In an interview given during his South American tour, Rafael Nadal revealed that he doesn’t really like the way tennis is played today.
Rafa analysed: “In the past, we prepared the points more precisely and we waited for the right ball to attack. Not all the shots were pushed to the maximum, because we gave more importance to the strategy.
Today there are no more transition shots, all balls are hit with the aim of making a winning shot. I’m not saying change anything, but I’m not a fan of this type of game.
“I would like to see a tennis that offers more solutions, as well as more diverse styles of play. Because of the balls and the way the courts are made, the players all have a very similar style.
The speed at which the game proceeds does not allow for a different tactic. Only on the red clay you have a little more time to think.”
Is Rafa right to criticize the current way of playing? Tennis is evolving compared to 20 years ago. But it’s a development that people may not like. An evolution that continues what was happening at the end of the Pete Sampras era.
More muscles, more power, less talent, strategies reserved for athletics. And the ramparts have left or will leave. Who will stay to defend the old tennis? Is it destined to be swallowed up?
Rafael’s season.
Nadal has had an excellent season, enhanced by victories at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
The Spanish champion thus climbed to 22 Grand Slams, overtaking Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the all-time rankings. Thanks to Dr. Cotorro’s therapies, the former World No. 1 managed to ease the pain in his foot and also expressed excellent tennis at Wimbledon.
The 36-year-old from Manacor made it through to the semi-finals in London but a torn abdomen kept him out of contention against Nick Kyrgios.
This injury turned out to be more serious than expected and also conditioned his approach to the US Open, where Rafa did not go beyond the round of 16 (beaten in four sets by Frances Tiafoe).
The last part of the season was very disappointing for the Iberian, eliminated as soon as he entered the running at Paris-Bercy and unable to pass the group stage at the ATP Finals in Turin.
