Rafael Nadal - Roger Federer's unconquered peak

Rafael Nadal remains an unconquered peak for Roger Federer

There isn’t a trophy he has not won, there isn’t a court untouched by his elegance, there isn’t a fan unaffected by his exuberance, there isn’t a Challenger he has not thwarted. Still, there remains a peak unconquered for Federer, going by the name Rafael Nadal.

Both these tennis players have produced some jaw-dropping tennis action over the years. The Nadal vs Federer rivalry has been the most cherished rivalry in 21st century tennis. The rivalry has had 33 chapters in its history, with a 23-10 record in favour of Nadal. The Spaniard leads 13-2 on clay and 9-6 on hard court,s while Federer leads only 2-1 on grass.

The fiercest of competitors on the court have had a cordial relationship off the court, with no personal animosity. Both players have acknowledged each other as the best player in the world. The mutual respect and off-court friendship between these two rivals and their fans make this rivalry the most admired and revered in tennis history.

Federer first encountered the 17-year-old teenager in the 2004 Miami Masters. Federer, then ranked No. 1 in the world, lost to Nadal who was ranked 34th in the world in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Who would have thought then that this match would herald tennis’s greatest rivalry ever?

The following years Nadal and Federer met on numerous occasions, with Nadal dismantling Federer on clay while Federer edged the Spaniard on grass. In the summer of 2008 Nadal defeated Federer in the Roland Garros final in a lopsided three-set match. Nadal was looking fitter and healthier than ever and there was an air of confidence around him.

Then came the most anticipated tennis match in their rivalry – the 2008 Wimbledon final. Grass was Federer’s strong territory and the All-England Tennis and Croquet Club was his fortress. Nadal had twice attempted a breach on his fortress but to no avail. The Spaniard had previously lost in four sets in 2006 and five sets in 2007 . Yet history was to be created now, as Federer lost in five sets in a rain-delayed final to the relentless warrior from Mallorca. This match was perhaps the turning point in Federer’s career; since then, Federer has never been the same again.

In the 2009 Australian Open final Federer again bowed out to Nadal’s perseverance and endurance in a five-set battle. The tears at the end of the final perhaps symbolized his mental exhaustion and helplessness to overcome the Nadal challenge. 2009 was still a memorable year for Fedex though, as he completed his career Grand slam by winning the French Open. He also defeated Nadal for only the second time ever on clay, with a straight sets win over him in the Madrid Masters. However, it can’t be ignored that Nadal’s injury-related problems that year were a blessing for Federer.

In 2011, Federer conquered every challenger, and even ended Novak Djokovic’s winning streak in the French Open semi-final, only to hit the wall again against Nadal in the final. While Nadal kept losing to Djokovic in major finals, he still managed to have an edge over the Swiss maestro. In the 2012 and 2014 Australian Open semi-finals Nadal defeated Federer in a relatively easy manner.

So what is it about the Spaniard that has unsettled the invincible Federer since their first meeting? Nadal is the only opponent in front of whom Federer seems to lose his aura of invincibility. Federer in his prime reigned over many good players like Djokovic, Murray, Roddick, Hewitt, etc., but not Nadal. Nadal’s footwork and tenacity seem to unsettle Federer’s class every time he takes the court. Nadal’s unbelievable volleys, vicious crosscourt forehands, his trademark banana shots seem to defy the sublime Federer backhand and forehand.

This indefatigable man from Mallorca runs roughshod over Federer from the baseline itself. His athleticism and agility seem to edge out Federer’s superior technical skills and racquet-head speed. It’s been seven years now since Federer last beat Nadal in a Grand Slam. Now that the Swiss maestro is in the twilight of his career there seems no possibility of this rivalry being competitive again.

To the eternal question – who is the greatest player ever – ardent tennis fans and profound experts would unanimously say “Roger Federer”. But for the other question – who is better between Nadal and Federer – statistics and logic says it’s “Rafael Nadal”.

Perhaps this rivalry is tennis’s greatest enigma which has made 21st century tennis even more fascinating.