It was September 13, 2010, the day Rafael Nadal would never forget, as he cemented his path to become the greatest tennis player of all time.
Rafa as known to tennis world captured the most elusive Grand Slam Event to his previous eight slams to join the elite group of seven Grand Slams Champions that include 1. Fred Perry (8 titles), UK; Australian 1, French 1, Wimbledon 3 & US Open 3, 2. Don Budge (6 titles),USA; Australian 1, French 1, Wimbledon 2 & US Open 2, 3. Rod Laver (11 titles), Australia; Australian 3, French 2, Wimbledon 4 & US Open 2, 4. Roy Emerson (12 titles), Australia; Australian 6, French 2, Wimbledon 2 & US Open 2, 5. Andre Agassi (8 titles), USA; Australian 4, French 1, Wimbledon 1 & US Open 2, 6. Roger Federer (16 titles), Switzerland; Australian 4, French 1, Wimbledon 6 & US Open 5 and the number 7 Rafael Nadal of Spain has 9 titles to date at the young age of only 24 years old claiming more than 3 slams when the greatest Federer is of the same age. Rafa has 1 Australian, 6 French, 2 Wimbledon and 1 US Open to his cap.
The first time Rafa won the French Open in successions, pundits believed he can never win the hard surface as Spanish players are known to be clay court specialists the likes of Ferrero and Moya who at one time became World Number 1′s. In his struggling years, he never advanced into the finals of any Grand Slam event other than Roland Garros until the time he defeated Roger Federer in the emotionally ladened Wimbledon Championships in 2007 and that was the beginning Rafa’s critics to think differently. Whenever Rafa does something terrific and amazing, it becomes misery to Roger as the five setter climactic battle to supremacy in Australian Open in 2009 favored Rafa’s side to earn another Grand Slam to his resume. Third time always do wonders to Rafa just like when he captured the Wimbledon crown from Fed Express. 2010 is the third time in row in US Open Rafa made it in the semi-finals but failed to go further from the previous years. This year from the first round up to the semi-finals, Nadal did not dropped any set making him the heavy favorite to win the finals. He did not failed his supporters and claim as the World Number 1 when he outshone Novak Djokovik of Serbia to win the last slam he longed for with a stunning 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 victory losing only one set from the entire two weeks event.
Rafael Nadal is one of my lifetime tennis favorites along with Andre Agassi so everytime he play, I root for him. I liked him for his humility on court, never-die attitude and simplicity. You would never see him in tantrums unlike other players who lost tempers during a pressure and yelling bad words. Win or lose, he has a ready good words for his opponent. He is also gracious to his legion of fans and his attitude towards the sport is so great with his intense dedication and focus. Never been proud of his achievements, he does continuous learning and improvement of his craft and we can see this from the tremendous rise of aces from his first serve nowadays. With the new found skills, how can anyone ever defeat him in his healthy state and confidence. No one can match his speed and industry to chase balls. Rafael is in the court to play unless injury wreaks havoc to stop him to continue.
Before, critics and analysts were confined to believe Rafael winning several French Open crowns but after the progression of a man coming out from his coccoon to readily seize the world winning in all Grand Slams surfaces one at a time, they are now counting the years when this man from Spain will be the greatest tennis player ever. Remember he is only 24 years old right now and only 7 slams short from Federer. I for one, will pray and wish God will guide him to achieve this feat and Roger too as both the greatest tennis players on earth are actively playing right before our eyes…these years and onwards.
Together let us chant, ” Vamos Rafa”.
