After bowing to Novak Djokovic in a gripping five-hour, 15-minute Wimbledon semifinal, Rafael Nadal believes the former No. 1 has regained his top level tennis.
In episode 52 of their storied rivalry, Djokovic subdued Nadal, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9), 3-6, 10-8, in a classic semifinal clash spanning two days that sent the Serbian into his fifth Wimbledon final and 22nd Grand Slam championship match.
More: Djokovic Subdues Nadal in Classic Semifinal
It is Djokovic's first Grand Slam final since he fell to Stan Wawrinka in the 2016 US Open final match.
World No. 1 Nadal said the 12-time Grand Slam champion is back to his peak play.
"He's playing great. My opinion, he's playing at his top level again," Nadal told the media after losing his first major semifinal since falling to Juan Martin del Potro at the 2009 US Open. "I said before the match, and that's it. He's in the final of Wimbledon. The problem is we achieved that match the last couple of years, seems like you are in the final of Wimbledon, and this is not that match.
"You can't be in the final of Wimbledon, even if your name is not Novak Djokovic, without playing a great level of tennis. So that's all."
In a high-quality cliff-hanger, Nadal, who had three break points in the 15th game of the final set, but could not convert, said he gave his best and played a great match in defeat.
"I hit a great shots," Nadal said. "I played aggressive. I missed balls, not too many, but I missed some ones. When you play with that intensity, with that level of risk, that level of passion, sometimes you go over, no?
"Nothing to complain. I think I played a great match. I have not much more inside me. I give it my best, and that's it. It's fair to say that was a great match and he beat me. Well done for him. That's all. That's sport. These kind of matches between probably two great players, playing so well both of us, anything could happen. That's it. Today was for him. Well done."
Photo credit: Rob Newall/CameraSport