ATP: Rafael Nadal would support the abolition of the second mark-up

Rafael Nadal could imagine drastic changes in the regulations. In Socrates magazine, the 32-year-old talked about the abolition of the second serve, the world ranking and a life without tennis.

Rafael Nadal is one who worries all the time. About himself and his life, in which tennis still plays the leading role at the moment. And the Spaniard from the sunny island of Mallorca is not one to close his mind to change when it comes to the matter at hand.

So “Rafa” can well imagine that on the way to even more attractiveness of its sport the second serve will be abolished. What’s more, Nadal would even approve. “That wouldn’t be a stupid idea. You just have to try and then judge whether this measure makes sense,” the industry leader told the sports magazine Socrates.

He is in favour of innovation – but he wants a gentle revolution. “Maybe,” the 32-year-old explained, “you could introduce some reforms at smaller tournaments.”

Nadal considers an “intervention” to be particularly useful when it comes to service. “If we don’t find a sensible solution for this in the coming years, then I fear that in future the sport will only be defined by the premium. And that would be dangerous.”

As in the past, the French Open record champion once again spoke out in favour of calculating the world ranking on a two-year basis.

Nadal, who has not played a match since the US Open in September due to his chronic knee injury, gave his fans hope for the coming years. Only when he no longer feels motivation and passion will he stop. “But it’s going to take a little more time until it’s ready,” Nadal confirmed, saying: “In any case, I’ve never been afraid of a life without tennis.”