‘Even on his worse days Rafael Nadal…’, says Top 10

Many gamers contemplate Rafael Nadal as essentially the most troublesome opponent to beat on the lads’s circuit. The Spanish phenomenon has dominated on clay like no different within the historical past of the game, having gained 13 Roland Garros with a tally of 100 wins in opposition to simply two defeats.

Yet one more success within the French capital final 12 months allowed the Majorcan to equal the all-time document of 20 Grand Slams of everlasting rival Roger Federer. In a distant interview granted to Blair Henley, Stefanos Tsitsipas – who’s quarantining in Melbourne earlier than the Australian Open – revealed how he felt when he confronted Nadal.

Their final assembly dates again to the final day of the Spherical Robin, with the 34-year-old from Manacor popping out victorious due to a rating of 6-4 4-6 6-2. The 22-year-old Greek has recorded just one win over Rafa in Madrid.

Tsitsipas and Nadal can be among the many protagonists of the second version of the ATP Cup, staged within the first week of February.

Tsitsipas on going through Rafael Nadal

“Rafael Nadal is somebody who simply doesn’t settle for to surrender, by no means.

He by no means fails to ship,” the Greek skilled mentioned. “Even on his worse days, he all the time has, together with his preventing spirit, his methods to go round it. And that’s what makes him one of many hardest gamers to beat”.

Aside from his ever-growing vitality and focus, the document 13-time French Open champion additionally has a left-hand benefit. And in response to the 22-year-old, the hand makes it all of the harder to defeat him. “I believe he takes excellent benefit of his left hand… makes use of that to the max,” Stefanos Tsitsipas defined.

“He’s been a really troublesome participant from the baseline, and somebody that you simply actually should be 100% concentrated in each single level to beat”. Nonetheless, if one ranges with the dedication of Rafael Nadal, one can absolutely achieve an edge over the match.

“You need to convey the perfect out of his serve, out of your groundstrokes,” Stefanos mentioned. “Usually, you need to be very concentrated and cautious while you play in opposition to him”. In the intervening time, Rafael Nadal is in Adelaide in Australia.

He can be headlining the ‘A Day on the Drive’ exhibition occasion together with different gamers like Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, and Naomi Osaka. Because the gamers arrived in Australia, they needed to comply with protocols and needed to quarantine themselves for a 14-day interval.

Coming to tennis, after the occasion in Adelaide, Rafa will head in direction of Melbourne. He’ll characterize Spain on the ATP Cup, adopted by the primary Grand Slam of the brand new season.