Out of the most prestigious tennis events, the only one that Rafael Nadal does not yet posses is the World Tour Finals. He has won Grand Slams on every surface, and even took home the Olympic Gold medal in singles in 2008. At just 25 years old, he's already considered among the greatest ever to play the sport.
However, 2011 was not a great year for the Spaniard, especially not by the standards which he has set for himself. He reached three Grand Slam finals but only took one of them, and Novak Djokovic had his number all year, much in the way Rafa has had Federer's when it has mattered most.
His play at the World Tour Finals was far from his best, as he wrestled with injuries and stomach problems, only managing to win one match out of three against the lowest ranked player at the event (aside from Tipsarevic, who entered late).
Nadal has struggled with injuries in fact, not just at this tournament, but at the Grand Slams as well. He suffered a loss to David Ferrer at the Australian Open because of it (an opponent whom he had owned), and his play at Wimbledon was hindered by an awkward fall that affected him for the rest of the event.
When the Spaniard plays at 100 percent, there are few opponents out there who can best him. His retrieval skills as well as his topspin are unparalleled, and few players in history can be considered more mentally tough than he.
However, the fact that he has suffered so much from injuries in 2011 certainly does not bode well for the future.
I hope that I'm wrong, and that he is able to recover and play a solid 2012, as he's undoubtedly among the most talented players to have ever graced the sport. But it seems as though Nadal's play style is catching up to him, and that it could have a detrimental impact on his 2012, just as it has this year.
Lars Eller Hal Gill John Madden Petr Kalus Colton Gilies Justin Falk
No comments:
Post a Comment