Rafael Nadal: I’m Not Happy I Lost, That’s Tennis; But I Feel I’m Playing Well And I’m Mentally Positive

Rafael Nadal wasn’t pleased with a loss yesterday to the tricky Alexandr Dolgopolov in the first round at Queen’s Club. Nadal was up 42 in the third set but didn’t win another game falling 63, 67, 64.

“I played against uncomfortable player in the first round here and I had my chance,” Nadal said. “I didn’t play a bad match, but matches sometimes here decide in just a few things, and I was not lucky enough today. I probably didn’t play enough aggressive when I had the break up in the 4‑3.”

Nadal did come into the match with a grass title in Stuttgart, so there are positives to take from his singles Wimbledon preparation, he says.

“The good thing is I am positive mentally,” Nadal said Tuesday. “I feel myself playing well. I hope to have some more good days of practice here and some good rest at home, and I gonna come back strong with a good week of practice before Wimbledon and I hope to be 100% ready to play Wimbledon. It’s good motivation for me today and I gonna try my best.

“This week I lost an opportunity, but, you know, my feeling, my thoughts are no different today than yesterday. I am better, I am playing better than before, and enjoying more on court than before,” Nadal added.

Nadal and Feliciano Lopez are still in the doubles at Queen’s. Then Nadal will head to Wimbledon where he last won in 2010.

“I gonna play the doubles now,” Nadal said. “I hope to win. It will be great if I can be here for a few more days and can practice a little bit more and then have period of three days at home and then come back. That’s my idea. I gonna try my best in the doubles.”