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Cape Town - Rafael Nadal is brimming with confidence ahead of the US Open, and believes his injury problems are behind him for now.
Nadal has developed a something of a reputation for struggling physically with hardcourt tennis in recent years, and was forced to retire hurt from the US Open last season at the semi-final stage.
However, he won the title in New York in 2017, and he believes he is in great shape to launch another challenge this time around.
“My feeling on the knees are better this year than last year,” Nadal told the press on Friday.
“Last year the problem was I played three or four very, very long matches. That’s tough.
“I hope to be ready for it. I think I am playing well. I am practising the right way during these days. Of course, winning in Montreal helps. I am ready for the action.
“My last events have been win Rome, win in Roland Garros, semi-finals in Wimbledon, and winning Montreal.
“That’s a positive feeling, positive memory on my mind. That helps for the confidence, helps for the positive feelings.”
Nadal will move to within one of Roger Federer’s all-time Grand Slam record of 20 titles should he win the US Open.
Asked for the secret behind his incredible success in the sport, the Spaniard put it down to his relatively humble upbringing.
“You need to be prepared for the tough moments,” he said.
“If you overprotect the young kids when they have problems – because in life you are going to have problems at some point – probably they are not very well-prepared.
“Probably that’s one of the reasons I have been able to be very competitive at very young stages of my career.
“I probably got a normal education, not like superstar education. I just played on the street with my friends.
“I had a very really normal life. That helps you to grow with the normal education.”
