Nadal: "For me, the definition of success is trying to get as close as possible to your maximum".

Retired since November, Rafael Nadal ended his illustrious career at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga.

He was selected by David Ferrer for the first match against the Netherlands, but lost to Botic van de Zandschulp (6-4, 6-4) in what will go down as his last professional singles appearance.

A few months on, Nadal reflects on the state of mind that has defined the best moments of his career, as well as the more complicated moments.

"I think most athletes have good and not-so-good moments. I had doubts, but doubts are not a bad thing.

They make us get up and go to training with the right determination. Doubt generates uncertainty about what can happen.

It's true that I've had more breaks in my career than others, I've suffered from them, I've had low periods, but honestly, I've always been confident that things would get better.

All those complicated moments made me appreciate the really good ones," he tells Punto De Break.

"Everyone values success in a different way, but I don't think there's one in particular.

For me, the definition of success is trying to get as close as possible to your maximum.

Winning or losing, sometimes it's an accumulation of circumstances that may or may not happen, but the greatest success is having the personal satisfaction of having made the effort to try to achieve your goals.

Then there are people who are better than you, who surpass you, but that doesn't matter. You've succeeded if you manage to do what you set out to do and fight for it," he concludes.