Rafa Nadal: “I have always maintained determination and enthusiasm” | ATP Tour

Rafael Nadal

Nadal: “I have always maintained determination and enthusiasm”

The Spaniard recognizes that he would change things in his career

October 25, 2024

“If I could go back, I would change things.”

The phrase bears the signature of Rafael Nadal, and comes a few days after the champion of 22 Grand Slam titles closes his professional career in the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.

“Although I believe that in the end I did what I had to do the vast majority of the time, which was to live each moment with enthusiasm, with passion, with intensity, always trying to improve and have appropriate behavior,” explained the Mallorcan in an interview. in the AS newspaper. “For me that is the most important thing.”

Looking back after more than 20 years of career, Nadal is clear that he can leave peacefully with what he has left on the court.

“I think I have made an effort and I leave with the peace of mind of having done, I think, everything I could and a little more too,” Nadal said. “Because in the end, with the injuries, I didn’t let myself go, I had the determination to always try to come back, to continue, and do it in a positive way,” he added. “I guess I’ve done it. I have been through many things for which at some point it would have been easy, and perhaps logical, to let myself go a little more and say, that’s it. But I have the great personal satisfaction of having had a team that has helped me at all times, a family that has been with me when I have needed it most. And I have always maintained that determination and enthusiasm for what could come.”

“Of course I have made a lot of mistakes in my career and in my life as well,” confessed the Mallorcan. “You assume it and look forward. On Mondays, we all always know what we would have done on Friday, but I have always tried to do things as I felt them and with a good intention. And what have I been wrong? That I have made decisions that have later led me to be in more problems? Yes, but it has also turned out well many times and I have ended up winning very important tournaments. So where is the balance? “If we knew on Monday, if we had always chosen the conservative option, then maybe instead of having the ones I have, I would have 12 Grand Slams,” he responded. “It is always difficult to find the perfect balance, but of course, if I went back now, I would tell you exactly the points in which I would not repeat what I did.”

An entire life dedicated to the elite, full of sacrifices but also rewards.