Rafael Nadal: The No. 1 Ranking Is No Longer A Goal Of Mine In My Career [Video]

by Tom Gainey |

Speaking to France’s Stade 2 in a promotion for his tennis academy, Rafael Nadal looked ahead to his goals for next year including a 10th French Open title and a return to No. 1, which Nadal revealed is no longer a career goal.

“For me it won’t be a goal in my career anymore,” Nadal said at the 4:10 mark about the No. 1 ranking. “If I have become No. 1 because of the results I have, it’s great. But I’m not going to pursue this objective. I will follow my schedule.

“My big goal is to play as many years as possible. What I won’t do is put at risk the best years of my career to get the No. 1 spot. It won’t be anymore an objective for me.

“My goal is to be happy and I think I am.”

Nadal has finished No. 1 three times (2008, 2010, 2013) and has spent 141 weeks at the top spot.

After an injury-plagued 2014, Nadal opens play next week in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.