New Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal arrived to a hero’s welcome in his home town of Manacor on the Spanish island of Majorca on Tuesday, and declared that the number one spot in world tennis is now his goal.
”Now it has become a little objective,” Nadal said.
The Spaniard — the winner of four editions of the French Open as well as the Wimbledon trophy he obtained Sunday — has long been world number two, behind five-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer of Switzerland.
However, Nadal admitted that things have changed after beating Federer in Sunday’s historic final.
Federer continues to lead the way in the ATP ranking with 6 600 points, followed by Nadal on 6 055.
Nadal acknowledged that he has ”good options” to reach the top spot in the upcoming North American tour, when he plays the Masters Series tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati.
He was greeted by hundreds of fans, who he waved to from the balcony of the Manacor town hall.
Nadal (22) said he stands a chance of becoming world number one provided he maintains his current level of play and keeps ”working with the same humility”, while he again praised Federer as ”the best player in history”. — Sapa-dpa