Rafa’s advice to himself after Dominic Thiem took the first set 6-0 in what turned out to be a thrilling five set battle. Nadal finally emerged victorious 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7 7-6 in one of the greatest matches the US Open has seen.
I don’t know! We’ll see what the next movie makes me realize about myself. It’s kind of- It’s, I don’t know. I’m so lucky I get to work out this trauma and stuff like that on the big screen. It’s bizarre! But I’m glad you connected with it all.
Daniel Kwan, Co-Director of Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) | Everything Everywhere All At Once World Premiere Q&A from SXSW 2022
Just Fedal saying Fedal things after the 2019 Roland Garros semifinal:
Q. Congratulations on your return to the French Open. You could tell, I'm sure, the fans really appreciated you being out there and wanted to see more tennis. After you're down two sets to none, what's your feeling? Are you thinking that you can perhaps get back in the match? Are you frustrated at the way you're playing? Is there something about Rafa's game that made it difficult for you to get control of the match?
ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I mean, I think he does that to anybody, you know, on the clay. He makes you feel uncomfortable the way he defends the court and plays on clay. There is nobody who even plays remotely close to him.
I don't even know who I need to go search for to go practice with somebody who plays like him (smiling). I was thinking that during the match. It's just amazing how he plays from deep and then is able to bounce back and forth from the baseline. It's just quite interesting.
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Q. Federer said that he knows no one on tour who can approach your way of playing tennis. He couldn't find no sparring partner at your level to practice. Does that inspire you?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, I don't find any sparring partners, either, playing like Federer. There are no two people like Federer on this planet. Luckily, actually.