Nadal Is Numero UNO

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 5th October 2013

Nadal Is Numero UNO

epa03896968 Rafael Nadal (R) of Spain puts on a shirt as fans raise a banner behind him during his semi-final match against Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic in the men's singles of the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China, 05 October 2013. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA |

Rafael Nadal may have returned to the ATP No.1 ranking for the first time in more than two years, but for the Spaniard who must deal with knee problems, his tennis is always all about his health. In fact, Nadal admitted that staying healthy is his greatest source of satisfaction on and off court.

The 27-year-old rose to top the table by reaching the weekend final in Beijing. He came to China with ten titles in 2013, a season which only started for him in February when he returned after seven months out with his knee worries.

“The personal satisfaction is not because I am number one today, it’s because all the work that I had, to be where I am today,” Nadal said after Tomas Berdych withdrew from their Beijing semi with back pain in the first set.

“What makes me happy, and I repeat it hundreds of times, is to feel myself competitive every time when I go to a tennis tournament, feel that I can win and lose against everybody. And be healthy. Without health, nothing is possible.”

While he’s happy to regain the top ranking he last held in July, 2011, Nadal said that his career does not depend on rankings fluctuations. “In the end, it’s just a number. What made me happy is all what I did to be back where I am today more than be what I am today.”

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, Tomas Berdych