The Spaniard tennis ace Rafael Nadal has got the most ferocious forehand on the ATP Tour. His recently renewed service and his fighting spirits on every single point simply make him invincible.
A huge fraction of the followers of the sport believes that Rafa is the perfect tennis player. But when Nadal had to build a ‘perfect tennis player’ he added variations to it.
To begin with, in Nadal’s opinion the Serbian Novak Djokovic has the best backhand on the ATP. Novak’s ability to move, return, and playing clutch tennis during big points impress the tennis audience. “He’s able to defend very well, down the line, close, so he has full of options,” Rafael Nadal told Sport360.
For forehand, Nadal picks his arch-rival, Roger Federer. The Swiss plays genius tennis on the court. Even non-tennis followers sometimes catch up with Grand Slam matches only when Federer is playing. That’s just because of the resonating skills that he brings onto the court.
“He’s able to take the ball very early, to create winners from everywhere. He’s able to hit flat with spin. He has all the shots,” Rafa explained.
Also, Rafa added that Federer has the right vision on the cour. His quick ability to make the right decisions the right moments impress him.
“I had the right determination throughout my tennis career” – Rafael Nadal
Moving forward, Rafa labels himself to be the player with utmost determination. Beyond the shadows of doubt, he is a perfect choice. Some professionals associate him to be the ‘the lion in the jungle’ who fights relentlessly on the tennis court.
“Maybe me. I had the right determination throughout my tennis career, after all the injuries that I had. I was able to keep going and keep practicing with passion and keeping looking for achieving my goals and keep fighting every single match,” said Rafa.
World Number two Nadal believes that Ivo Karlovic is the best server on the ATP Tour. It’s strenuous to play against the Croatian tower. Throughout his career, Karlovic has hit 13,599 aces on all surfaces and without any bias it the highest count.
“The problem with Ivo is when he’s serving well, which is every single day of his life. It’s almost impossible. The ball is very far every day. He’s very tall and has good technique, so it almost impossible…. It’s like a penalty in football and even a little more difficult,” said Nadal.
Further, he revealed that Dominic Thiem is the fittest tennis player and Gael Monfils is quickest on the ATP Tour. According to Rafa, the Briton Andy Murray is smartest when it comes to shot selection. And his compatriot David Ferrer wears the right attitude on the court.
Tennis Today: Amazing Rafael Nadal stat emerges from his youth, with incredible pictures
In Tennis Today, just how good was Rafael Nadal back when he was a teenager? We answer that question, as well as sharing an incredible picture of a ‘barely-out-of-nappies yet still bossing a tennis court’ Novak Djokovic.
What’s on the site
First of all, let’s deal with the good news. The question of when the ‘big three’ will retire never seems far from the lips of both fans and journalists, and this week it it Rafael Nadal’s turn to answer.
Well, sort of, at least, as his coach Carlos Moya has been doing the answering. It’s still worthy insight though…
The other question, of course, is who is the GOAT, and absolutely everyone seems to have an insight they want to offer on that one.
The latest is ‘Miracle of Melbourne’ victim Tennys Sandgren, who very definitively has chosen between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic and nailed his colours to the mast.
Andy Murray might have been in the discussion, but injury has sort of ended those hopes. He has been backed to return to the top though, and by Boris Becker no less.
And Kim Clijsters is now officially back. She lost her first match, but she is also pretty happy with how it went.
What’s in the news
The sad and untimely death of British TV personality Caroline Flack has thrust depression into the news, and tennis is no different.
Tumanini Carayol has written an excellent editorial in the Guardian using Juan Martin del Potro as an example of how injury can serious affect the mental health of sportspeople .
Kim Clijsters is also it he news, after she made a second comeback to the WTA Tour at the age of 36.
It wasn’t a winning return, but when you get an endorsement from Serena Williams, you must be doing something right.
“Seriously so so so proud of Kim Clijsters,” Williams tweeted. “You inspire me. Wow. Just wow congrats you did amazing.”
There is also an interesting statistical piece by Tennishead, who have picked up on an achievement which puts Felix Auger-Aliassime in some very good company.
The article also highlights just how ridiculously good Rafael Nadal was from a very young age.
What’s on social media
Clijsters herself seemed very happy with her return, and why wouldn’t she be?
Genie Bouchard hit Vegas… I mean, what could possibly go wrong?
Stan Wawrinka is adorable..
And just look at baby Novak Djokovic!!!
