Flashback: Rafael Nadal was at peace in his retirement, even in the 2019 ’60 Minutes’ interview – Open 6ème Sens – Tennis

In December 2019, Nadal also addressed other topics that were very important in his tennis career: the art of suffering and sacrifice, for example, and his rivalry with Roger Federer. But, just like in countless interviews over more than two decades, Nadal delivered his answer with a thoughtful attitude.

“We know it’s a game,” Nadal said. “And there are many other things in life that are more important than a game, than a game. And of course there were times with more tension. But like everything else in life, it was very clear to (Roger) and I in our minds that human relationships are more important than tennis rivalry. »

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And through all this, said Nadal, and all the ups and downs, the Spaniard said he would not change anything.

“I never felt like what I was doing was a sacrifice,” Nadal told Wertheim through a Spanish interpreter. “I was training, yes. I worked very hard, until the maximum, yes. But I liked everything.

“To me, sacrifice means doing things you don’t like to do. But I did everything I like to do. »