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‘Djokovic was not putting it away – it’s not his best shot’ – Legend explains Nadal strategic masterclass

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Rafael Nadal was far better tactically than Novak Djokovic in the French Open final and played on one of the Serbian’s few weaknesses, says Ivan Lendl.

Nadal put Djokovic away in straight sets last week, including inflicting a rare bagel on the world number one.

After the match, Djokovic admitted he had been comprehensively outplayed, and Lendl believes that was down to Nadal choosing a clever strategy.

“A few things stuck out right away from the beginning of the match,” Lendl told the Holding Court podcast.

“Number one – Rafa was using his forehand down the line a bit more than he usually does.

“Number two – his backhand crosscourt was extremely aggressive. Rafa was looking to be aggressive and not let Novak sit in the backhand corner.”

“And the third, which was interesting. Anytime Rafa was in big trouble, he would throw up a lob, make up and get back into the point because Novak wasn’t putting the overhead away.

“It was part of the strategy. Novak’s overhead is not his best shot. He prefers to place it rather than hit it.

“If you are as quick and defend as well as Rafa, you get back in to the point, and Rafa was very successful at that.”

Toni Nadal says his nephew Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are ‘rightfully the best two players in history,’ even if you take statistics out of the equation.

Nadal drew level with Roger Federer with a record 20 Grand Slam titles by beating Novak Djokovic in the French Open final last week.

That has led to a spate of debate among tennis fans and media about who will be regarded as the greatest player of all time, but Toni thinks the question goes beyond statistics.

“Statistics aside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have elevated this sport to a higher category, something that others can hardly do,” Toni Nadal told El Pais.

“It seems right to me that both are considered the two best players in tennis history.”

Toni Nadal was one of the analysts before the match claiming that the conditions favoured Novak Djokovic, but he believes the match was of extra special importance for his nephew.

“The stakes were high and Rafa knew from the start of the tournament.

“On the one hand he could match Roger Federer with the Grand Slam tournament record and, on the other hand, in case of defeat he would lose his unbeaten record in the finals.”

Former World No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten recently talked about what helps Rafael Nadal be so successful at Roland Garros.
Kuerten believes the Spaniard is likely to win more French Open titles in the years ahead.


Former World No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten recently talked about Rafael Nadal's latest French Open triumph, calling it 'fantastic' and 'admirable'. He added that the Spaniard has a very good chance of adding more Roland Garros titles in the years to come.

On Sunday, Rafael Nadal won his record-extending 13th French Open title with a straight-sets triumph over World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. It also marked his 20th Grand Slam singles title, tying him with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam singles titles in men's tennis history.

Kuerten was speaking in an online chat with former tennis player Flávio Saretta, also from Brazil, who reached the fourth round of the French Open in 2003.

“Fantastic, more and more admirable, beyond the impossible. It looks like the 14th (title) is coming and he has a good chance of getting the 15th," Kuerten said.

The Brazilian also spoke about the Spaniard's mindset, which he believes is what helps 'geniuses' achieve success.

“Rafael Nadal starts from a basic principle, which is how geniuses do it," Kuerten said. "He simplifies the process based on: I want, I can, I do. If he plays the Rio Open today, his mind is already thinking about Roland Garros."

It would be a sensational match: Gustavo Kuerten on a hypothetical matchup against Rafael Nadal
 Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil at Roland Garros in Paris, France in 1997
Gustavo Kuerten of Brazil at Roland Garros in Paris, France in 1997

Gustavo Kuerten won the French open on three occasions (in 1997, 2000 and 2001) and was an absolute favorite with the Paris crowds. However, he never got the chance to play against Rafael Nadal in his career.
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Due to injuries, the Brazilian was not able to compete consistently in tournaments during the last few few years of his career. He retired prematurely in 2008, at the age of 32.
Rafael Nadal of Spain bites the trophy following victory at the 2020 French Open
Rafael Nadal of Spain bites the trophy following victory at the 2020 French Open

Kuerten was asked during the chat what it would have been like to play against Rafael Nadal. The Brazilian replied that it would be a 'sensational' match given the claycourt prowess of the two players.

