The day after capturing his thirteenth Grand Slam, the US Open champion gave an exclusive interview to MARCA in New York.
Q. Do you feel like the third best player of all time?
A. I don't know, but I'm totally against the idea of measuring these things by the number of Grand Slams you win. People who only look at that are far removed from tennis. Those of us who are part of the sport know that they are the benchmark, but they aren't everything.
Q. Which of your big titles would you pick out?
A. You can't say some are more special and others less so. For example, winning in Acapulco meant a lot to me... as did winning in Barcelona, in Madrid... Winning the US Open feels different because of everything that came before it. Everything that's happened over the last eight months has been a gift.
Q. Djokovic whispered something in your ear when he congratulated you.
A. He said that I'd played incredible tennis and deserved to win.
Q. What went through your mind when Djokovic missed that last ball?
A. That by winning the US Open, I was capping off an unforgettable season – the most emotional of my career. You think about the tough times and the people who stood by you. It's thanks to them that I'm here today.
Rafa Nadal confessed to MARCA that he is tired, but that he has responsibilities and that is why he is in Madrid to compete in the Davis Cup with Spain. He talks about being world number 1, his knee injury, his state of mind...
"These results have a sell-by date. I can't always win the difficult games, like the US Open against Djokovic, like the match against Isner in Cincinnati, or against Federer, also in Cincinnati; Djokovic in Montreal... I have to lose and one day I will, because that's life, and in our sport, defeat is a constant travel companion. I have to be ready for the day on which I lose and I know that defeat will come soon," Rafa told MARCA.
"Of course, if I ever feel that my head is no longer in the game and I've lost that passion for the sport, I won't be here. I just hope that my physical fitness allows me to enjoy playing for a few more years," continued Nadal.
"I’ve managed to stay fit throughout the tour but it is true that my knee often hurts, although for now, it isn’t holding me back. I am so tired, that what I’d like to do is rest and recover, both physically and mentally for the Asian tour. This is the final sprint of the year and I’m competing for something as special as finishing the season as world number 1," said the Spaniard.
Source: Marca
Don't know how long this will stay up for but you can watch the Final again or for the first time... all credits to TennisNowHD
part 1
part 2
Rafael Nadal admits 'I had doubts' before U.S. Open triumph
"Sure I had doubts, everyone has doubts," said the 27-year-old Mallorcan.
"When you are injured you doubt if you going to be able to come back and play at 100%."
"When you are coming back after low moments victories are all the more special and more emotional,"
"I enjoy it now because in a few years I won't have the chance to play like I did in the U.S. Open final."
"We need our knees, without our knees it is impossible to play well, sometimes I still have pain, but the most important thing is that at the moment I am able to play without limitations,"
"When you are a kid you are able to play with a different style, crazy jumping and all that,"
"That moment has passed but my love and passion for the game is still the same."
U.S. Open champion Rafael Nadal speaks about competing in tennis with Charlie Rose. (Source: Bloomberg)
Photos: Getty Images/AP
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"Sometimes I really don't know how I am able to beat him," Nadal told a small group of reporters after his victory. "The matches are always very, very close and anything can happen."
Judged point by point -- yes. Nadal and Djokovic created points that consistently left mouths agape. But the match won't be considered up there with Federer and Nadal's 2008 Wimbledon final, Nadal made sure of that with his thumping 6-1 closing set.
- Indefatigable - The Next Point
Nadal is probably the best player I have ever seen at sustaining apparently mortal blows yet remaining unbowed, having proved his resilience in countless matches, especially against Federer. He knows in his armature that while anyone can ascend to stratospheric heights for a time, even the very best must come down for oxygen eventually. If they don’t, then well-played to them, but if they do . . .
All The Way Up -Extreme Western Grip
U.S. Open victory the pinnacle of Nadal's unbelievable comeback year -SI
Steve Flink: Rafa proves he is the real number 1 -TC
RAFAEL NADAL CAPTURES SECOND US OPEN CROWN -ATP
NADAL DEFEATS DJOKOVIC FOR US OPEN TITLE
Nadal Beats Djokovic to Win U.S. Open -NYTimes
Nadal Inspires Awe After His Victory -NYTIMEs with Slideshow
Rafael Nadal wins US Open after beating Novak Djokovic -Telegraph
Rafael Nadal overwhelms Novak Djokovic to win US Open championship -Guardian
US Open: Rafael Nadal completes extraordinary comeback to decisively beat Novak Djokovic -Independent
Nadal defeats Djokovic to win second U.S. Open title -SI
Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic to win second US Open title -BBC
US Open 2013 final as it happened
The McEnroe's Bring the love!
This is Awesome! Check out the fans response in the beginning!
Trophy Presentation: via TennisNowHD
Extended Full Highlights
Match Point
54 Shot Rally
Important Point Highlights via NadalPower
When Rafa Won the 3rd set!
It's electric! The crowd reaction when #Nadal took the third set! #usopen https://t.co/po3vCK2wk3
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 9, 2013
This post will be updated accordingly!
Photos: Getty/Reuters
Here are some of my personal favorite "celebration" photos!
Photos: Getty/Reuters
Check out some of my favorite VAMOS photos from the Final Match!
