The way ahead for Rafael Nadal is to plan his 2014 campaign with
a focus on a calendar grand slam and stay injury free. He could be the first player in 45 years to
complete a Calendar Grand Slam. His
chances seem very bright given his current form and his fitness. He seems simply unstoppable. Age is also just on his side. On hindsight
the current number of 13 slams does not justify his talent and skills. However he could still end up as the
greatest ever tennis player. As things
stand now 60 singles titles, 13 slams, Olympic Gold, marathon Davis Cup
victories besides steering Spain to the title a few times is good enough for
greatness. The only thing missing in his
CV is the Grand Slam and 2014 may present his best chance subject to his
fitness.
Coming to Federer his failure to tackle his nemesis -Rafael
Nadal adequately has lead to his decline
in the long run. Several losses in
finals in all the Grand Slams had robbed him of the mental edge. Gradually it has hurt his game. A lack of plan and thought which seems to be
the heart of every Nadal campaign has been missing. In the years 2004-2009 his artistry left his
opponents and fans mesmerised , with the honourable exception of Nadal who not
only outplayed him but seems to have a good measure of his psyche. A year or two from now, at the
most Federer is most likely to surrender the claim to the most number of
singles grand slam to Nadal barring a miracle.
Yet his reign will be remembered and cherished for the sheer silken
touch he brought back to the game with its slow courts and power hitters. He is probably the last of the serve and
volley players thought in all fairness it must be said that since 2008 he has hardly
done justice to his volleying skills, perhaps out of fear of being passed by
Nadal and Djokovic.
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