Rafael Nadal has arrived in Middle East ahead of his first match of the 2011 season at an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi. He will play his first match today against Tomas Berdych.
After being dubbed the World Champion of Champions (or ‘Champion des Champions monde de l’année 2010’) by L’Équipe, Nadal talked to media about the things that lie ahead.
“2010 has been the most emotional year in my career and the best in terms of results. I am very happy with the way things have gone and I can’ t really ask for more.
The season is always very long and there is a lot of time to do things either well or badly, but I will start next year without too much pressure because things went so well in 2010. It will be difficult to repeat my results.”
Rafa also talked about how his knees are feeling, almost a year after retiring from the Australian Open quarterfinals after injuring his knees again. “We can’t fool ourselves, injury is a part of sport and although I have had moments when my condition has been a bit complicated, it has been much different to that of other players. I have been in the top two in the world for the past six years and that would not have been possible if I had not been in condition and had suffered long term injuries. I feel lucky.”
If Rafa wins in Australia he will be the first man since Rod Laver to hold all four Grand Slams. Despite winning in 2009, Nadal is not optimistic but insists he will try. “That is almost impossible, it is almost a utopia. It is very hard to win three in a year. I have the chance to do that, but it is another Grand Slam. I think it is the only chance I will have to win the four titles consecutively and if I am going to do it, then this will have to be the time.”
Nadal has traveled with long time girlfriend Xisca Perello.
