Rafael Nadal offers Stefanos Tsitsipas stark advice ahead of Barcelona Open final
RAFAEL NADAL has been asked to offer Stefanos Tsitsipas some advice ahead of the youngster’s first ever tournament final.
Rafael Nadal reaches 11th Barcelona Open final
The two players go head-to-head for the first time this afternoon at the Barcelona Open.
Nadal will be hoping to win the title for the 11th time of his career but he faces an unknown customer in the 19-year-old world No 63.
And what piece of advice would the world No 1 give to this afternoon’s opponent?
“It would be good if he did not win his first final,” Nadal replied.
“When I see him play, I'm not surprised he's a finalist.
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If you ask me before the tournament, I would not have put him in my pool, because the picture was very hard
“If you ask me before the tournament, I would not have put him in my pool, because the picture was very hard.
“Seeing how he played I have no doubt that he is the player I had to get in the final.”
Meanwhile, Tsitsipas claimed it was “a dream come true” to be facing his idol in the final.
“I have watched millions of his matches on clay," Tsitsipas said.
"I know the way he is playing and, I think, the way he is going to play against me.
I was preparing for this match already, 10 years (ago).
“I’m going to go out there, enjoy it and play my best."