Rafael Nadal: 'Since 2005 we had to start to change'

A few days before the Roland Garros final, Novak Djokovic's coach Goran Ivanisevic predicted a smooth victory for the World number 1 against clay king Rafael Nadal. The Croatian believed that the Spaniard had no chance of stopping his protégé. As we all know, the Majorcan proved how wrong Ivanisevic was, leaving the misery of seven games to a defenseless Djokovic like few times in his career. By winning the Parisian Grand Slam for the 13th time, Rafa has equaled the 20 Grand Slam record of eternal rival Roger Federer and ignited the GOAT debate once again. Nadal recently took part in the show 'La Resistencia' hosted by David Broncano, who asked him a series of questions about the events of the last month. An opinion on Ivanisevic's rash statements could not be missing.

Nadal opens up about his scheduling decisions 

"I swear that I didn't hear what Ivanisevic said before the final,” Rafael Nadal said. “Someone told me after. It was a bit arrogant of him,” Nadal continued. “But the conditions were better for Novak Djokovic.” Continuing about Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal also mentioned how the Serb was unlucky to be disqualified from the US Open. "I was watching golf at home when Djokovic was DQ from the US Open,” Nadal revealed. “People started sending me messages. When I saw the moment, I thought he was out. The rule is clear. It was very unlucky." Currently at home recovering from his French Open exploits. “I am taking more breaks (each year) and the schedule that best suits me to be competitive,” Nadal said. “As for training, it is about doing it with maximum intensity, two hours or four. At twenty years old, I was at full capacity. Since 2005, due to a foot injury, we had to start to change," Nadal went on. Rafael Nadal then began to wax lyrical about the beauty of his home-town Mallorca. He also spoke about the positive impact that the sea had on him as a player. “In Mallorca, we have incredible places,” Nadal said. “People stay on the beaches but we have places with beautiful interiors. And, of course, the sea. The sea gives me power when I return to the tournaments," explained Nadal. Fifteen of the ATP Top 20 players are registered in the Paris tournament – including the French Open 2020 Champion Rafael Nadal and the US Open 2020 Champion Dominic Thiem. The defending champion and World No. 1 Novak Djokovic prioritized Vienna Open which is currently ongoing in Austria to add another year to his year-end No.1 record. The defending finalist Canadian Denis Shapovalov also resigned from the Paris Masters 1000 event which concluded his 2020 season on a rather bitter note. He was knocked out in the first round of the Vienna Open 2020 in two straight sets.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/37Sjxgs