Rafael Nadal beat Fernando Gonzalez 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 in the Beijing Olympics Final to finally achieve what he had been chasing for 160 weeks, the No.1 ranked player in the world. His consistency has finally made him achieve what no one could even dream of coming close to last year with Federer as dominant as it gets.
However, Nadal has played great tennis all this year
and has been nothing short of flawless. After beating Federer at Wimbledon which could easily be amongst the best tennis matches ever played this is the run of the play now with him getting Olympic Glory with a Gold medal and correspondingly making it to the top crown of world tennis.
Federer would have expected the same after losing out very early in the tournament. He goes home with Doubles gold but I am sure there is much sour taste while going home after losing out on the top rank. As a tennis fan, I would say the stage couldn't have been set better. Federer has lost so much in a past 2 months and has a lot of it to get back at the US Open.
I am amazed by Nadal's professionalism. He is on top notch form and practically unbeatable. A flawless Nadal this year is much much more invincible than a flawless Federer we have seen in the past few years. That line itself says a lot of about the kind of form he is in.
The semi-final between Djokovic & Nadal could have gone on longer which ended with a overhead smash gone wrong unforced error by Djokovic. Its been these 3 names in tennis that have made headlines and who really compete but I would be looking out for the new Ivo Karlovic who really impressed in the recently concluded Cincinatti open. The hard courts suit his type of game with the big serves and of course he reminds us of the great Goran Ivanisevic in so many ways than not who was from Croatia also.
Roddick, Murray & Safin should do much better on the hard courts and I do expect someone to really challenge Nadal at the Flushing Meadows in the upcoming US Open.
I'm also glad with Nadal becoming no. 1.
ReplyDeleteThe points you made, are more than enough to bring home the point:
Nadal's professionalism: even after winning tournaments in a row, he looks very focused every time he comes in the court. I find him humble too.
He doesn't have a great serve(he takes very few aces), he doesn't have artistic shots like federer. Still he is a fierce opponent.
Nadal's invincibility: Rightly said--even when Federer was enjoying invincibility, he was not as unbeatable as Nadal.
I wish to add one more point
I find Nadal more confident and mentally strong than federer.
Superb and finally he does it... he is coming on his own now. the question is whether he will reach greater heights than federer... that doesn't look possible... but with nadal you never know.
ReplyDelete@a bisht - well I wouldnt say Nadal has been mentally challenged as of now...no tennis players really play mind games or re-think strategy in the middle of a match...I mean when agassi used to play there used to be lots of homework and plan A, plan Bs etc against every other player...
ReplyDeleteSo Nadal may be looking mentally stronger but he has not really been tested...in those ways...he has just been boom boom....flawless...
@scorpicity - its too early to think about it... but he is playing some great tennis and has shown good adjustment skills for different surfaces...lets see what he brings on the hard courts...
I expect Rafa to do well. He has show an important quality - a desire to excel and a desire to implement what he has learnt from previos experiences. That can take him to greater success.
ReplyDelete@soulberry - that is absolutely true...and well put...that is one of his biggest strengths I feel also...learning from mistakes and implementing...the changes...adjusting...
ReplyDeleteLets see...
I see Nadal staying at #1 for a while. Not only is Federer struggling, but Nadal is surging and like you said how much confidence he has.
ReplyDelete@matt - i see that too but I am having my not-so-secret favorite for US OPEN which is Ivo Karlovic...
ReplyDelete