What Tennis Legends Really Think Of Rafael Nadal

Rafa Nadal completed a thrilling comeback from two sets down against Daniel Medvedev in the Australian Open final. It was just the fourth time the Spaniard had rallied from two sets down and the first time since his fourth round Wimbledon victory against Mikel Eugénie in 2007. Rafa Nadal has now won two Australian Open titles, making him only the second man in the Open era after Novak Djokovic to complete the double career Grand Slam. He is widely considered the favourite to triumph at Roland-Garros in the next Grand Slam, which would put even more distance between himself and his two rivals in the Slam race. But what do the tennis greats truly think about Rafa Nadal? Former World No. 4 and U.S. Open finalist in 1997, Greg Rosetsky feels Rafa Nadal winning a record 21st Grand Slam is probably the greatest accomplishment in his career, and praised his mental fortitude. Prior to the latest win in Australia, all three were tied with an incredible 20 Grand Slams each as they completed against each other to end their careers as the most successful male player of all time. Speaking on Tennis.com, Rosetsky said he, Nadal, is a genetic freak of nature and also his mental fortitude is second to none. If you wanted one guy playing for your life for one match, he is your man. What he's done is sensational. We have a little bit of backstory here as well. Let's not forget in September, the picture on the crutches. He wasn't putting any weight on that foot we're talking about. Then he comes out, starts the year, wins two events in Melbourne, the lead-up tournament, then the Australian Open to win his 21st Slam. As you said, two sets down, love 40, three, two. We're thinking this is curtains. No way he's getting back. Rafa just showed us the fortitude to fight. Let's not forget that crowd. That crowd was insane how much they were behind Rafa, wanting to see history happen as well. For me, probably his greatest accomplishment in his career, Rosetsky claimed. Yes, we can talk about 13 French Opens, which will never be broken, but this in itself against Daniel Medvedev was truly amazing. Richard Gaskett recently heaped lavish praise on Rafa Nadal and even suggested that he was the greatest player of all time. Richard Gaskett, a former Wimbledon semi-finalist, is currently enjoying something of a late career resurgence himself. The Frenchman competed at the Australian Open and beat compatriot and 29th seed Hugo Humbert in four sets. He faced Botic Van der Zandt in his second round and even won the opening set. However, the Dutchman took the second set and ended up progressing to the next round after Gaskett was forced to retire in the third. Nadal is just too strong, Gaskett said during his appearance at the Open Sud de France in Montpellier. I'm prepared. He is still the best. Shapovalov, Berrettini and Medvedev are strong, but he's a legend. He's a freak. I'm not surprised, obviously, the Frenchman added. Who can beat him apart from Djokovic in Paris? That's Nadal, probably the greatest of all time. The stars, including Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, took to social media to congratulate the lefty on his record-breaking 21st major title. Australian legend Rod Lava, former world number one Andy Roddick, three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka, WTA icon Billie Jean King and others also shared their praise. Rod Lava tweeted, Thank you for a brilliant contest at Rafael Nadal and at Danny Medved. Two AO crowns and 21 majors. Given everything you have endured, this historic victory is so special, Rafa. It's been a privilege to watch you doing what you love. Congratulations. Billie Jean King tweeted, Congratulations to at Rafael Nadal on his 21st Grand Slam. What a comeback. Several athletes from outside of tennis also congratulated Nadal, including football star Tony Cruz, Formula One driver George Russell and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin Tendulkar tweeted, From two sets down to come back and win your 21st Grand Slam is incredible. Congratulations at Rafael Nadal. In a recent interview with AS, Billie Jean King spoke about a number of topics, including the domination of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, and which member of the big three she likes the most. They are all three different. I adore Nadal, the 39 Slam champion, told AS. Lana Closs, when I met him, when he must have been 14 or 15 years old in South Africa, I don't think he remembers, but we do, because they said he was the child with the greatest potential. So we went and looked at him and we were like, oh my gosh, this guy is so good. So I love watching him play. What I like the most about him is how much he respects tennis and how he gets angry when other players don't respect him. That is why children want