It is better to try to become a Rafael Nadal rather than a Roger Federer: Jean-Rene Lisnard

Being a Federer fan himself, Jean-Rene Lisnard believes younger players would be better off trying to emulate Spain’s Rafael Nadal rather than Roger Federer.

When Federer and Nadal are drawn to play a match against each other, it’s a treat for the tennis fans. They are rivals on court, but are friends off it. However, at the end of the day they are the only two members of the 20 Grand Slams club who push each other to achieve their ultimate best.

Both the tennis greats possess a style of play completely different from the other. The Swiss is known for his effortless style of play and graceful movement on the court whereas, the Spaniard is aggressive in his approach and thrusts a huge amount of power behind his shots. Nonetheless, the success defines both.

In a recent interview, Lisnard suggested that embracing a character and playing style like the ‘King of Clay’ can prove to be more beneficial for youngsters than trying to emulate the elegant Swiss tennis masterclass, in the journey towards greatness.

During the interview, the former World No.84 compared their approach towards big matches of their careers and preferred the Spaniard to lead the way for youngsters.

Without disrespecting Federer’s persona and hardwork over the years, Lisnard highlighted that in terms of mental attitude and strength, Rafa Nadal is an example of easier to ‘copy’.