"If my body had lasted a few more years, maybe until 2006, it would be a sensational match," Kuerten said. "I always go on the court to do everything. Rafael Nadal is so great that each ball had to be played in its moment, fit for the right occasion."


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"I want, I can, I do" - Kuerten explains the mindset of 'genius' Rafael Nadal, says he can win 15 French Open titles

BY ANSHUL SINGH
OCTOBER 16, 2020
Rafael Nadal at French Open 2020
Spain's Rafael Nadal poses with the trophy after winning the French Open yesterday REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
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The French Open 2020 ended with Rafael Nadal lifting his 20th Grand Slam title in Paris. Rafa has received worldwide appreciation and impressed some big names in the sports industry. One such name is the rising NBA star Giannis Antetokounmpo. Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios recently posted a video on his Instagram in which the basketball player chose Nadal over him.

Kyrgios must have been disappointed since he was Antetokounmpo’s earlier favorite. But with his phenomenal gameplay of late, Nadal has made himself the favorite of quite a lot of players.

“Well, Nick, you were my favorite tennis athlete. But now it’s Nadal,” said the 25-year-old Greek basketball player in the video.


In the video, one could also see World No. 5 Stefanos Tsitsipas who managed to reach the semi-finals of the French Open 2020. He and Antetokounmpo are great friends. Clearly, Tsitsipas was trying to mock his friend Kyrgios in the video. The Australian played along and even wrote a sarcastic caption to go along with the video.

“Giannis and Stefanos play too well,” wrote Kyrgios

Also Read: 22-time Grand Slam champion praises Rafael Nadal on his milestones

‘I just love him’- Giannis Antetokounmpo on Rafael Nadal
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) reacts after a play against the Miami Heat during the first half of game four of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Winning 20 Grand Slams is a mammoth task. What’s even more phenomenal for Nadal was that this was his 13th French Open title. The Spaniard now has 100 victories at Roland Garros. It is understandable why people from every field have praised him.

“I just love him,” acknowledged Antetokounmpo at the end of the video. The magic of the 34-year-old tennis player seems to attract hordes of people towards him.

Nadal won his 20th Grand Slam title at the age of 34. Roger Federer was 36 when he accomplished this feat. The Spaniard has once again opened the G.O.A.T debate. With at least three to four years left in his career, the ‘King of Clay’ will want to end his career with the most Grand Slam titles.

Last Sunday, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic stepped on Court Philippe-Chatrier, preparing for the title match at Roland Garros. In one of the most important encounters of the 21st century, the 12-time champion Nadal took down world no.

1 Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 in two hours and 41 minutes following an almost flawless performance, securing the 13th title in Paris and the 20th Major overall. Standing withing two Majors from each other, Djokovic was eager to take another step closer to Nadal in the GOAT race, making the slowest start and ruining his chances for taking the second Major of the season.

Nadal produced a clear gameplan, delivering aggressive tennis that surprised Djokovic and blew him off the court in the opening two sets. The Serb recovered his game in the third to avoid disaster, staying in touch until 5-5 before Rafa grabbed a crucial break that carried him towards the finish line.

The famous coach Patrick Mouratoglou said that Novak Djokovic wasn't ready to challenge Nadal on that day, making a slow start and searching for the right shots. On the other hand, Rafa knew what he had to do right from the start, choosing the right tactic that secured the title for him.

Nadal had 31 winners and 14 unforced errors and stole 51% of the return points to control the scoreboard. Novak sprayed 52 unforced errors, searching for his A-game for more than two hours and suffering a massive loss despite a solid effort in set number three.

Rafa lost serve once and grabbed seven breaks from 18 opportunities, pushing strong on the return and outplaying Novak in the shortest range up to four strokes. Just like in the 2008 final against Roger Federer, Nadal delivered a bagel to Novak in the opening set, playing almost flawless tennis and providing three breaks against the world's leading player, finishing it with an ace at 5-0 after 45 minutes.

Patrick Mouratoglou blames slow start for Novak Djokovic's loss to Nadal.

Rafa faced no break points in set number two, taming his strokes nicely and overpowering Djokovic for another rock-solid set of tennis that propelled him 6-0, 6-2 in front after an hour and 34 minutes.

