Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal has dismissed claims that a break in competitive tennis earlier this year was a blessing in disguise for him.
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a series of tournaments either getting suspended or cancelled. At the height of the virus there were no events played on the ATP Tour from the middle of March until August 24th with the ranking system being frozen. Making it the longest break in competitive tennis since the Open Era began back in 1969.
As a consequence, players found themselves staying at home for weeks and months in what is an usual situation for them. Tennis is renowned for its wide ranging international travel and demanding calendar which normally operates between January and November. For Nadal, he remained in his home town of Mallorca but dismisses claims that his break during lockdown aided his tennis.
“I believe that the lockdown has not benefited anyone except for the purpose of trying to stop the spread of the virus,” he told Celebrity Magazine. “I don’t think that it has benefited anyone in the tennis world and it was difficult, together with preparing for the unknown.’
“But in the end with a clear goal, we managed to work properly, avoiding injuries and adapting to the needs. In my case when the body stops for a long time it definitely doesn’t help, and I had to do a great deal of pre-tournament work in order to regain, not only my physical condition, but also my tennis.’
“If you ask all players they would give you different opinions, especially based on age.”
Opting to skip the US Open, Nadal started his return in September on his beloved clay by reaching the quarter-finals of the Italian Open. Following Rome, he clinched a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam at the French Open by beating Djokovic in the final. He then ended his year with back-to-back semi-final appearances at the Paris Masters and ATP Finals. During that period Nadal won 14 out of 18 matches played.
Reflecting on his time in lockdown, the 34-year-old admitted that he personally found it difficult due to being unable to properly train as he wished. On the other hand, the situation also had a silver lining for Nadal who managed to switch his attention to other activities.
“It was difficult since I am a very active person and to be in an apartment without being able to exercise much, and do the things I am used to doing, was not easy,” he said.
“So, I dedicated time to do things to help people in need. The campaign we did with Pau Gasol and the Spanish Red Cross was significant and took some time that normally I wouldn’t have. We were very happy with its success, and the money we managed to collect for the people in need.”
Nadal’s fundraising campaign with basketball star Gasol raised more than €14m which was invested in helping those who have been affected by the pandemic. The #NuestraMejorVictoria (Our Best Victory) campaign was formed to support the Spanish Red Cross and their Red Cross Responds project.
Despite his successes both on and off the court in 2020, Nadal says it is something else that has been the biggest positive for him this year.
”The positives are that the closest to me are safe and okay, and none suffered badly from the pandemic,” he explains.
“First for me is the health of my people, always. Then we all know it’s been a year not to be happy with. A year where a lot of people have died, and a year that will bring negative consequences for the future. So, no, not that many got memories of 2020.”
Nadal is currently ranked second in the ATP rankings after Novak Djokovic.