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Nadal’s Clay Aura Of Invincibility Shattered Now?
5 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios
By Scoop Malinowski
Rafael Nadal enters 2022 Roland Garros in possibly the most vulnerable form and mindset of his career.
Typically a tyrant of the European clay court circuit, winning and dominating with brutal efficiency, this year has been different for Nadal, who has not won a clay title and accumulated an ordinary 3-2 match record in his two tournaments played in Madrid and Rome.
Perhaps this lack of match play would explain Nadal’s demeanor at yesterday’s practice sets with Jaume Munar, which featured Nadal grunting on every ball of every point, exuding an urgency if not desperation to forcefully regain the intensity, swagger and ferocity he knows he will need to subdue the threats which loom ahead. If I could describe Rafa’s spirit yesterday, he seemed a prisoner of his own obsession, trying so hard to rediscover and ride the wave of the ruthless supremacy he used to possess. It’s the fight of his life and career, there was little joy and fun, and even the fans watching Nadal seemed to feel his tension.
Nadal will turn 36 on June 3. He is no longer the reigning “King Of Clay” anymore due to losing in the semifinals last year to Novak Djokovic in four sets. So many different pressures are accumulated to break the titanium iron will and self belief of the greatest clay court champion in the history of the sport.
The pressure on Nadal right now has to be the heaviest and most draining he has ever faced in his illustrious, superhuman career which began in 2002. The all time emperor is nearing the end and the writing is on the wall for all to see. This may be the last Grand Slam that Nadal has a chance to win.
It’s a wonder Nadal’s body and will power has lasted this long. The Nadal tennis wrecking machine has won 1,051 singles matches, and lost 212. He’s won 21 Grand Slams and 91 singles titles overall. There are also another 212 doubles matches on the odometer (138-74, for 11 doubles titles). That’s not even counting all the junior, practice and other matches Rafa has played.
So he returns to Paris once again for the 17th time to attempt to win the Roland Garros title for the 14th time. And to galvanize his awe-inspiring tennis skills and fighting spirit energies to try to overcome hungry rivals Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, and Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune, among others.
Anything short of winning seven matches over two weeks will be a failure. And perhaps the unofficial end of one of the most incredible athletic careers in the history of sport.
The wounded animal is the most dangerous. Nadal is wounded right now…
Babolat · King of Clay · Nike · Rafa Nadal · Rafael Nadal · Roland Garros
MATT SEGEL · May 19, 2022 at 2:20 pm
Very nice article. He is a phenomenal competitor, and is like a bull. I think what’s most impressive is the way he reinvented his game as he aged. Clips of a young Rafa are a wonder. He was so fast! I think the French Open titles is a record that will stand until the end of time. (Come quickly Lord Jesus)
Douglas · May 19, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Suspense…
or…
Sunset
?
Scoop Malinowski · May 19, 2022 at 3:25 pm
Matt, thank you, there are a lot of impressive qualities about Nadal. How his fighting spirit and hunger to win are, or appear, the same as when he was 17. he hasn’t lost any energy in that all important aspect of competition, he still wants it as much as ever, the inner fire has not flickered at all. But at some point it will, or you have to think it will. Or will the body break down and that be his inevitable downfall?
Scoop Malinowski · May 19, 2022 at 3:29 pm
Announcing that our second issue of Final Magazine is now complete and available https://www.finalmagazine.net/ This issue is even more creative and exploratory than the first. My article is “The Six Hunters Of Melbourne”, there is also a fascinating feature by former world title challenger in boxing Michael Olajide comparing boxing and tennis, which to my knowledge has never been done before by a boxer and Michael does a wonderful job with this essay. Thrilled about Vol 2 of FINAL Magazine, check it out https://www.finalmagazine.net/
Scoop Malinowski · May 20, 2022 at 11:39 am
New issue of FINAL… https://fb.watch/d7rSW3cAI6/