The legendary rivalry: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
While Rafael Nadal may have lost the season ending ATP World Tour Finals championship to arch rival and his greatest nemesis Roger Federer, he did not have cause for much worry. Despite being at the losing end of the Swiss maestro’s scorching tennis shots,
the Spaniard capped off a fantastic year in memorable style. What many fail to appreciate is that Nadal made it to the final of the mini-Grand Slam, and despite being humbled at the hands of the majestic Swiss, he was still the runner up.
The start of the season was probably the only low point of the recently concluded season. He was unable to win the Australian Open but left a train wreck in his wake following that. He went on to win the French Open, the Wimbledon Championships and the US
Open while maintaining an iron clad grip on his world number one spot right till the end of the season. Throughout the year, Nadal only met twice with his prodigal nemesis Federer and bested him on the first occasion, while losing out the second meet in three
sets of highly engaging and enthralling tennis.
On the other hand the world number two Roger Federer could be forgiven for suffering from an anticlimax after his ruthless decimation of Rafael Nadal in the World Tour Finals’ final. His high point came in the start of the year when he successfully defeated
Andy Murray to reclaim the Australian Open crown which Nadal have won in 2009. After that, the 29 year old had a topsy-turvy year which saw him crash out of the French Open, the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open without making it to the finals of any
of the prestigious events. This lacklustre performance led to many rumours and speculations that the Swiss maestro’s best days were over and he was near the end of his grace period. This perception was challenged, and then shattered with a blend of artistic
hardcore tennis by the Swiss who ended the year by catapulting himself into the World Tour Finals’ final without dropping a single set. He proved that true class never dies.
Federer also heaped praise on the world number one as he described the year Nadal had had as one that players “can only dream of”. The 29-year old winner of 16 Grand Slam titles trails Nadal in their head to head meetings at 9 wins to Nadal’s 14. That though
has not stopped Federer from letting go of the essence of the sport that he plays with such intricacy, it appears as if its delicate art.
Nadal knows this fact as therefore will be personally delighted to know that the man he refers to as the “best ever” has to battle him out for the major honours on offer in the tennis world. Although Nadal looked in need of some rest at the end of his royal
match with Federer, the Swiss appears to be rearing to have a go at next year’s season already. He will be defending his Australian Open title in January, and without doubt his greatest hurdle will be conquering Nadal. Rafael Nadal on the other hand looks
calm and serene as he attempts to win a Career Golden Slam by winning the Australian Open.
While Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will continue to try their best to eliminate the differences that exist between them and the rock stars of tennis, it is without doubt that the men’s tennis needs both Nadal and Federer to be fit and ready to fire on
all cylinders in the year 2011. After finishing the year in classic style, and after having a fairy tale year, both Federer and Nadal look to do just that: carry on their fabled rivalry into new territory in the year 2011.
Tags: