Rafa Nadal: "It's silly to say I'm the favourite"

Rafael Nadal, a Spanish professional tennis player, made the statement "it's silly to say I'm the favorite" during an interview before the 2019 US Open. This comment came after being asked about his expectations for the tournament, considering his past successes in the event, having won it a record-breaking total of four times in a row from 2010 to 2013.

Nadal's statement was not without merit. At that time, he was dealing with injuries and had not won a Grand Slam title since the 2017 French Open. Moreover, he had lost in the quarterfinals of both Wimbledon and the Australian Open earlier that year. His world ranking had dropped to number 3, behind Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Despite his past accomplishments and being a three-time US Open champion, Nadal acknowledged that his form was not at its best and that there were other players in contention for the title. He emphasized that tennis is an unpredictable sport and that anything can happen in a single match.

Nadal's humility and realistic perspective were noteworthy, especially considering his impressive track record in Grand Slam tournaments. He has won a total of 19 Grand Slam titles, second only to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. His dominance on clay courts is unparalleled, with a record 13 French Open titles. However, his performance on other surfaces has been inconsistent due to various injuries and form issues.

In conclusion, Rafael Nadal's statement "it's silly to say I'm the favorite" was a reflection of his current form and the competitive nature of men's tennis. While he has had an illustrious career with numerous accolades, he acknowledged that he was not invincible and that other players posed a threat to his chances of winning the US Open in 2019.