'Rafael Nadal will play until he doesn't catch Roger Federer's 20 Majors'
In an exclusive interview to Tennis World USA, the Toronto Rogers Cup Tournament Director Karl Hale commented on when he first heard and watched live Roger Federer competing on the biggest stages in the world. "I had heard about how talented he was as a teenager", recalled Hale. "I first watched him live in 2006. He was winning Grand Slams in a row, I thought he was an unbelievable talent but I never expected him to get to 20. He keeps surprising everybody, he started taking the ball early, he changed his racket, he is very professional and a true ambassador for the sport."
On Rafael Nadal, Hale added: "He is a great sportsman like Roger. Incredible fighter. He is the most loyal player on tour, he has had basically the same coach and team since when he was a young boy. He will be around until he cannot walk anymore. He wants to be the greatest player, he has two Grand Slam titles less than Roger. He will play at least until he does not catch Federer, but I think he will catch him. Roger and Rafa have had the greatest rivalry, they have transcended tennis, they attracted a new audience to the sport. Novak entered and continued this rivalry. People were Roger or Rafa fans and Novak came up and he was the third guy into the mix. It was the perfect combination for our sport. It continues today. We do not know when it ends."
Nadal is set to try to defend his Rogers Cup title next month in Montreal.
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2GvrEB8
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