In the wake of Rafael Nadal’s ascent up the world tennis rankings, nobody gave a chance to the “King of Clay” again reaching the dizzy heights of world No. 1 at the beginning of 2013.
Yet somehow, after one of the most remarkable years on the tennis tour, Rafa will achieve just that.
So much has been said about Nadal’s incredible comeback in 2013 following an eight-month injury layoff in 2012. Even without all the superlatives used to describe Nadal’s 2013 comeback, his record this year speaks for itself.
After reaching 13 of a possible 14 finals so far in 2013, and converting 10 of the 13 finals into victories, Rafa is two tournament wins away from equaling Roger Federer’s most successful year on tour in 2006.
With a 27-0 record on hard court surfaces this year and a 61-3 record on all surfaces, you wouldn’t bet against Rafa winning two of the five remaining hard court tournaments in 2013.
On the back of an incredible season, many tennis pundits are now seriously giving respect to the question of who will be considered the greatest player of all time?
No doubt Federer currently holds that distinction, but with a five-year age gap between the two players, anything could happen.
Two legends of the game, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, both gave their thoughts on the matter in saying that Nadal could overtake Federer by the end of his career.
Looking at the statistics, they may just have a point.
Most notably, Nadal holds a 21-10 head-to-head record against Federer.
When comparing the two players at the same age, they had both claimed 13 grand slams victories, however Nadal holds four more ATP tour tournament victories then Federer did at the same age.
What makes Nadal’s record even more incredible is that he has won more tournaments then Federer despite playing 17 fewer at the same age.
Many of Nadal’s victories have come on the clay court surface, a fact many tennis spectators argue diminishes Nadal’s claim to becoming the greatest of all time.
Yet with Nadal’s incredible dominance on the hard court surface in 2013, that argument is becoming less and less credible.
The next five years are going to be critical in answering the enticing debate on who will be considered the greatest.
But one thing is for sure – after season 2013, there’s every chance the “King of Clay” could become the “King of Tennis”.
Fed Fan
Guest
Federer is the best simply because he has a better record than Rafa on any surface that is not clay. Djokovic is number two.
k77sujith
Roar Guru
Tennis is a sport wherein players are tested day in day out without any warning from officials. In fact its the only sport with unbridled amounts of testing. Yes, Rafa hasnt been dominating in Beijing and Shanghai but why make such a big deal out of it? It goes without saying that hes easily the top three players of the sport ever. Period. Thanks.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
They haven't played on carpet since the Tennis Masters Cup was in Shanghai and that wasn't European carpet.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Nadal isn't ever likely to dominate on indoor hard courts. The supreme fast courts prevent his whippy forehand kicking up and causing havoc for his opponents. To be deemed the greatest ever, Nadal has to get 200 weeks at World Number 1 and at least win the World Tour Finals once. If Nadal wins the 2014 Australian Open, he would be the only man(Open Era) to have won every Major more than once.
Avatar
Roar Guru
Federer's only ten wins against Nadal: * two each on clay and grass, all in finals (Wimbledon 2006 and 2007, Hamburg 2007 and Madrid 2009) * two on hard courts (Miami 2005 and Indian Wells 2012) * four on indoor (Masters Cup 2006 and 2007, World Tour Finals 2010 and 2011). Nadal has never beaten Federer indoors.
Johnno
Guest
Nadal's only weakness appears to be on the European indoor carpet. Fed beats him on the Euro carpet every time.
clipper
Guest
Yes, I would definitely place him above Sampras now, seeing how he can win on all surfaces and Sampras never reaching a FO final - he only got to the semis once - it's just such a big part of the tennis calendar and show how complete a player you are. I would much rather watch Federer play though, when in full flight his artistry is something else.
matt
Guest
Agree re Nadal and PEDs. ATP has no interest in unhinging him, why would they? Like Lance, gaming the testing regime is pretty easy when you have access to the best people, and outside of the US the Spanish are indeed the best. I sometimes wonder if this contributes to Federer being mentally defeated before they step onto the court. The shame is he doesn't even need the drugs he is that good. And as for the drugs cloud... I expect it will remain forever but unless he confesses there will never be resolution. Vamos!
Avatar
Roar Guru
I feel Nadal can finally unseat Federer as the greatest male tennis player of all time. He now has 13 Grand Slam titles, just four off Federer's record. Just two more Grand Slam titles will make Nadal much greater than Pete Sampras, who: * won seven Wimbledon titles (Nadal has won the French Open eight times) * never won the French Open, let alone reach the final, and * never won Olympic Gold (Nadal won in 2008) Nadal has, however, never won the World Tour Finals, coming closest in 2010 when Roger Federer denied him in a three-set final. He will have his chance this year I feel, having proven unstoppable against almost everyone this year. In fact, winning the World Tour Finals will see him equal Andre Agassi in winning the "Super Slam" - that is, all four Majors, Olympic Gold and the World Tour Finals (previously known as the Tennis Masters Cup). It's hard to see Nadal slowing down anytime soon.
Harry David
Roar Rookie
Nadal's Davis Cup record is equally impressive - he has 4 Davis Cups to his name and a 21-1 Davis Cup singles record. I wouldn't put him number 1 of all time just yet but he's definitely getting close. I like your list of top 10 without considering Laver, would probably have Fed, Sampras and Bjorg above Connors and McEnroe but they're all up there.
Roparzh Greek
Guest
Im going to repeat what I said on a previous article on Nadal: Well, not to let anyone down on Nadal hype, but does Lance Amstrong rings a bell to anyone? Something I can NOT understand is he is having all year a solid play, no injure and suddenly he lose CHina? and he wasnt the way he played previous tournament, even the smallest one after his comeback. Plus, there is a word around a silent ban from the olympics. There are big rumors about spanish players in almost every sport taking enhacing drugs and it doesnt help Spain Health Association no lettng increase their antidopping measures and even not letting to let International organizations to test more on some trials on doping over spanish players. The only reason Amstrong was caught was due to a retest from an old sample since big corporation and organization trying to protect the name of the sports doing at the end more damaging than protecting since sooner or later you will know in one way or another the truth. Sorry, but I dont think Nadal is being honest with us and last tournament showed that plain and simple. He achieved the objective to get No 1 again so you will see some changes back and for to keep that No 1 as he need it
Johnno
Guest
I think he's already there my list Best ever (not including laver as he wasn’t really part of open era) 1)Nadal 2)Connors 3)Mcenroe 4)Fed 5)Bjorg 6)Sampras 7)Novak 8)Agasi 9)Lendl 10)Wilander I don't know what his davis cup record is like if he's lead Spain to any Davis Cup wins.