Djokovic saved a break chance in the third game of the third set and raised his level. Rafa broke him at love at 2-2, but instead of building on that, he suffered a break for the first and only time a few minutes later, providing Djokovic with a necessary boost that made him a contender again.

With no room for errors, Nadal held comfortably in games eight, ten and 12, earning a break at 5-5 after a double fault from Novak and sealing the deal with a hold at love for the 20th Major crown. "Of course Rafa played his match, and that's a good thing about him.

You are never disappointed, as he always plays his match. Whether he wins or loses, Rafa is always there, starting the encounter solidly and seeing what's happening, stepping up if he needs to. That's exactly what Novak didn't do from the start.

You could feel something wrong because he was looking for easy points, trying drop shots here and there, like those four drop shots in the first game. Novak wasn't prepared to rally and go for it and hit winners to give himself the chance to win that match.

He didn't enter the court playing with the same mindset as the one we know. It happens to everyone, that's why tennis is interesting because it's not only about entering and playing your match there are many other aspects. The mental aspect is huge," Patrick Mouratoglou said.

By Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport
Last updated on 11 October 202011 October 2020.
From the section Tennis
A young Rafael Nadal poses with the trophy after winning his first French Open in 2005 and again after his 13th title in 2020
Rafael Nadal won his first French Open aged 19 in 2005, claiming his 13th title in 2020
This is an updated version of an article published after Nadal won his 11th French Open title in June 2018.

The beauty about sport is we never know what might happen when we arrive at a stadium or turn on our television.

But one thing comes as close to sporting certainty as anything else we have seen over the past 15 years: Rafael Nadal winning the French Open.

"Some say beating Rafa over five sets on clay is the toughest thing in sport - not just tennis," said seven-time Grand Slam singles champion John McEnroe. "I would agree with that."

Since making his debut as a talented teenager in 2005, Nadal has won a record 13 singles titles at Roland Garros - no player - man or woman - has managed to win as many at the same Grand Slam.

And the 34-year-old Spaniard lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires yet again on Sunday, beating Serbian top seed Novak Djokovic.

What makes the man nicknamed the 'King of Clay' almost unstoppable on the red dirt?

His vicious forehand and movement
Nadal's numbers at Roland Garros are simply staggering.

As well as extending his record for the most titles, he became the first player to win 100 matches at the clay-court Grand Slam by beating Djokovic.

Not only has Nadal beaten the previous records - he has smashed them.

Borg won six French Open titles between 1974 and 1981, setting a record that stood until it was surpassed by Nadal in 2012.

"I was around the era where I thought I was watching the greatest - I was at the time - Borg. Nadal eclipses him," said McEnroe, a Roland Garros finalist in 1984.

Nadal's main weapon is that vicious, lasso-style forehand which has become his trademark.

That, added to his sharp movement and supreme athleticism, is what makes Nadal great, according to Chang.

"He has the uncanny ability of being able to hit a lot of forehands and move very well on clay," the American, who won Roland Garros as a 17-year-old in 1989, told BBC Sport.

"He knows how to manipulate the angles to build to get people out of position.

"He is very aggressive, although patient when he needs to be, but for the most part if the shot is there he is taking it and going for it.

"He's the one manipulating, making you move and putting you in awkward positions to the point where he has easy cutaways."

'Perfect' conditions
The clay surface slows the ball down more than grass, enabling Nadal to use his athleticism to construct his points and tee up that famed forehand.

In turn, it helps him hit the ball harder and more accurately, while the hotter summer temperatures in mainland Europe - where the majority of the clay-court season takes place - help Nadal generate more bounce.

It is notable that Nadal's successes in Monte Carlo and Rome, two of the Tour's three clay-court Masters tournaments, outnumber those in Madrid - the third - as the high altitude of the Spanish capital means the ball has less top spin and bounces lower.

"The conditions at Roland Garros suit him perfectly," said Austria's Dominic Thiem after he lost to Nadal in the 2018 final. "It's similar to Monte Carlo, where he also plays amazing.

"Also the court at Roland Garros is very big. We can return very far behind the baseline. That's an advantage to him."

