This is an article ‘An in-depth review on why Rafael Nadal could be the real G.O.A.T. in men’s tennis’ by Marc Pulisci
After overcoming COVID-19 and a persistent injury, the 35-year-old 'King of Clay' registered a sizable deficit against Daniil Medvedev to win his 21st Grand Slam at this year's Australian Open and solidify his status as perhaps the greatest player in the history of tennis. Besides, there's no denying that many believe Rafael Nadal is the true G.O.A.T. of the sport. But while there are certainly other players who could make a case for the title, there are a few key reasons why Spain's hero stands out above the rest.
Ask anyone, and they'll all tell you that Nadal's record on clay is simply unmatched. With 13 French Open titles to his name, he currently holds the record for the most titles at a single Grand Slam event. His dominance on clay has earned him the moniker 'King of Clay.' And his excellent skills are not exclusive to Roland Garros, as he has won numerous other clay court tournaments throughout his career, cementing his status as the best clay court player of all time.
In this article, we dive deeper into Nadal's career and determine if he is eligible for the throne as the greatest tennis player of all time.
All around player
Everyone knows Rafa doesn't just shine on clay courts. To date, he has won 22 Grand Slam titles in total, which is the most in history, ahead of his fellow greats Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who share 21 apiece. Nadal has won at least one Grand Slam title in the past three decades, showing his continued success and longevity in the sport.
In addition to his impressive titles and records, Nadal is known for his fierce competitive spirit and unrelenting determination on the court. His never-give-up attitude has helped him come back from numerous match points down to win, and he is often praised for his mental toughness and resilience.
The red clay at the iconic tennis venue is notoriously tricky to play on, causing players to slip and struggle with their footing as they dart around the court. It also tends to slow the ball bounce, making it particularly challenging for players who rely on speed and power. Despite these obstacles, Nadal has thrived at the French Open, cementing his reputation as the greatest clay court player in history.
However, his expertise on this surface has often overshadowed his overall greatness in the game. There are many who label him as runner-up to Roger Federer in the pantheon of tennis greats.
During the 2008 Wimbledon Final, the Spanish star faced off against King Roger in the final match. To this day, the match is widely contested as the greatest in the history of the sport as opposed to the epic Nadal vs. Djokovic 2012 Australian Open final. In his final match against Federer, Nadal emerged victorious, 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7. This victory cemented Nadal's place as one of the top players in the world and marked the beginning of his rivalry with Federer.
The 2013 U.S. Open Final saw Nadal face off against Novak Djokovic in another grueling five-set match that lasted over four hours. Despite being down two sets to one, Nadal fought back to win the match in five sets, 7-5, 6-2, 3-6, 6-7, 6-4. The victory avenged his loss to Djokovic the previous year and marked Nadal's 13th Grand Slam title so far.
Fast forward six years later, in 2019. Nadal then went up against Federer in their highly anticipated rematch since the 2008 Wimbledon final. Despite being down two sets to one, Nadal fought back to win the match in a thrilling five-set battle, 7-6, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 for his 19th Grand Slam title.
By the time the 2020 Roland Garros Final came, Nadal squared off against Djokovic again, which he dominated in straight sets, 6-0, 6-2, 7-5, to capture his 13th French Open title and 20th Grand Slam title overall.
Before the year ends, Nadal has already taken the Grand Slam title lead with a total of 22 after winning this year’s Australian Open against Medvedev.
A humility that goes a long way
But perhaps his sportsmanship and humble nature set Nadal apart the most. Despite being one of the most successful players in the game, he is known for being gracious in victory and defeat and showing respect for his opponents and the sport itself.
After winning the 2010 U.S. Open, Nadal was asked in a post-match interview if he thought he was the best player in the world. Instead of boasting about his abilities, Nadal responded: "I don't know. I just try my best every day. That's all I can do."
In 2012, Nadal lost to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final. After the match, Nadal congratulated Djokovic and said, "He played a fantastic match. He deserves to win. He's playing amazingly, and I think he played much better than me today."
Nadal then lost to Juan Martin del Potro in the 2018 U.S. Open semi-finals. Despite being upset about the loss, Nadal took the time to praise del Potro's performance and said, "I lost to a player that is playing better than me. That's the real thing."
Then, when Nadal won his 19th Grand Slam title at the French Open the following year, he thanked his opponents during the trophy ceremony, telling his fans: "Without them, I would not be able to have this trophy with me. They are the ones who make me a better player, and I am just grateful to all of them."
The verdict
Despite statistics and Grand Slam title counts, there is an ongoing debate about who is the greatest tennis player of all time. Some argue that Federer's beautiful style of play makes him the greatest. In contrast, others point to Djokovic's slightly better record against Nadal in finals matches and his potential to tie or surpass Nadal's 22 Grand Slam titles moving forward.
However, it seems futile to classify these three legends' greatness by the qualities that make them unique - Federer's grace, Nadal's strength, and Djokovic's consistent play - as if they are all of these things at different times.
Nonetheless, no one can deny how Rafael Nadal is not only a dominant force on the tennis court but also a class act outside of it. His impressive records, mental toughness, and sportsmanship make him a shoo-in contender for the title of the greatest tennis player of all time.
And only a few could argue with such a fact.
Comments