"When I was little I always kept the light on, now I don't, I fall asleep with the television on" - Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal provided a few interesting insights about his personal life and career during a candid interaction on the Italian talk show 'Che Tempo Che Fa' (What's the weather like).
Nadal, 35, is the defending champion at this week's Rome Masters, where he will look to win a record-extending 11th title. Following a quarterfinal exit to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz at the Madrid Open last week, Nadal will look to make better returns at the Foro Italico.
Before his tournament opener in the Italian capital on Wednesday, the 21-time Grand Slam champion opened up on a myriad of topics. He shared an interesting tidibit about how he used to sleep with the lights on when he was a child but has the television on instead now.
"When I was little I always kept the light on, now I don't ... I fall asleep with the television on".
Moving on to more pressing topics like Wimbledon's ban on Russian and Belarusian players in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Spaniard reiterated that the sanction was unfair.
"The Russian tennis players in particular are not to blame, the decision is not right."
Nadal also opened up on the spectacular year he's had so far. He has lost only two of his 24 matches this season. He got off to a 20-0 start, racking up titles at Melbourne (ATP 250), Australian Open and Acapulco. His perfect start to the year was snapped by Taylor Fritz in the Indian Wells final in March.
The Spaniard said he's had an "incredible" season so far.
"It has been an incredible year!"
He then suffered a six-week injury layoff after he sustained a rib fracture in the Indian Wells semis against Alcaraz. Lauding his family for supporting him throughout his career, Nadal said:
"I had a family next to me who have always supported me, without putting pressure on me."
He added that his willingness to accept that things may not always go as expected has enabled him to overcome adversities.
"Overcoming the adversities that I have encountered in my career, in terms of injuries, for example ... this willpower, this ability to accept that things are not always perfect, have been factors that have helped me to improve more."
"E' stato un anno incredibile!"
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"I don't play anymore for things outside of my happiness and my personal motivation" - Rafael Nadal
During the same interaction, Rafael Nadal added that he only focusses on his "happiness" and "personal motivation" as he enters the twilight of his career.
Admitting that he's "happy" doing what he's doing. the Spaniard said:
"I don’t play anymore for things outside of my happiness and my personal motivation. I am happy doing what I am doing. I still feel myself competitive when I am healthy enough".
"Tennis is an important part of my life, but it is true that the most important thing for me is always happiness, living different experiences, improving as a person."
"Il tennis è una parte importante della mia vita, però è vero che la cosa più importante per me è sempre la felicità, vivere esperienze diverse, migliorare come persona,.."
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Rafael Nadal will seek to defend his title in Rome this year before turning his attention to a record-extending 14th title at Roland Garros.
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