'Even if that has happened to Rafael Nadal 10 times...', says French ace

Rafael Nadal is widely recognized as one of the humblest athletes in the history of sport, a quality that has allowed him to continue improving despite having already achieved incredible successes. Less than a month ago, the former world number 1 conquered Roland Garros for the 13th time by demolishing Novak Djokovic in the final. Another triumph in Paris also allowed him to equal Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slams, who this year played only in the Australian Open before undergoing knee surgery. The Spanish phenomenon will be involved in Paris-Bercy before closing his season at the ATP Finals in London. French veteran Gilles Simon has never hidden his enormous admiration for the 20-time Grand Slam champion, which he gave a detailed account of in his book 'The Sport that makes you crazy'. 'Gillou' especially praised the Mallorcan's attitude, citing specific episodes in which his humility was particularly evident.

Simon on Rafael Nadal's humility

“This is his humility, in his ability to always start from scratch, not in the sentences he makes before and after the games,” Gilles Simon wrote. "Do not tell me that Rafael Nadal is humble because he said in a press conference that he is not favorite in the first round of Roland Garros,” Simon said. Instead, Simon believes Rafael Nadal's true humility is best evidenced in his play and demeanor on the court. The Frenchman cited the example of Nadal’s second-round match at the 2016 Indian Wells Masters, where he was playing against Alexander Zverev. “His humility, he shows it on the court, as in this match against Zverev (2016),” Simon added. “This is humility: being in the present, despite all his records. Even if that has happened to him 10 times... well he didn't care,” the Frenchman wrote further. “He was like a kid.” Rafael Nadal, rejuvenated after winning his 13th French Open at 34, has committed to finishing his disjointed season in London in a fortnight’s time, if he comes through the Paris Masters unscathed this week. If he wins at Bercy the Spaniard will be inspired to joust with Novak Djokovic for end-of-year bragging rights at the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena, scheduled to begin on 15 November. Nadal, who has not won the indoor hardcourt WTF tournament in nine attempts, beat the five-time champion Djokovic on his favoured clay in straight sets at Roland Garros three weeks ago. The Serb has not entered Paris but his compatriot Filip Krajinovic or the Spanish veteran Feliciano López will play Nadal when he joins the final ATP 1000 event of 2020 in the second round.

 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2GnOnCd