The tennis world witnessed one of the most shocking defeats in the modern era, despite the match being a semifinal of an ATP 500 tennis tournament. The 'King of Clay' lost his first semifinal on his favorite surface in 12 long years, in the 2nd edition of the Rio Open, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, against someone who has only progressed beyond the QF stages of a Grand Slam only once. Gasp!
For starters, Rio Open is an ATP professional tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts and it is part of 2015 ATP and WTA tours. Rafael Nadal, the defending Rio Open champion, suffered a crushing defeat against world number 22, Fabio Fognini. Top-seeded world number 3 started strongly against the Italian but went down 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 in two hours and 17 minutes. The defeat in Rio Open has ended a 52-match winning streak in clay court semifinals, stretching over 12 years for the Spaniard.
The left-hander who is a great rival to the legendary Roger Federer was much expected to break the slam numbers of the Swiss master. One could remember when the champion was ruling the ATP world in 2008, just then, the Spaniard suffered a severe career-threatening knee injury which was a great blow to his quest to be the greatest ever. To the surprise of fans, Nadal made a strong comeback regaining his world number 1 ranking.
His performances were scintillating so that he put aside his difficulties to bag the Australian Open in 2009. However, the worse happened to him when Robin Soderling dethroned him at the French Open. Soon after it was officially confirmed that Nadal was suffering from tendinitis in both of his knees.
The route then got more and more difficult. The then defending Wimbledon champion was forced to withdraw from the event and could not progress beyond the US Open semifinal. Suddenly, Federer's record tally of majors looked like a distant dream as he was stuck on 6.
In 2010, Nadal, having not yet recovered from the career-threatening problem pocketed the last three majors of the year to complete the Career Grand Slam. It was till date one of the most productive years for Nadal and that came soon after one of his worst.
He became the first to win majors on clay, grass and hard court in the same year! Quite deservingly, he was chosen as the Sportsperson of the year by the Laurels Sports Awards ahead of footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Trouble again
It was very surprising to note that Nadal was still able to retain his status as the clay master despite losing twice to Novak Djokovic in the same season in 2011. It was the first time in his career Nadal had lost twice to a player on clay in a single season.
The king was clearly not at his best, both in terms of fitness and game. However, he still reached the finals of the Wimbledon and US Open only to be denied by Djokovic on both the occasions. Notably, he missed out on the opportunity to stretch his winning streak on Grand Slam finals, having won 7 straight finals since losing to Roger Federer in Wimbledon, 2007.
Mixed feelings - The Seventh wonder and shockers
Yes, 2012 was the year that gave Nadal the famous seventh French Open title and the one in which he contested the marathon Australian Open final, that he eventually lost to the Serbian. In fact, the Rolland Garros final in Paris was the first time in history that two players faced each other for the fourth consecutive time in grand slam finals. Such was the dominance established by Nadal and he was able to stop the Serb on his preferred surface.
The later part of the year was a nightmare for the man who was firmly on course to challenge Federer's 16 majors. The left-hander was thrown out of the Wimbledon championships in the second round and forced to skip the US Open together with the Olympics, owing to his recurring tendinitis problem.
The famous return
The much-anticipated return of Nadal was further delayed by a stomach virus as he had to skip the Australian Open 2013. One got a feeling that the player for lost for good as the tennis world had almost written him off to be the greatest ever.
Fortunately, much to the delight of his fans, the fighter in him was alive and kicking. Nadal reached 14 finals out of his 17 tournaments, winning 11, as he stormed back to the pinnacle of world tennis from being ranked number 5 mid-way through the season.
If the eighth French Open and second US Open crowns refurbished his path to glory, the disappointment in Wimbledon was still there as the player could not win his tournament opener.
The fairytale comeback was recognized and honored as Nadal won the 'Laureus World Sports Award for Comeback of the Year 2013.'
The Spaniard was in peak form after winning tournament after tournament when yet another issue bogged him down. His back caused problems as the player struggled in the Australian Open 2014 final against Stanislas Wawrinka.
The alarm bells were ringing again and doubters were out in full flow as the player himself was visibly less confident on the tennis court thereafter. The movements have become less effective and forehands have started to miss the baseline more frequently these days, leading to comparatively higher percentage of errors in his game.
Those who pointed fingers at him, being just a clay court wonder were again out with more venomous accusations.
Again, for the nth time, Nadal, putting his distractions and difficulties aside, reached a historic milestone by winning the 9th French Open last year.
He was again kept out of the Wimbledon quarters and was again forced to skip the US Open, this time with a wrist injury (possibly the only part left uninjured at that point as his shoulders have already experienced tendinitis). The Spaniard’s performances were not at the same level, as he was struggling with health issues, stresses, self-doubts, and losses.
Current state
With the QF loss to Tomas Berdych in Australian Open 2015, Nadal, who was expected to surpass or equal Roger Federer's Grand Slam numbers, is in a doubtful state.
His injury issues have significantly weakened him, both physically and mentally as he was aware of his defeats against low-ranked players in major tournaments. He is now starting to speak more and more of his mind and body these days, in press conferences, than about his game, confirming the same.
This a worrying sign indeed. I believe that his game style, that is significantly dependent on top spin, forehand baseliners, cross-court winners and the intensive feet movements towards the ball means he is spending more energy on every point, game, set, and match. Every player knows what he is capable of and only themselves are better judges. Yet, it may be better if he finds a way to spend lesser resources to force the result to keep him fit and strong.
Nadal was replaced as world number 3 by Andy Murray recently and is not at his peak anymore. Yet, his fans believe in Nadal to break out of his slump and equal or surpass Federer’s slam record. The thing to remember is: Nadal is only 28 and he has few more years of tennis left in him. If his health issues were completely done away, or at least did not restrict his confidence to a shell, the Spaniard has the ability to overcome any opponent in future and stake claim to be the GOAT - Greatest Of All Time.
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