Hollywood, FL 9/16/2010 12:14:22 AM
Rafael Nadal: "I'm So Happy"
Spanish Tennis Great Gives Modest Interview
Recent U.S. Open champion Rafael Nadal returned to Spain on Wednesday and gave a modest interview in which he suggests that he is not Spain's greatest athlete (contrary to what many might think). "I took an important step forward with this and these have been six
unforgettable months," Nadal said not long after arriving in Spain. "I can't say that I'm the best Spanish sports
person of all time because I have no idea. But it's an honor to be
considered... I'm not a complete player — there are always things I can improve... [But] I'm so happy with everything that happened and can't
ask for anything more" Winning his first U.S. Open title on Monday, Nadal became only the seventh man ever to win a career Grand Slam. He also became the first person since Rod Laver in 1969 to win Wimbledon, the French Open, and the U.S. Open all in the same year. At the young age of 24, Nadal has now won more than half the number of Grand Slam titles that tennis great Roger Federer has (Nadal 9, Federer 16). "I would love to have the success of Federer," Nadal said. "In nine
years, he's achieved things that are practically impossible to repeat.
It's difficult to be 100 percent each year, but he's managed to do it
and it's normal to have a little drop." Federer, who holds more Grand Slam titles than any other male player ever, almost met Nadal in the U.S. Open Final this year but was eliminated by Novak Djokovic in a very close semi-final match. Many tennis fans were hoping for a 'dream' Nadal-Federer Final match, but Djokovic ultimately proved to be a worthy competitor against both of these tennis greats.
"I don't know where [my successes] fit into this year. They are all important," said Nadal. "Luckily, we're living during an era of Spanish sport that will
be difficult to repeat. Of course, we could repeat it, but we should
enjoy it [now]." Indeed, Nadal's recent victory in tennis is only one part of a larger Spanish success this year in international sports competition, with Spain winning the World Cup and Alberto Contador winning the Tour de France (both in July). (Sources: Associated Press)
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