Nadal Plays Less for 2012—Nathan’s Blog

Written by: Staff on 20th December 2011

Nadal Plays Less for 2012—Nathan’s Blog

Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal (C) celebrates in front of members of the Argentinian team after defeating Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro in their match of the Davis Cup final between Spain and Argentina at the Olympic stadium in Seville, southern Spain, 04 December 2011. Nadal won 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 and 7-6 (0) and achieved the fifth Davis Cup title for Spain. EPA/JULIO MUNOZ |

By: Nathan M. Cuny

Nadal is looking to regain the No.1 spot in 2012, but Nadal isn’t the only top player with No.1 dreams. Federer wants the spot back for many reasons, one being a new world record for cumulative weeks at No.1. Djokovic won’t give up his title without a fight, with a 4,035 point lead on Nadal, and a 5,460 point lead on Federer.

In addition to his hopes at regaining the No.1 position in 2012, Nadal also has the Olympic gold singles medal to defend in the upcoming London Olympics. Nadal won the men’s singles Olympic gold back at the 2008 Beijing games. Nadal astounded many tennis fans by winning his first Olympic gold during his first try at the Olympics. Federer has attempted three times to win the Olympic gold in singles and has yet to claim one.

As part of Nadal’s Olympic gold title defense, Nadal has withdrawn from Spain’s Davis Cup team. Nadal won the Davis Cup finals for Spain four different years in 2004, 2008, 2009, and 2011. After a rough 2011 season and failing to advance in the Barclays ATP World Tour finals, Nadal made a small comeback when he defeated Juan Martin del Potro 1-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6(0) at the Davis Cup final.

Nadal finished the 2011 season with a year-leading 82 matches. Regarding the high number of matches Nadal frequently participates in, he stated, “Next year I will not play. It’s an Olympic year. For many years, I have been one of the players that plays the highest number of matches and I don’t want to overplay. I want a coherent calendar. So, next year, my participation in the Davis Cup is impossible. Then we will think about the future.”

Nadal will make two appearances prior to the Australian Open, scheduled for January 16, 2012. Nadal starts the 2012 season at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi, and then the Qatar Open before playing the first grand slam of the year. Nadal’s main concern is maintaining fitness, like the knee injury he’s been healing with his physical trainer as he prepares for the 2012 London Olympics. With such big goals in the near future for Nadal, choosing to play less may prove a very wise choice. Nadal’s performance should be greatly improved and so will his chances at becoming No.1 once more and defending his Olympic gold.

Topics: Atp, Federer, nadal