Tennis Champ Rafael Nadal on His Relationship with Federer

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: Talk to me a little bit about that, about where you are, and this ongoing competition, because he said, it’s almost — it’s almost great to have this competition, because you both push each other to more and more heights.

RAFAEL NADAL, TENNIS CHAMPION: Well, it’s true that we have been here for such a very long time, no? Since 2005, we are competing. And, of course, it’s — I am very proud and happy to be part of this momentum of our history, of our sport, no? So, be part of this, of these years, I’m happy. I shared a lot of good experiences. And I was able to live things that I never dreamed about. So, just thanks to tennis — to the tennis, I was able to travel to places that I never expected, to know a lot of people. And in terms of tennis, I always try to do my way. I just try to try my best every single day. That’s all, no, and just try to be better player. Go every day on the practice court with the goal to improve something. And that’s my approach to my tennis career, no? Of course, for me, the records are important. Of course, I am a competitor. But I have never been obsessed about trying to be the best or not. I just have been focused on trying to give my best in every single moment, no? And then, if that gives me the possibility to compete for the most important things or for the things that I want to compete, great. But, for me, the main thing is come back home after the — after every season and say, OK, I am proud that I did everything that I could.

AMANPOUR: So, you’re happy and you’re content?

NADAL: Yes, I–

(LAUGHTER)

NADAL: Honestly, I did much more than what I ever dreamed in my tennis career. So, of course, it will be amazing for me to win one more and to be the — at the end of my career to be the player with more Gram Slams. But you know what? I know that will not be the key for my happiness in the future, no? So, just it’s something about trying every single day or in every tournament that I’m going to compete. But, for me, it’s not an extra pressure and is not an obsession, no. I just keep going, do it my way. If that happens, fantastic, of course. But, if not, I am more than happy about everything that happened to me.