Former world No. 21 Gilles Muller said playing and beating Rafael Nadal on the Centre Court at Wimbledon was definitely “an amazing experience” as his kids from time to time play him the details from that match. In 2017, Muller clinched probably the biggest win of his career as he edged out Nadal in a Wimbledon thriller 6-3 6-4 3-6 4-6 15-13.
After Nadal recovered from two sets to force a decider, all the signs were pointing toward the Spaniard clinching a big comeback victory. However, Muller was able to keep his focus and edge out Nadal in an absolute thriller to reach his first and lone Wimbledon quarterfinal.
“Yes, it was an amazing experience against probably the best player of all time. I felt amazing then on the court, one of the best matches of my career, I was solid all the time. To be honest, the kids sometimes play me details from that match, then I watch, but otherwise I don’t like to watch too much, that’s in the past now.
The memories are beautiful, the emotions were wonderful, that moment remained in me,” Muller told Sport Klub.
Muller on the Nadal and Nick Kyrgios match
Muller, who once stunned Nadal at Wimbledon, acknowledged that the Spaniard is a player who “always finds a way to win.”
On Wednesday, Nadal beat Taylor Fritz in five sets even though he was hampered by an abdominal injury. “Nadal wins matches – no matter how he feels, he manages to find a way to win. He is one of the favorites, but Kyrgios could be a very difficult opponent, and then probably Djokovic in the final.
He has a chance to win number 23, but there is still a long way to go,” Muller said. On Thursday, Nadal announced he was giving Kyrgios a walkover because of an abdominal injury.
