Mats Wilander worries about Rafael Nadal: "Could be the end of Grand Slam victories"
Mats Wilander has expressed his concern to Eurosport about Rafael Nadal's injury news. The Swede even suspects that this could represent the end of the Mallorcan’s Grand Slam ambitions.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Aug 23, 2021, 09:46 am
It was the bitterest defeat for Rafael Nadal of the entire season, there is no question about that. When the Spaniard lost to his long-term competitor Novak Djokovic in a gripping thriller in the semifinals of the French Open, it was clear that an era had come to an end for the world number four. An era of dominance in Roland Garros that could only be broken by two defeats.
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Even then, as has now become clear, the Mallorcan was hampered by the foot injury that forced the now 35-year-old to end the season prematurely. The US Open will take place without Nadal's participation, in 2021 the 35-year-old had to pass two of the four Grand Slam tournaments due to injury. The physical complaints are getting worse with Nadal, there is no question about that.
Wilander worried about Nadal
It is precisely this circumstance that worries many observers of the tennis scene, such as Eurosport expert Mats Wilander: "We are used to expecting that he cannot play. He tries, but he just can't, and I think every year it seems like he's playing less and less, "said the Swede. "He is getting older and his body is being stressed more and more."
Nonetheless, Wilander is convinced that the fire in the Spaniard is still blazing. So much so as to take the stony path back on yourself. "I am very sad and very worried, but I believe that he will come back until he can no longer", Wilander told Eurosport. "At the moment the will to play is still there."
What's still inside for Nadal?
The mere question of returning is not appropriate for the high demands of the 20-time Grand Slam winner. Wilander has his doubts that at the major level it could be enough for the big coup. "I don't think it's the end of an era. It may be the end of winning Grand Slam tournaments, but with Rafa and Roland Garros and the love affair he has there, you can never say it is That relationship ends until the day he hung his thugs on the wall. "
And even if the exceptional sporting performance is no longer enough for the Spaniard - the competition from the young guard and in particular Novak Djokovic is of course not insignificant - the fourth in the world can always rely on the support of the ranks: "The era the victories may be over, but the era of full grandstands is not over yet. There are still a few more years of it. "