“One case in a million,” Feliciano Lopez lauds Rafael Nadal for leading Spain’s best generation and changing the mentality
Feliciano Lopez thinks retirement of Rafael Nadal will mark the end of best generation of Spanish tennis players.
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Rafael Nadal and Feliciano Lopez
Feliciano Lopez has seen the rise of Spanish tennis in his more than two-decade long career. He gives credit to this incredible phenomenon to 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal. He also believes that the 36-year-old is a special talent and individual.
Rafael Nadal has won 22 Grand Slams in his career. He is competing against Novak Djokovic to win the maximum number of Grand Slam titles before he decides to put the curtains on his career. However, the Spaniard enjoys dominance over Roland Garros, where he won a record 14 titles in his career.
“Rafa is one case in a million. He is a gifted person who was destined to break all the records that have been and will be in the world of tennis,” he said in an interview with Spanish sports publication MARCA.
Rafael Nadal is currently out of action due to a nasty and unfortunate injury. He last featured in the Australian Open this season. However, he could not advance beyond the second-round in this competition this season.
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Feliciano Lopez calls it the best generation of Spanish tennis players
The 41-year in his illustrious career saw many brilliant Spanish tennis players take the court. The likes of Carlos Moya, David Ferrer, Alex Corretja, Fernando Verdasco, among others took to centrestage and redefined Spanish tennis. However, Feliciano Lopez thinks that Rafael Nadal culminated the best generation of tennis players. He elaborates on it suggesting that the retirement of the 36-year old may end the best generation of Spanish tennis players.
“Yes, I think so. When you have a generation led by Rafa it is super easy to call it the best generation. Before and behind him there have been good players and, above all, different ones. The change comes when Carlos (Moyá) makes the final at the Australian Open,” he continued.
He also gives Rafael Nadal credit for a change in the mentality of Spanish tennis players.
“Spanish tennis players are beginning to believe that they can play well on surfaces other than dirt. Nadal has put the culmination of this change of mentality. The success of our generation has been to play on all courts and not be afraid to beat anyone. Breaking that barrier of playing abroad in the Davis Cup and not being able to beat anyone,” he added.
Meanwhile, Feliciano Lopez too, has taken a decision on his retirement. He will be playing in the Mexican Open, Barcelona Open and Mallorca Open. However, his wish is to retire at Queen’s Club Championships. He has also made requests to the organizers to grant him a wildcard entry into the main draw of this tournament.
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Abhar Indorkar
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