player or for me, a shock, and, “Oh, my God, I cant believe it, I lost a set”. Its part of what a tennis match is about.
Maybe for the press, maybe for the fans, “Oh, wow, he lost a set. Maybe there is a vibe there”.
For me personally, theres not much of a change just because I lost a set.
MORE: Kevin Andersons surprising reaction to facing Roger Federer in Wimbledon quarter-final
Advertisement Advertisement
Rafael Nadal would prefer not to play Roger Federer if he reaches the Wimbledon final – but says a showdown with his arch-rival would be fantastic.
Nadal booked his place in a first Wimbledon quarter-final since 2011 with a straight-sets victory over Jiri Vesely.
The world number one is yet to drop a set, a feat matched by top seed and defending champion Federer.
More: Tennis
Every time Nadal, 32, has reached the quarter-finals in SW19 he has gone on to progress to the final, winning the tournament twice and finishing as runner-up three times.
Asked whether avoiding Federer would be the ideal scenario, Nadal said: If hes in the final, I am excited to play Roger.
Advertisement Advertisement
I am not saying I am not excited to play against Roger in the final. I am excited. It will be a good result for me.
Facing Roger again will be something fantastic. If you ask me if I prefer another one, I say yes. Thats the point. Its about being smart, no?
The overall goal is try to win the tournament. Depends against who you play you have less or more chances to win. Thats the thing.
I can be here, I cant come here and say, No, of course I want to play against the best players.
On his progression in the tournament, Nadal added: Of course this is an important result for me.
Of course, its important for me to be in these quarter-finals. It is true that it has been a while since I have been in that position.
At the same time I have been in that position a couple of times in my career. We are not talking about already that I played a final or I won the tournament.
We are talking about me being in the quarter-finals. That, of course, is a positive result.
Federer looked in fine form as he dispatched Adrian Mannarino on Monday – the Swiss legend won the opening set in just 16 minutes, dropping only five points.
If he secures another straight-sets victory on Wednesday against Kevin Anderson, Federer will break his own record for the most consecutive sets won at Wimbledon.
Look, Im equally happy if I would have won all the matches in four sets, Federer said.
Advertisement Advertisement
That it happened to be in straights, it helps me for the season, to save energy, it helps me to save energy for the rest of the tournament.
I dont think its something anybody aims for, is to win every match in straight sets. Its like today, I hope I get off to a good start, go from there.
More: Tennis
If it happens, it happens. It shouldnt be, for the player or for me, a shock, and, “Oh, my God, I cant believe it, I lost a set”. Its part of what a tennis match is about.
Maybe for the press, maybe for the fans, “Oh, wow, he lost a set. Maybe there is a vibe there”.
For me personally, theres not much of a change just because I lost a set.
MORE: Kevin Andersons surprising reaction to facing Roger Federer in Wimbledon quarter-final
Advertisement Advertisement
