Nadal unconcerned by points defence

 

Originally published on: 14/03/11 11:59

Rafael Nadal isn’t concerned with the vast number of points he has to defend during the clay season as a result of his phenomenal run on the red stuff last year.

The world No.1 has 5,000 points to protect after winning in Monte Carlo, Rome, Madrid and Roland Garros last year, but says it does not play on his mind because he does not think with the same mindset as the ATP ranking system does.

“I don’t have to defend no points, because every season [I] start from zero, and I am focused always,” the Spaniard said from Indian Wells.

“And when I am playing in Monte Carlo, if I do quarter-finals, I win, I don’t know, 160 points, not I am losing 800 points. That’s how I approach every tournament.

“For me [at Indian Wells], I defend semi-finals; and if I do quarter-finals, my approach is not ‘am I losing points?’ Defend or not defend, doesn’t matter. If I don’t have to defend that points, for sure I’m not gonna be No. 1.”

The reigning French Open, Wimbledon and US Open champion summarised that he does not believe in ‘defending points’ as such, but about playing well enough to win tournaments.

“I don’t believe about defend points or not. I believe in play well and try to win. You play well, you have chances. If you are not playing well, doesn’t matter if you don’t defend nothing or a lot. You not gonna win.”

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