Rafael Nadal needs Roger Federer

Winning in tennis requires tennis shots, physical prowess, athleticism, stamina, court craft, anticipation, mental strength and many things. One person can not have everything in him and what he lacks in one compartment, he makes up by abundance in another. Those with weak backhand tend to convert to forehand. Those with less anticipation, meet the ball late to gain some time. Those with weaker serve, go in for higher percentage of the first serve. Those who lack killer shots make up by retrieving every ball. Those who lack stamina tend to play short points. The end result is winning. If one has all the tennis shots but is weak physically, he will not win and can not be called a tennis great. Similarly if one makes for lack of tennis skills by great athleticism and returns every ball, but does not win, can not be called a tennis great. It is the record of wins at big stage that qualifies a player for tennis greatness. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both fall in that group. Roger Federer appears to be the main rival for Rafael Nadal in the GOAT debate at the moment. As regards Roger Federer, his main rival in the GOAT debate is Rod Laver. There are few comparisons of Rafael Nadal with Laver, Sampras and the like. Rafael Nadal is still improving according to the needs, the latest improvement being his serve. Roger Federer can aspire to play at 100% and beat the very best, but he can no longer change his grip or single backhand to double fisted backhand at this stage of his career. Their meetings do not always produce the greatest matches. At U.S Open, Djokovic-Federer was a better match than finals. At London Finals, Rafael Nadal-Andy Murray match was the best, and perhaps the best tennis match played by Andy Murray in 2010.

It is not always that the best two playing each other is the greatest spectacle. There was a time when the Williams sisters were the best two and they did clash in the finals of the Grand Slams. Their style was similar. Their looks were similar. Their grunting was similar. Their shots were breathtaking. Yet the spectators wanted something different. It was becoming a boring spectacle.

When Roger Federer took over from Sampras, the initial years were exciting. Slowly, but surely, Roger Federer put aside the challenge of Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Roddick  and the like and a few seasons later, there was none to challenge him. The Grand Slams bore the same spectacle where the loser was predictable and the entire excitement would reduce to how much fight he gave to Roger Federer. One got bored to hearing the same post match speeches. It is as if people wanted to see democracy than the kingdom. And then came Rafael Nadal. His looks were totally different. He was something like a new Borg. His demeanor was totally different. And his tennis was different. Over the years, Rafael Nadal - Roger Federer rivalry has brought more viewers to tennis and they have produced classic matches with spectators longing for “Once More”. 

When Rafael Nadal won the French Open, the winners were often called One-Slam wonders. Winning Wimbledon was synonymous with winning over Roger Federer. Winning Australian Open or U.S.Open was synonymous with winning over Roger Federer. Roger Federer was the bench mark for Rafael Nadal. Rafael Nadal turned the tables and emerged as Roger Federer’s nemesis. Whereas all other players would be petrified finding Roger Federer across the net, Roger Federer started feeling less and less confident finding Rafael Nadal across the net. Those who hated Roger Federer come, see and conqueror everything he purveyed, found a life line. Things came to such a pass that when Roger Federer won the French Open, it was attributed to the absence of Rafael Nadal in the finals.

Rafael Nadal-Roger Federer playing generates excitement, since these two are already tennis greats and have huge fan following. The decline of McEnroe could be due to rise of Lendl and the power play, but might also have something to do with the retirement of Borg. If Roger Federer were to retire today, Rafael Nadal will find a vacuum and it is likely to affect his motivation. For Rafael Nadal to blossom further, Roger Federer should be there playing at his full potential. Rafael Nadal needs Roger Federer more than vice versa.