Rafael Nadal falls out of the top 10 in the world rankings this week after almost two decades. Will the Spaniard find his old form?
the essentials in brief
- Rafael Nadal is likely to make his comeback on the ATP tour for the sand season.
- Tennis legend Mats Wilander makes the Spaniard’s success dependent on three factors.
- He also warns that Nadal will face stronger opponents earlier in the tournaments.
After the ATP 1000 tournament in Indian Wells, California, there is a “novelty” in the men’s world rankings. For the first time in 18 years, Rafael Nadal will no longer be in the top ten.
The Spaniard picked up a ton of points early last year, most notably by triumphing at the Australian Open. Because the 36-year-old has only played four games this year due to injury, these points will be lost again.
At the Australian Open he failed in the second round. In Indian Wells and then in Miami, Nadal is not in action.
The Spaniard seems to be able to get over the end of his impressive 912-week streak: “It’s almost a miracle that I never ended up outside the top ten. With all the injuries I’ve had over the past 18 years.”
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic calls the performance of his long-time rival “something unthinkable”.
How does Rafael Nadal return to the tour?
Even if Nadal is to be expected again in the sand season: It won’t be easier for the “bull from Manacor”. And it’s not just because of his age.
Swedish tennis legend Mats Wilander sees three factors that will decide the future of the 36-year-old: game strategy, mentality and physique. The seven-time Grand Slam champion explains to “Eurosport” that the first two will probably not be a problem.
“The last thing Rafa would ever lose is his actual game. I think he’s hitting the ball better and better and is becoming more and more creative,” said Wilander.
Mentally, Nadal will be “as strong as ever” when he returns, but he has physical limits. “He’s slowing down because he can’t train as much and is getting older.”
Sooner or later Nadal will realize that not everything is possible without 100 percent fitness. “It will be his greatest enemy.”
Strong opponents early in the tournament
In the comeback, which will probably come at the end of April or in May, there are big hurdles waiting for Nadal early on. Due to his slipping in the world rankings, Nadal already has to deal with strong opponents in the first rounds of the tournaments.
“If you play a Masters and you know: There is a chance of playing number one or number two in the round of 32. That makes you nervous,” says Wilander. Nadal has less time to build self-confidence against weaker opponents.
But if one player – especially on clay – should never be underestimated, then it is Rafael Nadal.
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