Pete Sampras believes Rafael Nadal will cross his Grand Slam total – Tennis News
Former world number one, Pete Sampras, has said that he expects the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, to overtake his tally of 14 Grand Slams title by the end of Spaniard’s career.
Although, Nadal has not played a single tournament since getting beaten by the then world number 100, Lukas Rosol of Czech Republic, in the second round of Wimbledon but Sampras thinks that the Spanish star would bounce back to his original touch after some
time.
The American legend also stated that it would not be an easier job for Nadal to regain the same level after staying away from ATP World Tour for a long period of time but he believes that the 26-year-old is young enough to achieve that eventually.
Sampras said in a recent interview, “It is going to be a tough process for Rafa. He is someone that needs to practice a lot and needs to play a lot, not only for the sake of his game but mentally as well. It will take some time, not only tennis-wise, but
having the confidence in his legs again. It will take him time to get back into the groove. But I believe he will be right there.”
The American great retired in 2002 after winning 14 Majors, which was a world record at that time. He captured his seventh Wimbledon title in 2000 to win his 13th Grand Slam crown and break Roy Emerson’s almost 40 year standing record of 12 titles. Though,
Roger Federer broke it just nine years later by winning the 2009 Wimbledon Championships.
Nadal also became a contender for the record of most Grand Slam titles, as he started to win them quickly at a young age. The Spaniard captured his maiden Major at an age of just 19 years in 2005 and by the end of 2010 he had taken his total to nine.
However, the Mallorcan’s onslaught was stopped by Novak Djokovic, who defeated him in three straight Grand Slam finals from 2011 Wimbledon to 2012 Australian Open.
Nadal succeeded in winning his favourite Grand Slam, French Open, in these two years to take his tally to 11 but this six-month break has put a question mark on his future.
Though, Sampras has complete confidence in Nadal, as he added, “I see him coming back strong. At 26 with 11 majors, if he stays healthy and plays for another four or five years, I think he is very well going to pass my total of 14 majors.”
Nadal has announced that he would be fit enough to take part in next year’s Australian Open and be a title contender at the Roland Garros.
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