Google News 'You are not Roger Federer yet, and even he misses', says young ATP star
by SIMONE BRUGNOLI | VIEW 6397
Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem will not play in Miami Both the Majorcan and the Austrian will focus on European land. Rafa has yet to recover from his back problem "It pains me to announce that I will not play in Miami, a city I love," he wrote.
“I have to fully recover and prepare for the European clay season. A special message for my fans in the United States and especially for the fantastic Hispanic community in Florida, which always gives me great support!" Thus continues the absence of the 20-time Slam champion from the American tournament, where he has not played since the final reached in 2017 and where he has never won despite having reached the last act five times every three years (in addition to the aforementioned edition he succeeded in 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2014, losing twice to Roger Federer, twice to Novak Djokovic and once to Davydenko).
Nadal's decision is not a big surprise: the Miami Open has cut the prize pool and limited travel; in addition, for many high-ranking players it will be the only tournament of the North American away match, which normally lasts at least four weeks for those who play only the Sunshine Double and from five upwards for those who like Rafa often also play in Acapulco.
It is therefore understandable that a tennis player with the economic availability, age and physical problems of a Majorcan decides not to fly over the Atlantic (remember that Federer and Wawrinka will not be there either).
In an in-depth interview with Sportskeeda, Holger Rune opened up about feeling like a 'freak' in his childhood and how he first got attracted to tennis. He also spoke at length about his family, his long-term ambitions, his idols - which include both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal - and his recent ATP debut.
Rune talks about Federer and Nadal
"I think Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal inspired so many young players like myself when I was little and hopefully, me and some of the other players on tour can inspire the younger generation as well.
As a kid you have idols, and they are, besides your passion for the sport, also the fuel for your drive to become better. When I was little, I could get very upset when missing a shot and my coach always told me, 'You are not Federer yet, and even he misses'
But they put up an example both in regards to the fight and the style and perfection, which indirectly become a goal to achieve for yourself. It is important, I think, to keep the level as high as possible in the sport. So they are as important for tennis history as Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe were earlier for them" - Holger Rune said.
