Shortly before his comeback at the ATP tournament in Acapulco, Rafael Nadal once again praised his eternal rival Roger Federer in the highest tones.
“It’s great and incredible to see him back at the top. Congratulations to him,”said Nadal, who was top seeded in the Mexican bathing paradise, about Roger Federer (36). Last Monday, the Grand Slam record champion from Switzerland rejoined the throne as the oldest professional tennis player – after a five-year abstinence and 106 days.
Nadal (31) can’t even manage to regain the title in the 1.79 million dollar hard court tournament in Acapulco, where Alexander Zverev (No. 2) and Dominic Thiem (No. 3) are also at the start. Only at the following Masters in Indian Wells (from 8. March) he could theoretically drive Federer out of his place in the sun again.
Nadal emphasized that he is not planning his tournament planning to return to the top of the world rankings as quickly as possible,”At this point in my career, I’m looking forward to being happy and following my plan for events. Regardless of whether I’m number one or number five in the ranking,”said the French Open record winner, who only just a week ago resumed his hard training on the course.
At the Australian Open in January,”Rafa” had to give up his quarter-finals against Marin Cilic (Croatia) in the fifth set from 0-2 due to an injury to the hip,”I feel I’ve been restored. I paused for a few weeks and worked hard in rehab,”emphasized Nadal, who will face Spanish buddy Feliciano Lopez in a left-handed duel in the first round of Acapulco.