The Portuguese Nuno Borges said this Wednesday that he has proven that he can compete with the best tennis players in the world and declared that the Serbian Novak Djokovic will win the Australian Open, the first major of the season.
The country’s number one and world number 69 player spoke to the media in Lisbon after returning from Australia, where he was eliminated in the round of 16 by Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, the third-ranked player in the ATP rankings, to whom he lost 6-6. 3, 7-6 (7-4), 5-7 and 6-1 at the Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park.
“For a moment I felt like I belonged here. I’ve proven that when I play well, I can compete with the best. A lot of things have to go well, and I will strive for that.” [de repetir o feito]”, he began with the words.
For the 26-year-old, the Australian Open “has changed the way he looks at Grand Slams a little bit.”
“This is a special milestone for me that I will remember forever. This helps me consolidate a little for the rest of the year,” he admitted.
He then spoke about his goals for the season, with a particular focus on possibly competing at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
“I just achieved a goal I already had in mind, which was to be in the top 50. Participating in the Olympic Games was an incredible opportunity. I’m more focused on that. I would really like to have the opportunity to play,” he wished.
As for the winner at Melbourne Park, Borges was not surprised by his answer: “[Djokovic] is a big favorite. He won 10 times. In the best of five sets, he’s almost unbeatable.”
Maiato became the second Portuguese player in the top 16 at a major – and the first at Melbourne Park – after Joao Sousa reached the fourth round at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Wimbledon. and explained why the results are appearing now.
“[É] It’s normal for players to peak at this point, between 25 and 30. [anos]. We have developed our physical capabilities to the maximum, and this is felt in our game. I also started my career a little later, and it’s normal that the results are starting to show now, and not three years ago when it all started,” he concluded.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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