Why is Rafael Nadal better than Roger Federer and the rest
The Rafael Nadal/Roger Federer rivalry is probably one of the most popular and well documented ones in the history of tennis. Comparisons between the two tennis players have become the norm, and speculation has been rife over Rafa’s ability to eclipse Federer’s
record breaking score of 16 titles. The Spaniard however, shows a commendable amount of humility when questioned over this debate, saying, “The talk about if I am better or worse than Roger is stupid, because the titles say he's much better than me. That's
true at that moment. I think that will be true all my life.”
However, Rafa’s prowess as a player is undeniable. With Federer, and everyone who started the game around his age, getting older and inevitably being phased out of the sport, the stage is open for a tide of younger tennis superstars, and Rafael Nadal may
just be the best out of them.
There are several reasons for Rafa’s potential as one of the all-time greats of tennis. For one, the 24-year-old is just 24 years old. Although he has a tendency to fall to injuries, his age makes him incredibly resilient, in the prime of his career. Even
mentally, he has an upper hand on more experienced, less optimistic players. Often, he faces stretches in his career where his game play is below his usual standards. However, while this may defeat some players, Nadal takes it on face value, only considering
it to be a rough patch. He refuses to let ups and downs define his game play which forms this Spaniard internal belief system.
Another characteristic which makes Rafa great is his versatility. There are very few players who can conquer grass, clay and hard courts, but this 24-year-old Spaniard just happens to be one of the few who not only plays on these surfaces, but also wins
on them. In the 2008/2009 season, Nadal became the first man in tennis history to simultaneously hold Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces (clay, grass and hard courts).
To be exact, when it comes to his game play, Rafael Nadal triumphs due to a combination of speed, defence, spin and strategy. When it comes to speed, Rafa demonstrates the ability to reach seemingly impossible shots, hit the ball back to his opponent, and
recover in time to volley. He seldom lets a point go, making it a personal goal to hit every single ball, return almost every serve and wait for his opponent to make a mistake. Due to his unconventional forehand, called a ‘lasso whip follow through’, the amount
of spin on the ball is increased tremendously. He averages 3200 revolutions per second and has on occasion crossed 4900, giving him an edge over his opponents.
Another factor which sets Rafa apart is his strategic planning; he has been known to pay attention to factors such as the variance of balls from tournament to tournament as well as wind speeds. This allows him to recognize factors which make his game a success,
and to compensate when the odds are slightly imbalanced. He also exhibits improvisation; though he may enter a match with a certain plan, if the situation demands, it is not difficult for Rafa to alter this plan.
As important as his game, though, is Rafael Nadal’s humility. It may seem inconsequential, but it pays a key element in his success. Apart from making sure he is well liked and supported by a multitude of fans, which is of course an asset, it also ensures
that he is prepared for all the success that may come his way should he overshadow tennis as he is predicted to do in the next few years. Although he may believe that he is the best, he also retains the belief that he too needs to adjust and improve his game,
hence becoming a player who only gets better. Nadal once said, “When I was younger, seven years before or six years before or three years before, I never really thought I could really do that. So I am very happy with what has happened in my life, in my career.
I'm just enjoying that moment.”
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