We look at how talented Spaniard RafaNadal started his journey to winning ATP Tours.
The 30-year old is preparing well for the forthcoming French Open. He has been zooming to finals and lifting titles and breaking records. He started his brilliant run in the ATP Tour 15 years ago.
Nadal got his first win in the ATP event at home, winning in front of familiar faces in Mallorca. Nadal was only 15 years and 10 months but he achieved the feat. He defeated Paraguayan Ramon Delgado, a player ranked in the top 100, 6-4, 6-4. Nadal is one of the youngest players to rise to that level in the Open era.
Nadal alongside Richard Gasquet were among the first 15-year old stars to get an ATP win. Ryan Harrison is the only other person to have done so after them. It has been 15 years and Nadal has not looked back. Read more »
Feliciano Lopez has backed Rafael Nadal saying that his countryman knows how to come back from adversities and people should dare to write him off only at their own peril.
Speaking about Nadal yesterday, the veteran said, “Players in top 3 are playing some wonderful Tennis at this point of time, particularly Novak. He’s been absolutely dominant for the past couple of seasons. So, it would not be easy for Rafa; that is for certain. But, you’ve got to trust him to be able to make a comeback with a bang because he has done that in the past. There’s no doubt that he has a lot left in that body still and he can win titles.”
When asked if he believes Nadal should look to appoint a new coach who can help him change his fortunes quickly, Lopez answered in negative and dismissed the idea.
In his words, “I don’t think getting a high profile coach is always the solution. It can’t be a guarantee of success. You can still struggle. The most important thing is the understanding between the coach and the player.”
“As far as Rafa is concerned, he’s got a Support Staff which has had a long association with him and he trusts them to the fullest.” Read more »
2015 has been torrid for Rafael Nadal thus far.
If a couple of tournaments are barred, he has had it quite tough right through the ongoing season whether you talk about form or fitness.
He has just not looked to be a man who has 14 Slams in his kitty.
For the first time in about a decade, he has slipped outside top 5 in the world rankings.
But, Nadal is looking to make sure he winds up with some success towards the end of the season.
Nadal is presently in Cincinnati to take part in the Western & Southern Open.
He is pretty eager to have a good time there so that he moves to Flushing Meadows with some confidence under his belt.
Speaking to the reporters yesterday, Nadal said, “It’s not one of the most successful seasons that I have had in my career, but, I think the last few tournaments, I have done alright and it would be really nice if I manage to sign off with some more good performances.”
Nadal is not in the top bracket as far as the favourites for the coming US Open are concerned, but, if somebody is completely counting him out, he is doing that at his own peril because the genius of the game that the Spaniard is, he can pull the rabbit out of the bag at any time and he has shown that in the past. Read more »
The sportspersons often feel embarrassed to open up to the press especially when they go through one of the worst patches of their career.
But, Rafael Nadal has always been very forthright about his form and his yesterday’s press conference was no different.
After going down to Fernando Verdasco in Miami, the Spaniard was quick to admit that he needs to sort the mental side of his game right now more than anything else.
The Verdasco defeat is not the biggest upset that Nadal has suffered in the recent times. He has had quite a few embarrassing days this year.
Normally at this time of the season, you expect Nadal to pick up a bit of form with Clay court tournaments on the horizon, but, his game is actually getting worse and worse if anything.
He was probably playing a bit better at the start of the season.
However, if you still see Nadal’s overall numbers in 2015, it’s not poor.
The left hander has won 15 games in comparison to 5 defeats. For a normal player, this is quite okay.
But, only because we are talking about Nadal here, we have to say it is not good enough.
The pundits are pointing fingers at various technical issues in Nadal’s game, but, the player himself is more worried about the mental aspects. Read more »
May 16, 2017 8:01 am | 