Rafael Nadal extended his lead in the men’s Grand Slam race on Monday, but is not focused on finishing ahead of his great rivals.
The Spaniard won his 22nd major trophy with a comfortable set victory over Casper Ruud, putting him two ahead of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Watch Live Tennis with beIN SPORTS in Kayo. Live coverage of ATP + WTA tournaments, including all final matches. Are we in Kayo? Try 14 days free now>
“I’ll try to keep going” Rafa unfinished 00:58
But while tennis fans are obsessed with the greatest debate of all time (GOAT) by men, the man of the moment is not.
Nadal was quick to close any suggestions to motivate himself to finish his career with seniors older than Federer and Djokovic, who have both won 20 Grand Slams.
“It’s very easy for me to understand. I don’t know, sometimes for you (the media) it’s a little different,” Nadal said when asked what drives him at 36, even when you have to fight the debilitating pain of a serious foot injury that threatens yours. career.
“It’s not about being the best in history, it’s not about the records, but I like what I do, I like playing tennis and I like competition.
“We achieved our dreams: me, Roger, Novak. We achieved things we probably never expected.
‘It’s not a philosophy I want to follow’ 03:48
“For me, what drives me to continue is not the competition to try to be the best, to win more Grand Slam than the others.
“What keeps me going is my passion for the game. Live moments that stay inside me forever and play in front of the best audience in the world and the best stadiums. That’s what moves me and the passion for what I do.
“Then, of course, if I don’t feel competitive, I don’t enjoy it, so that’s it.
“It’s not about winning more titles. It’s about giving me the opportunity to keep doing what I love to do. “
Roland Garros’ Christmas record is ridiculous. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP) Source: AFP
It’s a very different point of view from Djokovic, who in the past has been motivated by trophies and time spent as number 1 in the world, a ranking he has maintained for longer than any other player in men’s history since. of having reached 311 weeks at the head. last year.
“I really appreciate all the records and successes. Being the world’s number one player is probably the ultimate success of our sport, “Djokovic said in November.
It was something that Nadal himself pointed out about Djokovic in 2021.
“He’s more focused on just those things and it means a lot to him all these things,” Nadal said. “As always he’s saying and talking about these records and great for him, but that’s not my focus on my tennis career.”
Nadal is now tied with Steffi Graf in 22 grand slams, just behind Serena Williams (23) and Margaret Court (24). It remains to be seen if he will be able to add to that figure after revealing the extent of his foot injury following his 14th win at the French Open.
The left-winger has said he can’t keep playing if he has to keep his foot asleep and acknowledged that “I can’t go on like this, but I’m working to find a solution.”
“Obviously with the circumstances I’m playing with, I can’t and I don’t want to continue, so the mentality is very clear. I will continue to work to try to find a solution and an improvement for what is happening at the foot “, he added.
Nadal revealed that he needed analgesic injections in his left foot before each match and that he will receive treatment again this week in Spain.
“It simply came to our notice then. If not, it will be another story and I will ask myself if I am ready to have major surgery that may not guarantee that I will be competitive and that it will take a long time to return. ”
Djokovic goes beyond Christmas in the Grand Slam race. (Photo by Ryan Pierse / Getty Images) Source: Getty Images
Nadal said getting anesthesia injections into the nerves of his foot was the only way he could have passed the tournament.
He and his medical team will now use a technique that will burn the nerve using what he described as “radiofrequency injections” to “numb both nerves.”
Nadal said he intends to play at Wimbledon, where he is a two-time champion and will start in three weeks.
“I will be at Wimbledon if my body is ready to be at Wimbledon. That is. Wimbledon is not a tournament I want to miss,” he said.
“I love Wimbledon. So if you ask me if I’ll be at Wimbledon, I can’t give you a clear answer. Let’s see how the treatment works.” If the treatment works and you can survive with anti-inflammatory and non-anesthetic, you will be at the All England Club after being out of the tournament last year.
“If I can play with anti-inflammatory drugs, yes; play with anesthesia injections, no. I don’t want to put myself in that position again. “
With AFP