We all know the story, for it seems like it was written as an epic novel destined to spawn two of the greatest masters of the tennis game, both at the same time. Rafeal Nadal was always the clay court magician a
nd Roger was the grass court king, but the difference now is that Roger was the grass court king- "was" as in the past. At Wimbledon this year Rafa showed why he will be the next number 1, most likely by the end of this year.
For me the shift occurred at a match far removed from the ATP tour. In an exhibition on a clay-grass court in May of last year, Nadal won the entertaining gimmick in a third set tie-break. OK so officially the match meant nothing more than sales and bragging rights, but for me it showed that while each had encroached upon each other's surfaces, Nadal possessed the capability of followin through with a major win. Last year's Wimbledon final cemented that theory. For the first time since his streak began, Federer was forced into a decisive fifth set. While Federer won, Nadal had pushed him to his limits on grass where Federer had yet to on clay-and this was before the mysterious mono diagnosis. Nadal has now not only pushed, but conquered Federer in the only way it could happen, a thrilling 5 set, nearly 5 hour epic match, hailed as the "greatest ever." The match was amazing; the result even mores so. Records were broken and set simultaneously. Federer failed to surpass Borg; Nadal succeeded in equaling him. And now as of Monday, Federer holds less than a 600 point margin over Rafa, Wimbledon is over, and the hardcourt season is here. Nadal is notorious for his hard court shortcomings, but this year he made the semis in Australia, and seems to be improving. How much better can Federer do? Answer: He can't. Just to retain his position, he would have to at least win all the events he did last year and fend off Nadal from another successful season. Prediction: Nadal is Numero Uno by the season-ending Championships.
nd Roger was the grass court king, but the difference now is that Roger was the grass court king- "was" as in the past. At Wimbledon this year Rafa showed why he will be the next number 1, most likely by the end of this year.For me the shift occurred at a match far removed from the ATP tour. In an exhibition on a clay-grass court in May of last year, Nadal won the entertaining gimmick in a third set tie-break. OK so officially the match meant nothing more than sales and bragging rights, but for me it showed that while each had encroached upon each other's surfaces, Nadal possessed the capability of followin through with a major win. Last year's Wimbledon final cemented that theory. For the first time since his streak began, Federer was forced into a decisive fifth set. While Federer won, Nadal had pushed him to his limits on grass where Federer had yet to on clay-and this was before the mysterious mono diagnosis. Nadal has now not only pushed, but conquered Federer in the only way it could happen, a thrilling 5 set, nearly 5 hour epic match, hailed as the "greatest ever." The match was amazing; the result even mores so. Records were broken and set simultaneously. Federer failed to surpass Borg; Nadal succeeded in equaling him. And now as of Monday, Federer holds less than a 600 point margin over Rafa, Wimbledon is over, and the hardcourt season is here. Nadal is notorious for his hard court shortcomings, but this year he made the semis in Australia, and seems to be improving. How much better can Federer do? Answer: He can't. Just to retain his position, he would have to at least win all the events he did last year and fend off Nadal from another successful season. Prediction: Nadal is Numero Uno by the season-ending Championships.
No comments:
Post a Comment