John McEnroe calls a matchup against Roger Federer at Wimbledon as ‘DREAM’ while facing Rafael Nadal at the French Open a ‘NIGHTMARE’

Nadal boasts a formidable 112-3 career record at the Roland Garros. 


John McEnroe calls a matchup against Roger Federer at Wimbledon as ‘DREAM’ while facing Rafael Nadal at the French Open a ‘NIGHTMARE’

Rafael Nadal, John McEnroe and Roger Federer

22-time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal‘s record of 14 Slam titles at the French Open is often considered the greatest ever sporting achievement. Nadal, often called the ‘King of Clay’, holds the record for winning the most titles at a Grand Slam competition in tennis history. 

A distant second, in comparison to Nadal’s achievements, is 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer‘s record of eight singles titles at the Wimbledon Championship.

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However, the Swiss legend pips the Spaniard in terms of the elegance of his playing style. Federer has often been recognized for his effortless playing style and has brought the one-handed backhand back into fashion. Former World No. 1 and American tennis commentator John McEnroe recently spoke about the duo on the SmartLess podcast

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Praising Federer’s playing style, McEnroe said:

Federer is the most beautiful player I’ve ever seen. You know I idolized Rod Laver. He was awesome.

The 7-time Grand Slam singles champion further compared Federer’s playing style to Nadal’s. The Spaniard has an unconventional playing style on the forehand side in comparison to Federer’s textbook playing style.

Nadal often falls back while playing shots, due to which he has to rely on his body strength to transfer power to the ball. The 37-year-old thus has bigger arms as compared to other players on the tour. McEnroe recognized the difference in their build and said:

Whereas you look at Rafael Nadal, that’s not your typical or prototypical tennis player. His body is bigger up top. When we grew up, they were like 'DON'T LIFT'.

John McEnroe talks about his dream and nightmare matchups against Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

McEnroe recently talked about his dream and nightmare matchups against tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. He remarks match up with Nadal’s stats, as he boasts of a formidable 112-3 career record at the Roland Garros. The Spaniard has won a stunning 63 clay court titles.

The dream would be to play Roger at Wimbledon and the nightmare would be to play Rafa at Roland Garros on clay even though I grew up on clay and that was my best surface until I turned pro. But what Rafa did was insane. 
McEnroe remarked in the podcast.
Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal with the french Open title (Image via : the Guardian)

Federer has referred to Nadal’s record at the tournament as “one of the greatest achievements in sport“. In comparison to Nadal’s stats, Federer’s win-loss record of 105-14 at Wimbledon looks much more human.

The Swiss legend retired from the sport last year. His final match resulted in a 6–4, 6(2)-7, 9–11 loss in doubles at the Laver Cup, partnering his rival and friend Nadal against Jack Sock and Frances Tiafoe.

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