Rafael Nadal: Driven by emotion

Emotion is a word that has defined Rafael Nadal’s season.

His unexpected Australian Open final run that ended with a dramatic five-set loss to long-time rival Roger Federer was, in his words, emotional.

His record-breaking 10^th Roland Garros title. Emotional.

His return to world No.1, almost nine years after he first reached the coveted spot. Emotional.

Winning his third US Open title, his first hard court title in over three years. Emotional too.

As the 31-year-old ascended to the top of the game once again, he’s watched rivals Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka take extended breaks and Federer juggle a restricted schedule.

The Spaniard has played 65 singles matches so far this season, winning 56 of them.

As his incredible season stretches into its final weeks, is a physical and emotional toll going to have an impact? After all, last year he too ended his season early to rest an injured wrist, and an ATP Finals title is still a glaring omission from an otherwise near-perfect career resume.

Arriving in Beijing for the China Open this week, Nadal shut down questions of being physically exhausted. His reason? You guessed it, his emotion.

“(The) good thing is I keep having the passion for the game and the love for what I am doing and the spirit of overcome tough situations in terms of physical issues,” he said.

“Every day when I wake up, (I’m) going on court with the goal of doing something better than what I was doing.”

This week his goal is to replicate his China Open title run in 2005, which would give him a tour-leading six titles for the season.

“Every time that I go to any event, my goal is try to play my best and to try to go for everything, no?” he said.

Drawn against world No.23 Lucas Pouille in the opening round, Nadal knows his path won’t be easy. Their last meeting was a five-set marathon at the 2016 US Open, which the 23-year-old Frenchman won.

“Is true that this event is tough. There is a lot of great players. I have a very tough first round against Lucas. Let’s see,” Nadal said.

“Tomorrow is an important day for me. Is a tough start, a difficult one. Let’s see. But I am focus on try to be ready for tomorrow. I think I practiced well, so let’s see tomorrow what can happen.”

Could it be the start of another emotional title run? As Rafa said, let’s see.