Google News Rafael Nadal recalls: 'I'm always fighting, even when everything seems lost'
by JOVICA ILIC | VIEW 3381
Kicking off the season from just outside the top-200, the world's most promising youngster Rafael Nadal made stellar progress in 2003. A teenager reached multiple Challenger finals and showed his skills against much better-ranked and experienced rivals on the ATP Tour.
Nadal played in the third round in Monte Carlo, Hamburg and Wimbledon, and advanced into the semi-final in Umag in July on his beloved clay. Switching to hard courts, Rafa gathered momentum ahead of the US Open, where he came after skipping three weeks due to an injury.
Rafa became one of the youngest players with the US Open victory before suffering a 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 loss to Younes El Aynaoui after grueling two hours and 43 minutes. The youngster fended off nine out of 12 break chances, stole the rival's serve twice and fell short in the decisive moments to suffer a straight-sets defeat despite a great effort.
Giving his best to stay in touch, Nadal came from a break down in sets one and three, reaching 6-6 in both tie breaks before losing the final two points to propel the Moroccan into the last 32. Speaking about his fighting spirit, Nadal stated that he always gives his best, regardless of the scoreboard.
Rafael Nadal spoke about his fighting spirit after a tight 2003 US Open loss.
"I served pretty well and was unlucky on a few balls when I had a chance to change momentum. I returned well, but his serve proved to be too tough in the end.
It's crucial to have good serve on these fast courts, and that made the difference today. The previous encounter we played was similar to this, even though it was on clay. I played better than the last time we met, but it was not enough to earn the victory.
I'm a fighter; I fight all the time, even at 5-2 down in the third set. I bounced back and leveled the score to reach a tie break where I had my chances, missing that shot at 6-6 and losing in straights, although I gave my best to prolong the encounter.
I wanted to play to his forehand at 6-6 in the third set tie break, which was more difficult. I should have played to his backhand like I had been doing on other points; still, it did not make that much of a difference," Rafael Nadal said.
