Nadal\u2019s faced the newest kids on the block on a few occasions during his career, including the new Wimbledon<\/a> champion, Jannik Sinner<\/a>, at the 2021 French Open.<\/p>\n After defeating the spirited Italian, Nadal admitted there was something he \u2018couldn\u2019t do\u2019 during the match.<\/p>\n Rafael Nadal said he \u2018couldn\u2019t make too many mistakes\u2019 when playing Jannik Sinner<\/p>\n At the 2021 French Open, Rafael Nadal was still at the peak of his powers and entered the tournament full of confidence after winning the event in 2020.<\/p>\n During the tournament, Nadal played a young Jannik Sinner, which was their third and last meeting on the ATP Tour.<\/p>\n Nadal ended up winning the match 7-5 6-3 6-0. Despite the victory, Nadal was polite enough to compliment his young opponent after the match.<\/p>\n The Spaniard\u2019s comments foreshadowed the future superiority of Sinner in regard to one particular aspect of his game \u2013 consistency.<\/p>\n Speaking at the post-match press conference, Nadal said: \u201cHe is young, he is improving every week.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has big shots. I needed to be solid and aggressive. I can\u2019t make too many mistakes [against someone like him]. I knew it was the fourth round \u2013 you can\u2019t expect an easy opponent at that stage.\u201d<\/p>\n Rafael Nadal\u2019s head-to-head record against Jannik Sinner<\/p>\n![\"Rafael](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-2217067120-1024x683.jpg\")
Photo by Jean Catuffe\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Rafael](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-1322354420-1024x678.jpg\")
Photo by Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images<\/p>\n