Finishing number one in the world was never my goal, says Rafael Nadal
Spanish maestro Rafael Nadal, who was sidelined for the past three months after he picked up a hip injury at the Australian Open earlier this year, has revealed that he is not looking to dethrone Roger Federer. Nadal added that he would just like to feel competitive week-in and week-out for now.
The stories of the world famous rivalry of Swiss great Roger Federer and the passionate Spaniard Rafael Nadal are the stuff of folklore in the modern tennis era. The duo has helped take the sport of tennis to an unparalleled level and turn it into a global phenomenon of epic proportions.
Federer made history recently as he became the oldest tennis player ever to be ranked No. 1 in ATP rankings. Nadal, who is also nicknamed the ‘King of clay’, was all praise for his long-time arch nemesis but revealed that the number one spot isn’t something that excites him anymore.
"I have 'given away' (through injuries) three months of the year. Not playing for three months and finishing number one in the world would say that it is not impossible but it is very unlikely. But it was never my goal,” said Nadal to express.co.uk.
The Spaniard, who is returning from a three-month lay-off due to a hip injury sustained at the Australian Open held earlier this year, added that he just wants to stay fit and be competitive on the court for as long as possible.
“My goal is to be happy doing what I do and that, after so many years, it always has been to win more titles and I have achieved that. I am happy when I am healthy and when I feel qualified to compete well, my goal is to feel competitive every week I play,”, the former world number one added.
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