“That day, for the moment, hasn’t arrived,” Rafael Nadal predicts the kind of players that will dominate tennis in years to come
Rafael Nadal recently delivered a talk at the UAX Rafa Nadal University School, where he spoke about the future of tennis and also recalled some memorable moments from his career.
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Rafael Nadal (Image via X/Rafael Nadal)
Rafael Nadal recently gave a talk at the UAX Rafa Nadal University School, on the Villanueva de la Canada campus in Madrid. Established in 2022, the UAX Rafa Nadal University School is affiliated with the Alfonso X El Sabio University (UAX) in Spain. The 22-time Grand Slam champion delivered his talk on the subject of “Sports Performance and Health” to students of the physical activity and sports sciences, physiotherapy, and human nutrition and dietetics degrees.
Nadal gave a very interesting take on the future of tennis. He remarked that tall players, preferably someone over 2 meters, will make the competition very tough. In tennis, height often correlates with power and reach, providing players with a significant edge over others on the court.
Historically, tall tennis players have been great servers. The Open Era has seen a few tennis players who are above 2 meters, e.g., Chris Guccione, Dick Norman, Kevin Anderson, Jerzy Janowicz, John Isner, Reilly Opelka, and Ivo Karlovic. Among these players, Opelka is still active on tour.
Tennis hasn’t changed anything in terms of rules throughout its history. People are getting taller and moving better. The serve has a decisive impact. If that power isn’t limited, someone over two meters tall with good mobility will arrive, and you won’t be able to compete against him. You won’t be able to get a break.
Rafael Nadal said
Anderson is the tallest player ever to reach the finals of a Grand Slam. He did so twice—in the 2017 US Open finals and 2018 Wimbledon finals. In 2017 he lost to Nadal, while in 2018 he lost to Novak Djokovic. Isner holds the record for hitting the ATP’s fastest official serve ever at 157.2 mph or 253 km/h during his first round 2016 Davis Cup match. This record is followed by Karlovic’s serve, measured at 156 mph or 251 km/h.
That day, for the moment, hasn’t arrived. Djokovic reached a final two days ago, I was competing a year and a half ago… it leads me to think that the change hasn’t been so abrupt yet because we’ve still had a chance of success.
Rafael Nadal added
However, Nadal also added that the day hasn’t arrived yet when tall players will dominate the sport. He reckoned that Djokovic still being able to reach a final a few days ago or him competing a year and a half ago alludes to the fact that they’ve still had a chance of success.
Djokovic was recently denied his 100th career title at the Miami Open finals by the 19-year-old Jakub Mensik. While not above 2 meters, Mensik is still pretty close to the mark as he towers above his opponents at 6ft 4in (1.94 m).
Rafael Nadal recalls the 2008 Wimbledon finals
Rafael Nadal also looked back on some of his most special matches during his talk. He mentioned the 2008 Wimbledon final, where he dethroned five-time defending champion Roger Federer on grass for the first time after a memorable match. It was Nadal’s fifth Grand Slam title and his first outside of the French Open. It was also the second-longest championship match in Wimbledon history.
It was one of the most difficult matches to manage in my career because of what it meant at the time. It was my third Wimbledon final after losing to him in 2006 and 2007. I was hurting, but beating him gave me a boost of confidence and allowed me to prove to myself that I could win big tournaments outside of clay.
Rafael Nadal added
It marked a special moment for Nadal as it boosted his confidence as a formidable contender in big tournaments outside his preferred clay surface. Nadal went on to win another Wimbledon title in his career later in 2010 where he defeated Tomas Berdych in the finals.
Rafael Nadal speaks about his comeback in the 2022 Australian Open finals
Rafael Nadal also highlighted his comeback in the 2022 Australian Open final. Coming from two sets down, he defeated Daniil Medvedev in the 2022 Australian Open finals to clinch his second Australian Open title. He had won his first Australian Open title back in 2009, where he defeated Roger Federer in the finals.
I thought I was going to lose, but it was very important not to let myself go. I’ve been a player with good self-control, I haven’t been a frustrated tennis player on the court, and accepting things allows you to find solutions in the game. The 4% was worth fighting for; that’s always been my point of view.
Rafael Nadal added
With this triumph, Nadal became the fourth man, after Roy Emerson, Rod Laver, and Novak Djokovic, to achieve the double career Grand Slam, and the second in the Open Era. This also marked the Spaniard’s second last Grand Slam title.
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