“I tolerated success and failure equally” 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal explains why he has been successful


“I tolerated success and failure equally” 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal explains why he has been successful

Rafael Nadal

World No. 5 and the only man with 21 Grand Slam titles to his name, Rafael Nadal is undoubtedly one of the greatest players of all time. Apart from his 13 French Open titles, the Spaniard has won all other 3 Slams at least twice showing domination across all surfaces to pick up 90 career titles, the 4th most in the history of the sport.

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While it has been a journey of 21 years since turning Pro in 2001, Nadal has not only fought opponents but has also got setbacks from injuries due to the high-intensity performance he puts on the court every time that eventually takes its toll on the Spaniard’s body. These injuries with some bitter defeats including 8 in Grand Slam finals (4 at Australian Open, 3 at Wimbledon and 1 at the US Open).

As he now prepares for his favourite time of the season when the Tour shifts its focus on Clay where he has won 62 career titles and has lost only 8 finals from the 70 he has contested. During his recent presentation at the Rafa Nadal Academy, the Spaniard talked about what off-court traits have helped him achieve success over the years.

“It’s important to have real inner humility, not false humility, to accept that things don’t always go well, we tolerate bad times better. One of the keys to me continuing to play tennis today is that I tolerated success and failure equally. Nothing is so fantastic and nothing is so terrible; there are good times and bad times. Emotionally, you have to maintain a middle line,” said Nadal during the event organised in his academy that aimed at bringing the topic of mental health to the table.

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Rafael Nadal confirms his participation at Indian Wells, Acapulco remains doubtful

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal

Having won the Australian Open on the 30th of January, Nadal is expected to return at the 2022 Acapulco Open in Mexico which begins on 21st February. However, Nadal has maintained his stance on making the final decision only upon the advice of his coaching and medical team as he does not wish to risk any injury going ahead into the season.

Nadal however will be back at the Californian desert at the 2022 Indian Wells Masters where he will return for the first time since 2019 having missed the 2021 edition due to injury as the tournament was played out in October while the 2020 edition was cancelled due to Pandemic. The Indian Wells Masters will begin on 10th March.

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