Tennis fans love to talk about who is the Greatest of All Time (GOAT). It is no wonder that following Rafael Nadal’s thrilling 5 set victory in the final of the US Open that Nadal is front and centre at this current juncture. Rafael Nadal holds 19 grand slam titles and is hunting down his greatest rival Roger Federer who has 20. Novak Djokovic is a few more back on 16 titles. There are a few others that deserve to be mentioned such as Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver but at this particular moment, the focus is on Rafael Nadal. He’s fit and extremely hungry just how many grand slams can he win?
The “GOAT RACE”
On 19 grand slam victories, it seems only a matter of time before Rafael Nadal surpasses Roger Federer on 20 wins. Nadal is always a massive favourite on clay, he absolutely owns Roland Garros, Philippe Chatrier is his court. How could it not be? Put it this way if he can win on hard court then he can certainly win on the clay. His current 12 titles at Roland Garros is one of the most amazing sporting achievements in history. Can you really see him not picking up any more grand slam titles in the future? Nadal collects French open titles the same way as a pensioner picks up their weekly pension. It has been an annual affair for over ten years.
2020 will be huge deal for Rafael Nadal. In January he has the chance to equal Roger Federer’s total slams won in Melbourne. Although he will be in the bank of top favourites a more likely place to lift number 20 would be Paris. 20 grand slams each tied with Roger Federer. What an accomplishment. Federer at 38, Rafa at 34 but neither of them will want to stop there. It seems unlikely but not impossible for Federer to add to his total. Novak is there or thereabouts and given his performances this decade it is impossible to rule out. If Rafa, on the other hand, can keep being competitive for a number of years then he is always in the grand slam mix.
A realistic goal for Rafa
Rafa has been dealt with crushing injury blows in the past, usually in the midst of grand slam matches. Would he have won more? Almost certainly. However, sport does not deal with what-ifs. Any prediction for the future must come from an appreciation of his own current physical situation and the miles he has currently completed. If the body holds together then 4 or 5 further slams are possible. As Rafa said recently when asked why no tape on the knees, honestly and without hesitation, he said as it doesn’t work anymore. Time will tell if that is a good or bad thing, but for the foreseeable future he is in all likelihood – certainly according to the bookies anyway – first or second pick for picking up silverware. Only Rafa truly knows what he has left to give.
INJURIES – Physical style takes its toll.
As Rafa bounds into forehands and hustles better than the rest it is easy to forget that he has had such a long career. Long-drawn out rallies, wearing down opponents have been the hallmarks of Nadal’s career. An improved service action and a greater tendency to shorten rallies have helped Rafa, especially in his 30s. Rafa should be competitive at every slam he plays at. No longer does he need a warm-up tournament to find his groove.
Having followed Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic over the past few years, these next few years in the twilight of his tennis career will help define his legacy. Without doubt, he is the greatest clay-court champion ever. Will he be able to post a grand slam total which will make him hard to ignore as the Greatest of All Time? Grand slams are the first consideration of any player. He certainly has a few more Roland Garros in him and he can pick up an Australian Open or US Open. Nadal’s march seems to mirror his play on court, incessant and extremely familiar. Who would dare doubt him? He has proved us all wrong so much in the past.
