Rafael Nadal said he was proud of a “great achievement” after securing the 1,000th Tour-level victory of his illustrious career on Wednesda...
Rafael Nadal said he was proud of a “great achievement” after securing the 1,000th Tour-level victory of his illustrious career on Wednesday, becoming the fourth man to reach that mark with a comeback win over Feliciano Lopez in the Paris Masters second round.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion, back in the French capital less than a month after winning his 13th Roland Garros title, edged out his fellow Spaniard 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4.
“I am proud about a lot of things, but I faced some challenges in my career in terms of body injuries,” said Nadal.
“But I always had the passion to keep going and the humility to keep going when things are going in a way you don’t expect. It’s a great achievement for me.”
Of course, match win No. 1,000 is among his most memorable! 👏@RafaelNadal | @RolexPMasters | #Rafa1000 pic.twitter.com/quCChbDAQ7
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 4, 2020
Nadal, whose first match win on the ATP Tour came in April 2002 when he was just 15, is fourth on the all-time list, with Jimmy Connors leading the way on 1,274 victories, 32 more than second-placed Roger Federer. Ivan Lendl also passed the 1,000-win barrier.
“One negative thing about getting to 1,000 – is that you’re very old as it means you have to have had a...
