The two shades of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
The last decade has been dominated by the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Tennis fans around the globe cherish the time when they see both these greats of the game battle it out in a major final.
There has been much talk over the last few months about whether the days of Federer are over and whether the Spaniard Nadal will reign supreme. Furthermore speculations are rife as to whether Nadal will be able to equal or break Federer’s record of sixteen grand slam titles.
However, one factor that is eluding those writing about records and statistics is the fact that the world might not see the same quality of tennis that is exuded from a Nadal-Federer final.
The sheer pace of the game, the velocity of shots, the depth of the serves and the magnitude of brilliance that is displayed on the show courts when these two face each other may become a distant memory in the near future. If that is to happen, tennis is sure to miss the level of competition these two adversaries brought to the fore.
The level of tennis produced by Federer and Nadal is unmatchable. The last time the world got to witness such a treat was at the Wimbledon final in 2008. It was a day that has gone down in history as one of the best tennis matches the world had a chance to see.
It was a gruelling five set match but in the end Nadal had managed to dethrone the King of grass. They are each other’s worst enemies on the court but outside they share mutual respect and admiration for each other.
Ever since then Nadal’s injury forced him out of most of the majors in 2009 and then in 2010 Federer’s dwindling form has left people thirsty for a Nadal-Federer encounter.
Fans are now pinning their hopes on the US Open. Nadal has never won a title there and Federer will be looking to gain some form. Hence both players will be pushing themselves to reach the finals and more to play each other.
This is one rivalry that would be remembered for years to come and it will be a huge task to fill the shoes of such greats by the next generation.
What exactly is it that makes this rivalry so special? The answer lies in the on and off court personalities of the Swiss and the Spaniard. It could be said that their rivalry is akin to that of Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi with Nadal being as boisterous as Agassi, whereas Federer as sober yet fiery as Sampras.
Dressed in sober, elegant attire Federer walks out on court enveloped with an aura of calm, his racquet stringed to precision to commence his onslaught. Just like his predecessor Sampras, emotions are rarely witnessed on Federer’s face. His celebratory move is a slight fist pump and when he loses a point he quietly walks back to the baseline in contemplation.
Only when he is in dire straits can “allez” be heard from the Swiss. There is artistry in his play, he glides all over the court without making the slightest bit of noise and puts the ball exactly where he had planned. When hitting a lob it seems as if he is ascending in the clouds to fetch the ball; Roger Federer is elegance personified.
In a stark contrast, wearing the most up to date garish men’s fashion, Rafael Nadal would run onto the court in preparation to nab his victim. Nadal’s muscles would be ripping through his colourful t-shirts and his shoes bearing his name would be the cameramen’s subject.
He comes out on court with a vengeance, generating power behind each shot that he plays. He scales the skies when he wins a point yet chides himself after playing a loose shot. Emotions are riding high when the Spaniard is on court. His ability to run each ball down and use double the amount of top spin on his ground strokes is what troubles his opponents. The Spaniard’s weapon lies in his power play.
The contrast between the two makes it a match made in heaven. The world stops when these two walk out on the court to test each other. It becomes a battle between extreme power and sheer precision. The winner at the end is the game of tennis that has produced such idols.
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