Lukas Rosol: Unsure if Nadal can win Aus Open, each spherical he wins can be nice

Lukas Rosol is a former top-30 participant within the ATP Rankings. He was a member of the Czechia group that gained the Davis Cup titles in 2012 and 2013 though he didn’t characteristic in both summit conflict. He additionally went on to win two titles on the ATP Tour.

However maybe, the most important second of Rosol’s profession got here throughout Wimbledon 2012 when he shocked two-time champion Rafael Nadal in 5 units within the second spherical.

Now, on the age of 38 and ranked 881 on this planet, Rosol is near the top of his profession.

In a digital interplay with  Sportstar on the sidelines of the fifth season of the Tennis Premier League, the 6’4” Czech participant spoke concerning the subsequent technology of males’s tennis from his nation, Nadal’s much-awaited comeback in 2024 and extra.

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You’re somebody who has performed tennis on the highest stage however lately it’s been a bit robust so that you can play constantly and make it to the primary attracts of the Slams. Being on the unsuitable facet of 30, how robust is it so that you can encourage your self to maintain pushing? Do you will have a purpose that you simply wish to obtain earlier than retiring?

It’s quite simple. As I’ve been enjoying for therefore lengthy already (21 seasons), you simply have to like tennis. I’m not doing it for cash. I’m not doing it to indicate anyone that I’ll win towards this man or that man or to win a event. If I win a match, it’s for me. It’s only a nice feeling and these endorphins which you get from profitable the match, you can’t purchase or get someplace. However, I believe subsequent yr, I gained’t play a lot as a result of I’ve a little bit son now. I want to stick with him so much and luxuriate in household time a little bit bit. Sure, it’s time to say goodbye slowly. I haven’t determined but which date it will likely be however the brand new gamers are so sturdy and so quick. It’s robust to play them.

What are your ideas on the following technology of males’s tennis in Czechia with the likes of Jiri Lehecka, Tomas Machac and Jakub Mensik?

After guys like (Tomas) Berdych and (Radek) Stepanek, there was a spot for a few years and I used to be sceptical. There have been no gamers and if there have been, they had been round 300-400 rank. However they began to work on themselves. Lehecka, Machac and a few of these younger prospects are beginning to play higher and higher. Their rank has began to enhance. Lehecka is round 30 however prime 20 is one other step which he has to make. Machac, hopefully, goes to be within the prime 100 longer than he has been thus far. Mensik has a future. He has physique and serves very effectively. We even have extra prime girls’s gamers than males. There are at all times atleast 7-8 Czech girls within the prime 100. (Petra) Kvitova and (Karolina) Pliskova are slowly ending their careers however there are a few new gamers like (Linda) Noskova. She was within the last in Auckland and can also be good.

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What do tournaments like Tennis Premier League and different leagues that happen on the finish of the season imply within the present tennis ecosystem?

As many youngsters come to look at the game, it’ll be extra well-known. It’s not a nasty concept to do that as a result of if 300-400 youngsters come from colleges on a regular basis, they are going to begin to prefer it. And even when 5 youngsters on a regular basis begin to play tennis, it’s wonderful. It is a nice alternative for them to begin constructing one thing. Even when possibly two-three gamers come by, they are going to study at a very good stage and India may have new stars.

2012 was an excellent yr for you because you gained the Davis Cup and likewise, famously beat Rafael Nadal within the second spherical at Wimbledon. Are you able to share some recollections from that match?

I gained the primary spherical towards (Ivan) Dodig after which, I performed Rafa within the second spherical. I used to be nervous and scared as a result of it was my first time on Centre Court docket. It’s like the perfect place the place you’ll be able to play. I requested the organisers if I might watch it a little bit bit. Earlier than me, (Ivo) Karlovic and (Andy) Murray had been enjoying. I mentioned, “Please, at the very least 3-4 video games. I want to watch the environment and every thing” as a result of among the gamers are available in they usually can not even transfer and breathe as a result of they’re so nervous. They let me go. I used to be watching the spectators virtually on a regular basis and didn’t even take note of the sport.

Firstly of the match, my solely focus was to not lose 6-0, 6-1, 6-0 as a result of then it’s gonna be a catastrophe, ? I used to be specializing in one factor — to carry serve within the first three video games after which, it’s going to be okay. You’re not going to lose badly. I used to be extra relaxed after it. After I misplaced the primary set 6-7, 30-40 p.c of the spectators left. I mentioned, “Okay, that is the problem for me. I prefer it. I believe I want to name them again, ?” Then, I gained the second and third units and already, the stadium was full.

File | Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic shakes fingers with Rafael Nadal of Spain after defeating him throughout their Gents’s Singles second spherical match on day 4 of the Wimbledon Garden Tennis Championships on the All England Garden Tennis and Croquet Membership on June 28, 2012 in London, England
| Picture Credit score:
Clive Rose

Contemplating Nadal’s return from damage in 2024, how robust is it for an expert tennis participant to comeback at this stage, late 30s, in his profession?

2024 goes to be robust for Rafa. He already mentioned it’s going to be his final yr. He’s enjoying due to the Olympics, proper? And he in all probability needs to strive the French Open. As you become old, it’s going to be robust to begin once more after a break because of damage since you don’t know the way your physique’s going to react. It’s higher if the prepare goes. In case you cease the prepare, the prepare goes to begin once more so slowly. He’s practising and already getting ready. I noticed some movies from Mallorca, his base, and he’s hitting the ball actually exhausting. I’m undecided if he can win the Australian Open. I believe each spherical that he’s going to win goes to be nice for him.

Nick Kyrgios just lately mentioned that the present batch of gamers performs quicker they usually can beat the older technology. Boris Becker replied to this on X and mentioned Kyrgios doesn’t have any credibility as a result of he hasn’t gained a significant title. What are your ideas on this argument?

Properly, tennis is actually quick now. You may see (Carlos) Alcaraz — how is he operating, what’s he catching and from which angles is he enjoying? To check the period after I was enjoying 10 years in the past and now — everyone can now serve at 220kmh. Everyone is hitting the forehands so quick. Earlier than, let’s say, my rank was 30 and my opponent was 80. I’d assume, “This sport, I’ll go solely serve-and-volley. This sport, I’ll play solely crosscourt.” I wished to practise and nonetheless I gained the sport. The hole was larger. Now, in a match between a top-50 participant and a top-100, 150 or 200 participant, there’s a hole of two, three factors in each set, which is so small. The Challengers and the ATP250s are fairly even now. Earlier than, the sport was so sluggish. You may see on the movies. Even my coach, he was simply enjoying rallies as they’d a lot time. Now, there isn’t any probability because the rally can be completed thrice in that point.