Repeated Spectacles
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer currently are the two best players in tennis according to the rankings. This fact is confirmed further when one watches them play.They have different styles, with the graceful Federer painting lines with winners and flair while Nadal chases down every ball in sight and changes from defensive to offensive shot making in mere seconds. Federer makes every shot look easy and his one-handed backhand may be the prettiest shot in the game. Your jaw is guaranteed to drop at least a handful of times when you watch the Swiss star play. Nadal, in turn, digs in and makes the opponent suffer with his unique spin and pure athleticism. Every time the two players meet, their styles match up perfectly and create a hard-fought match.
Grand Slams
Roger Federer: 13, Rafael Nadal: 6. Over the past four years, only a select few have been able to win a Grand Slam final besides these two. Novak Djokovic is the other player who has won a Grand Slam, winning the Australian Open in 2008. Each player has their own surface of domination; Federer owns the grass courts of Wimbledon and Nadal is becoming the best player ever on clay. As a result of these strengths, Federer usually won on grass and the same for Nadal on clay. However, this all changed in 2008 when Nadal overcame the onslaught and won his first Wimbledon title. This was a blow to Federer, who was already reeling after another defeat at the French Open. It became clear that Nadal was slowly developing a game for all courts. He was able to translate his stellar defense into an attacking style which better suits the other surfaces, hard court and grass. This combination proved dangerous for anyone who faced him, Federer included.
The Aussie Open
Having usurped Federer and attaining the #1 ranking, Nadal looked to be the new dominant force in tennis. Afterall, the is a rather substantial age difference. The Spaniard does not turn 23 until June while Federer is currently 27 years old. This may not seem like a major discrepancy, but tennis years are different. Players usually hit their prime around 22 and slow down a bit after they turn 25. Federer proved to be one of the best ever in his prime, using his aforementioned 13 Grand Slam title as proof. It appears, maybe, that Federer may be unable to keep up with his younger rival.
As predicted by many, the match between Nadal and Federer could be classified as epic. In a constantly shifting five setter, Nadal proved victorious and claimed his first major hard court title. While both players were physically spent, Nadal had the endurance to outlast countless break points to take the title. This result really hit home for a reeling Federer, who was unable to contain his disappointment. Federer deserves the respect of anyone who even mildly enjoys tennis. His class, grace, and dominance make him one of the best players ever. However, it appears that Nadal is on his way to reaching the towering pedestal that Federer currently stands upon.
