Rafael Nadal is one in a billion – Fernando Verdasco

Former World no.7 Fernando Verdasco has heaped praise on Rafael Nadal, stating the talisman is one in a billion player. Nadal is known to give his more than 100% and he never gives up on any point till the ball is dead. Verdasco stated that Nadal demands one more step from his opponent both mentally as well as physically on the court.

Nadal has won 20 slam titles and he is regarded as one of the best players to have embraced the game. The southpaw is known to give his best and there are no double thoughts in his game.

“Nadal always plays at 100%,” Verdasco told Punto de Break. “I think he demands one more step from you, both physically and mentally.”

Meanwhile, Fernando Verdasco knows what it takes to beat a player like Nadal who never gives up on the court. Verdasco has beaten his fellow countryman on three occasions, two of which have come at ATP 1000 Masters while one came at the 2016 Australian Open.

On the other hand, Nadal has his wood on Roger Federer in the head-to-head battle as the Spaniard has won 24 matches whereas the Swiss Maestro has won 16 matches. Former eight-time champion Ken Rosewell recently stated that Nadal wouldn’t have savored this much success against Federer had he not been a left-hander but Verdasco doesn’t agree with the Australian.

“With his physique and mental strength, he would have won anyway,” Verdasco responded. “Technically he is less showy, everyone says that Federer is the most elegant, the one who plays the most beautiful.

“Okay, Nadal does not play as beautiful as Federer, but in important moments [Nadal] comes from outside the court to hit a forehand on the run around the net. “He is one in a billion, otherwise he would not have had the career he has had.”

Nadal was ruled out of the rest of 2021 due to a leg injury and he will look to bounce back strongly in the next season.