Rafael Nadal Reflects on His Career

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: And there’s the cup. I mean, there we have it, a great trophy. Fourteen times, 22 Grand Slams, a whole load of other — U.S. Open, Australian Open, tow Olympic gold medal medals. Are you ready to declare or at least have people say that you are now the greatest of all time? You wouldn’t agree when I asked you last time.

RAFAEL NADAL, PROFESSIONAL TENNIS PLAYER: I honestly don’t think much about that. And from the bottom of my heart, I really don’t care that much. I mean, I think it doesn’t matter. I think we achieved our dreams. I achieved my dream, and I enjoy what I’m doing. MYes, I understand the question. And I know the press and people is always caring a lot about this stuff. But, in some way, I know I am in an important part of the history of the sport now. And that makes me feel proud, happy. And, at the end, it doesn’t matter much.

AMANPOUR: When you came off the court yesterday in your on-court speech, you said I never thought that, at 36 years old, and with all these injuries, that I would be in this position. And we see your fingers bandage, like Muhammad Ali after he takes off his boxing gloves.

(LAUGHTER)

AMANPOUR: We see your feet, and you’re limping today. It is an amazing achievement, because you yourself said and you turned to your team, saying: I didn’t think I would be here. Then what made you achieve this?

NADAL: Well, yes, it’s unexpected. Last couple of years have been very difficult. After the pandemic, something happened in my foot. And I am not able to manage the pain to play often and even practice. And, in the past, I have a lot of things, starting from the foot for the first time in 2005. Then, of course, the knees have been a big issue for me for such a long time. Then, a couple of time, I break my wrist. I don’t know. But the only thing that I can say is going through all this probably challenges, I always hold the passion for keep going. And I always hold the love for the game. And I always wanted to keep going. And that’s probably why I am in the position that I am today.