Rafael Nadal: 'Perhaps the most complicated year that we have ever lived'

World number 2 Rafael Nadal has already started preparing for the start of next season, training with several up and coming youngsters over the past two weeks. In 2020 the Spanish phenomenon still managed to get some great satisfaction, having conquered Roland Garros for the 13th time after demolishing Novak Djokovic in the final. That success also allowed the Majorcan to equal the record of 20 Grand Slam titles of eternal rival Roger Federer, who this year played only in the Australian Open due to a double surgery on his right knee. During the Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy, Rafa sealed his 1000th victory in the major circuit, an incredible statistic for a player who did not seem destined to have a long career. Through a video posted on his Twitter account, the former ATP number 1 wished to wish a Merry Christmas and a happy 2021 to all his fans, expressing words of condolence to all those families who have suffered losses in this very difficult year.

Nadal reflects on this complicated year

"Hello everyone, I would like to wish you a merry Christmas and all the best for 2021," Rafael Nadal can be seen saying in the video. "We say goodbye to a year that's better to forget without any doubt, perhaps the most complicated year that we have ever lived at least that I have lived since I can remember." Nadal also made a mention of the vaccine that has started being administered in some parts of the world, expressing hope that it will reach 'most households'. "I want to send a lot of encouragement and my condolences to all the people who have lost a loved one and in the way that they have lost them. Let's hope things will get better little by little," Nadal said. "This 2020 is a special year, but many projects that we had in mind had to be postponed but let's hope that in 2021 things will improve," the Spaniard added. "That the vaccine can reach most households and that we can recover the life we all know." The affable Spaniard then beckoned his fans to act responsibly, and to not make an already bad situation worse. He ended his message by sending everyone virtual hugs and wishing them strength to overcome any future crises. "I wish you all the best, that we act with responsibility because I think it's a delicate moment without any doubt it also depends on us that things don't get worse, they are already bad enough as they are. Big hug for everyone and much strength for these tough moments," Nadal said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2Jjqf5b