Nadal believes nobody on Tour benefited from lockdown

Despite the Tour suspension in 2020, Rafael Nadal still managed to win his 20th Grand Slam title and tie Roger Federer.

The experienced Spaniard ended the year as no. 2 in the ATP Rankings and despite the fact that the 2020 season has been tough, he managed to overcome it with one more Grand Slam title.

“I believe that the lockdown has not benefited anyone except for the purpose of trying to stop the spread of the virus,” Nadal told Celebrity Magazine. “I don’t think that it has benefited anyone in the tennis world and it was difficult, together with preparing for the unknown.’

“But in the end with a clear goal, we managed to work properly, avoiding injuries and adapting to the needs. In my case when the body stops for a long time it definitely doesn’t help, and I had to do a great deal of pre-tournament work in order to regain, not only my physical condition, but also my tennis. If you ask all players they would give you different opinions, especially based on age.”

“It was difficult since I am a very active person and to be in an apartment without being able to exercise much, and do the things I am used to doing, was not easy,” he said.

“So, I dedicated time to do things to help people in need. The campaign we did with Pau Gasol and the Spanish Red Cross was significant and took some time that normally I wouldn’t have. We were very happy with its success, and the money we managed to collect for the people in need.”