NEW YORK — Rafa Nadal has sounded a philosophical note about a season well below his accustomed standard of excellence, but the 29-year-old Spaniard insists the fire is still burning.
"The passion is there," Nadal told reporters on Wednesday before taking the court against Australian Lleyton Hewitt at a fundraiser to support young New York area tennis players at John McEnroe's tennis academy on Randall's Island.
The 14-times grand slam winner has claimed three lesser titles this year but has disappointed in the biggest events and seen his world ranking slip to eight, the lowest he has been since he won his maiden major at the French Open a decade ago.