MADRID Fri Dec 27, 2013 6:39am EST
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the first set in a tie break during his men's singles tennis match against Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland at the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London November 6, 2013.
Credit: Reuters/Suzanne Plunkett
<span id="articleText"/>MADRID (Reuters) - Staying fit is more important to Rafa Nadal in 2014 than adding to his 13 grand slam titles, the world number one was quoted as saying on Friday.
<span id="midArticle_0"/>Spaniard Nadal had one of the best season's of his career in 2013 following his return in February after seven months out with a knee injury, winning 10 tournaments including a record eighth French Open crown and a second U.S. Open title.
<span id="midArticle_1"/>As he gears up for the start of the 2014 tour, the 27-year-old Mallorcan told Spain's As newspaper remaining healthy and being able to challenge at the top level were his priorities.
<span id="midArticle_2"/>"What I want is to be able to start the year well and in shape to compete in the big tournaments," Nadal said.
<span id="midArticle_3"/>"In that sense, and thinking about 2014, I am not going to talk at the moment about winning the ninth Roland Garros or winning Wimbledon again, which would be the third time.
<span id="midArticle_4"/>"No, look: what is important to me is to maintain my fitness in a way that will allow me to play the whole year, and competing at a good level.
<span id="midArticle_5"/>"You see it's not easy: I couldn't do that, for the whole season, in 2012, 2013."
<span id="midArticle_6"/>Nadal's 10 titles last season came close to matching the best year of his career, when he won 11 in 2005, including his first Roland Garros crown.
<span id="midArticle_7"/>He said his enforced rest in the second half of 2012 had meant he was fresh and hungry on his return and that was possibly why he had been so successful.
<span id="midArticle_8"/>"In terms of results, I don't know if 2013 was the best year of my career," Nadal told As.
<span id="midArticle_9"/>"What made it special was the feeling of being able to compete again at the level I managed.
<span id="midArticle_10"/>"But certainly 2013 was the most emotional of my career. If you ask me about the key elements of what happened I think I started playing when I was fresher than ever after a seven-month rest. That may have been the key to the successes."
<span id="midArticle_11"/>Nadal will get his next crack at a grand slam when the Australian Open starts in Melbourne in mid January.
<span id="midArticle_12"/>He is playing compatriot and world number three David Ferrer at an invitational event in Abu Dhabi later on Friday.
<span id="midArticle_13"/>(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Justin Palmer)
<span id="midArticle_14"/>
Credit: Reuters/Suzanne Plunkett
<span id="articleText"/>MADRID (Reuters) - Staying fit is more important to Rafa Nadal in 2014 than adding to his 13 grand slam titles, the world number one was quoted as saying on Friday.
<span id="midArticle_0"/>Spaniard Nadal had one of the best season's of his career in 2013 following his return in February after seven months out with a knee injury, winning 10 tournaments including a record eighth French Open crown and a second U.S. Open title.
<span id="midArticle_1"/>As he gears up for the start of the 2014 tour, the 27-year-old Mallorcan told Spain's As newspaper remaining healthy and being able to challenge at the top level were his priorities.
<span id="midArticle_2"/>"What I want is to be able to start the year well and in shape to compete in the big tournaments," Nadal said.
<span id="midArticle_3"/>"In that sense, and thinking about 2014, I am not going to talk at the moment about winning the ninth Roland Garros or winning Wimbledon again, which would be the third time.
<span id="midArticle_4"/>"No, look: what is important to me is to maintain my fitness in a way that will allow me to play the whole year, and competing at a good level.
<span id="midArticle_5"/>"You see it's not easy: I couldn't do that, for the whole season, in 2012, 2013."
<span id="midArticle_6"/>Nadal's 10 titles last season came close to matching the best year of his career, when he won 11 in 2005, including his first Roland Garros crown.
<span id="midArticle_7"/>He said his enforced rest in the second half of 2012 had meant he was fresh and hungry on his return and that was possibly why he had been so successful.
<span id="midArticle_8"/>"In terms of results, I don't know if 2013 was the best year of my career," Nadal told As.
<span id="midArticle_9"/>"What made it special was the feeling of being able to compete again at the level I managed.
<span id="midArticle_10"/>"But certainly 2013 was the most emotional of my career. If you ask me about the key elements of what happened I think I started playing when I was fresher than ever after a seven-month rest. That may have been the key to the successes."
<span id="midArticle_11"/>Nadal will get his next crack at a grand slam when the Australian Open starts in Melbourne in mid January.
<span id="midArticle_12"/>He is playing compatriot and world number three David Ferrer at an invitational event in Abu Dhabi later on Friday.
<span id="midArticle_13"/>(Reporting by Iain Rogers, editing by Justin Palmer)
<span id="midArticle_14"/>
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