Rafa Nadal's heartbreaking admission in post-match interview
Rafa Nadal has made the sad admission the World No.1 ranking is an achievement of the past following his winning return on the ATP Tour.
Nadal didn't need to be at his scintillating best, but was able to race through his first match back on Tour at the Mexican Open in Acapulco.
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The Spaniard hasn't played since winning his 21st grand slam title - taking him ahead of both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on the all-time mens' leaderboard - at the Australian Open.
After defeating American Denis Kudla, Nadal said he was happy with his performance and couldn't believe he had started 2022 with an undefeated record.
However, Nadal was asked if he thought he could regain the World No.1 ranking.
Djokovic is likely to lose his stranglehold on the top spot in the near future because of his vaccination status, which bars him from playing the majority of tournaments as it stands.
If Daniil Medvedev (Australian Open finalist and US Open winner) triumphs in Acapulco he will take over the No.1 spot.
Nadal could add yet another Roland Garros title to his collection, which he would be favourite if reigning champ Djokovic can't play, and would gain more ranking points.
But, the World No.5 - who has spent more than 200 weeks as World No.1 - made the candid admission that there is no goal to regain the top spot.
The 35-year-old Spaniard will be more selective of the tournaments he plays and admitted the ranking is too far beyond him.
"Physical problems were preventing me from ever finishing No. 1," Nadal said in Acapulco.
"I have other goals, and I'm not going to pursue it because it would be an error to pursue it.
"There are a lot of young players prepared to play all the events they need to fight for it. I have to be more selective and I'm not going to alter my calendar, not to fight for more points in the rankings."
Nadal has suffered a number of injuries during his career, which has included wrist issues and a long-term foot injury.
And the Spaniard was just happy to be playing more regularly than 2021, which saw him spend five months away from the Tour.
"I'm here because I want to and I can," Nadal said to the media in Acapulco.
"If I reduce my schedule any more, I won't be a tennis player.
"Acapulco is somewhere I've always had good feelings. I wanted to be here if I could recover from Australia."
I don't understand why is he saying so as long as he is playing he can still try to be No. 1 again
— Galactic Emperor (@Aaksriv) February 23, 2022
I think he s been saying this for a while if he meant he is not going to change his calendar to chaise n1? Can organically happen though 😎😁
— Anna (@Anna_Beee) February 23, 2022
Nadal in this form can only be countered by Djokovic. Sad that we won't be able to see them tough it out on court due to vaccine mandates. Hopefully things change soon.
— Dheeraj (@tennis_DPA) February 23, 2022
Rafa Nadal cruises through in Acapulco
Before his return to the Tour, Nadal was involved in a bizarre moment with his training partner Stefan Kozlov, but it didn't seem to faze him.
Taking to the main show court after World No.2 Daniil Medvedev's win, Nadal was in cruise control against American Denis Kudla in his first match from winning the Australian Open.
The 35-year-old Spaniard seemed to have some problems with the humidity on a warm night in the coastal resort town and decided to save as much energy as he could, sealing the contest in 76 minutes with his 16th forehand winner and 26th overall.
Nadal lost just four points on his serve while breaking his opponent three times to race to his 11th consecutive win in the 2022 season.
The win takes Nadal 11-0 and for 2022.
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