Rafael Nadal said he “would like to lose Sunday’s final” in exchange for a new left leg after making his 14th French Open championship match on Friday.
Nadal reached the final after Alexander Zverev was forced to miss his last four matches with an ankle injury.
Nadal, the 13-time champion, will chase a record-long 22nd Grand Slam title on Sunday but has emphasized throughout this Roland Garros that a chronic left foot injury means that any match will possibly the last of his distinguished career.
“Without a doubt, I want to lose the final,” said Nadal, who turned 36 on Friday.
“My opinion has not changed. A new foot will allow me to be happier in my daily life.
“Winning is a very nice thing and gives you an adrenaline rush, but it’s only temporary and then you have to move on.”
“I have my whole life ahead of me and in the future, I love playing sports with my friends. My happiness is above any title,” he emphasized.
MATCH REPORT:
Nadal reaches 14th French Open final after Zverev misses injury
Nadal will face Casper Ruud on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Nadal said his sympathy for Zverev was only “human” after an injury forced him to miss the semifinals.
German world number three, Zverev, had to leave the court in a wheelchair after a fall late in the second half left him writhing and screaming in pain.
As he hobbled back to Court Philippe Chatrier on crutches to receive the match, the two men shared a warm embrace.
“If you’re human, you feel sorry for a colleague,” said Nadal.
Zverev is leading 7-6 (10/8), 6-6 after more than three hours of play at the time of the terrible injury.
RELATED:
Ruud sets up French Open final against Nadal
“It’s not easy to talk about. I hope he’s not too badly injured, I hope it’s not damaged,” said Nadal. “I was with him when he got super loud.”
The match was played under the roof of Court Philippe Chatrier, creating heavily wet conditions with 15,000 spectators watching.
However, Nadal said the court surface is not bad.
“It was an accident, it was just an unlucky moment.”
Nadal praised Zverev’s performance as the German attempted to become the first German to reach the final since Michael Stich in 1996.
“It was a very difficult match. He played fantastically and I know what it means for him to win a Grand Slam.
“The conditions weren’t ideal for me. I had to work very hard to stay alive. The first match was a miracle but I fought.”
