Rafael Nadal delighted to top world rankings, but feels sorry that it has come at the cost of Roger Federer
Spain's Rafael Nadal is ecstatic after winning a point against Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller during their fourth round tie at Wimbledon last month. Pic/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal was thrilled to learn he would return to World No. 1 for the first time in three years but sorry it came because Roger Federer withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters tournament.
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Federer said he injured his back in Montreal, where he lost in Sunday's final to Germany's Alexander Zverev. Federer was the only player who could have denied second-ranked French Open champion Nadal the top spot in next Monday's rankings.
But the Australian Open champion pulled out of the Cincinnati Masters on Monday. "For me to be in that position is something very special," Nadal said. "I have the passion and love for the game. That's why I'm able to be back in that position again."
It's the first time Nadal has been No. 1 since July of 2014. Nadal, 31, who won his 15th Grand Slam title this year at Roland Garros, will overtake Britain's Andy Murray, who withdrew from Montreal and Cincinnati with a hip injury.
Nadal admitted doubting he could ever regain the top spot after so many years. "If you don't have doubts, it's because you are very arrogant and I'm not very arrogant," Nadal said. "There's a young generation up and coming. It's very tough to come back and be No. 1."
Nadal knows that the US Open will have a major role to play in the fight for No. 1. "Roger and I are having great seasons. One of us will have the chance to have that position for more weeks. I'm going to try and do my best this week and see what happens."
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