"That makes you a worker who has to deliver": Rafael Nadal admits ugly feeling in expecting to win Roland Garros every year

Spain’s legendary tennis star Rafael Nadal has stated that he felt ‘ugly’ after seeing his achievements at the French Open taken for granted.

The 37-year-old is often regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category, having won as many as 22 Grand Slam titles. Fourteen of those titles came at Roland Garros which is why he is also renowned as the ‘King of Clay’.

Nadal was recently quoted in a report where he admitted that he felt ugly when his achievements at the French Open were taken for granted.

"There was a moment in my career when winning was a draw, & that feeling is ugly,” he said. “It is taken for granted that you have to win. Suddenly, winning Monte Carlo is what you have to do. Not good. That makes you a worker who has to deliver. And suddenly it seems that winning Roland Garros is completing your work day.”

Nadal has recently made a much-awaited return to the court after a gap of nearly one year. He participated at the Brisbane International where his journey came to an end after losing to Australia’s Jordan Thompson in the quarterfinal with a score of 5-7, 7-6, 6-3.