Rafael Nadal, the raging bull from Spain, conquers the hard court at US Open 2010
Rafael Nadal has now joined the ranks of the ultimate gods of tennis as he beat Novak Djokovic to win the US Open 2010 and complete his set of Career Grand Slam titles. Even though he may still be a long way behind in pursuit of Roger Federer, but the Spaniard has most certainly proven his mettle to become the seventh player in the history of tennis to complete the set of majors – Wimbledon, the French, Australian and US opens.
Nadal with his win at the US Open has now joined the ranks of Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, Don Budge and Fred Perry. He has also become the first man since Laver in 1969 to win the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open in the same year. Nadal cruised his way through the tournament, his passion and motivation palpable as the Spanish bull raged his way, and tore through his opposition en-route to making history.
With his 9th grand slam title, Nadal is now inching closer and closer to his arch rival Roger Federer and in the last 7 final encounters against the Fed express, Nadal has clinched six victories. Some critics might go on to state that Roger Federer, who is now considered by many as the greatest tennis player to have seen the court, might have a shorter shelf life for his record of 16 grand slam titles, after he broke Pete Sampras’s record of 14 in 2009.
It is noteworthy to mention that Federer won 10 of his grand slam titles between the age of 24 to 29, and Nadal has already won 9 grand slams already at the age of 24, with absolutely no intention of losing his form any time soon. Many would argue that his tendinitis-ridden knees might pose a problem for the raging bull from Spain, however knowing Nadal and his will to win everything is possible.
Nadal however, is humble in his claims when he is compared to the Fed-express, stating, “I am not on the way to be the best in history because that’s very far. I really don’t believe I can arrive to Roger’s level, no?”
The critics would certainly have to wait a couple of years to find out if it would be fair on their part to write off Roger Federer as a worthy and serious contender at the grand slams. However, in the meantime, Rafael Nadal has most aptly silenced his critics by transforming himself from the king of clay into a champion on all surfaces.
The US Open final between Nadal and Djokovic simply went on to prove the relentless “perpetual motion machine” is thirsty for more grand slam wins, and is in no mood to give in. Nadal beat the world no 3 Novak Djokovic with a score of 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 and 6-2. Djokovic played exceptional tennis in the final clash of the titans. However, Rafa absorbed his best shots, forcing the Serb to come up with spectacular accuracy and power in his shots simply to remain in the games.
In what could be termed one of the best points of the match, Djokovic pounced at an unplayable touch volley, that drew Nadal to the net, only to push him back again as he executed a perfect lob volley that brushed the baseline. Nadal was relentless though as he raced back, spinning to strike a forehand at Djokovic, who volleyed to the backhand corner. The Spaniard, still on the run whipped a cross-court backhand passing shot to stun the 23-year-old Serb, who seemed helpless to play the shot.
“Right now he’s the best player in the world and he absolutely deserves this title,” Djokovic said after the match. “Hopefully one day I will have the chance to fight again for this trophy.”
Nadal, collapsed on the hard court surface, when he earned the match point with a sprinting forehand passing shot, that proved to be unplayable as it clipped the outside edge of the baseline, and the Serb could not do much but to send it back sailing wide. He had finally conquered the hard court that had evaded him for years.
The 24-year-old Spaniard could not wait to hoist the trophy, “In a few seconds in my hands will be,” he said, smiling broadly like a true champion.
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