to be more like him than others, when asked. And they say that Nadal is their favourite, she added. In that, he is number one. Novak Djokovic won last year's Wimbledon tournament for the sixth time, beating Matteo Berrettini in four sets. The Serbian champion, at the time, joined Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at 20 majors. The big three, year after year, have made tennis an increasingly popular sport and have given all spectators what many call the best era. Nadal also pays homage to Novak Djokovic during the final awards ceremony. Djokovic wanted to dedicate a beautiful message to his two greatest rivals and remind the world that none of the three are going to stop. For me, it means a lot to have won the sixth title here and equaled Rafa and Roger. I thank them because thanks to their teachings and to the defeats I have remedied against them, I have learned and improved to this point. None of us will stop. They are the reason I'm here today, said Djokovic. They have been my biggest opponents. The last 10 years have been a fantastic adventure and I hope it's not over. Another Grand Slam? I'm in great shape and playing my best tennis. Indian tennis great Mahesh Bupati recently claimed that Novak Djokovic's mental strength and ability to deal with pressure situations are the best among the big three. But Bupati also believes Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have their own set of unique attributes, making it difficult to pick one among the trio as the GOAT. There is no doubt that these three have pushed each other to become better players and take tennis to a level we would struggle to consistently see again, Bupati said. I personally would never pick out one of them. When Novak tied Roger and Rafa at 20 Grand Slam titles, once again I felt blessed to have been treated to these three rivalries. Mahesh Bupati waxed lyrical about Rafa Nadal, heaping praise on the Spaniard's humility. Rafa is probably the most humble and down-to-earth champion I've ever interacted with. Bupati said the respect and courtesy he shows everyone off the court doesn't reflect the warrior-like killer instinct he shows on it. After Rafa Nadal's stupendous comeback in the Australian Open on Sunday night, it is he, not Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer, who is the first man to win 21 Grand Slam single titles. Fairly or unfairly, it is the tennis record that matters most these days, though Sunday's outcome hardly ends the debate about who is the greatest men's player of all time. Don't forget Rod Lava. There is no doubt that Nadal is the greatest men's clay court player of all time. The French Open, which is played on red clay in Paris, begins on May 22. Nadal has won it 13 times, dominating as no man has dominated any major tennis tournament. It would be no surprise if Nadal struck quickly for Grand Slam singles title number 22. Particularly if Djokovic, the only man to beat him twice at Roland Garros, is unable to play in this year's French Open because he remains unvaccinated against the coronavirus. Djokovic, who is still number one, was deported from Australia on the eve of the Australian Open after his visa was revoked. For now, his chances of competing in Paris are unclear. The French government is banning athletes, both French and foreign, from accessing sport venues or taking part in events if they do not have a vaccination pass. But unvaccinated individuals can still hold a valid pass if they have had a recent coronavirus infection. For now, the exemption from vaccination is six months from the date of infection. But on Feb 15, the grace period will be reduced to four months. That would mean Djokovic, who has presented evidence that he tested positive in Serbia on the 16th of December, would be eligible to compete in France until late April without being vaccinated. But the French government could change the rules on vaccination passes if case numbers or hospitalisations drop by the spring. The outcome of the French presidential election in April could also affect health policy. And there is the possibility, however remote, that the French Open organisers could negotiate an exemption or extension of the grace period for unvaccinated players, even though there are hardly an overwhelming number of unvaccinated tour-level players at this stage. It seems too early to rule Djokovic out of Roland-Garros, where he won the title last year. He beat Nadal there in a semi-final that peaked in a bravura third set before Nadal faded, in part because of the chronic foot pain that forced him to miss out most of the rest of the season, including Wimbledon, the Olympics and the US Open. But one thing we do know is that the race for the greatest male tennis player of all time between the big three is still not over. But it is Nadal who is a break-up on his rivals.