Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal has insisted he was never obsessed with his battle to finish his career with more Grand Slam titles than his great rival Novak Djokovic.
Nadal confirmed earlier this month that he will retire after next month’s Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, bringing down the curtain on a career than saw him win a remarkable 22 Grand Slam titles, with 14 of those coming at the French Open.
Now he has been reflecting on his story in an extensive interview with AS, as he was asked whether he laments the tournament wins he may have missed out on after the final years of his career were affected by injuries.
“In the end, it is obvious that I have missed out more than all my rivals, in terms of chances of winning Grand Slams, but the reality is that this has happened to me,” he said.
“I am never one to think ‘if I had done it’ or ‘if I hadn’t had’ (those injuries). It has been like this and, with it, I have had a career that I would never have imagined and I am more than happy.
“I have spoken about it with (Roger) Federer recently, with Carlos (Alcaraz) and his family here one morning the other day. You want to be the best when you are in competition because it is the nature of sport. I have wanted to be the best or at least I have wanted to try to be the best.
“But that has never led me to have an obsession with it. My desire has always been a personal challenge, of wanting to be the best due to my own motivation and improvement.
“I believe in having a good and big ambition, but at the same time healthy. And I said it the other day speaking with Federer. Yes, it is true that when you are in the middle of the race and competing, you want to win.
“You get to the end of your career and, honestly, I’m not even the slightest bit more satisfied than Federer for having 22 (Grand Slam titles) and he 20. And I don’t think I’d be any more satisfied or happy if I were 25, one more than (Djokovic’s) 24. I say this from the heart.
“Of course I’d like to be 25, without a doubt, because that’s what sport is about, trying to be the best. However, when it’s over, you value what it’s been all together, not whether it’s been a little bit more.
“I think you value that in the end, you’ve managed to give your best, live, make one of your childhood hobbies a very important part of your life. And, on top of that, successfully. I feel very lucky, beyond the injuries.
“The fact of having had all these problems, and I mean it, has made me value at all times all the positive things that have happened to me. I think it’s allowed me to enjoy it.”
When asked about regrets in his career, Nadal admitted he had made errors over the course of his tennis journey that have had an impact on his final story.
“Yes, of course, I would change things, obviously,” he added.
“Those who say no, that they wouldn’t change anything, are deeply arrogant. Of course, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my career and in my life too. You accept it and look ahead.
“On Mondays, we all always know what we would have done on Friday. But I’ve always tried to do things the way I felt and with good intentions. And what have I done wrong?
“What have I made decisions that have led me to more problems later? Yes, but many times it has also worked out well for me and I have ended up winning very important tournaments.
“So, where is the balance? If we knew on Monday, if we had always chosen the conservative option, then maybe instead of having what I have, I would have 12 Grand Slams.
“It’s always difficult to find the perfect balance, but of course, if I went back now, I would tell you exactly the points in which I wouldn’t repeat what I did.”
