The Spanish Rafael Nadal, second in the ATP ranking, said today that at the age of 31 his main interest is to be happy without thinking about recovering the number one or anything else.
«At this point in my career what I want is to be happy and I play the weeks that make me happy and content; Getting to one or five will depend on how much you play and the level, “he said.
In a press conference prior to the start of the Acapulco Open, the ATP 500 tournament in which he will start as the first favorite, Nadal acknowledged enjoying more when he is healthy, and confessed feeling lucky to remain as a protagonist on the circuit after many years.
“I am happy at the age of 31 and a half to be here still with the feeling of being competitive to fight for what motivates me,” he added.
After retiring in the Australian Open quarterfinals with an injury to Croatian Marin Cilic, the Spaniard took a month to recover and is now ready to pursue the title in Acapulco, where he won in 2005 and 2013.
«In 2005 in Acapulco I conquered my first 500, my first great tournament, and the 2013 triumph had special value because I had not competed for months at a level, my knee continued to bother me and winning was an important starting point. It is one of the tournaments that I carry in my heart, “he confessed.
Dressed in a white T-shirt, black shorts and tennis Blue, white and orange, Nadal was sober in front of journalists, he denied feeling like a favorite for the title despite being the player with the best ranking and summed up that his only task is to give everything.
«I neither feel like a favorite nor do I have inner pressure. I came to give the maximum and when you do that, you are not obliged to anything. I arrived on Friday, I have trained every day, morning and afternoon, I do gym work and I have made an effort to make things go well, “he said.
Nadal announced his participation in the 1,000 masters of Indian Wells and Miami, however he refused to talk about whether he will play the Davis Cup with Spain or his plans later because for now he is focused on the short term.
«At the moment I am happy to be in Acapulco. I can’t plan things for months, ”he insisted.
In the first round in Acapulco, Nadal will debut against his compatriot Feliciano López, with an ATP ranking 37 and if he wins, he will go in the second phase against the best among Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis and a player from the qualifying tournament.
If he reached the quarterfinals, the Spanish would have as a possible opponent in that phase the American Sam Querrey, defending champion, who if he reaches the top eight, will reissue with Nadal last year’s final.
“Now is living in the present. My illusion is training this afternoon and being prepared for the next game, “he concluded. EFE
«At this point in my career what I want is to be happy and I play the weeks that make me happy and content; Getting to one or five will depend on how much you play and the level, “he said.
In a press conference prior to the start of the Acapulco Open, the ATP 500 tournament in which he will start as the first favorite, Nadal acknowledged enjoying more when he is healthy, and confessed feeling lucky to remain as a protagonist on the circuit after many years.
“I am happy at the age of 31 and a half to be here still with the feeling of being competitive to fight for what motivates me,” he added.
After retiring in the Australian Open quarterfinals with an injury to Croatian Marin Cilic, the Spaniard took a month to recover and is now ready to pursue the title in Acapulco, where he won in 2005 and 2013.
«In 2005 in Acapulco I conquered my first 500, my first great tournament, and the 2013 triumph had special value because I had not competed for months at a level, my knee continued to bother me and winning was an important starting point. It is one of the tournaments that I carry in my heart, “he confessed.
Dressed in a white T-shirt, black shorts and tennis Blue, white and orange, Nadal was sober in front of journalists, he denied feeling like a favorite for the title despite being the player with the best ranking and summed up that his only task is to give everything.
«I neither feel like a favorite nor do I have inner pressure. I came to give the maximum and when you do that, you are not obliged to anything. I arrived on Friday, I have trained every day, morning and afternoon, I do gym work and I have made an effort to make things go well, “he said.
Nadal announced his participation in the 1,000 masters of Indian Wells and Miami, however he refused to talk about whether he will play the Davis Cup with Spain or his plans later because for now he is focused on the short term.
«At the moment I am happy to be in Acapulco. I can’t plan things for months, ”he insisted.
In the first round in Acapulco, Nadal will debut against his compatriot Feliciano López, with an ATP ranking 37 and if he wins, he will go in the second phase against the best among Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis and a player from the qualifying tournament.
If he reached the quarterfinals, the Spanish would have as a possible opponent in that phase the American Sam Querrey, defending champion, who if he reaches the top eight, will reissue with Nadal last year’s final.
“Now is living in the present. My illusion is training this afternoon and being prepared for the next game, “he concluded. EFE