Rafael Nadal: Completing a glorious comeback

When he came back to his favourite claycourts of Europe, he was as excited and jubilant as a kid to return to his fiefdom. The joy surpassed every other thing, including the realization that he was to face the World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo who had delivered Rafa some of his most ruthless blows during 2011. Perhaps it was also too early for him to gauge his improvement and mental fortitude against the world’s very best. The Mallorcan went on to lose it in straight sets, but that certainly acted as a blessing in disguise that would help him when they would go on to lock horns again in Paris.

For the rest of the clay season before arriving in Paris, Rafa had expectedly been on a roll. He engaged himself in a bloodless battle, slaying every fighter and breaking down every obstacle that came his way. And all this happened despite Nadal’s knee pain flaring up once again in Barcelona. Nevertheless, thanks to his mesmerizing winning streak, when he descended on the French capital, he was expected to cruise at the place which is considered his personal playground. But Rafa astonished and even shocked his admirers when he lost back-to-back sets in his first two matches – the first time that he had ever done so in Paris.

For even a player of Rafa’s calibre, talent and accomplishments, returning to a Grand Slam is never the easiest thing to do. Considering that Rafa had been a perpetual slow starter, it only compounded his problems further. The demon called ‘doubts’ had come back to torment the leftie and his anxiety became evident. Would he ever be able to go through that motion of seven difficult rounds and pierce through every wall once again?

The 27-year-old looked hesitant to go for his shots, consistently missed his bread-and-butter forehands and remained planted on the baseline. None of the thundering aggression was there and all of Rafa’s scepticism reflected on his countenance. It took him three rounds and one whole week to comprehend that he needs to be free, that he needs to enjoy it without restraining himself.

When Nadal began his quest for his seventh title of the year during the second week of the French Open, he was a completely different individual – more mature and far more willing to dictate the shots. Rafa had finally conquered his demons. When he took the court against Novak Djokovic in what was the most anticipated match of the whole tournament, the clarity of his thoughts shone forth.

He wasn’t afraid to attack, he wasn’t uncomfortable to venture near the net, he wasn’t hesitant in returning Novak’s deep shots from the baseline – the Spaniard was the one pulling the trigger. The role reversal from Monte Carlo was on display for all to see. The third seed simply waltzed on the Parisian clay, thumping his whiplash forehand and delivering blows on the Serbian as and when required. His self-belief, courage and resilience were once again on display – Rafa had discovered himself. Up a break in the fifth set, the normally invulnerable Novak flinched and Rafa came storming back to clinch victory.

Rafael Nadal celebrates match point during the Men’s Singles final match against David Ferrer on day fifteen of the French Open

After passing his greatest test in the semi-finals, Nadal was far more placid in the final and, needless to say, far more confident about himself. When Rafa fell down on his beloved clay in a mixture of sheer disbelief and elation after making himself immortal in Paris, it was the culmination of a glorious comeback. It was the victory of a man whose incredible self-assurance had washed away any kind of negativity that ever existed as the journey ahead became tougher. It was an example how far selfless devotion and true commitment can take a person; and undoubtedly, Rafa remains an inspiration for all.