Tennis Legends Reflect on Rafael Nadal’s Impact and the Future of the Sport

A few days before the Mutua Madrid Open begins, two tennis legends come together at the Laureus Awards in Madrid and one of the central topics was, of course, the year of Rafael Nadal. BorisBecker He defined it in a resounding way: “Nadal does not play tennis, Nadal works tennis.” And he hopes, like everyone, that he can compete at Roland Garros one last time.

Martina Navratilova further elaborated on her definition of the 22-time Grand Slam champion: «When he arrived on the world stage, we thought he would not last until he was 30, because he plays a very physical game. How were we all so wrong? It’s great to see him for so long. I think he is a top competitor, he fights for every ball, and you can see his influence on the future generation. The way he approaches the sport, he is a top professional. He is a great example for everyone. His rival is his worst enemy, but when the game is over, they are the best of friends. You can put him in any sport or any hard work and it would show his dedication and the concentration of him.

The two former tennis players valued that the best thing for any player is to choose the moment to say goodbye. «The best thing for a legend is to retire when you decide. I cross my fingers that he makes it to Roland Garros, and if he makes it to the Olympic Games it would be a bonus. I think he wants to play Roland Garros one more time and retire when he decides. He is a number one. The work and determination he has is incredible. Rafa doesn’t play tennis, he works tennis,” said the winner of seven Grand Slams. «At 37 years old, continuing to do this, traveling so many kilometers, is only because he loves it. He loves competition and that is what he has to find after tennis, something equally challenging for him. As long as we have it, we have to enjoy it,” Becker continued.

He also had words to calibrate the current circuit, once Roger Federer retired, Nadal is on his way and Djokovic has his doubts. «Who is going to take over from the Big 3? Carlos Alcaraz has come from no one knows where and he has really taken charge. I remember watching the Wimbledon final last year, the most exciting I’ve seen in years. It has to be said that of course you always need a bit of yin and yang, and the arrival of Jannik Sinner is great for tennis too. There are two candidates », he recalled. Navratilova has no doubts: «I have to go with Alcaraz, he is a complete player. He does things we haven’t seen before on the track. Djokovic is incredible, but Alcaraz takes him to a different level in speed, he surprises, he improvises better than anyone else and it is a pleasure to watch him.

For her part, Navratilova criticized the WTA’s decision to play the Masters Cup in Saudi Arabia, between 2024 and 2026, due to the country’s failure to comply with LGTBIQ rights. “Going there is one of the best changes you can make before going to North Korea,” she said wryly. «It doesn’t affect us because we don’t play anymore. The players have made their decision. “Some have justified it as not wanting to get involved in politics, but sport is politics.”

2024-04-21 16:29:59
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