Mystery Disease Kills Thousands
Gay Marriage Vote Puts Heat On Christie
NEW 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."
Nadal was asked if he thinks about surpassing Federer, whom he often proclaims as the best male tennis player in history.
"I never thought about that," said Nadal, who will play Gilles Simon in the third round on Sunday. "I think I am not ready to be the best in history. This is not the right moment to talk about that, seriously. I am 24 and a half, so talk about the history when one player is playing is difficult, no?
"I am very happy -- eight Grand Slams, Olympics, 18 Masters 1000. I am probably in one part of the history of tennis, so I am very happy with that. Now everything is to win. I don't know if I'm going to have the chance to keep winning Grand Slams. I'm going to try, for sure. But to be the best of the history is almost impossible."
How Long Will Santorum's Surge Last?
Washington Gay Marriage Legislation Signed Into Law By Governor Chris Gregoire
House GOP Offers Deal In Big Fight
Officials Confirm: Prescription Drugs Found In Whitney Houston's Room
Obama Budget Signals Shift From Austerity Measures To Campaign Promises
Feds Recover Record Number Of Health Care Fraud Judgments
U.S. Green-Lights Google's Massive $12.5 Billion Purchase
Syrian Rebels Fight Off Attack On Key Town
Downgraded: Moody's Cuts Credit Ratings Of Italy, Portugal And Spain
Republicans Slam Obama Birth Control Rule, Ignoring State Contraception Mandates
WATCH: Fox News Pundit's Disturbing Comments About Rape
Monsanto Guilty Of Chemical Poisoning Of French Farmer
Pressure Mounts On Mortgage Giants To Pursue Principal Reductions
When Will The New iPad Be Announced?
Wall Street Fears Volcker Rule Will Force Testosterone Monitoring
Topless Protesters Target 'Gas Gangsters'
WATCH: CPAC's 'Best In Show'
WATCH: 25 Million Tons Of Japan Tsunami Debris Headed Directly Our Way
WATCH: Anderson Cooper's Hilarious Adventures With Adele
Huff TV: WATCH: Arianna Weighs In On Tony Bennett's Call To Legalize Drugs
WATCH: Bill Maher Rips GOP Concept Of 'Elites'
Obama's Birth Control Rule Will Hurt Homeless Veterans, Warns GOP Congressman
Supreme Court Justice Robbed
