Rafael Nadal: 'Achieving 1000 wins is a special feeling, but it also means I'm old'

Rafael Nadal scored the first ATP victory at home in Mallorca in April 2002 at 15, adding 1000 more to his tally in the next 18 and a half years. The 34-year-old Spaniard is through to the quarter-final at Paris Masters, beating Jordan Thompson 6-1, 7-6 in round three. In his first match of the tournament, Nadal ousted Feliciano Lopez in three tight sets, becoming the fourth player in the Open era with 1000 ATP wins after Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl and Roger Federer. Speaking after the triumph, Rafa said he feels great about the achievement, joking that he also feels old. It was Nadal's tenth victory over the older compatriot, prevailing in set number two and scoring an early break in the decider that pushed him over the top and towards the record. Rafa fended off three out of four break chances, wasting numerous opportunities in set number two before clinching the victory in the tie break. Nadal lost serve in the first game after a double fault for a shaky start and a setback.

Lopez confirmed the advantage with a service winner in game two before Rafa got his name on the scoreboard with a hold at 30. The veteran saved a break chance at 2-1 with an ace down the T line, while Nadal fired another ace to remain within one break deficit. Rafa netted a forehand in game six to hand another game to his rival, delivering one good hold after another but finding no way to seize a break and prolong the set. Feliciano moved 5-3 in front, serving for the set in game ten. With no sign of nerves, the 39-year-old held at love following a service winner to wrap up the opener in 40 minutes, leaving Nadal with a lot of work to be done.

At 34, Rafael Nadal became the fourth player with 1000 ATP victories. 

With no room for errors, Rafa lost four points behind the initial shot in set number two and created five break chances to keep the pressure on the other side. Lopez saved them and reached a tie break that Rafa won 7-5 to set a decider. Nadal held at 15 with an unreturned serve in the first game and earned two break opportunities at 2-1.

Feliciano saved those to stay in contention, playing against four more break chances at 2-3. Nadal failed to convert any of those, with both serving well in the remaining games to reach a tie break. At 3-3, Rafa landed a volley winner to grab a mini-break, firing two winners to earn three set points. Lopez saved two on his serve before Nadal seized the third to seal the set and gather a boost ahead of the decider. The younger Spaniard clinched a break at love in the first game of the third set and saved two break chances in the next one to move 2-0 in front. That opening game proved crucial after commanding holds on both sides, with Nadal moving over the top with a solid service game at 5-4.

"Achieving the 1000th victory means that I'm old. I got there because I have played well for a very long time, which makes me happy. I want to thank all the people that have helped me to be where I am at the moment. It's a special moment; 1000 is a unique number. It's not the same to celebrate it without the crowd, but the ATP officials, the French Federation president, Guy Forget and others were there with me. I want to thank them for making this moment very special," Rafael Nadal said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/363Pi3C