Nadal lauds praise on Thiem after Australian Open defeat: "He's playing with a lot of energy, aggressive, determination"

Nadal spoke afterwards and lauded praise on his opponent saying that he was a real match for him in Melbourne.

“I had a big chance with 5-3 in the first [set]. I think I had set point serving. It was a very important moment of the match, for sure. Then, I think, I didn't play a good tie-break. In the second [set], I was back. But he played with the right determination. He was putting one more ball in all the time, in a difficult position for me.

“I think he's playing great. He's playing with a lot of energy, aggressive, determination. So well done for him… I think we like each other in terms of character. I like his attitude. Probably he likes mine, too (smiling). I wish him all the very best for the rest of the tournament.”

He also assessed his own game and said that he doesn't believe he played poorly but that Thiem was just the better player on the day against him and that in his own opinion, he deserved to claim the victory.

“I honestly didn’t play a bad match,” added Nadal.

“My attitude was great, I think, during the whole match. Good, positive, fighting spirit all the time, giving me more chances.

“I didn't give up in any moment during the whole match. I gave myself an opportunity until the last point. I’m happy for that because my level of concentration [more] than the tennis was better, I think even the concentration, than the tennis. But the tennis was not bad at all. It was difficult to play against him. I’m happy, but I need a little bit more determination in some moments - true.

“Of course, I am sad. I lost an opportunity to be in the semi-finals of another Grand Slam. But I lost against a great opponent. And he deserved it, too. Well done for him.”