Recently, Italian magazine IoDonna interviewed Rafael Nadal and asked him what he would do if Federer retired. The Spanish world number 1 said ‘With Federer, I have an amazing relationship‘, when asked if they are friends.?‘But my motivation on the court doesn’t change depending on who is in front of me.’?
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When Bjorn Borg announced his retirement, long-time rival John McEnroe admitted that he was influenced by it.
‘It’s not good when you play you should be motivated. The only goal is to overcome yourself. Because you can win or lose, but the only true satisfaction is bringing yourself beyond the limit.’?
Nadal was also asked to speak about?Andre Agassi’s?book “Open”. In the book, the American spoke about his father’s obsession to make his son play tennis. But Rafa said, ‘I didn’t read it.?Agassi is Agassi. That story is his story and he can’t speak for everyone.’?
In the interview, he was asked where he sees himself within ten years. Nadal replied: ‘As a young guy, I thought that at 30 I would already have retired and instead I am still here.
Earlier today, Nadal withdrew from the Queens’ Club event on the advice of his doctor.
“I have spoken to my doctors and need to listen to what my body is telling me,” the 32-year-old Spaniard said.
“I would like to say sorry to the tournament organisers and the fans that were hoping to see me play.”
He had won at Queens nearly a decade ago, but the last time he played was in 2015.
“Queen’s is a great event, I have happy memories of winning the title in 2008 and I wanted to come back this year,” he added.?”But it has been a very long clay-court season for me with great results.”
Whether this will affect his participation in Wimbledon is unknown.
