Google News 'Rafael Nadal has shown that he can overcome injuries', says ATP star
by SIMONE BRUGNOLI | VIEW 5528
With last Sunday's victory at Flushing Meadows, ATP number 2 Daniil Medvedev became the second player born in the 1990s to win a Grand Slam trophy. The success, which was a surprise in just three sets against the season's ruler, Novak Djokovic, prevented the Serbian champion from winning all four Major titles in the same year (an event that hasn't happened since 1969, when he succeeded the legendary Rod Laver).
In a new interview, Australian Todd Woodbridge, former World No. 1 in doubles and holder of 16 Grand Slam titles, stated: “Things will be very different from now on, the trend in world tennis has changed with this. triumph.
I don't think Djokovic is entering a total crisis that will prevent him from getting more wins, but it will be much more difficult for him. Also, I think Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will retire or start playing less, this match has hurt the Serbian a lot because he needs the motivation to face with the goal of becoming the most successful player in the Grand Slam.
In my opinion, this tournament is a turning point in tennis history that marks the end of the Big 3 era. Woodbridge added: “This generation of young people perceives themselves as called to dominate tennis for years to come.
Novak may be able to fight for one or two more trophies of this level, but what happened in this tournament will have its price." Therefore, the Australian concluded: "I feel that we have seen the more human side of Novak Djokovic, like never before.
We had seen him, since he is hidden in his invincibility aura."
Federer and Nadal will return in 2022
Keeping the successful run on, the Mutua Madrid Open got a contract extension until 2030 on the ATP Tour. Indeed, it is exciting news for the ATP Masters 1000 series and the clay-court tennis fans.
Subsequently, the tournament director, Feliciano Lopez, is now looking forward to welcoming Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for the event’s 20th edition. This year, Rafael Nadal lost in the Madrid Open quarterfinals to the eventual winner Alexander Zverev.
Unfortunately, Nadal worsened his foot injury during the strenuous clay season and the match against Jack Sock in the Citi Open. After that, he decided to not play in the 2021 season, but come back stronger in 2022. “We hope to see Rafa (Nadal) in the next edition.
He is still young and has shown that he can overcome injuries,” Lopez said. “He will be welcome because he is the most beloved player in the tournament. I hope Federer also recovers because that will mean that we have all the best available for the tournament,” Lopez added. Let’s see if the two get ready to compete on clay in the Spanish capital.