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NNEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during the fifth set of his Men’s Singles final match against Daniil Medvedev of Russia on day fourteen of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 08, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
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NNEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during the fifth set of his Men’s Singles final match against Daniil Medvedev of Russia on day fourteen of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 08, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Playtomic held the Padel Awards for the world of Padel tennis recently. The star guest for the awards was former Spanish tennis player Alex Corretja. Fellow Spaniard and Tennis Player had high praises for compatriot Rafael Nadal, who has been having a string of bad luck recently.
Rafael Nadal is a special person, as per Corretja
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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a shot during a match against Lloyd Harris of South Africa on Day 6 during the Citi Open at Rock Creek Tennis Center on August 5, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
“Do you think Rafael Nadal can go back to being the one he was before his last injury?” Corretja was asked.
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To this, the 47-year-old replied, “Rafa will retire being a winner, whatever happens.” He talked about what Nadal must do, going forward. “He has to assess how he wants to face what he has left from now on,” Corretja said.
Despite the injury-riddled years of his career, Rafael Nadal managed to win 20 Grand Slams, the current highest for any player in the open era. He is tied for the record with Serbian Novak Djokovic and Swiss Roger Federer.
Alex Corretja on Rafael Nadal and his behavior on court: „We are all amazed. How can he still be there, doing the same with the same energy, no complaining, never throwing a racket or shouting at anything. I think he is the only one in the world I have ever seen doing that.”
— Christian Albrecht Barschel (@AlbiBarschel) January 23, 2020
His tenacity is something the world knows, and Corretja comments on the same. “Being Rafa, you always have the feeling that he still has a bullet in his chamber to do something great. You can never doubt special people like him, even if he comes from a very long injury,” Corretja said.
ALSO READ: How Much It Costs to Train at the Rafael Nadal Academy
Corretja believes Rafa has another Grand Slam title waiting for him
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 08: Rafael Nadal (R) of Spain celebrates with the championship trophy alongside tennis champion Rod Laver (L) during the trophy presentation ceremony after winning his Men’s Singles final match against Daniil Medvedev of Russia on day fourteen of the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 08, 2019 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
It is no secret that Rafa Nadal is in the twilight of his career. Corretja talks of how there might be another Grand Slam victory in the cards for the Spaniard. “I trust that there is still that great title to celebrate with him. A great title I mean a Grand Slam,” he predicts.
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‘You need skill, aggression and a miracle to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open’ by Alex Corretja https://t.co/S49uBhvkE3
— Genny SS (@genny_ss) May 27, 2018
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Furthermore, on the question of returning to the No. 1 rank, Corretja believes it is no longer a coveted feat for Rafael Nadal. “He (Nadal) has already been number 1 many times, it does not matter, and that is secondary,” he said.
Dive Deeper: ‘They’re Not Gods’: Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal Are Humans, Says Holger Rune
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