1 year ago I bet rafa would have bit any ones hand off if he they told him he would be back in action after his knee problems. Yet the competitor in nadal took that notion to a new level,he's one 2 grand slams since his 2nd coming,and has looked imperious in doing so. The king reclaimed his throne at roland garros when he blew the field away.He then went to wimbledon to try his hand at a surface which isn't easy on the knees,and ultimately it ended with an early round exit. Yet since then he has dominated, winning tournaments and meets,and early this morning he perhaps won the most important title so far on a hard court against a rival who has pushed him like no other. For me it has been a pleasure watching rafa,he brought ferocity and a level of brutality to the court like no other,he destroyed opponents with arguably the most devastating forehand ever seen in the mens game and he possessed the heart of 10 lions. Regardless of what may happen in the future,I think behind federer,nadal is the greatest tennis player to have ever picked up a racket,and I hope he breaks pete's record and continues to leave us in awe.
posted on 10/9/13
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posted on 10/9/13
couldn't agree more with all that has been said
posted on 10/9/13
The comeback would have been impressive enough with out this incredible 22-0 record on hard courts including 3 masters titles and the US Open, but with that it is just incredible. It gives hope to all those athletes out with/struggling with an injury that if you have a burning passion and desire for the sport you play, then you can achieve anything.
I believe that if he were to surpass Federer's haul of grand slam titles, with looks to stay at 17, and I believe he will, then with his master's record and especially his head to head record which shows him with a more than healthy record over pretty much everyone, he should be referred to as the greatest of all time.
However, there's a long time and lots of ifs and buts before this may happen, so I'm content with just enjoying the seemingly endless stream of incredible matches men's tennis is throwing up for the moment
posted on 10/9/13
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posted on 10/9/13
Who slowed the hard courts down?
posted on 10/9/13
@Lord Vik II:
True, a lot depends on his knees. But providing he stays fit for another 3 seasons I can see him winning the French Open every year, and I can see him really challenging at the hard court slams with his new aggressive play. I think Wimbledon is probably beyond his reach considering that grass is the worst surface for his knees.
What else will be interesting and determine how the slams are shared is how Murray gets on against Nadal on hard courts. Nadal has always been the one opponent Murray has always struggled against and although he's got the upper hand over djokovic to win his 2 slams, I believe he will have to find a way of beating nadal if he wants to win some more hard court slams.
The Australian Open could be a fascinating tournament if Nadal is fit as all 3 men (Djoko, Nadal and Murray) will fancy their chances. Can't wait!
posted on 11/9/13
Super year for Rafa.
He's not my favourite player, but that doesn't stop me admiring what he has achieved, especially when simply overpowering his next nearest rival Djokovic in simply brutal fashion.
Just a shame that there seem to be so many haters in tennis that can't bring themselves to credit performances from players other than their favourites.
posted on 12/9/13
Just a shame that there seem to be so many haters in tennis that can't bring themselves to credit performances from players other than their favourites.
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to this.
It seems to happen more in tennis than any other sport. Just a shame that in such a great era for the men's game so many people are willing to criticise on every little mistake everyone other than their favourite makes. Credit should be given where credit is due, regardless of how much you like the player.
posted on 12/9/13
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posted on 13/9/13
well impressed with Nadal's return to form. Just shows you cant keep a good player down.