The name Rafael Nadal is synonymous with success and high expectations.
Here is a player who easily makes the list of top five players of all time in his sport, having achieved almost everything the sport has to offer at the age of 26.
Despite being dominated by Novak Djokovic in 2011, Nadal, seemed to have gotten a grip on the Novak conundrum in early 2012. He won four titles (Monte Carlo, Indian Wells Masters, Rome Masters and the French Open) and finished runner-up in the Australian Open.
However, his surge came to an abrupt halt at Wimbledon when he was knocked out in the second round and the subsequent knee injury that followed has kept him out of action since June 2012.
Tennis has missed the presence of the Spaniard on court for so long now and the entire tennis fraternity eagerly awaits his return to action this month.
But questions are now surfacing in regards to whether he can recapture the form and success he has enjoyed so far in his career.
Well, the Spaniard is a perfectionist. This is evident from the way he goes about his routine prior to a match, the way he places his water bottles on court and everything about his game.
But despite being one of the toughest competitors in the sport, it might take him at least six months before he can get back to the level we are accustomed to seeing him perform at.
There’s a huge difference in being ‘fit’ and being ‘match fit’.
Del Potro suffered a career-threatening wrist injury in 2010 that saw his ranking plummet from number four to 485, and it took him nearly a year to break back into the top ten.
The Argentine’s example illustrates how arduous it is to regain form after a lengthy injury lay-off. One can only hope Nadal doesn’t suffer the same fate.
The fact that he’s making his long-awaited comeback on his beloved clay surface does hold him in good stead, and a couple of good wins first-up could do wonders to his confidence.
But if he struggles on clay, 2013 could probably be Djokovic’s best opportunity to pocket his first French Open title and complete the ‘Career Grand Slam’, ala Federer and Nadal.
For the sake his unpredictable knees, it might be worthwhile for Nadal to veer away from his intensely physical style and adopt a more ergonomic approach to the game to prolong his career.
Of course, that’s easier said than done as his success over the years has been due to his ability to bully his opponents with brute force.
With the famed big three – Novak, Federer and Murray – all in sublime form, Nadal (currently world number five) has his work cut out for him in the next few months.
He will have to put in some serious hard yards to challenge the trio; not to forget the chasing pack of Tsonga, Ferrer and Del Potro.
People are writing off the champion Spaniard but if he could bounce back from a string of seven consecutive defeats to Djokovic, including the epic Australian Open final loss in 2012, he is capable of overcoming any obstacle.
Who knows? We might just witness a much-improved Nadal in the next couple of months.
How wonderful would that be for tennis?
k77sujith
Roar Guru
Well, a decent comeback for Rafa...did very well to reach the finals in Chile but lost the finals in a close match. I thought he didn't play well enough at crucial junctures in the match....hopefully he gets better as he gets more match time.
Johnno
Guest
Courts maybe slower but, this was done too offset the modern day player's power. Balls slowed down too, as players were getting to good. Djokovic would have to much power and endurance for sampras. Novak is 6'2. Even Sampras admitted, he said Novak's 2011 season was the best he had seen in his lifetime. So hardly does Sampras think Djokovic would be looking for a new job.
k77sujith
Guest
Thats right...Andy does struggle on clay. Lets wait and see if Lendl can bring about some change in that area.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Murray won't be getting to the last 4 of Roland Garros. He's terrible on clay. He's never even made a final on clay.
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Roar Guru
If Nadal is still #5 by the time Roland Garros rolls around, I'd prefer he meets David Ferrer in the quarter-finals, so that we can get the proper Big Four back in the semi-finals of the same tournament. The last time any of the Big Four met before the semi-finals of a Grand Slam was at the 2010 Australian Open, where Nadal and Murray met (Murray winning after Nadal retired due to an injury).
