Rafael Nadal: Back to being the best

Rafael Nadal after his triumph at the 2013 US Open

If you can meet with Triumph and DisasterAnd treat those two impostors just the same – Rudyard Kipling.

That is an inherent quality of every born champion. And that quality inspires a born winner to come back from the depths of despair and reach the pinnacle of glory. That is exactly what shone bright in Rafa Nadal’s epic comeback from seven months of injury-induced sabbatical due to Hoffa’s syndrome.

As the Spaniard’s expected return in January got further delayed owing to a stomach virus, doubts and questions had started piling up – would he ever be able to get back to his Slam winning ways? Can he consistently beat the very best once again?

But as the southpaw stepped on to the courts again, he made us remember it is never possible to curb the undying spirit and insatiable hunger of a warrior. Rafa, the indefatigable gladiator that he always was, had once said that he had learnt to enjoy suffering. Suffering had been an intrinsic part of his glittering career and Rafa had learnt to live with it. For months as he quietly convalesced in Majorca, he watched his arch-rivals rule the roost but it had never stopped the passionate fire burning within him.

His comeback in February wasn’t exactly stunning from the word go. Even a man of his talent and calibre needed to get used to the blinding spotlight and the heartfelt chants of his name after such a long time out. And so at Vina del Mar Rafa’s movement lacked the usual clarity and he succumbed to defeat.

But the greatest fighters are the ardent and swift learners. The movement looked crisper and the Spaniard looked far more settled and that helped him surge to his first title of the season at Sao Paulo and lay the foundation stone for one of his greatest seasons.

At Acapulco, Nadal had re-discovered his sheen and touch and was taking babysteps towards perfection. A first meeting with a top 5 player couldn’t daunt him and the former World No. 1 put up his best performance till date to triumph once again in his South American sojourn.

The Tour which had deeply missed his ebullience and vivacity was once again blessed with the vigour and vitality of this great champion. From claycourts of South America to the hardcourts of North America – the result was the same.

Rafa was a bird freed from the cage, joyfully spreading his wings and soaring high. The hiatus had taught him the most important lesson – to enjoy the sport thoroughly. Rafa self-admittedly was far more relaxed and equanimous. Perhaps that attitude helped him to manoeuvre the match in his own direction as he was heading to a crashing defeat at the hands of Juan Martin del Potro in the Indian Wells final.

With three titles from his first four events, Nadal had surely laid down the marker and announced his sheer desire for a heavyweight duel with the reigning World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. That surely was the best way to gauge his form and mental fortitude. In one of the most intense current rivalries, it was the World No. 1 who emerged on top.

The World No. 5 had to relinquish his fiefdom in Monte Carlo but that jolt definitely made him far more battle-ready and resilient. Because the rest of the European clay swing saw the King of Clay slaying every obstacle and hypnotizing every opposition into meek submission notching as many as 22 consecutive wins.

Those victories included an unprecedented eighth French Open crown but it didn’t come easy. There were moments of sheer lack of confidence and hesitation early on from the Majorcan as he was still finding his feet in a Grand Slam after his long enforced absence. And he rebounded from it in time to set himself for a scorching humdinger of a semi-final clash with Djokovic. In a searing competition that is to be remembered more because of its drama, Rafa Nadal came storming back to victory as the normally invulnerable Serbian flinched.

His season, though, came to a stuttering halt on the other side of the English Channel as the Spaniard failed to cross even the first round hurdle on the lustrous lawns of Wimbledon but that remained the only blemish in a season otherwise dotted with brilliance. The loss, reminiscent of his second round upset from a year ago, surely sparked fear amongst his dedicated admirers but Rafa was not one to budge. Time and again he had displayed his tremendous resolve and endurance which had helped him to overcome the toughest of setbacks throughout his career and this time was no exception.

When the 27-year-old ventured onto the North American hardcourts, he was about to weave his most magical and memorable US Open Series ever. From Montreal, Nadal embarked on perhaps the best part of his season as his hardcourt prowess shone brilliantly throughout his first Cincinnati triumph.

Upping the aggression, venturing near the net more, flattening the backhands and returning solidly, Rafa was ruthless as his unbeaten hardcourt streak continued. With his self-belief egging him on and his never-say-die-attitude pushing him hard, it all culminated into an incredible night in New York that gifted him his 13th Grand Slam. Familiar foe Novak Djokovic’s challenge didn’t seem enough before a Nadal who simply refused to wilt.

His next few tournaments in the fall didn’t match the stupendous success as the US Open remains his 10th and last title of the year. Still for Rafa who has traditionally not performed well in the fall, reaching two finals one of which being at the prestigious Tour Finals, speaks volumes.

But what made this part of the season more important was his constant push for the numero uno ranking after starting the season back in February at No. 5. With a staggering 91.4 winning percentage (75-7) in 2013, when Rafa deservedly achieved the Year-Ending No. 1 ranking, it was the first time a player had recaptured the coveted ranking slot after more than a year gap.

Rafa’s accomplishments in 2013 are myriad. His supreme consistency is highlighted by his humongous number of wins on the red dirt (39) as well as his mastery of the hardcourts which included a 26-match win streak. And his 24 triumphs over the top-10 players indicate his intrepidity and confidence throughout the year.

But what got reflected through all this was the man’s everlasting passion for the game, his selfless devotion, sheer will to succeed and his ability to never stop striving. With 12 years of professional career, it a pure joy to see how the humble Spaniard still motivates himself to re-invent and improvise his game. Perhaps Rafa himself says it the best when he succinctly points out, ‘’I always work with a goal – and the goal is to improve as a player and a person. That, finally, is the most important thing of all.’’

Can there be any lesson more profound than this?