Relaxed Rafa Not Feeling Pressure Of No. 1
Miami, U.S.A

by ATP Staff| 28.03.2011


Don’t tell Rafael Nadal that he’s under pressure to defend his hold on the No. 1 South African Airways ATP Ranking from hard-charging World No. 2 Novak Djokovic and No. 3 Roger Federer. Although more than 7,000 of his 12,630 points will fall from his ranking between now and the end of Wimbledon, the tough Spaniard sees the next three months as a period of opportunity rather than a time of worry.

“I don't feel that I have to defend the points,” Nadal said after reaching the fourth round at the Sony Ericsson Open. “I feel in every tournament that I am going to play I have the chance to win points, not to lose points.”

Last year Nadal embarked on a phenomenal run during April, May and June. He became the first player in history (since 1990) to win all three clay-court ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles in the same season in Monte-Carlo, Rome and Madrid. He also won a fifth Roland Garros title and continued on to complete the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double for the second time in three years.

In what was perhaps a subtle acknowledgment that he does risk losing the No. 1 ranking during the next three months to Djokovic – who has started the season with an astonishing 20-0 record – Nadal said that his focus was finishing the year at No. 1.

“I think about the [year-to-date ranking] more than the ranking. I know I'm No. 1 in the ranking right now, but in the [year-to-date ranking] I am No. 6 this year. I didn't play for a month. For me every year I start from zero. Right now I am No. 6, and I would love to play well in the next tournaments and have the chances to be in better position.”

Earlier in his visit to Miami Nadal took part in the global launch of Bacardi's Champions Drink Responsibly campaign in Miami Beach.

“I am very happy to be part of the Bacardi family and part of this important message,” Nadal said. “It’s a fantastic campaign and for me to be part of it is a great honour.”

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