Nadal's love glows after five-set slugfest in US Open final

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Nadals love glows after five-set slugfest in US Open final
Rafael Nadal kisses the trophy after his win over Daniil Medvedev. (AFP)

New York - I am playing tennis because I love to play tennis. I can't just think about Grand Slams. Tennis is more than Grand Slams, Nadal said

By Reuters

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Published: Mon 9 Sep 2019, 9:54 PM

Last updated: Mon 9 Sep 2019, 11:58 PM

Rafa Nadal moved within one Grand Slam title of tying Roger Federer's all-time mark of 20 on Sunday but even after adding a fourth US Open to his collection the Spaniard said it was his love of the game, not records, that motivates him.
Nadal fended off a late comeback from Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev to win a five-set classic (7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4) at Flushing Meadows, winning a 19th slam that also took him three clear of Novak Djokovic's 16 titles.
"I am playing tennis because I love to play tennis," Nadal told reporters.
"I can't just think about Grand Slams. Tennis is more than Grand Slams. I need to think about the rest of the things.
"I play to be happy. Of course, the victory of today makes me super happy."
It is anyone's guess who among the 'Big Three' will finish their career with the most slams.
At 33, Nadal may have the edge on Federer, the 38-year-old Swiss crashing out of the US Open in the quarterfinals and failing to add to his Grand Slam titles since winning the 2018 Australian Open.
If nowhere else, Nadal will be a hot favourite at the French Open, where he has won a record 12 titles including the last three.
He said that while he was honoured to be part of the battle to be crowned the greatest of all time, and thrilled if it attracted more fans to the game, he would still sleep well if he comes up short.
"You can't be all day looking next to you about if one having more or one having little bit less because you will be frustrated," he said.
"All the things that I achieved in my career are much more than what I ever thought and what I ever dream.
"I would love to be the one who have more. But I really believe that I will not be happier or less happy if that happens or not happen," he said.
"What gives you the happiness is the personal satisfaction that you gave your best.
"In that way I am very, very calm, very pleased with myself."
Nadal's head was in his hands as he became emotional in the moments after his epic triumph, feelings compounded when a tribute video of his Grand Slam titles was shown in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
"Has been one of the most emotional nights in my tennis career, with that video, with all of you," Nadal told a cheering crowd that chanted his name several times in the intense final set.
"There's no stadium in the world that's more energetic than this one." 
 


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