Rafael Nadal is “closer to 16 years old than 36 years old,” Mats Wilander awestruck by the legend’s achievements
Follow Us
Mats Wilander and Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal‘s comeback in 2022 has left tennis great Mats Wilander awestruck. Former tennis player and Eurosport commentator Wilander acknowledged the Spaniard’s famed emotional resonance as the major reason for his sustained success in a recent interview with Eurosport.
Even though Nadal is over 36 years old, the 57-year-old believes he still has the same zest for victory that he did when he was a 16-year-old up-and-coming star. In that regard, neither Roger Federer nor Novak Djokovic, according to the Swede, could match with the Mallorcan. That, he claims, is what sets him apart from in Big Three. “Rafael Nadal’s turning 36 during the French Open. He is closer to 16 years old than 36 years old, emotionally. That is where he separates himself from the other Big-3, I should say.” Wilander said.
Rafa spent much of last season off the court, recovering from a recurring foot injury, which makes the Spaniard’s accomplishments in 2022 look even more astounding. After a four-month layoff, he returned to the tour in Melbourne at the start of the year and hasn’t turned back. The World No. 4 is off to his finest start in a season, having won 15 matches in a row and three trophies in a row. He defeated World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev in the final at the Australian Open to claim a record 21st Grand Slam title. He subsequently went on to win the Mexican Open in Acapulco, where he didn’t drop a set.
Wilander was at a loss for words when asked to describe how the 35-year-old managed to outperform expectations after believing himself to be on the verge of retiring last year. “It would be amazing if he could keep this up [after] we really thought last year that it was surely close to being the end of Rafa’s career. He himself thought it could be the end of his career,” Wilander said. “I don’t think there has ever been a professional tennis player who is so in love with the problem-solving part of his profession,” he remarked.
“I would have never imagined, even though [I expected him to be] playing physically, in a million years that he would be doing what he is doing now. Not during this part of the year. Yes, [if we] move forwards a month and a half, when the claycourt season has started, then we are back to Rafael Nadal, the ageless clay court king,” he added.
Rafael Nadal all set to conquer Indian Wells
Rafael Nadal has started the 2022 season with a perfect 15-0 record, winning all three tournaments he has entered. In January, he won the ATP 250 Melbourne Summer Set and the Australian Open, and a month later, he won the ATP 500 Mexican Open in Acapulco.
This week in Indian Wells, the World No. 4 will compete in the first ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the year. The 35-year-old has won the Indian Wells tournament three times: in 2007, 2009, and 2013. He hasn’t turned his gaze away from his upward trajectory and will continue to do so. The rampaging bull of Spain is poised to put on another magnificent show. As the clay court season begins, the “King of Clay” will resume his storied reign. If he wins this tournament, he will also become the oldest player to win the Indian Wells Masters.
Stay Updated!
Shilpi Pusadkar
(106 Articles Published)