Lopez on Nadal: "It's very difficult to retire with a win".
In an interview with AS, Feliciano Lopez, Director of Davis Cup Finals, talks about the difficulties of retiring, and in particular, choosing the right time to retire.
He said: "A radical change in your life doesn't happen overnight. You have to prepare for it. It's very difficult to retire a winner. Only one, Pete Sampras, won the US Open and retired (in 2002).
What's more, Nadal's defeat affected other people, and maybe that's why he was more affected. David Ferrer and I had planned our retirement well in advance and, when the time came, we were ready. In my case, I didn't have any physical problems and that's why I enjoyed the tournament.
I was able to beat several Top 50 players and it was a success. You can decide when and how to leave. That's important. For Nadal, almost everything he had planned this year didn't work out. It's always difficult. You have to accept what tennis has given you."