k77sujith
Guest
Wih Rafa ranked number 05 now, there's every posibility that they could face off more often....you never know.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Sorry mate but Djokovic has modelled his game on Nadal but unlike Nadal wonderful ground strokes, Djokovic just runs around aimlessly at the back of the court chasing balls down. This is due to the slow nature of modern day courts. If he played in Sampras' era, Djokovic would be looking for a new job
Frankie Hughes
Guest
I'm starting to believe you don't actually know what you're talking about. With regards to the 2010 US Open, Federer failed to convert the 2 match points on Djokovic's serve, but to suggest that had Federer won - he would've beaten Nadal is the final is an absolute joke. At the 2010 US Open Nadal dropped 1 set all tournament, that was in the final to Djokovic. Nadal was serving bombs. He had all bases covered. Putting it clearly, ain't no one stopping Nadal in 2010. Where it was Federer Sampras McEnroe... 2011 Federer once again blow two match points, this time on his own service. Against had Federer reached the final, Nadal would've taken him down. You need to remember Federer has 2 victories over Nadal in majors - Wimbledon 06 and Wimbledon 07. Yes his second and final victory is over 5 years ago.
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Roar Guru
It is. It's a shame that Roger and Rafa are yet to meet at the US Open. Federer had the chance for this to happen in 2010 and 2011 but he wasted two match points against Novak Djokovic. If Federer had gotten to the final on at least one of these two occasions, Djokovic would not have his 2011 US Open title and Rafa would not have completed his Golden Career Slam. Roger and Rafa's two epic finals came outside of the French Open, both won by Nadal: 2008 Wimbledon and 2009 Australian Open. I have a feeling that this year will see the demise of the Federer/Nadal rivalry though....
k77sujith
Guest
Hi Frankie...Rafa vs Fed for me is definitely more absorbing but to label Novak paint dry might a wee bit unfair...he's a great defensive player as well as offensive.
k77sujith
Guest
Agreed mastermind but dn't you thnk Rafa vs Fed is bigger draw than Andy vs Novak?
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Sorry but what are you watching? All Djokovic and Murray do is run around at the back of the court. Defensively chasing balls down. A match being 4-5hrs doesn't mean it's exciting. Nadal vs Federer Wimbledon 2008 and Australian Open 2009 where exciting. Murray vs Nadal is exciting. Djokovic is like watching paint dry.
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Roar Guru
Matches between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have not been boring. Examples: Last year's Australian Open semi-final and US Open final, and this year's Australian Open final. And people are saying "this is the next biggest thing in tennis". Don't expect Djokovic to dominate Murray all the time. Likewise, Djokovic won't dominate Nadal all the time, as we saw last year.
k77sujith
Guest
Thanks Jithu. One can only hope he doesn't suffer another breakdown..
k77sujith
Guest
Let's hope so Frankie. Tennis has missed the presence of Rafa.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Tennis has really missed the Spanish Matador. Boring match ups between Djokovic and Murray are killing of interest. With Nadal playing 3 events in Southern America on clay, he will arrive at the European clay court season in prime form.
jinesh
Guest
well all of us have missed rafa for quite sometime now..esp during the oz open wen ferrer literally took his place..now tat murray is up with the best this quartet is probably the best top 4 we can find in competitive tennis.. as far as his injury is concerned thou it might be career threatening i stil believe strongly tat he is too gud not to be in tat top form..it might take few months but im sure he wil be bck wit a bang esp with the clay season ahead... n i also believe tat thou his style of play takes a lot out of his body esp knees i still think tat he wont chnge his style of play for sure...so im waiting for him to be back soon cos men's tennis needs him..
k77sujith
Guest
Moreover, he hasn't been out of action for such an extended period...so people are expected to raise questions I reckon.
k77sujith
Guest
Yes mastermind....you're right. He's done it before and let's also not forget how in 2010 he won the Wimbledon after being unable to defend his title in 2009. It all depends on how well he copes with the comeback situation. Thanks.
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Roar Guru
Nadal has proven in the past that anything is possible. In 2006, he missed the Australian Open due to injury. Five months later, he lifted his second French Open title. And in 2010, he was forced to concede his Australian Open title defence to Andy Murray in the quarter-finals, missed three months, then swept the clay court season, on his way to a dominant 2010 season. Nadal can look to the past to recapture his best form, no doubt.