Nadal Motivated By Love of Game, Not Grand Slam Record News

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Nadal Motivated By Love of Game, Not Grand Slam Record

By Daily Sports on September 10, 2019

Rafa Nadal moved within one Grand Slam title of tying Roger Federer’s all-time mark of 20 on Sunday but even after adding a fourth U.S. Open to his collection the Spaniard said it was his love of the game, not records, that motivates him.

Nadal fended off a late comeback from Daniil Medvedev to win a five-set classic at Flushing Meadows, winning a 19th slam that also took him three clear of Novak Djokovic’s 16 titles.

“I am playing tennis because I love to play tennis,” Nadal told reporters.

“I can’t just think about Grand Slams. Tennis is more than Grand Slams. I need to think about the rest of the things.

“I play to be happy. Of course, the victory of today makes me super happy.”

It is anyone’s guess who among the ‘Big Three’ will finish their career with the most slams.

At 33, Nadal may have the edge on Federer, the 38-year-old Swiss crashing out of the U.S. Open in the quarter-finals and failing to add to his Grand Slam titles since winning the 2018 Australian Open.

If nowhere else, Nadal will be a hot favourite at the French Open, where he has won a record 12 titles including the last three.

“You can’t be all day looking next to you about if one having more or one having little bit less because you will be frustrated,” he said.

“All the things that I achieved in my career are much more than what I ever thought and what I ever dream.

“I would love to be the one who have more. But I really believe that I will not be happier or less happy if that happens or not happen,” he said. (Reuters)

•Photo shows Rafa Nadal

Source Daily Sports

Posted September 10, 2019