Rafael is much happier with his ranking now than he has been for a while. Despite the fact that he is still behind Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal is seeing the silver lining again, able to adjust his game slowly and steadily.
According to NDTV, "Spanish great Rafael Nadal jumped a spot to be fifth, while Britain's Andy Murray leapfrogged Swiss icon Roger Federer for the second position in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world singles rankings released on Monday."
If the former world number one continues with this rise, he may be able to secure his position at the top again despite the constant presence from Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
According to the National, "Rafael Nadal's star is on the rise once again. The "mental" gremlins have started to disappear and he seems to be enjoying himself a lot more on the court."
He said, "The story now is different, no? I'm enjoying on the court. I don't have the nerves I had during the season."
With his ranking now, Nadal may be able to take a breather before pursuing another game.
But just a few weeks ago, his ego was destroyed by Roger Federer, who got the sweet revenge that he has always dreamed of. With the win against the Spaniard at Basel, Roger Federer finally topped Rafael Nadal in the history of tennis.
With Rafa floundering this season, Roger Federer has solidified his place in tennis history as he looks into 2016.
Some have been even saying that Rafael Nadal may have foiled his own career by strengthening the game that Roger Federer plays.
According to Tennis World USA, Roger Federer freely admitted that Rafael Nadal helped him strengthen his game so that he could truly be the reigning champion. He said in the most recent interview, "'The most intense rivalry I have ever had was with Rafa, no doubt on that - confessed Federer - It has been an epic and incredible rivalry and it will continue to be like this because we are going to play often in the future."
But other than their intense rivalry, Rafael Nadal forced Roger Federer to alter the way he played so much so that it actually foiled the Spaniard's plans to rule ATP. The Swiss player said, "He made me change my game many times since he is lefty and we had never seen a player who could hit the ball with so much spin... Now I play with more strength, before I had such a 'soft' game. My movements, the way I hit the ball, I'm a different player due to Rafa's presence."
Looks like Nadal destroyed his own career by strengthening his greatest rival.
