Filed under: U.S. OpenNEW YORK -- Rafael Nadal badly wants to win this year's U.S. Open. However, according to the No. 1 seed, he does not want the championship for historic purposes.
Having already won the French Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon over his career, the 24-year-old Nadal says he wants to win the U.S. Open simply because it will serve as proof that his game is still improving. Obtaining the final notch in a career Grand Slam does not appear to be the Spaniard's focus.
"Just to be here and have a chance to win the fourth (Slam) is just an unbelievable thing," said Nadal, a 6-2, 7-6 (5), 7-5 winner Friday night over Denis Istomin.
"When I was younger, seven years before or six years before or three years before, I never really thought I could really do that. So I am very happy with what has happened in my life, in my career. I'm just enjoying that moment and trying to fight every ball because if there is any chance to win here, I want to convert this chance."
Nadal said his pursuit of the U.S. Open should not be compared to his friendly rival Roger Federer's eventual conquest of the French Open to complete his personal Grand Slam.
"Roger is the best in history and he needed Roland Garros," said Nadal. "He deserved Roland Garros because he (advanced to) three finals. For me, completing the Grand Slam at this moment is not a goal. For me, the goal is try to improve my level, to play well the next match, and we will see what happens next Sunday. If I (don't win), I'm going to come back home, try to keep improving. This is not an obsession and is not a real goal."
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