Acapulco win gives Nadal "confidence" heading into Indian Wells, Miami
"This title doesn’t mean that I will have a great season. It means another good start of the season," the Spaniard said.
Rafael Nadal says winning in Acapulco has left him more confident going into back-to-back hardcourt Masters events starting next week at Indian Wells.
The 33-year-old did not drop a set on his way to the title, defeating Taylor Fritz in the final. It is his third win in Acapulco, with the first coming back in 2005 when the event was still played on clay.
"I couldn’t be happier," he was quoted as saying. "Acapulco was the first big title that I won in my career."
Nadal looked full of energy all week, playing his first event since his quarterfinal defeat to Dominic Thiem at the Australian Open
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"After not competing since Australia, it’s an important week for me and an important moment," he said. "I played solid, with the right intensity and the right passion."
Nadal next plays the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, where he is a former champion, followed by the Miami Open, which he has yet to win.
"It gives me confidence," he said. "This title doesn’t mean that I will have a great season. It means another good start of the season... I’m still competing for these feelings that I am having right now."
Nadal is No. 2 in the rankings.
