"With all the injuries I've had, practically a miracle" - Rafael Nadal gets candid about 18 years long top-10 reign as it nears its end

Rafael Nadal has expressed that holding on to the top 10 of the ATP rankings for more than 18 years has been nothing short of a miracle considering the injuries he endured over that period.

Nadal broke into the top 10 in 2005 as an 18 year old. Back in 2020, the Spaniard broke Jimmy Connors’ record of 789 consecutive weeks inside the top 10. His current record is 910 weeks, which is second-best to Martina Navratilova's 1,000 weeks in the Open Era.

However, the possibility of pushing the record even further for the World No. 1 does not seem likely due to him being out of the ATP tour for a sustained period of time owing to injury. The Spaniard dropped to No. 8 in the rankings in late-February, his lowest position since January 2017.

Reflecting on his current scenario, the Spaniard conveyed that he will wholeheartedly accept things as they come, even if it is to leave the top 10.

"I prefer to be in the top-10, it's obvious, but in the end you have to accept things as they come," he said in an interview with Punto de Break.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion also remarked on the injuries he has suffered, particularly last year. He opined that with such setbacks, any player is bound to face repurcussions; in his case, a top 10 exit.

"With all the injuries I've had over the last 18 years, not having left the top-10 at any occasion is practically a miracle. A time has come when a lot has happened in the last year: a broken rib, two abdominal tears, now the psoas, foot problems. There are many things that, in tennis, with a ranking that lasts a year. You know if you don't play, you're out of the top-10," asserted the Spaniard.

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"The important thing is to try to be healthy" - Rafael Nadal hopes to be fit ahead of the French Open

2023 Australian Open - Day 3

Rafael Nadal has made it clear that his current main goal is to get himself fit again before his favorite tournament on the calendar, the French Open.

Nadal has not played since the 2023 Australian Open as he is recovering from a hip injury. While there are growing concerns about him leaving the top 10, the Spaniard has elucidated that he is not worried about it as much as his participation at the upcoming Grand Slam in Paris.

"Now the gravel season is coming and we have to try to add [points], but the important thing for me, beyond all that, is to try to be healthy, when I compete on gravel to feel that I can compete for what I want and fight for the ultimate goal, which now It has to be Roland Garros itself," the 36-year-old stated.

Nadal has won the French Open 14 times throughout his career, a feat only he has achieved. He will be hoping to add to that tally despite recent falls in form and injury concerns.