Print

Mail

wiki links

Nadal wants more Grand Slams, disregards rankings

Rafael Nadal of Spain bites the trophy after defeating Novak Djokocic of Serbia in the men's final at the Pacific Life Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, on Sunday. PHOTO: EPA

Now that he's had his first taste of victory in nine months, Rafael Nadal says his focus is on winning more Grand Slams and not worrying about the rankings.

Speaking after winning his first ATP title in 13 tournaments and initial victory this year, Nadal said on Sunday he has a long way to go to catch Swiss superstar Roger Federer.

"Right now Roger is not my competition because Roger is the best in history," Nadal said.

"I am No. 2 and Roger is No. 1 and far ahead of all the others," he said.

"My goal is to continue winning tournaments and remain in the top rankings but maybe the No. 1 is very, very difficult. I am not thinking about that," Nadal said.

"If I play like this I can win another major," he said.

After defending his French Open title in June, Nadal hit a rough patch and didn't win another title until Sunday's 6-2, 7-5 victory over Serb Novak Djokovic at the ATP Indian Wells Masters Series tournament.

The left-handed Spaniard lost to Fernando Gonzelez in the quarter-finals at the Australian Open earlier this year. At an Indian Wells tune-up event in Doha he was beaten in the quarters by Mikhail Youzhny of Russia.

Prior to Indian Wells, Nadal's best result this year was making the semi-finals in his first tournament in Chennai, India.

Nadal has 18 career singles titles and two Grand Slams and when he was the same age, Federer had won three ATP titles.

Looking at the age comparison some might think the soft spoken Spaniard has modest goals, but Nadal says if he continues to improve, the titles fall into place.

Nadal said he would wait until after his next tournament to celebrate his Indian Wells victory.

The Sony Ericsson Open tournament in Miami, Florida, which includes two-time defending champion Federer, is up next for Nadal. He also has a Davis Cup commitment next month to play against the US.

Nadal is already starting to think about Miami, which begins today.

"I am just thinking of Miami and after that I will think of Davis Cup," he said.

Ten-time Grand Slam winner Federer will play his first match in Miami on Saturday. Federer has been ranked world No. 1 since February 2004 and recently reached 161 weeks at the top to break Jimmy Connors' 30-year-old mark.

Federer enters the Miami tournament seeking his third consecutive title. Another championship would tie him with Andre Agassi, who won in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
This story has been viewed 1693 times.