Nadal the Real Deal

Nine months ago, Rafael Nadal had just retired from his Australian Open Quarterfinal match. He had not won a major tournament since the previous Australian Open, and had dropped to number three in the world rankings. Followers of the Spaniard had big hopes for 2010 after a disastrous end to 2009: he lost for the first time at the French Open, couldn’t defend his title at Wimbledon due to his failing knees, and had to deal with the unexpected divorce of his parents.

After his prematurely ageing legs couldn’t take him through his much hyped match in Australia against Andy Murray, many thought this was the end. After all, he is the oldest 23 year old in Tennis having captured his first of six majors at 18 years old.

Come September and Rafael Nadal has just become the youngest of seven players to win all four major tournaments. He has a staggering nine grand slam singles titles, and looks indestructible.

The Us Open still gave critics enough ammunition to doubt Nadal’s status amongst the games elite. Many thought the balls were too soft and the courts were to fast for his heavy baseline game. However, any time a question is raised regarding Nadal’s ability to win a particular event,  he continues to prove everyone wrong.

It was only five years ago Nadal claimed he wanted to win Wimbledon. This remark was laughable to many tennis purists, who said this would be impossible. His grips were to extreme, the balls stay too low, and he isn’t comfortable moving forward. Five years later and he is already twice a Wimbledon champion, and also runner up.

Now, having captured all the Major tournaments,  the sky is the limit for the Spanish superstar. He has captured every tennis accolade at the extremely young age of 24, and doesn’t look like stopping.

He has a never-seen-before ability to adjust his game drastically to help him on different surfaces. Most noticeable was his serving at this year’s US Open. He only lost his serve once after six matches, leading into the final. His fastest serve was 135 mph compared to 123 mph in the events before the Open. His coach (Uncle Tony as he is referred too), claimed it was only a subtle grip adjustment, which is a huge understatement since it added an incredible 13 more miles to his once vulnerable serve.

Now one must wonder how to beat Rafael Nadal in a best of five set match. He lost one set for the tournament. This came in the final against the finally rejuvenated Novak Djokovic. Djokovic played his best tennis with some scintillating striking of the ball. However he had nothing left in the tank. He was simply mentally and physically worn out against an opponent who did not commit an unforced error for the last set and a half.

Nadal’s ranking as the number one player will only continue to grow as he has very little points to defend between now and next year's clay court season. One continues to be mystified by his extremely modest nature. He continues to laugh off comparisons to Roger Federer, as he claims he is nowhere near replicating Federer’s great achievements. It is a credit to Nadal’s mentors, family, and surroundings that a champion of his statue is this humble and gracious in a world of sporting ego maniacs.

However, comparing Nadal and Federer is an interesting question. Nadal has won more major tournaments at the same age, and all of the four majors well before Federer did. He also holds a 14 to 7 head to head lead over the Swiss star with the majority of those win’s coming in grand slam finals. Many give the prolonged career edge to Federer due to Nadal’s physically demanding game. But due to Nadal’s bigger serve and relatively easy victories this is know where near a foregone conclusion.

Nadal will continue to be modest about his achievements, but if he keeps the type of tennis up we are seeing from him he may well go down as the greatest. Whether he will ever admit it or not who knows, but one thing for sure is that facts don’t lie Rafa.

Cincinatti down, next NYC

Roger Federer captured his fourth Cincinnati Masters crown with a hard fought win over rejuvenated American Mardy Fish. The win ties Federer for fifth with Bjorn Borg on the open era title list. Astonishingly,  this was Federer’s first title since his Australian Open triumph back in January. However, in preparation for his assault at his 17th grand slam title, the win could not have come at a better time.

Eye brows were raised when Federer lost in the quarterfinals of both The French Open and Wimbledon. For the vast majority of current male players, this would be considered a wonderful effort. But for a man who hadn’t lost before the semi final of a major since the French Open in 2004 ... a man who has won 16 grand slam singles titles in seven years, these losses would be enough for the toughest critics to start asking questions.

However Roger Federer has captivated and inspired millions over the years with his exquisite talent that may never be replicated. He has remained modest and humble in a world full of sporting controversies. He offered no excuses during these unexpected losses. Only speaking of his eagerness to spend time with his family, and working on his game before the US summer, which he has done.

Federer took six weeks off before embarking on his quest for a sixth US Open crown, starting with the master’s series in Toronto. During this time he employed the coaching services of well known American Paul Annacone who is known for bringing out the best in his clients, especially in the latter stages of their career. He did this for both Sampras and Henman. Most telling was Sampras’s 2002 US Open triumph which not many believed he could win. Fittingly, it was the last match of his wonderful career.

Annacone seems like a perfect fit for Federer, which is already paying dividends. Both are apparently very laid back individuals, with a deep appreciation for the history of the game. Federer is the smoothest player to ever grace our court, and as long as he is healthy, doesn’t need a drastic change in his game. He needs someone to give him subtle pointers to give him that small edge against his toughest opponents. He needs someone to keep him motivated and further ignite his love for the game. Annacone seems like the breath of fresh air the Swiss superstar craves.

Federer’s semi final victory over Marcos Baghdatis was the best he has played since the Australian Open. He had spoken about how unhappy he was with his return game in the last two majors. This was put to rest when the Cypriot only won 50% of points on his first serve. Federer kept taking the returns early and wasn’t afraid to move in completely, taking Baghdatis out of his comfort zone. His forehand was lethal, his movement was graceful, and he amazingly only lost three points on his serve in the hour long demolition.

