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I am not obsessed with Djokovic: Nadal

If it wasn’t for Toni Nadal, his uncle with no achievements to speak of as a player, perhaps Nadal would have never become a great champion.

Ever since he was just four, Toni trained him in his academy in Mallorca with only one ambition – to make him the physically and mentally the toughest athlete. Long after practice sessions were over, Rafa would be left alone on the academy court. He was allowed to return only after he collected all the practice balls to put in the bag so that he and the other academy students could start practising next day.

Once Toni even blasted his own mother – Rafa’s grandmother –for bragging in front of guests at home after Rafa had won a junior tournament. Tony feared that such praise could get to Rafa’s head and so he always tried to keep his nephew on his toes. And which eventually helped him become the most ruthless champion tennis has ever seen.

So it’s not surprising that Novak Djokovic’s decision to hire the legendary Boris Becker as the Serb’s new head coach doesn’t bother him– even though the Serb stands between him and his goal of matching or even breaking Federer’s record 17 Slams.

“I am not obsessed with Djokovic or even Murray. I am sure same is the case with them as well,” Nadal said as a matter of fact on Thursday when he was asked about his thoughts on Djokovic’s new partnership with Becker and Murray’s gloriously successful one with Ivan Lendl.

“As for me, I have never thought of changing my team. We have been together in all the ups and downs. Of course we have had so much success. It has been a great journey.

“And I am not in Novak’s position. I can’t comment on this topic. But yes, there has to be a reason behind it. These days many players are hiring former players.

“As for Novak, I don’t know what his ideas are. But if you ask me, yes, it’s difficult to change your style when you are 26 or 27. I don’t think they will do that. Maybe he wants to become a more complete player. But it could be a step-by-step process,” said the world number one.

Nadal says he doesn’t play tennis to prove the doubters wrong – even though his success on the hard courts in 2013 showed that he could be equally ruthless on a surface many thought wasn’t his comfort zone. “Well I have nobody to convince. I just play my own game. Yes, everybody is free to give their opinion,” he said.

“When you are in the limelight for so many years, there will always be things people would say. I don’t listen to them. I just do my job, which is to play my game as well as I can. And I try to do it with the right attitude.”

The 13-time Grand Slam champion, however, admitted that the 2013 season was the most remarkable one of his career. “Yes when I look back it was the most difficult and most emotional season of my life. I was out for so many months due to the injury problem. About 10 months ago, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to compete ever again. Honestly it was a bit of surprise for me as well that I did so well on my return, winning two Slams and so many titles. So it feels wonderful now.”

Nadal expects more intriguing battles with Djokovic in the new season. “I know Novak beat me lot of times in 2011. He was in great form. This year has been pretty even. I beat him a few times and then he beat me quite a few times as well. That’s what you get from the number one and number two players in the world. There is always going to be tough matches.”

The Spaniard also shared his thoughts on a fading rival. “I am not in Roger’s mind to know what he is thinking. Yes, by his high standards, 2013 was not great season for him. But he did play well in some tournaments, reached the semis at the ATP World Tour Finals in London. It will come down to how he manages his season. I know he is 32 now. His motivation level will also become a factor. But knowing Roger, I am sure he will go into the new season with the very best ambitions.”

rituraj@khaleejtimes.com