Rafael Nadal: A true great

Rafael Nadal is regarded by many as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Since bursting into the scene in 2001, the 27-year-old Spaniard has enjoyed continued success on all surfaces. In spite of several serious injury setbacks, Nadal has continued to grow and mature as a player and doesn’t look like letting up anytime soon.

Rafa Nadal has a playing style characterised by relentless defending and an aggressive offence. His ability to turn defense into attack in a single stroke is the perfect example of his ability.

When defending, the Spaniard will cover every square inch of grass, clay or any other surface he is on. His speed, agility and stamina are matched only by the tenacity he displays when defending his territory.

In offence, Nadal makes up for his relatively average serve with fierce forehand shots that make good use of his excellent use of top spin, a strategy he employs best on clay courts. Though he is the King of Clay, Nadal is just as proficient on other surfaces. He is one of the only seven players in the Open era to have completed a career Grand Slam.

One of Nadal’s greatest weapons is his ability to turn defense into offence. It is typical to see the Spaniard chasing down a tricky baseline shot, only to produce a winner through the most acute of angles.

Nadal turned professional in 2001, at the age of 15. His first win came the following year and made the world aware of his ability. However, it was in 2005 that the young Spaniard really made an impression.

Nadal faced Federer in the final of the Miami Masters, a match that lasted for five sets. Despite losing the contest, his performance made the tennis community take him more seriously. It also marked the start of one of tennis’ most enthralling rivalries.

In the same year, he defeated the Swiss in the semifinals of the French Open before going on to win the title, the first ever teenager to win a Grand Slam. Over the next few years, the youngster would go on to establish himself as the King of Clay, winning the title eight times in the last nine years.

In 2008, he proved that he wasn’t merely a one track pony with a victory over Federer in the Wimbledon final, dubbed one of the greatest matches of all time. In 2010, he emerged triumphant again at the All England Club. Victories in the Australian Open (2009) and US Open (2010) followed.

Success, however, has come at a price for the Spaniard. Recurring knee tendonitis and foot problems have seen him sidelined for prolonged periods of time. His most recent lay-off lasted seven months and seemed like seriously hampering his career. But Nadal has bounced back from every injury so far and continues to go from strength to strength.

In total, Rafa has won 12 Grand Slam titles, setting notable records in the process, including a career Grand Slam. As the future looms, there is no doubt that the Spaniard will continue to add to his already impressive collection of trophies. Rafa Nadal is already, without question, a legend of the sport. The question now is whether he can go on to become the greatest player the world has ever seen.