Speaking to France’s Stade 2 in a promotion for his tennis academy, Rafael Nadal looked ahead to his goals for next year including a 10th French Open title and a return to No. 1, which Nadal revealed is no longer a career goal.
“For me it won’t be a goal in my career anymore,” Nadal said at the 4:10 mark about the No. 1 ranking. “If I have become No. 1 because of the results I have, it’s great. But I’m not going to pursue this objective. I will follow my schedule.
“My big goal is to play as many years as possible. What I won’t do is put at risk the best years of my career to get the No. 1 spot. It won’t be anymore an objective for me.
“My goal is to be happy and I think I am.”
Nadal has finished No. 1 three times (2008, 2010, 2013) and has spent 141 weeks at the top spot.
After an injury-plagued 2014, Nadal opens play next week in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
You Might Like:
Grigor Dimitrov: Making The ATP Finals Is A Dream Come True
By Winning Sydney Petra Kvitova Will Be No. 1 On The WTA Rankings
Novak Djokovic On Catching Roger Federer’s 17 Slams: I Don’t Think About It At All, It’s Not A Goal!
Robin Soderling: Maybe It Would Be Better If Rafael Nadal Lost Again At The French Open
Fish Forges Ahead in Atlanta, Faces Harrison in SF; Almagro v. Simon in Hamburg Final