After having won the award given by Diario AS to the best athlete of the year (it is the sixth time he has won it), Rafael Nadal had a chat with the Spanish media. The Manacorí took stock of this last season, as well as referred to the goals he has for 2023. In addition, he spoke about what Roger Federer’s farewell was and about his new Argentine coach, Gustavo Marcaccio.
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Regarding what 2022 left behind, he said: “It is difficult to assess, because at the tennis level while I was good it was incredible. If we only value the tennis issue, it has been spectacular. What happens is that it is also difficult to take all the problems out of the tennis context that I have had (he injured a rib and in the abdominal area). After 2021, with the last five months without being able to play and 36 years old, winning two Grand Slams and finish two in the world, I think in the end it’s a great season”.
Nadal will defend the Australian Open (AP) title.Regarding his current situation, Rafa expressed: “I was training a little physically, and then I started with everything, so I think that in the end I will need days in Australia. The Open the Australia It is the first important objective (Nadal will defend the title he won in 2022), but also to pick up the pace of training with the best (before the Grand Slam he will play the United Cup). I think that the fact of spending two and a half more weeks at the Australian Open there can help me for the future”.
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In turn, Rafa emphasized his goals for the next season: “I’m going to make an effort to try to perform at the highest level for as long as possible. We’re going to see how the year starts now. I’m aware that I’m coming a little tight, but I am confident that I can reach the level I need to be competitive in AustraliaWe’ll see what happens.”
Rafa won the Roland Garros in 2022 (EFE).“I am looking forward to having a good year again and giving myself options to compete again at the highest level. Later, I am aware that I am the age that I am, and that things happen. I will have to manage it in the best possible way and try to do my best to give myself real options,” added the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
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In addition, Nadal spoke about Marcaccio, the former Argentine tennis player who will be his coach: “I turn to Gustavo because Francis (Roig) decided to take a different path. And analyzing all the options, Gustavo’s references are very good, apart from the fact that he does a year that he is in the Academy, with which I see how he works every day with the boys. And I know him from his time with Pico (John Monaco). He seems to me a suitable person today and also someone new who produces new stimuli. I think he is very excited and so am I.”
Marcaccio, Rafa’s new coach, when he was presented at the Nadal Academy.On Federer’s retirement, Rafa said: “He is happy, enjoying life, delighted. We talk regularly. We have a very good relationship and he is doing things. He was in Tokyo and other places. I have spoken with him regularly and well, the truth is, he only has to fix the knee.”
Federer and Nadal at the farewell to the Swiss (AFP).Finally, Rafa added: “I am a professional athlete, but I am a great fan of sport and I value it very much, because I have liked it a lot since I was little. If someone like Federer leaves, it is difficult not to get excited. Happy for him, because at least he was able to retire playing. It’s something that seemed like it couldn’t be and he got it. I think it was a very nice farewell for him.”
Are you going back to Davis?
Nadal was also consulted about his return to the Davis Cup, now that the captain of Spain is David Ferrer, with whom he has a great relationship, to which the Spaniard replied: “That between David seems fair to me. Apart from being a very good friend, he is someone who has done a lot for our sport. Because of his resume, and his personality, I think he deserves to be where he is, I’m happy for him and I wish him the best.”
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“I do not discard myself and in my ideal world, I would like to play once again with Spain. What happens is that the real world is something else and we will see what happens. But I don’t rule it out at all. There are months to go and if the circumstances are appropriate, hopefully it will happen,” said Manacorí.
