Return of Rafael Nadal: Challenges in front of the Champion

Like Bane, the villain from the Hollywood movie ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ who wrecked Batman’s spinal cord and self confidence in an absolute drubbing of a fight, little known Lucas Rosol of Czech Republic knocked out two time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal in an annihilating display of powerful tennis in June last year. Though Nadal had commented that it was just a game of tennis, deep down you would have known how disappointed he was. Moreover, a tendinitis in his knees and a recent stomach virus kept him out of sport for more than six months. Despite certain rumours calling it an end of his career, he always felt hopeful of making his return to mainstream tennis. According to recent updates, the King of clay is all set to mark his comeback on the surface of his liking at the Chile Open starting tomorrow.

Though it should be happy home-coming for the champion on his favourite surface, one that he is so passionate about, he will be haunted by certain threats and challenges.

Rafael Nadal, fondly called the raging bull, is quite well known for his physical fitness and strength. A mere look at his physique and his style of play proves that. He loves playing long rallies, running hard, trying to reach every ball, imparting heavy top spin and hitting the forehand winners hard and strong. While it’s a real treat for the eyes, one question lingers in everyone’s mind – How long will his body support him? To further increase this doubt, the fact that it is his longest break since his arrival in professional tennis, courtesy a knee injury, is a vexing and disturbing trivia. His recent photographs haven’t helped, suggesting a substantial loss in his weight. It should be frustrating if the fans get to see dipping pace in his forehand strokes and weaker limbs that fail to propel him to certain corners of the court. All said and done, these are mere speculations about his body and strength, yet it should be the first hurdle he needs to overcome in pursuit of glory again.

While Nadal was sidelined due to injury, others have prospered on the field. Roger Federer is still the magician with the racket in his hand despite no Grand Slam victory during this period. Very few sportsmen in the world would go on and on without caring to have a look at the calendar. He has included the experience factor from his age in his game and left the biological weaknesses out of it. He still has the hunger for success and the game to conquer his opponents. History doesn’t suggest too many problems for Nadal of the past against Federer but we might be looking at a different player now.

Then there is a Novak Djokovic, who seems quite the unstoppable force and doesn’t look like getting displaced from the top any time soon. He enjoys great physical strength, high skill set and audacious stroke making. The attribute that sets him apart is his calm and composed mind even in adverse situations. Wins against Federer in US open 2011, Tsonga in French Open 2012, Wawrinka in Australian Open 2013 provide the evidence for the same. On numerous occasions recently, he has achieved glory. He has been Nadal’s nemesis in the recent period before the break and his play has only got better since.

Andy Murray is the most improved player since Nadal’s exit. He has featured in finals of all major tournaments since, winning the Olympic Gold and US open. His service is his greatest asset and his athleticism is quite well known. Thanks to Nadal’s absence, he had enjoyed easier draws, reaching finals on numerous occasions. But going forward, Murray would face a tougher route in coming tournaments with Nadal’s presence.

In his long run in professional tennis, Rafael Nadal conquered 11 Grand slams, posting wins over the best of the competitors in a ruthless manner. Having said that, he has his own set of problems against lesser ranked players. The Tsongas, Ferrers, Soderlings and Rosols have created more upsets against him than against any other top players. All of them shared certain characteristics – they served big and fast, hit solid and strong winners and somehow, worked Nadal out on the angles subtended by their winners. Their relentless drubbing would leave him reeling on the court. He would try even in his struggle but fail to avert the opening of the floodgates. With more powerful tennis being employed by the existing set of players, there should be more challenge in front on him than it was before.

Odds are always stacked against a sportsperson who’s making a comeback. There are more contemplations about how he would fail rather than how he would rise again. But the character of Rafael Nadal is such that he would never let results fall apart so easily. He’s a fighter at heart and warrior on the court. He understands his game very well, plays to his strengths and doesn’t rest without giving the opponent a run for his money. Even after having a psychological disadvantage of losing three consecutive finals to Djokovic, he backed himself to win on his strongest field and subsequently won the French Open last year. It is the trait of a champion to cross the hurdles and make a place for his name in the history books. He has the weapons to do it and knows how to launch them. It’s just the timing and execution that are key factors now. Hopefully, we will get to see a richer display of tennis.

As an ardent Rafael Nadal fan who takes inspiration in all walks of life(and not just sports), I can say with conviction that he will rise. You would see him fall only in his trademark jubilant pose after winning the finals.

And as always, I place my bets on my hero.