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September

Nadal Is Young At Heart

<![CDATA["I always wanted to be young," confesses 31-year-old Spaniard.<br />]]>

Birthday parties aren't pity parties, but Rafael Nadal isn't exactly celebrating aging.The 31-year-old Spaniard scored his 50th career US Open victory today and will face 19-year-old Andrey Rublev for a spot in the US Open semifinal.Watch: Nadal Rampages Into US Open QuarterfinalsAsked to identify the best thing about being 19, Nadal said he longs for his teenage days."Best part of it, of course if I can come back to 19, I take it," Nadal said with a smile.The two-time US Open champion said ever since he was a child, he's wanted to stay forever young."Of course, better be 19 than 31. My opinion," Nadal said. "I always wanted to be young. Even when I was 8 years old, I was not very happy to when I was, my birthday, to be 9. Still the same. I am 31, and I am not happy when my birthday going to be 32. I am happy being young, no?"While Nadal has turned back time regaining world No. 1 nine years after his initial rise to the top, he joked he hasn't yet figured out how to stop time."I don't want to get older," Nadal said. "For the moment, I didn't find the way to stop that watch." Photo credit: @USOpen]]>

Chris Oddo. Chris Oddo is a freelance sportswriter, podcaster, blogger and social media marker who is a lead contributor to Tennisnow.com. He also writes for USOpen.org, Rolandgarros.com, BNPParibasOpen.com, TennisTV.com, WTAtennis.com and the official US Open program.
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