Spainard Rafael Nadal recently won his 13th grand slam this year after winning the French Open (8 times) and the US Open (2 times).
Spainard Rafael Nadal recently won his 13th grand slam this year after winning the French Open (8 times) and the US Open (2 times). By doing so, ‘the King of Clay’ is closing in on the 32-year-old Roger Federer’s record of 17 Grand Slams.
Well, Rafa is just 27 and he might just do the inevitable. There may be a case of the likes of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic coming into the fray but Rafa has been there and done that. He might have two Wimbledon championships (2008, 2010) and a single Australian Open (2009) title to his name, but Rafael Nadal is slowly and steadily growing into a machine that will only stop, once it’s battery runs out.
There is no doubt that tennis icon Roger Federer still oozes class but Rafael Nadal has proved on every surface that he is still the very best. No wonder the American tennis legend Pete Sampras, a 14 grand slam titles winner himself, still rates Nadal as the best. Speaking to a tennis website Sampras said, “… I would say that, with Rafa doing what he’s been doing, he has an argument to be in the conversation. Rafa isn’t done yet. He could win more majors. He’s got a winning record against everyone that he has played in his generation. He’s won the Davis Cup, he’s won the Olympics.”
After an injury plagued 2012, this year was a blessing in disguise for the left-handed Spainard. He won tournaments (2013 Brasil Open, 2013 VTR Open, 2013 Abierto Mexicano Telcel) in the beginning of 2013, which also saw him pull out of the Australian Open due to a stomach bug. His wins at the Indian Wells Masters and major tourneys, saw him returning to form.
Many critics and ex-players cited that Rafael might soon see the twilight of his career with the injury he carried in his left knee. But that didn’t stop the man who is ready to take on Goliath, perhaps! Rafael Nadal has shunned those who felt it was his ‘time’ by putting up a performance on the court that made even Pete Sampras, stand up and take notice.
