Rafael Nadal: “I Am Not Better Than Ever Before”

Published 08/21/2019, 7:02 AM EDT

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World No.2, Rafael Nadal became the first player to claim a spot at the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals. The Spaniard qualified for the event for a record 15th straight season. Nadal is also leading the 2019 season with 7,225 points, while Novak Djokovic not far behind stands at the second position with 7,085 points.

Rafael Nadal also has the second-highest wins in 2019 with 41 matches wins behind Daniil Medvedev, who has 44 matches wins in the 2019 season till date. However, the 33-year-old denied that this is the best form of his historic career.

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Talking about the difference between him then and now, Rafael Nadal brushed off the suggestions that he is playing better than ever before. He said, “No. I am not better than ever before. I am how I am today. I’m having a good season more or less, being competitive almost in every single event that I have been playing.”

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The 18-time Grand Slam champion has won 3 titles in the 2019 Calendar so far including the French Open. He also reached the finals of the Australian Open 2019 and the semifinals of the Wimbledon championships.

Nadal also captured his record-extending 35th ATP Tour Masters 1000 title at the Montreal Open 2019. The Mallorcan recalled that despite being troubled with injuries, he has had a great season till now.

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“Of course, I had some physical issues in the first three, four months of the season,” Nadal said. “But I have been playing solid, played the final in Australia, then semifinals in Indian Wells, then three semifinals on clay, two titles, semifinals at Wimbledon. Happy the way that I am competing and enjoying.”

Rafael Nadal also revealed his key to success he suggested that he is never overconfident and tries to give his 100 percent regardless of the opponent. The Spaniard concluded, “I am never too confident. I always respect every situation and every opponent. That’s why I’m always putting my 100% attention.”

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Written by:

Varun Khanna

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Starting off as a tennis author in 2018, Varun Khanna has gone on to contribute to EssentiallySports in various capacities. After setting up interviews with the likes of Serena Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Alizé Cornet, and Noah Rubin, Varun is now part of all major ATP and WTA press conferences and has gone on to pen more than 1300 articles for EssentiallySports. He now heads the tennis and NBA division of the organization.
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