"I did all that I could to have the best career possible": Tennis star Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal. Pic/AFP

Rafael Nadal said on Sunday he "doesn't miss tennis much" after retiring from the sport last year as a 22-time Grand Slam champion.

Roland Garros held an emotional tribute to the 14-time French Open winner's career on the opening day of the tournament, six months after Nadal played his final match. "I don't miss tennis much, because I feel that I gave it all that I had," Nadal told reporters. "I arrived today with the peace that I can't be on court. My body don't allow me to be on court. So that's all. I am in peace".

"I did all that I could to have the best career possible, and now I am enjoying this new phase of my life, that I am sure is going to be less exciting than the tennis career, because the adrenaline that sports gives you, I think it's impossible to find in other things in life. But that doesn't mean I'm gonna be less happy," he added.

The 38-year-old said he has not played at all since ending his illustrious career last November, instead focusing on his tennis academy, charitable foundation and business interests. "I didn't touch a racquet yet after my retirement. So it's [six] months without being on a tennis court," he added. "But I will. I will be back at some point, because at some point I will prepare myself to play an exhibition or something like this."

14
No. of French Open titles won by Rafael Nadal

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever