It's been a long time since I played 'pain-free', Nadal

If I don't believe that I can be competitive, and when I mean competitive, is fighting for the things that I fought for during the last 10 years, I will be probably playing golf or fishing at home," Nadal addressed the press, ahead of the Australian Open on Sunday. 

A chronic wrist injury to his playing arm forced the former World No.1 to end his season in October 2016. When asked if he is still feeling the pain, Nadal asked, "What do you mean 'pain-free'?”

But, he then replied with a smile by saying, “I am not injured, no. Pain-free is a long time ago."

"Being honest and being realistic, after Roland Garros, the only tournament I played with okay conditions, not 100 percent conditions, was the U.S. Open. Because (the) Olympics, even if was a great event, I still had a lot of pain on the wrist. Was so difficult to play," he revealed. He further added : "I am being honest. I am here because I believe. I can fight for the things that really motivate me. I am here. I am enjoying. During the last seven months, I played just a couple of matches.” However, Nadal admitted that his career would have been better if not for the constant injuries.

"Being realistic, I have had injuries and perhaps my career would have been better if I had not. But at the same time I tell you that I absolutely am not in a position to complain about anything," he told Spanish newspaper El Espanol in an interview on Saturday,

Asked if he could keep playing even without winning Grand Slams, Nadal said, "It depends on whether if one is happy or not. Whether you have enthusiasm and want to do it or not." The Spaniard also said that he is not eyeing Roger Federer's record of 17 Grand Slams, but was optimistic to add more to his 14 title wins.  "Federer's record is fantastic, but I'm happy with my 14," he said. "That does not mean I'm going to stop competing to finish with more."

The 30-year old was philosophical when he was asked about his retirement, saying no athlete is invincible. "It is normal. When you win less, your rivals think more that they can beat you," he said. "That is the logical nature of everyone's career; of Sampras, Federer, Djokovic and Murray, of all.

"No one has retired with a sense of invincibility. Not having a sense of invincibility does not mean that you cannot compete for big things, win big things. That is my goal," reported tennis.com.