"It's trying to get back and pushing yourself": Attention or prize money not the forefront of Rafael Nadal's return says Kim Clijsters

ATP
Monday, 01 April 2024 at 12:00
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Rafael Nadal is not motivated by factors that other tennis players are in making his final comeback to the sport believes Kim Clijsters with more of a want to push himself as opposed to prize money and attention.
Speaking about both Nadal but also Angelique Kerber with the German coming back in her 30's after pregnancy, Clijsters spoke to Christopher Clarey and she said that for both players, it was about setting themselves little goals and sticking to them over the course of it and making the steps forward instead of wanting any sort of reward that would come with it.
"It's trying to get back and pushing yourself. We've been taught to think that way as little kids already. If you're lucky enough to work with good people early on who are able to set goals, it shapes you," said Clijsters to Christopher Clarey, a well known journalist.
"There are long term goals, but there are short term goals all the time. I see that now in my way of thinking. I'm very goal orientated. It's a habit from years and years of listening to my coaches and people around me."
"There's the six-to-eight week goal, the six months goal, the year goal. I can't speak for Rafa or Angie, but I assume it's that challenge, of pushing yourself to get to those little goals, make those little steps ahead. It's within yourself. It's not because they need more attention or more prize money. Of course, the title is the end of it all, but it's really about the little parts before you get there."

If your career started at 18 and you won 4 titles every season for 27 consecutive years, you’d retire with 108 titles to your name at 45. Rafael Nadal has won 110. 🐐

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