Australian Open: Rafael Nadal defies the laws of nature – does he do it like Federer in 2017?

Rafael Nadal only looked anguished into the camera in the Eurosport interview. One could almost get the impression that even smiling hurt him.

The 35-year-old Spaniard had invested everything in the previous four hours and seven minutes – and had been rewarded for it.

“I just tried to survive,” the Mallorcan summarized the fifth and decisive sentence in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in a few words: “I was physically destroyed.”

But Nadal once again managed to override the laws of nature against Canadian Denis Shapovalov.

Experts bow to Nadal

At the beginning of the decision-making process, almost everything spoke for a victory for his opponent, who was 13 years his junior. Nadal gave up the match after a 2-0 set lead and had to be treated in the middle of the fourth round. It wasn’t just the scorching heat of over 30 degrees in Melbourne that bothered the Spaniard: “I was getting more and more tired, my stomach closed and I couldn’t breathe properly,” he explained.

“Just when you think Rafa has nothing left, he pulls something out of his bag of tricks,” said Eurosport expert John McEnroe. By far not the only one who deserved the greatest respect for Nadal’s irrepressible will to win. Barbara Rittner had “goosebumps”.

“Nadal is one of the greatest competitors that tennis has ever had to offer,” said Boris Becker: “He believes in it to the last point, you have to hit it three times before the referee says your name.”

Nadal defies the consequences of the injury break

All the more amazing, two months ago Nadal didn’t even know if he would ever return to the tour.

For months, a stubborn foot injury had put Nadal out of action. The Müller-Weiss syndrome, a bone disease that caused him to deform the scaphoid in his metatarsal and which has accompanied him throughout his career, had made itself felt again.

Nadal missed Wimbledon, the Olympics and the US Open. And then in December his preparation for the season was severely disrupted by a corona infection. “We mustn’t forget that I haven’t played tennis for a long time,” said Nadal: “But here I am. For me it’s a gift of life that I can play tennis here again and enjoy it.”

Nadal finds new ways against Shapovalov

Against Shapovalov he found other ways in the decisive moments. “Without a doubt,” said Nadal, his serve saved him: “Winning rallies from the baseline was almost impossible because I was just too broken.” His service got him “the free points I needed”.

Rather, it was the mental strength that allowed him to once again triumph over his opponent in a five-set thriller.

“Shapovalov really wanted it, he could taste it, he could feel it, it was there,” McEnroe said. But “Rafa was able to put the pressure on at just the right moments and pull it off. That’s what sets these guys apart.”

These guys, by which he meant, in addition to Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, of whom at least one had always been in the semifinals in 70 of the past 71 Grand Slams. A scary rate. The Big Three – Nadal shows this in an impressive manner – will still be ahead of the younger generation in 2022.

Title after injury break: does Nadal like Federer?

Speaking of Federer: Nadal’s fight against all odds and odds is very reminiscent of the Swiss triumph in 2017.

Federer returned to the tour after a month-long break. A curious meniscus tear, which he sustained while running a bath for his daughters, and the consequences of the injury forced him to end the season early in mid-2016.

Federer made his Grand Slam comeback in Melbourne – and promptly won.

His opponent in the final back then: Rafael Nadal, who is only missing two wins to emulate the Swiss and pass Federer and Djokovic in the all-time list of the best with 21 Grand Slam titles.

Wilander: There has never been one like Nadal

Before that, Nadal can now rest for two full days. A break that will do him good. “I’m going to play against a fantastic player and I have to be at 100 percent. I hope I’m able to try,” the Spaniard remained modest about the match.

This is also a character trait, why experts and opponents value him so much – and fear him. In any case, Mats Wilander was carried away to a superlative in his analysis of Nadal’s performance: “I don’t think there ever was a player like that.”

(with SID)

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