Home » 2016 » January » 4 » PHOTOS/VIDEO: Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco / R1 Doubles at Qatar Open 2016 in Doha.
20:52
PHOTOS/VIDEO: Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco / R1 Doubles at Qatar Open 2016 in Doha.
Rafael Nadal/Fernando Verdasco vs. Teymuraz Gabashvili/Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7/6(4) 4/6 9/11
After a disappointing season last year, Rafael Nadal's goal for 2016 is simple.
"The most important thing — play better," the Spaniard said Monday, citing the physical and mental struggles he went through in 2015.
Nadal managed to recapture some confidence toward the end of the year, posting a 17-5 record following the U.S. Open. The late push enabled him to finish the year ranked No. 5, keeping his top five season-ending ranking streak alive for an 11th year.
Nadal, winner of 14 Grand Slam championships, is getting fed up of being asked about his subpar 2015 that only delivered three minor titles. It was the first time in a decade he failed to win a Grand Slam title. His best results in majors last year were quarterfinal finishes at the Australian and French Opens.
"Seriously, I'm a little bit tired of talking every day about 2015," Nadal said. "We are in 2016 already, no? We talked enough about 2015, and I talked enough about all the things that happened."
"I have been very honest in all the press conferences without lying or without (not saying) the things that really happen to me," he added.
Nadal is seeded No. 2 at the Qatar Open, where he was the champion in 2014. He opens the 2016 season on Tuesday with a match against fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta.
"I feel myself ready for the next season," Nadal said. "The expectations are the normal ones, positive ones, because I feel that I finished the past season playing well and I feel that I am playing well again."
Source: ASSOCIATED PRESS
___________________________________________
"Самая главное - играть лучше", сказал Рафа в понедельник, ссылаясь на физическую и умственную борьбу, через которую он прошел в 2015.
"Серьезно, я немного устал каждый день говорить о 2015 годе", сказал Надаль. "Мы в 2016 уже, нет? Мы говорили достаточно, и я говорил достаточно обо всех вещах, которые произошли".
"Я был очень честен на всех пресс-конференциях, не лгал и не утаивал ничего, что действительно происходило со мной", добавил он.
Надаль - посеян под № 2 в Катаре, где он был чемпионом в 2014. Он открывает сезон 2016 года во вторник, матчем против испанца Пабло Карреньо Бусты.
"Я чувствую себя готовым к следующему сезону", сказал Надаль. "Ожидания - нормальные, позитивные, потому что я чувствую, что закончил прошлый сезон, играя хорошо и я чувствую, что играю хорошо снова".