Mats Wilander stresses ‘importance’ of Rafael Nadal who is ‘not the greatest’ tennis player

Mats Wilander explained what makes Rafael Nadal the most important player in the history of men's and women's tennis.

Mats Wilander stresses ‘importance’ of Rafael Nadal who is ‘not the greatest’ tennis player

Mats Wilander, Rafael Nadal (Images via Ubitennis, X)

Rafael Nadal is not the greatest when it comes to numbers. But does it affect his legacy? Mats Wilander certainly doesn’t think so, and he explained why Nadal has become the most important player in tennis’s history.

Nadal retired at the Davis Cup after Spain’s defeat to the Netherlands and leaves tennis with 22 Grand Slam titles, the second most after Novak Djokovic‘s 24. Wilander said that though Nadal hasn’t clinched the most Majors, he has a massive influence on several generations of players across different sports.

YouTube video

Rafa is, as I said before, perhaps the most important tennis player we have had, both men and women because the legacy he leaves is not being the best of all time. He may not be the greatest, but he is the most important for his attitude, for his fighting spirit. You have to tell people who play tennis to play with the same attitude as Nadal, then whether they win or lose is less important.

Mats Wilander told Eurosport

Nadal will forever be known as a player with a great fighting spirit. Not just in court against his rivals, he had been fighting against injuries throughout his career but this time his age prevented him from prolonging his career. The Mallorcan last lifted a Major title in the 2022 French Open, which was also his 14th title at Roland Garros.

Mats Wilander says Rafael Nadal was given a perfect farewell ceremony

Rafael Nadal didn’t get a ‘grand’ farewell ceremony at Davis Cup, which was pointed out by even the members of his own team. His uncle Toni Nadal explained how the organizers could have made it more emotional. But Mats Wilander saw nothing wrong in it.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (L) got emotional while singing the national anthem (via X)

I disagree a little with people who think it wasn’t the perfect farewell. For me, it was in the Davis Cup, which is an incredible sign from Rafa. He could have done it at Roland-Garros with less pressure and expectations. 

Mats Wilander told Eurosport

As Andy Murray recently became his old rival Novak Djokovic‘s coach for the Australian Open, Wilander thinks Nadal will also be back on tour. He could coach fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz or could also become the Davis Cup captain. While Wilander thinks Nadal will surround himself with tennis, there were rumors of him becoming the president of La Liga giants Real Madrid.