Rafael Nadal: 'I always had a passion for the game, despite many setbacks'

Rafael Nadal has been ranked inside the top-10 since April 2005, never leaving the exclusive group and lifting 20 Major titles. Securing the status of one of the greatest players of all time a long time ago, Nadal is still passionate about tennis at 34, getting back where he belongs after Roland Garros 2017 and remaining in the top-2 for three and a half years. Despite many injuries and setbacks, Nadal has always had massive support from his team and family, working hard and remaining humble on his incredible path towards greatness. Returning to Paris, Rafa is chasing the first Paris Masters trophy as the top seed, reaching the quarter-final for the eighth time from as many entries following victories over Feliciano Lopez and Jordan Thompson. Nadal had to dig deep against Feliciano Lopez in the first clash, prevailing 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 to become the fourth player in the Open era with 1000 ATP wins after Jimmy Connors, Ivan Lendl and Roger Federer.

Rafa fended off three out of four break chances, wasting opportunities in set number two before clinching it in the tie break to stay alive. The younger Spaniard grabbed an early break in the third set and served well to bring the victory home at 5-4 and move into the last 16. In the third round, Nadal took down Jordan Thompson 6-1, 7-6. It was the 388th Masters 1000 victory and 1001st on the Tour since 2002. Rafa lost 12 points on serve, fending off the only break chance and delivering two breaks in the opener.

Rafael Nadal is proud with the way his career has developed.

The 20-time Major champion had to dig deep in set number two, creating no opportunities on the return but sealing the deal in the tie break to move over the top in straight sets. Unlike against Lopez, it was an excellent start for the Spaniard, taking control early on and wrapping up the opener in just over 30 minutes with two breaks of serve. Thompson raised his level in set number two, doing a lot of damage with his initial shot but falling in the tie break to push Rafa thorugh. 

"I'm proud of many things in my career. I faced injuries during different parts of it, and I have always held passion for the game and what I do. In the toughest moments of my tennis journey, I stayed hungry to keep going and humbled to accept all the challenges and the fact that things were not going the way that I expected in some moments. People around me and my family have always supported me, and nothing of this wouldn't be possible without them," Rafael Nadal said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3k2nCB2