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Nadal wants to win all Grand Slams in 2011

ABU DHABI - Having had a “fantastic year” in 2010, World No.1 Rafael Nadal reckons it is going to get tougher in 2011.

The Spaniard, who completed a career Grand Slam, to become the seventh player in history and the youngest player in the Open Era to do so at 24 years of age, though hopes to win all four Grand Slams in a single year in 2011.

Nadal spoke to the media on a variety of topics on the sidelines of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, where he is the defending champion. Excerpts:

The 2011 season…

I will try my best. The 2011 season is going to be difficult. There are a lot of good players out there and for me, I will take it one day at a time. I will try to play my best tennis; play hard and fight every ball. Sometimes it works like it did last year and sometimes it won’t. I need to keep enjoying the game and keep fighting every day and enjoy every moment.

Winning all four Grand Slams in a year…

For sure, it is a special thing and I know I have to answer this question since the very day before Australia. For me, it is an important one for sure. That’s what I’m going to try. Grand Slams are special tournaments but to win the tournament in Australia would be great. I need to take it one game at a time. I will try to play my best tennis. Some of the best players in the world will be playing. The first round is going to be very, very difficult. Winning four in a row will be a big motivation.

Memorable win…

It is difficult to point out one. I have some nice memories of each and every win and every moment was important for me.

Weaknesses to work on…

I have to improve my game. I have worked a lot on myself and my position as well, my back hand, my serve. The main thing is I have to win more matches and there are very small things I have to work on. I have to gain confidence and this is important to win matches. It does not matter if you are a better player that before. What matters is how you play in important tournaments.

Next group of players who can win Grand Slams…

I think Tomas Berdych, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Robin Soderling and hopefully even Fernando Verdasco and Nikolay Davydenko. These players have a chance to win Grand Slams.

Mubadala World Tennis Championship…

I won here last year and two years ago, I lost the final against Murray. So, the focus is always the same. For me, it is a pleasure to be here in Abu Dhabi. It’s the perfect place to start the new season. I will just try my best and try to find good feelings to play well. After that we will see what will happen. All the players here are good so it will be great if I get a chance to be in the final.

This is the perfect place to start the season and if you play well against the best players, it boosts your confidence for the season ahead. This tournament does not help you at Roland Garros, Wimbledon or the US Open. But by playing well here, it helps on the next tournament in Doha and maybe Australia. Every tournament is different and for players, it is the right tournament to start.

Retaining the title…

Well, it is not the most important thing for me. But I want to try and play well and find my best performance. I want to win the first match of the year.

james@khaleejtimes.com