Rafael Nadal has been a nightmare for a lot of gamers, particularly on his favourite floor. Though originally of his profession he was thought of solely a specialist in crimson clay, the Spanish legend had the flexibility to enhance on different surfaces as effectively, turning into an immortal icon of the game.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion had the flexibility to play each level with most depth and it was not simple for his opponents to maintain up together with his tempo, particularly in best-of-five units. The previous world No. 1 has had a profitable profession regardless of accidents, which have pressured him to overlook a number of main tournaments.
Rafael Nadal© YouTube screenshot
His profession ended on the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga lower than a month in the past, the place Rafa represented Spain for the final time in his superb profession. His final dance was beneath expectations from the standpoint of outcomes, however that doesn’t have an effect on a powerful legacy that makes him probably the greatest athletes of the fashionable period.
The legend from Manacor had a for much longer run in skilled tennis than anticipated, contemplating what insiders mentioned about him originally of his profession. Nadal has proven that limits – as typically occurs – are solely an phantasm.
A legendary champion
Among the many gamers who’ve been most affected by Rafa’s presence on the skilled tour, there’s actually Richard Gasquet. The French participant had overwhelmed the Spaniard a number of occasions once they have been youngsters, however the scenario was reversed once they each turned skilled.
Nadal and Gasquet© Instagram Richard Gasquet
Nadal has been an actual nightmare for Gasquet all through his profession, having defeated him 18 occasions in as many clashes.
“I lost 18 times against him, it’s horrible,” mentioned Richard on the newest version of the ‘Super Moscato Show’.
“I’m not going to sell you a false thing by telling you that it’s a pleasure. It’s a huge regret for me not to have beaten him. Now he’s gone – so I won’t beat him again.
I knew him since he was young, I wasn’t particularly afraid. I beat him at 13. I thought I could beat him in Monaco in 2005.
After that, I had a hard time, he progressed, there’s no doubt about it. It became difficult. When you’re an athlete and you’ve never beaten a guy, it hurts” – he concluded.
Rafa had the flexibility to destroy his opponents bodily and mentally, carrying them down because the minutes glided by and stopping them from respiration. This technique has produced unimaginable outcomes particularly on the crimson clay, the place the Spaniard has been unbeatable for many of his profession.
The 14-time French Open champion hoped that crimson clay would permit him to make his final dance particular, however his outcomes have been disappointing at each the 2024 Roland Garros and the Paris Olympics. Rafa was defeated by Sascha Zverev within the first spherical of the French Open and by Novak Djokovic within the second spherical of the Olympic event.
Kyrgios opens up on Rafa
Among the many gamers who’ve put Nadal in essentially the most problem, it’s unimaginable to not point out Nick Kyrgios. The Australian ace has a very exceptional expertise and has proven time and time once more that he exalts himself when going through the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
Nick Kyrgios and Rafael Nadal© YouTube screenshot
On the newest version of the ‘Nothing Main’ podcast, Kyrgios – who will return to play on the ATP tour in early 2025 (he’ll play the Brisbane Worldwide and the Australian Open) – spoke about his rivalry with Rafa: “I couldn’t stand him. I used to hate and despise him so much when I saw him walking around. He was one guy who always motivated me. If I played him I would get up for it and try and get the best tennis I could possibly play. I didn’t feel that anger towards Federer or Novak when I played them.”
He also added: “If I performed Rafa, as a result of everybody in our academies again residence idolized him, they have been like he’s such a tough employee, he’s this and that. I used to be like ‘I can’t stand this man’. I wished to indicate individuals you can simply have enjoyable and be chilled and beat individuals like that.”
Nick and Rafa have had a number of disagreements prior to now attributable to their very totally different characters and the Spaniard had harshly reprimanded Kyrgios after their match in Acapulco in 2019.
“He is a player who has huge talent, who could be winning Grand Slams or fighting for first position in the ranking. He lacks respect for the crowd, the opponent and himself,” Nadal mentioned in that event.
After the announcement of Rafa’s retirement, the Australian ace despatched him a fantastic message exhibiting him large respect regardless of their previous disagreements.
