‘I don’t need to make more history, no?’ Nadal downplays pressure ahead of targetting 10th French Open title

Rafa Nadal was not fooling anyone when, after thrashing elegant Austrian Dominic Thiem in the French Open semi-finals on Friday, he said nine French Open titles was enough.
The record books might not interest the 31-year-old Mallorcan, but he will have to be dragged away screaming and kicking before giving up the chance to move into double figures and land La Decima against Stan Wawrinka on Sunday.

Nadal, often written off as a spent force since winning the last of his 14 grand slam titles here three years ago, is secretly salivating at the prospect of ruling Roland Garros again after watching Wawrinka and then Novak Djokovic usurp him.

After dropping only 29 games en route to a 10th final, only a brave man would bet against him.
“I think I don’t need to make more history, no? It’s enough. Nine are more than good,” Nadal, whose resurgence this year began when he reached the Australian Open final against Roger Federer, losing an epic, told reporters.

“Nine or 10, it’s only 10 percent more! It’s true 10 is a beautiful number, but actually my favourite is nine. But for sure if it becomes 10, it will be my favourite.”
“In general, to be in the final …read more