Nadal's Future????

Question

Okay I have to solve something once and for all. How can you people think Nadal will rule the tennis world for many years to come? Nadal may be the best tennis player in the world right now and might win a few more French and Wimbledon Titles, but he won't be able to play til' the age that Sampras or Federer will retire at. His style of play where he runs all over the court and chases every ball has taken a huge toll on his knees already. Haven't you all seen those bandages he wears?

I've talked this over with many of the top tennis experts at my tournaments and while we love Nadal and see how he's great for this game, we all understand that there's no way he can play like this til' his late 20s.

Answer 1

That's the word on the street. Nadal is already having troubles and I noticed he still runs for every ball, but not getting to all of them as much anymore. Look at the A.O. game against Tsonga. Tsonga just took it to him with total confidence. I dont like Tsonga AT ALL, but that's the way to beat Nadal, and most players are too afraid of him.

Nadal's body won't last long. Maybe one more year, but even that is questionable.

Answer 2

Yup, I completely agree with this question, every part of it.  

It's funny that the name of the question is Nadal's Future since the very title is an oxymoron.  The guy's knees have been in trouble for years and no matter how good your physique, knees are the most fragile parts of the human body (the most fragile parts that deal with tennis at least).  

The thing I've been telling people is that even should Rafa Nadal take the No.1 ranking in the weeks or months to come it's very likely that Federer will take it back by this time next year.  Nadal's body is a time bomb... and time is running out.

Answer 3

Well this question has been asked many a time. Who cares, let the media say what they want about Rafa burning out in the next 2years, his body will let him down blah blah All that matters is how Nadal feels !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 4

nadal is amazing

he will succeed

he has been playing since he was a baby

his serves go for more than 120 miles per hour

he will become the best player in the world

Answer 5

maybe he will change his style of play.

Answer 6

it would be tough for nadal to play beyond the age of 25-26 with this playing style

Answer 7

Federer has a finesse + power game and look at how many people are saying he is already past his prime at 26.  I think we have already seen the best of Federer.  

Nadal's style is a lot harder on the body, so if Federer is starting to fade at 26, I don't know where Nadal will be at 26.

Only big servers and serve and volley players can hope to last into their late-20s.  Even Sampras only won one slam after 30.  Edberg was one of the best serve & volleys player, he won his final grand slam at 26.

Answer 8

well he will have to change his style

Answer 9

Yeah true. I don't expect him to win anymore wimbledon titles. the french open a few more times though.

Answer 10

I believe that your theory is absolutely right. There is no way that rafa could keep his "hit and run" strategy for much longer. It has already started to take toll on his knees and sooner or later he just won't be up for it. Rafa is 22 now and i think that we wont be around the top for many more years, maybe 4 or 5.

Answer 11

I don't think you will get any proper answer out of die hard Rafa fans!!!!

Yes Rafa's style of play in not sustainable. It is impossible to keep up when he hits 25+. However he is such a talented player and is becoming less and less reliant on his physical attributes. He can have like a second career like maybe an Agassi did.

But at the end of the day it is all down to Rafa himself and what he wants. He could look to get the most out of body for as long as possible, or he may look to prolong his career by changing his game as he gets to his mid-twenties.

Right now we should enjoy it whilst it lasts. Rafa Nadal may indeed not have the longest career but he can still create history.

Answer 12

I agree that Nadal won't be able to maintain his style of play for a very long time. Most of the beefier, bulkier players are more prone to injuries that those who are not. It's especially evident on the women's side. Lindsey and Serena are both "big" women and have had a host of injuries throughout their careers. It only makes sense that if you have to carry all that weight around the court, it's going to catch up with you eventually.

Nadal is undoubtedly the best player on tour now and he is supremely fit. But he's not going to be able to run around like a 20 year old chasing down balls for many many more years.

He is a tough competitor though and that will still give him a bit of an advantage, as long as injuries don't start to mount.

Answer 13

I think that Nadal is the coolest tennis player in the universe and that one day he will rule the world of tennis and win like a million grand slams. His knees kind of concern me but I bet that some smart doctor will somehow fix them. Recently Nadal has been beating Federer for example in the French Open when Nadal killed Federer and in the the Wimbledon which is Federer's specialty. Also, Nadal won the Rogers cup which is named after Roger Federer.

In my opinion, Federer is just an old guy who hits it really really really hard.

Answer 14

If he continues to play the way he does.  But Nadal is constantly improving his game.  He knows how his play affects his knees.   Who knows?  He may take it slow the next couple of years once he feels secured about his ranking.

Answer 15

Good tennis players would have a short career.

Great tennis players would figure out how to play to stay around.

Answer 16

Well you've certainly made a lot of weepy Federer fans happy with this question.  I think it is impossible to predict how Rafa's body will hold up to his game and we will all just have to wait and see..............