World Number two Rafael Nadal is the most disciplined tennis player on the tour. He is the only professional who bears immense self-control. Once he hangs his boots, Nadal wants to be remembered as a ‘good human being’. And a player with utmost discipline.
“In the future, I do not want to be remembered as a tennis player who won numerous titles, but to has left a good example for boys and girls,” Nadal said.
“This is my only objective, then winning or losing is part of the sport in general. If one thing I wish I could say that I have done well is that I have transmitted positive things on and off a track. That makes me very satisfied with my part.”
No matter how worse the situation in the match is, Rafa just contemplates on ‘each point’. He certainly sends a message to the younger generations via all his matches.
“The example is not the comeback” – Rafael Nadal on his epic victory
For instance, at ATP Finals 2019, Nadal was 5-1 and match points down in the third set against Daniil Medvedev. The ATP warrior made an epic comeback to beat the Russian 6-7, 6-3, 7-6. And later he mentioned ‘the example is not the comeback.’
He was on the edge of his defeat but he shared that the young kids have to learn from his positivity and patience, rather than admiring his ‘comeback’.
“In my opinion, the example is not the comeback, because the comeback is — of course you need to be there and you need to keep fighting. But the example, in my opinion, is not break a racquet when you are 5-1 in the third or not be out of your self-control when things are not going the right way,” Nadal stated in London.
Even during the US Open 2019 finals, Nadal was in big trouble in the final set. But patiently playing each point and giving his best at each instant, the Spaniard lifted his 19th Slam. And this is what he wants the younger generation to assimilate from his tennis.
On Sunday, Rafael Nadal won the title in Acapulco and became the youngest and oldest champion of the tournament. At present, he is preparing for the Indian Wells 2020 in California, USA.
Rafael Nadal opens up on why his happiness will determine future
Rafael Nadal insists that as long as he is happy in tennis he will continue playing the sport he loves. Nadal has had a decorated career, winning 85 career titles including 19 Grand Slam titles and over $120million in prize money.
The Spaniard has been a pro for 19 years but his passion and commitment levels remain as high as ever.
Now aged 33, there are plenty of miles in Nadal’s legs and he has been hampered by injury in recent years.
But ever since a crisis of confidence in the spring of 2019, Nadal has played some of the best tennis of his career.
In an interview with Dubai Eye 103.8 Sport, before the inauguration of his new academy in Kuwait, Nadal was asked what continues to motivate him despite his many achievements.
And the Spaniard explained that his love for the sport is what keeps him going.
“First of all it is the passion for what you are doing and the love for the game,” he said.
“I personally like playing tennis. I like competitions and I am happy doing what I am doing and that’s why I am excited to keep going.
“If the day arrives that I am not happy because my body is not able to hold well or because one or another reason, that’s going to be the moment to say goodbye and to find another motivation.
“But for the moment I am still very happy doing what I am doing now.”
When Nadal does eventually retire, he has plenty of options at his disposal and he revealed he could decide to enter coaching and help develop the next generation of talent.
“I have a tennis academy to run and I think we are doing the right work there I think,” he added.
“We have a new academy in Kuwait and hopefully it will not be the last one.
“We are open to see different options so why not? I am preparing my future to keep being involved in this beautiful sport like tennis and I think I will be around the world of tennis in the future.
“It is an important part of my life so let’s see what goes on. Never say never.”
Nadal returns to action next week at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells.
