The sky’s the limit for Rafael Nadal following his recent triumph at the Monte Carlo Masters.
Last week, the 30-year-old defeated Albert Ramos-Vinolas in straight sets to win a record 10th title in Monte Carlo. The victory made the Spaniard the first ever player on the men’s tour to win 50 titles on the clay. It is a fitting record for a player, who has always shined on his beloved clay.
Over the years, the Manacor native has suffered his own setbacks due to injury. The most recent was his wrist, which forced him to withdraw from last year’s French Open. The world of tennis couldn’t help but feel sorrow for Nadal, as he announced his withdrawal during a Paris press conference. Since then, the Spaniard has bounced back in style, reaching the final at this year’s Australian Open. The comeback is an expected one given Nadal’s talent. Furthermore, it is also thanks to a change in perspective that has enhanced Nadal’s surge at the age of 30.
“I’m excited to continue doing what I do, I want to be up there, I enjoy being competitive and I can fight for important things.” Nadal recently told abc.es.
“A while ago I just focused on winning, winning, winning, winning … It was all that was worth. The end of a tournament was not good for me.’
“I’m taking things in a different way, with the same ambitions, but with the illusion of being there, to continue fighting against all.”
The fresh mindset comes during an era where more players are playing later into their careers. At the age of 23 Nadal expected to retire at the age of 28, but has kept fighting for titles on the tour. Retirement is now no longer a talking point in the Nadal camp. Instead, it is about creating more records and chasing after title No.10 at Roland Garros. Eventually the curtain will close on Nadal’s career, but when remains unknown.
“At 23 I would have signed to reach 28 (to retire). At 28 I started to think about reaching the 30. Things are going on, I am happy now with what I do, I wake up every morning with the same motivation, I love this Life, continues to excite me.” He explained.
It is the passion that is Nadal’s driving force, not his pure talent. Spanish Davis Cup captain Arantxa Sanchez Vicario recently said ‘mentality is what makes you a champion.’ Sanchez Vicario isn’t wrong. Many other players such as Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer has credited mental ability to winning major titles.
Heading into this week’s Barcelona Open, an event Nadal has dominated in recent years, the world No.5 has a win-loss of 24-5 already this season. He has reach the final at four out of his last five tournaments in what is one of the best starts to a season in his entire career.
“I have not had much better start to the season than this one,” he said. “We are now in a very important phase for me with the clay tour.”
“I want to continue with Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Paris, I want to win Roland Garros, but I have never been obsessive.”
This week, the ‘king of clay’ is bidding to win his 71st ATP title and tenth in Barcelona.
