Rafael Nadal reflects on his ‘magic year’ after questioning himself following injury
Rafael Nadal has described his 2019 season as a ‘magic year’ as he reflected on a season that saw a true renaissance in his career.
Nadal started the season recovering from ankle surgery, and struggled to get going, even taking some time to start winning on clay.
However, he finished the season incredibly strongly, winning two Grand Slams and finishing the year as the oldest ever year-end world number one.
“It has been a little bit of a magic year because it had been a good start, but then I went through a couple of very hard months in terms of injuries,” Nadal told reporters in Dubai.
“Then I came back and I came back well. I started to play at a very high level again.
“I enjoyed a lot of great moments on court, very emotional ones, Roland Garros, Rome, then New York, that final was amazing.
“And then of course ending the season with that Davis Cup title on home soil, so an unforgettable experience to finish that way.”
Nadal’s preparations for 2020 are set to step up a gear on Friday, when he takes on Hyone Chung at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
NewsBritish pair battle through to quarter-finals of Viking Open in Nottingham
Johanna Konta and Katie Boulter continued their winning ways as they prepare for Wimbledon.
-
Kevin PalmerExclusive – Greg Rusedski on the future of the tennis press after Naomi Osaka’s French Open pull-out
Naomi Osaka pulled out of the French Open after refusing to speak to the media
-
NewsThoughts of Wimbledon return helped Katie Boulter recover from serious injury
The 24-year-old overcame a back problem during lockdown and has been playing at the Viking Open in Nottingham.
-
French OpenJoy for Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova as she books her place in French Open final
The Russian saw off Tamara Zidansek and will play in her first grand slam final.
-
NewsFrench Open final place on the line in 58th Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic clash
Djokovic defeated Nadal in Paris in 2015 but was well beaten in last year’s final.
-
French OpenBritain’s Joe Salisbury becomes French Open champion in mixed doubles
Salisbury and Krawczyk recovered from a set down to defeat Elena Vesnina and Aslan Karatsev.
-
Kevin PalmerExclusive – Annabel Croft describes Novak Djokovic’s post match reaction as ‘concerning’
Djokovic screamed loudly in a stadium lacking fans and his outburst continued for a sustained period of time.
-
NewsRafael Nadal drops first set since 2019 final but eases past Diego Schwartzman
The story of the 11th day of action at the French Open.
-
French OpenWild scenes in Paris as Novak Djokovic beats Matteo Berrettini amid a spectator revolt
Novak Djokovic battled past Matteo Berrettini in a match that saw spectators ejected from Roland Garros midway through.
-
NewsNovak Djokovic beats Matteo Berrettini after fans boo their curfew ejection
The Serb roared at the end of a 6-3 6-2 6-7 (5) 7-5 victory over his Italian opponent.