Rafael Nadal Appears On Cover Of Sports Illustrated China

Spaniard Rafael Nadal appears on the front cover of the Chinese-language edition of Sports Illustrated this month (October 2009). The former ATP World Tour World No. 1, who captured the singles gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, features in a 9-page profile for the mag.

Rafael Nadal, who is competing at the Shanghai ATP Masters 1000 Presented by Rolex this week, expressed his desire to regain No. 1 in the South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings but is happy to be competing again after overcoming knee tendonitis injuries that forced him to miss two months of the year, including Wimbledon.

“I still have a chance but I must stay healthy,” said the 23-year-old Mallorcan. “My goal is to work hard, to play good tennis and stay healthy. That is always my goal. I enjoyed it when I was World No. 1, but I also enjoy competing at tournament when I am World No. 2.”

“I feel happy to have won six Grand Slam titles and I will try my best to get more, but I know it is very difficult. When I won my first one [at 2005 Roland Garros] I didn't know if I could win a second title. If I do not have a healthy body, I won’t be able to regain the World No. 1 ranking and further Grand Slam titles.”

Nadal, who has already qualified for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November, has won five titles this year including the Australian Open.

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