When Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic play each other in the Wimbledon finals on Sunday, they would be looking through a mirror on both sides. The mirror however would have a bit of curvature, but on which side, is not known. Lately, both have been playing a similar game which relies on endless running, ferocious ground strokes and few unforced errors. Djokovic has ended up the better of the two in all the four ATP Masters finals they have played on hard courts and clay in 2011. Overall they have played each other 27 times with Nadal enjoying a 16-11 advantage. They are going to meet in the finals of a Grand Slam major for just the second time. In their first meeting, Nadal had prevailed in four sets at the U.S.Open 2010. But Djokovic is a different player today than he was nine months ago.
Nadal’s excessively spun forehand was a novelty and was the single shot that helped him decimate all opposition from the baseline especially at the French Open. After so many years, it has now lost its surprise value. It is still very effective, but does not vary in content. Djokovic has developed a multi-dimensional forehand where he uses different amount of spin at different points. Djokovic swing is more horizontal than Nadal which clears the net lower and falls nearer the baseline. Nadal continues to have an upper motion on his swing which makes ball travel a longer distance in the air with a higher net clearance. Djokovic has now found ways to absorb ferocity of Nadal’s forehand and he has been seen winning points in long rallies riding on his own brand of ground strokes.
Djokovic is displaying better athleticism than even Nadal. Gone are the days when he would retire midway on fitness and health grounds. He has made Nadal move from corner to corner whereas he himself was found nearer the Nadal return. With Djokovic, Nadal is getting a taste of his own medicine. Djokovic is putting the ball one more time in Nadal court forcing Nadal to go for the winner nearer the lines. A lot of running can be expected. It would be no surprise if we see the physio on court after an hour or two.
Nadal plays the percentage game to perfection. His first mantra is to keep the ball in play and wait for the right opportunity. If opportunity will wait for twenty shots, he is prepared for it. He rarely loses his focus. Djokovic however has managed to rattle him a few times in the four Masters finals played this year. Djokovic is practicing raw aggression these days and since he is in proper position to hit the ball, he whacks it with all his might. This is where Nadal finds time taken away from him to make a proper shot.
Djokovic has often attacked Nadal’s backhand unleashing down the line backhand shot. Since Djokovic has perhaps the best backhand, Nadal is forced to play a defensive return. It sometimes is easier to get error from Djokovic forehand than backhand, but Nadal’s stock shot is the backhand corner of a right hander. Nadal has the best inside out forehand from the deuce court. But against Djokovic, it sometimes tends to go beyond sidelines, since Nadal is forced to go finer.
Prolonged focus is Nadal’s forte. It is difficult to wish him away in straight sets. As the match progresses towards the fourth hour, Nadal’s stock rises even if he has run the greater distance in the match. Djokovic wins over Nadal this year have come in three set format. If Djokovic starts winning, Nadal will just hang in and strive to take the match into the fourth or fifth hour.
The big heart, never say die spirit, mental toughness, match temperament and tenacity will give an edge to Nadal. Overriding hunger, recent successes over Nadal, ambition, superior aggression, willingness to take risks and confidence against Nadal will give an edge to Djokovic. It will all reduce to who plays better on the day. It will be a worthy fight between the number one and the number one to be.
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