“Nadal can surpass Federer’s sixteen major record,” says Sanchez
The former top ranked doubles player from Spain, Emilio Sanchez Vicario is of the view that the world number one Spaniard, Rafael Nadal has all the ingredients to surpass Roger Federer’s record of sixteen Grand Slam titles, provided
he stays fit on the tour.
"If Nadal doesn't lose his belief and self confidence, he will definitely capture more major trophies than the Swiss tennis master, Roger Federer,” said Vicario.
Roger has captured a total of sixteen major trophies so far in his career. The Wollerau resident is one of the seven tennis contenders to complete the career Grand Slam as well as one of the three along with Rafael Nadal and Andre
Agassi to do so on three distinct courts. The Basel born has appeared in an unprecedented twenty two major finals. The Swiss also enjoys the record of making his way into the semi finals and above in twenty three major tournaments in a row, over five and a
half years; from 2004 Wimbledon competition to 2010 Australian Open tennis tournament.
Moreover, the Fed Express also holds the record of making his way into a total of ten major title battles in a row and having participated in eighteen of nineteen over four and a half years; from the grass court Grand Slam tournament
back in 2005 to the current hard court Aussie season. The only exclusion was the Australian Open back in 2008.
Sanchez who is in Chennai these days with the Davis Cup team of Brazil, certainly has no doubts that Rafa has the aptitude to take over.
"What makes the top ranked Rafa’s accomplishments even more special is that he is performing well in the era of Federer who according to many sports experts is the greatest ever player. And still he is triumphing in almost every
other match so that makes Rafa really special without any question,” said Emilio.
He didn’t see the final battle of the United States Open tennis tournament 2010 as he was in the flight at that time however the Spaniard added that he was sure of the outcome and that is exactly what happened in New York. Rafael
Nadal won the final match against Novak Djokovic and as a result completed his career Grand Slam.
Vicario thinks Rafael has improved tremendously after returning on the tour this season as he was emotionally not that powerful back in 2009. The twenty four year old Nadal has finally won a hard court major event this season in
New York. It will definitely give him great confidence.
According to Emilio, his compatriot has the great opportunity to complete the calendar Grand Slam if he manages to win the Australian Open next season also. There is certainly no doubt about the fact that the man from Manacor has
all the chances of surpassing the record of Swiss tennis ace, Roger Federer as he has already shown his brilliance this season by winning a total of three major titles, namely the French Open, Wimbledon as well as the United States Open tennis tournament in
New York.
Sanchez was the skipper when Spain triumphed in the Davis Cup back in 2008 and he then retired from that position and joined the tennis confederation of Brazil as a consultant and coordinator.
While commenting on the chances of Brazil in Chennai he said, "We have some really good players and whoever grabs their chances will eventually win. We are quite okay with the weather in spite of the fact that it was quite hot
yesterday however I am pretty sure that if we take the chances, we can win.”
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