Rafael Nadal says being humble and willing to accept criticism is one of the keys to success. Nadal, a record 22-time Grand Slam champion, is one of the greatest players in tennis history, but his success never changed his humble demeanor.
Now, Nadal is advising younger players to listen to their coaches and to be willing to accept mistakes and criticism. “In team sports you have a coach who is the club,” Nadal told Eurosport Espana, as quoted on Sportskeeda.
“Hire a coach and the player is paid too. But the coach is the boss. In our sport, I am the one who pays the coach, the physical trainer, the physical therapist. In the end, you are the boss. If you don’t make all those people around you feel they have the freedom to say things, whether they are good or bad, without putting your job at risk, you are not allowing yourself to be helped.
If you do not have the humility to listen to the things that you do not like so much, it is difficult for you to continue on the right path.”
Nadal hoping to be ready for the Montreal Masters
Nadal last played at Wimbledon, where he made the semifinal, before giving a walkover to Nick Kyrgios.
Even though Nadal was hampered by an abdominal injury during his quarterfinal match versus Taylor Fritz, he was able to finish the match in five sets. After the match, Nadal underwent scans – which showed an abdominal tear.
Nadal, who decided to pull out of his Wimbledon semifinal, is reportedly aiming to be ready for Montreal. “Nadal really wants to come to Montreal and his hotel rooms are already booked,” Montreal tournament director Lapierre revealed.
“He was sent a crate of balls to use during the tournament to prepare. He should return to training on Monday.” The Montreal Masters kicks off on August 7.
