“I Know the Day to Say Goodbye is Closer” – Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal, recovering from a hip injury post the Australian Open, seems to be back to his prime. He won the Monte-Carlo Masters, a record 11 times, beating Kei Nishikori 6-3,6-2. He won the tournament not losing more than 5 games in a match. He showed absolutely no signs of rustiness as he demolished his opponents to take his record 31st Masters title.

Despite the impressive form he seems to be in, Nadal believes he just wants to cherish each victory as they come knowing he might have to say goodbye very soon to Tennis.

“My true feeling is that these kind of things are not going to happen forever, so I just try to enjoy and to play with full passion and with full energy and concentration, full love for the sport for as long as I can,” Nadal said.

“I know the day to say goodbye is closer than 10 years ago.

“It’s something that I am not worried about, but it’s a real thing. So I’m just enjoying every day and trying to play with the best attitude possible, to keep being happy playing tennis.”

He now moves his attention to clinch his 11th Barcelona Open and an 11th Rolland Garros. Nadal said that he’ll be looking to take this momentum forward.

“It’s important for my confidence. It’s true that the longest match here was one hour 30 (minutes). That’s great news,” he said.

“Today is a day to enjoy this because winning a tournament like this one doesn’t happen every day.

“But tomorrow I need to start being focused on the next week. It’s not the moment to stop and disconnect your mind.

“It’s the moment to stay focused and to keep holding that good momentum after winning seven matches in a row on clay now this year.”

Speaking on his 11th victory here at Monte-Carlo, Nadal said it was indeed something special. Something unbelievable.

“Eleven titles here, it’s unbelievable, so… It’s something difficult to imagine,” he said.

“I always say the same: If I did (it), somebody else can do it. But it’s very difficult.

“I really don’t know how these things can happen because it’s a lot of years without making mistakes and without being unlucky on this week (in Monte Carlo). I have been unlucky other weeks, but not this week.”

Read: ‘I’m not 20 anymore’ – Djokovic