However, Federer showed the mental toughness that is needed to prevail in the big tournaments with his win over Mardy Fish. Fish was the feel good story of the week. He was attempting to win his first master’s title at the age of 29, and had played a lot of tennis coming into the final. Fish was playing like he had nothing to lose with the help of a very patriotic crowd. Federer dealt with the frustration of outplaying Fish the first set but still losing it. He had to play a second set tie breaker knowing he was only seven points away from losing, and he had to continue to hold serve game after game throughout the match before claiming victory.

The Swiss magician will once again be the player to beat at the year’s final grand slam. Although he will be seeded number two, he is joint leader of the US series points race, and has won at Flushing Meadows five out of the last six years. He toughest opponents look vulnerable.  Rafael Nadal still looks uncomfortable on the very fast hard court surface. Andy Murray cannot be considered the favorite coming into a major until he wins one, and Novak Djokovic looks destined to never beat a top ten player again, without falling sick at least.

Once again the tennis world will watch as Roger Federer plays for his 17th Grand slam. He has recently spoken of his desire to claim an incredible twenty major singles crowns. The way he has dominated tennis now for so many years one would have to be brave to doubt his predictions. He is certainly the best tennis player to ever play, and perhaps the best sportsman. Tennis is a game played by so many in all different countries. For one man to dominate over an extended period of time is truly and incredible achievement. From a tennis fans point of view we say “Thank you Roger.”

The Open is Coming....

The start of 2010 didn’t look promising for Rafael Nadal. He looked out of sorts and still troubled by the persistent knee injury in his Australian Open quarter final surrender to eventual finalist Andy Murray. People questioned whether his best was past him. If the physical toll from all those hours pounding his body with such desperation and determination had finally caught up to him at the awfully young age of 23. Oh how wrong they were!

You can never write off a champion, especially one with the guts and pride of the fighting Spaniard. His triumph four months later at the French Open was an uplifting time for tennis. Whether you like him or not you have to admire him. His fought injury, criticism, and the sudden divorce of his parents. He dropped from number one to three in the rankings, and failed to win a match at the year ending masters in London. To see the young warrior come back and raise the French Open trophy again was a truly a special moment.

Nadal’s triumph one month later on the grass courts of Wimbledon was the title that showed he was once again the best player in the world.

Now two weeks out from the US open one must wonder what it takes to beat the number one player. He is like the modern day Gladiator, so brutally destructive inside the arena, yet so humble and gracious outside. His opponents know they must go outside their comfort zone on both a physical and tennis level to have a chance of defeating him.

However, the US Open is the only Grand Slam Nadal hasn’t captured in his steller career, and there are a handful of players who would like their chances, and a number of reasons why the Open is unique from all the other slams. To win the Open it takes a great amount of concentration, attempting to stay focused while dealing with the elements.

The New York crowd is loud and tough. If they are on your side it’s a great advantage, but the smallest outburst or show of frustration can turn them, subsequently making the player feel like they are playing against 20000 people.

The planes which constantly fly over flushing meadows can break a player’s focus. This may sound insignificant but when a player is playing an important point and is already feeling the pressure an unexpected noise can lead to an error.
The noise between change over’s can also be tough to deal with, especially on Arthur Ashe stadium. If the sheer size of the world’s largest tennis stadium isn’t enough, the players whilst sitting have to deal with highlights of them on the over head screen playing to the latest modern music.

So who are the players best equipped to stop Nadal’s slam run and win the years last major?

1. Roger Federer hasn’t won a title since the Australian Open, and by his lofty standards 2010 has been a year for him to forget. However, he is a five time US Open champion, and loves the fast hardcourt surface. The addition of Paul Annacone as his coach shows the intent and passion for the game is still there. Annacone worked with Sampras and Henman, and posses an extensive knowledge of the game which can only benefit Federer. He guided Sampras to the 2002 US Open title when many experts believed he would not win another title. With the help of Annacone, and the sheer brilliants and gracefulness that has captivated audiences for so many years, Federer will give himself a big chance to hold that trophy for a staggering sixth time.
2. Andy Murray is my personal favorite to win the tournament. His year has been ok but many expected much more. He seemed to have an extended hangover after his shattering Australian Open final loss, and the great weight of expectation to break the British Grandslam drought. However, he is a former US Open runner up, and has tremendous versatility in his game especially on his backhand side. He has the personality of a Scottish winter, but an exceptional tennis IQ. Being out of Britain will help him, and I get the feeling this may be his year.
3. Novak Djokovic is currently the number two player in the world, a grandslam champion and former US open runner up. He is always a threat in majors, and must be a contender. However the brutal summer will not help him, as he struggles with heat and his breathing. His groundstrokes at his best are phenomenal, but can break down along with his serve. It really comes down to how mentally prepared Djokovic is coming into the tournament.
4. The two other players who would give themselves a good chance of winning their first major are Robin Soderling and Thomas Berdych. Both players are tall and extremely powerful. Both players have had an exceptional year, and can play well on all surfaces. They also have the advantage to be able to keep points short by hitting winners. To win a granslam you have to winner seven matches so to posses weapons like both these players have is a real benefit.
5. The other notable players who I don’t believe can win the tournament but may cause some damage are Andy Roddick and David Nalbandian. Roddick has the best serve in tennis, is playing in his home country, has won here before, and has a great coach in Larry Stefanki. However his early form hasn’t looked great and I don’t think he longer has the game to beat the very best over five sets. Nalbandian has been plagued by injury but looked magnificent in his win at Washington last week. He is very talented and has some of the smoothest strokes in tennis. The fact that he will not be seeded will make the best players nervous. However he just won’t have the match fitness to go all the way.

The US open adds further pressure because the next major is over four months away. Players have four long months to reflect before they get the chance to play in another slam. The state of men’s tennis is exciting with so much versatility, youth, and experience. This will be a great two weeks to watch.