In 2020, the conditions were far from Nadal's liking.

Going into the tournament, Nadal said the colder conditions in an autumnal Paris and a heavier new ball provided him with the "toughest test" he had ever faced at Roland Garros.

Even Djokovic hinted before the match he felt the conditions gave him a "better chance" because Nadal could not get the ball as high.

Yet the Spaniard still won the title without dropping a set.

Two-time French Open champion Jim Courier said he thought the conditions might have actually helped Nadal, particularly in the final against top seed Djokovic.

Nadal played with controlled aggression of the highest level, hitting 31 winners and making just 14 unforced errors.

"Maybe we were thinking about it the wrong way and maybe Rafa was too," said Courier in his position as television analyst for ITV.

"Maybe the slower conditions helped him. Rafa was able to get to the ball and land the blow with so little risk because he has so much spin on the ball.

"The fact he had almost the same amount of winners as Novak did, who was playing so much more risky tennis, and less than a third of the unforced errors was mind-blowing."

Being a leftie
Nadal is a left-handed player which, in conjunction with his other attributes, is a key part to his success, according to Chang.

"If Rafa was a right-handed player I don't think his game would be quite as effective," said the former world number two.

"Being a leftie means that everything spins the other way.

"The strong forehands always come into a right-handed player's backhand, hooking him off the court, and the inside-out coming back the other way, it is tough to cover."

Growing up on clay courts
Clay is the natural surface for Spanish players, with about 100,000 red-dirt courts across the country - even most small villages have them.

So it is not surprising that Nadal is the latest in a long line of Spanish success - albeit far more sustained than his predecessors - at Roland Garros.

Nadal's 13 wins, plus triumphs for Sergi Bruguera (two), Carlos Moya, Albert Costa and Juan Carlos Ferrero, means the nation has accounted for 18 of the past 25 male champions.

"Roland Garros has always been the most special tournament for us," said Joan Solsona, a Spanish tennis journalist who has worked for daily sports newspaper Marca since 1998.

"So it affects the way you prepare as a tennis player - you want to be good on clay. Playing and learning on clay is natural for Spanish people."

Majorca-born Nadal first stepped on to clay aged four, starting to practise at his local tennis club in Manacor with his uncle Toni - the man who developed and coached him until retiring last year.

"Nadal was from a small town of 40,000 people and his local club had six or seven clay courts," added Solsona.

"We are lucky because Spain is a sunny country and this has a big effect. The clay courts stay in good condition in the good weather and means you can practise on them all year round because of the weather.

"We're also advised that playing on clay is the best surface for children to learn on because it is easier to move on and means they don't get injured as much.

"So Rafa started moving on clay from a young age and it shows."

Rafa's clay-court dominance since 2005
French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 (13)
Monte Carlo Masters 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018 (11)
Rome Masters 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2018 (8)
Madrid Open* 2010, 2013, 2014, 2017 (4)
Barcelona Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 (11)
*Nadal also won one title in 2004 before Madrid changed from a hard court to a clay court.

How do you beat him?
Nadal has only lost twice at Roland Garros - he pulled out before his last-32 match against fellow Spaniard Marcel Granollers in 2016 with a wrist injury.

Long-time rival Djokovic was the last person to actually beat him on court, winning in straight sets in their 2015 quarter-final.

Djokovic went into the match as the favourite, being the world number one and on a 26-match winning streak.

Nadal's first defeat at Roland Garros, however, was a seismic shock.

A last-16 victory in 2009 earned Robin Soderling, an unheralded Swede who had never previously checked into the second week of a Grand Slam, a place in the sport's history books.

Nadal and Soderling
Soderling beat Nadal 6-2 6-7 (2-7) 6-4 7-6 (7-2) at Roland Garros in 2009
"On that day everything worked for me," Soderling told BBC World Service.

"You have to be extremely aggressive. There is no other way of beating him on clay.

"You have to play a little bit flatter than you usually do, play close to the baseline and take your chances.

"You need to play with smaller margins and take some risks because no-one will beat him staying two metres from the baseline and beating him on his own terms. You have to take the initiative."