Throughout his lengthy profession, Rafael Nadal has improved his sport a lot that he has change into aggressive on all surfaces. The previous world No. 1 received the Wimbledon Championships twice, the Australian Open twice and the US Open 4 occasions, silencing all those that had outlined him solely as a purple clay specialist.
Rafa’s numbers on his beloved purple clay are among the many most unbelievable within the historical past of sport and hardly anybody will ever be capable of surpass his 14 triumphs on the French Open. The Spanish legend – who retired from skilled tennis on the Davis Cup Finals final week – has been virtually unbeatable in all tournaments on purple clay (Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome), however in Paris he actually marked an period.
Rafael Nadal, Davis Cup Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
Defeating Nadal on the enduring Philippe Chatrier was counted as probably the most tough feats amongst all sports activities, being essential to win three units on a super courtroom for Rafa’s sport. The primary to take action was the Swede Robin Soderling in 2009, additionally because of the knee issues of the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
At Roland Garros, Rafa received the final title of his profession in 2022, lifting the trophy regardless of the poor situation of his foot. Nadal wasn’t even presupposed to take part in that version of the event, however he determined to anesthetize his foot and write tennis historical past.
Roger Federer has by no means crushed his everlasting rival at Roland Garros, whereas Novak Djokovic managed this feat in 2015 and 2021. The 2024 French Open was the final of Nadal’s profession, however his run ended already within the first spherical towards Sascha Zverev.
The King of Clay
On the newest version of the ‘Nothing Major’ podcast, former American ace Steve Johnson mirrored on Rafa’s excellent aura on this floor: “Underrated might be a strong term here but I think it’s winning four French Open titles without dropping a single set. That is absolutely mind blowing to me.
I can’t remember off the top of my head if he had any withdrawals or retirements, but winning 21 sets in a row at a Grand Slam tournament, against the best players in the world is ridiculous, and he did that four times.
He never had a bad game, got broken, lost a set and then won, he won 21 straight sets, four times, it’s absolutely mind-blowing to me.”
In one of the best years of his profession, it was virtually inconceivable to place Nadal in bother on the purple clay. His forehand was spectacular on that floor and his athletic energy allowed him to play on the highest stage even for 4 or 5 hours. The 14-time French Open champion was a nightmare for all opponents and never even a legend like Federer might discover a answer. Solely Soderling’s feat in 2009 allowed him to win his first and solely Roland Garros.
Johnson had the prospect to face Rafa on the purple clay on the 2015 Mutua Madrid Open, probably the most sophisticated years of the Spaniard’s profession.
“I’m telling you, there was a severe fear I had for losing 6-0, 6-0, in front of a big crowd, and kind of getting just embarrassed,” Steve recalled.
“That was my whole goal that day, just to not get embarrassed.
Luckily I won the first game, so that kind of calmed the nerves a bit, because if you start going down like 4-0, 5-0, lose the first set 6-0, that’s when panic starts to set in.
“There was a lot of fear in my eyes, and not a lot of fear in his eyes” – he continued.
Johnson misplaced the match 6-4 6-3 on the Manolo Santana Stadium.
“I mean if you look back, I would actually rather that have been the case,” he acknowledged.
“Me losing 3 and 3 or whatever it was, I don’t know, that was fun, but 6-0, 6-0 would’ve been hilarious a decade ago. I should’ve done it.”
A particular feeling
The legend from Manacor broke all information on purple clay, even surpassing an icon like Bjorn Borg. One other participant like Nadal won’t ever be born once more on the purple clay, having imprinted a dominance on such a floor that’s virtually unreal.
Rafael Nadal, 2024 Paris Olympics© Stream screenshot
This 12 months, Rafa tried to play on purple clay to regain his certainties however with out success. The previous world No. 1 was eradicated within the first spherical of the French Open and the second spherical of the Olympic event, whereas his finest consequence was the ultimate within the Bastad ATP 250 (he misplaced to Nuno Borges). As well as, the Spaniard had misplaced to Lehecka in Madrid and Hurkacz in Rome.
