‘I achieve something that I never dreamed about’

Rafael Nadal made his first ATP Tour US match look in 2004 Indian Wells (l. To Calleri in 3R). This Wednesday he’ll do it once more: the present No. 3 within the FedEx ATP Rankings will play the primary recreation of his profession on the Citi Open in Washington, the place this week he’s the highest favourite of his.

It is going to be a brand new circumstance for the 88-time touring champion. However earlier than an previous acquaintance in entrance of the community. He’ll face native Jack Sock, in opposition to whom he’s 4-0 in ATP HeadToHead between them. This encounter will mark the start of Nadal’s fifty fifth participation in ATP Tour tournaments in the US.

In competitions on this nation, Nadal has 180 video games received and 226 performed. As well as, he has eight ATP titles, all on quick tracks. A defeat by Nadal on Wednesday would imply shedding the No. 3 place within the rankings to Stefanos Tsitsipas (with out participation this week) for not with the ability to defend the five hundred factors that he should defend this week by calendar if he doesn’t need to go down the ladder.

Nevertheless, the 34-year-old southpaw solely thinks about having fun with a brand new match in his profession. “I like being right here in Washington as a result of it’s not only a new occasion for me, it’s a new metropolis. I can go to some of the necessary cities on the planet.

And truthfully, it’s a very lovely one,” mentioned Rafa, who has not competed in the US since successful the US Open 2019.” I’m excited to play on this nation once more, particularly enjoying in entrance of crowds, in full stadiums.”

Nadal is bidding for his fifth title in New York

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer will head into this month’s US Open on 20 Grand Slams every, with every participant seeking to make the document their very own by the tip of the occasion.

“Actually, it is the identical as at all times (on how necessary it’s for him to win the US Open),” Nadal mentioned. “The truth that Novak has 20, Roger has 20, I’ve 20 do not improve the motivation for me, or the strain.

My method won’t change. I at all times keep the identical. I play my method. If Novak or Roger performs there and win, okay, nicely performed for them. I can’t be pissed off for that. I do know I obtain one thing that I by no means dreamed about, and I am gonna maintain combating, maintain doing issues.”

The Spaniard highlighted that crowds are an integral a part of sport and assist older gamers similar to himself by boosting their morale on courtroom. “In fact, I believe that sport, generally, wants a crowd,” Nadal mentioned.

“I believe it is harder for the extra older gamers than for the youthful gamers as a result of the youthful gamers, they’ve the vitality for all the things.”