Top five tennis players who admire Rafael Nadal as the greatest athlete
Rafael Nadal will play his final match at Davis Cup finals 2024.
Renowned for his work-ethic and ability to play long matches with the same intensity, Rafael Nadal is unarguably one of the greatest athletes in sports history. As a tennis player, he’s won 22 Grand Slam titles, two Olympic gold medals (one singles and one doubles) and immense respect from his rivals.
However, the most adored tennis star announced a date for his retirement on one unfortunate evening, earlier this year. As the Spanish tennis legend only has a few matches remaining before the ultimate swansong, let’s take a look at the top five greatest comebacks by Rafael Nadal:
5. Rafael Nadal vs Alexander Zverev, 2016 Indian Wells Masters
Nadal faced Alexander Zverev for the first time in 2016 at the Indian Wells Masters. Seeded fourth at the ATP 1000 Masters, Nadal locked horns against Germany’s Zverev in the fourth round. The German tennis star stunned Nadal by winning the first set 6-7 (10-8). However, the Spaniard later humbled Zverev by winning the match 6-7 (10-8), 6-0, 7-5.
It was an inter-generational clash and Zverev had the lead, but Nadal’s masterclass proved his mettle on the court.
4. Rafael Nadal vs David Nalbandian, 2009 Indian Wells Masters
Nadal defeated Briton Andy Murray to win the 2009 Indian Wells Masters 6-1, 6-2 in the summit clash. However, before reaching the final, the Spaniard had a close contest against former Argentine tennis player David Nalbandian.
The Argentine won the first set comfortably and stretched Nadal to his limits even in the second. However, Nadal prevailed in the second set and made a statement by bageling (6-0) Nalbandian in the decider.
3. Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic, 2009 Madrid Open
Seeded first, Nadal didn’t drop a single set before the semi-finals, where he faced Serbia’s Novak Djokovic. The favourite to win the title, Nadal lost the first set 3-6 and Djokovic came close to winning the match.
However, the “King of Clay” forced the other two sets into a tiebreak and secured a memorable comeback victory over Djokovic, with the final scoreline reading 3-6, 7-5 (7-5), 7-6 (11-9).
Also Read: Rafael Nadal to retire from tennis after Davis Cup 2024 finals
2. Rafael Nadal vs. Lucas Pouille, 2017 China Open
Nadal faced France’s Lucas Pouille in the Round of 32 at the 2017 China Open and interestingly, it was the last meeting between the pair on the tour. Pouille won the first set 4-6 and was in pole position to seal the victory in straight sets. Nadal kept his calm as unforced errors by the French player on crucial points gave him control of the match.
However, the 22-time Grand Slam champion resisted the pressure and forced the set into a tiebreaker, eventually winning 8-6. Nadal secured the victory 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 7-5.
1. Rafael Nadal vs. Daniil Medvedev, 2022 Australian Open
Unarguably, the greatest tennis comeback in the 21st century was engineered by the Spanish icon in the summit clash of the 2022 Australian Open against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev. The 2021 US Open champion won the two initial sets and was only one point away from sealing the victory in the third set.
However, the Spaniard crafted a remarkable return against Medvedev to seal the victory in five sets. It was Nadal’s 21st Grand Slam title
