ATP Masters Paris-Bercy: Rafael Nadal over 1000th victory - "That means that I'm old"
Rafael Nadal had to fight hard for his 1000th career success on Wednesday evening. Afterwards, the world number two was humble - and in the mood for jokes.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Nov 04, 2020, 10:05 pm
It was the expected difficult game against an opponent, against whom it would be very difficult to play on this surface, emphasized Rafael Nadal after his hard-won 4: 6, 7: 6 (5) and 6: 4 victory against Pal Feliciano Lopez. It should be a very special one in the Mallorcan’s career, the 1000th on the ATP tour in the exceptional career of the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
"That means that I'm old," joked Rafael Nadal a few moments after he was presented with a trophy in the shape of a 1000 at the orphaned Center Court in the Accor Arena. But then the Spaniard took on more serious tones: "That means I've played well for so long, because reaching this number is because I've been playing well for many years and that's something that makes me happy I can only thank all the people who helped me get to where I am now. "
"Proud of many things in my career"
This series had its origins a little more than 18 years ago when he was supposed to defeat Ramon Delgado at the ATP event in Mallorca. Now the world number two has reached "a very special number", as he explained in the press conference afterwards. "Even if it's not the same to celebrate such a moment without the audience, I also really enjoyed it with the ATP, with the supervisors, with Guy Forget and the ball kids," said the 34-year-old.
For a long time it was uncertain that Nadal would ever get to such a point, as the Spaniard had repeatedly struggled with injuries and physical problems. "Well, I am very proud of a lot of things in my career. But of course I was faced with a lot of problems, with injuries, in different phases of my career. So yes, I am very proud of it, even after I have achieved something. To have remained hungry and to have been humble enough to take on the challenges, "said the 20-time Grand Slam champion.
That the world number two had to work harder for this 1000th victory than many had expected is not necessarily surprising for Nadal: "It was a very difficult start. But I found a way, and that's the most important thing, right "To win the first round. I hope I'm ready tomorrow and can play better," said the 34-year-old. It is a victory that he is particularly proud of. "The personal satisfaction is often greater when you win these matches than when you win 6-3 and 6-3."
Rafael Nadal will play against Jordan Thompson today, Thursday, who surprisingly took Borna Coric out of the tournament.