Rafael Nadal is more ‘fun’ to watch than Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, says Mats Wilander

 

Rafael Nadal is more fun to watch than Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, according to seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander. Nadal has always had a never-say-never attitude on the court and he is known to throw the kitchen sink on the court to achieve the desired results.

On the other hand, Roger Federer is a treat to the eye as there has always been elegance in his game while Novak Djokovic is well known for his defensive play and has an incredible fitness to support his solid game on the court. The Spaniard has been a fighter throughout his career and the never-give-up attitude was instilled in him by his uncle and former coach Tony Nadal at a very tender age.

It is worth mentioning that Nadal has a 29-30 head-to-head record against Novak Djokovic whereas he has his wood on Roger Federer with a 24-16 record. Meanwhile, while reflecting on the Big 3 style of play, former Swedish player Mats Wilander said he enjoys watching Rafael Nadal in action more with growing age. ​ ​

Mats Wilander said while talking to French media outlet L’Equipe, “The older I get, the more I enjoy watching him play. “We see that he trusts his variations more than when he was 22 or 23 years old. I find his tennis more fun than Roger’s or Novak’s.

“With Roger, everything seems easy. It’s simple and aesthetic. Rafa is different: his true personality arises when the racquet hits the ball.

“Of course, the beginning and the end of the motion are not as fluid as with Roger. But the contact with the ball is so pure, his touch on the ball is so extraordinary that I am blown away.

The 57-year-old Wilander added that earlier Nadal had repetitive aspects in his game. However, in the recent past, the Spaniard has created more uncertainty and the opponent is not sure of his next move.

“I’ve always loved its intensity and emotional involvement. But before that, there was a repetitive aspect to his game. We knew exactly how he was going to win the point. And we knew he would win 6-2 6-2 6-2.

“Now he creates uncertainty: what will he do on the next move? It’s like watching Federer when he was at his best. I no longer want to commentate on his matches, I just want to watch him play.”

Rafael Nadal, known as Raging Bull, is known to chase the ball till the very end. The Spaniard has followed this mantra since the formative years of his Tennis career and ergo he has been able to make some impossible shots. As Nadal has this never-give-up attitude on the court, he has won some big points in his career, which has helped him win so many titles.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal bested Norway’s Casper Ruud in the final of the Roland-Garros by 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 at Phillippe-Chartier on Sunday as he completely dominated the contest to clinch his record-extending 22nd Grand Slam title. This was Nadal’s 14th title in Paris as he continues his supremacy on clay.