In an interview during his South American tour, Rafael Nadal revealed that he doesn’t really like the way the game is played today. Rafa analysed: “In the past, points were prepared with greater accuracy and the right ball was expected to attack.
Not all shots were pushed to the maximum, because more importance was given to strategy. Today there are no more transition shots, all the balls are hit for the purpose of making the winner.I’m not saying anything needs to be changed, but I’m not a fan of this type of game.
I’d like to see tennis that offers more solutions, as well as more diversified styles of play. Because of the balls and how the courts are made, the players all have a very similar style. The speed at which the game is played does not allow for a different tactic to be adopted.
Only on red clay is there 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 an evolution that people may not like. An evolution that continues what was happening during the end of the Pete Sampras-Era.
more muscles, more power, less talent, strategies the preserve of athleticism. And the bulwarks are gone or are going away. Who will be left to defend the old tennis? Is it destined to be engulfed by the past?
Rafael’s season
Nadal had an excellent season, enhanced by victories at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
The Spanish champion thus hoisted himself to 22 Grand Slams, stretching over Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the all-time rankings. Thanks to Dr. Cotorro’s therapies, the former world number 1 managed to ease the pain in his foot and also expressed excellent tennis at Wimbledon.
The 36-year-old from Manacor pushed himself to the semifinals in London, but a torn abs prevented him from taking the field against Nick Kyrgios. That 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 on his debut in Paris-Bercy and unable to pass the group stage at the ATP Finals in Turin.
