Rafael Nadal: I’m Happy The Way I Played, I’m Getting Closer To Where I Want To Be

Rafael Nadal took his tough 3-set loss to Milos Raonic yesterday in the Indian Wells quarterfinals in stride. The 3-time champion blew 3 matchpoints in a 46, 76(10), 75 defeat, his first loss ever in the Indian Wells quarterfinals.

“The real thing is I am happy the way I played,” said Nadal. “I am happy the way that I competed today. I am happy the way that I stayed in a level during the whole match. I am not happy that I lost. That’s it.

“Today I lost against a great opponent who was fighting for every ball with very positive attitude. Feeling that I was there fighting for the victory against a top player again in a good surface for him is a big improve for me. I am not very sad.

“I’m not happy about the final result, but I am happy because, as I said before the tournament, I am much closer than one month and a half of what I want to be.”

Nadal now heads to Miami where he has never won, but he’s playing good again.

“I think every week I am better,” he said. “Every week I am more competitive. Every week I feel stronger, quicker on court again. My movements are good again. My focus on the match is becoming better every match. Today I was able to compete against a top player without a feeling that he was better than me. So that’s a big improve. Against Berdych in Australia I played that match and I didn’t compete. Today against a very tough opponent, a very uncomfortable opponent, I created a lot of chances.”