'I found Rafael Nadal performing at this level this year', says former ATP ace

In addition to delivering him definitively to the legend, the French Open feat showed how much Rafael Nadal can still dominate, at least on clay. The tactical mastery with which he smashed his opponents (up to a few years a simply devastating "brute" force was enough for him) made him change his mind even at the end of the season. There were those who assured us that we would see Nadal again in 2021, the Spaniard instead got enticed and will try to enrich his wall with two titles that have escaped him so far: the Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy, the last of the year (moreover in the 1000 it is a victory behind Djokovic, 35 to 36), and above all the London Masters. At the “grand gala” at the end of the year, Rafa has always presented himself bruised and never in top condition: who knows if a hiccup season like this won't allow him to take off another whim. It is worth remembering that this week is number 789 that Nadal passes in the top 10 in the ATP ranking: the series began on April 25, 2005 and is the longest ever having equaled the one that scored Jimmy Connors. For information, the 20 Grand Slams of the very Iberian champion are divided as follows: 13 Roland Garros, 4 US Open, 2 Wimbledon, 1 Australian Open. While speaking to L’Equipe, Paris tournament director Guy Forget recently explained why Rafael Nadal may have a better shot this year than usual. Forget believes Nadal played 'differently' at Roland Garros this year, which should help him at Bercy too.

Forget on Rafael Nadal

“Rafael Nadal has the weapons to do it, in particular by imposing his ball length,” Guy Forget said. “I found him performing at this level this year at Roland Garros. He found I think more depth by playing a little differently.” Guy Forget believes that a similar tactical approach could see Rafael Nadal finally triumphing on the indoor hardcourts of the Paris Masters. "With these patterns, he can win at Bercy,” Forget remarked. Rafael Nadal had made the final of the Paris Masters in his very first main draw appearance in 2007. He had gotten past the likes of Mikhail Youzhny and Marcos Baghdatis, before going down to David Nalbandian in the final. But things have gone downhill since; in six subsequent attempts, Nadal hasn't made it past the semis even once. The Spaniard has also missed a whopping six editions of the tournament due to injury or fitness-related concerns (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018).

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2TO6sMK