Google News Mats Wilander: Rafael Nadal's game more fun than Roger Federer's or Novak Djokovic's
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 11430
Former seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander says Roger Federer makes tennis look very easy but still he finds Rafael Nadal more enjoyable to watch than Federer and Novak Djokovic. The Big Three - Nadal, Federer and Djokovic - are considered as the three greatest players in tennis history.
Federer, a 20-time Grand Slam champion, has been branded by many as the player who has the most beautiful and aesthetic game. Even though Wilander agrees that Federer indeed makes tennis look very easy, he still enjoys more Nadal's game.
“The older I get, the more I enjoy watching him play,” Wilander told L’Equipe. “We see that he trusts his variations more than when he was 22 or 23 years old. I find his tennis more fun than Roger's or Novak's.
With Roger, everything seems easy. It's simple and aesthetic."
Wilander: Nadal is different
"Rafa is different: his true personality arises when the racquet hits the ball. Of course, the beginning and the end of the motion are not as fluid as with Roger.
But the contact with the ball is so pure, his touch on the ball is so extraordinary that I am blown away. I've always loved its intensity and emotional involvement. But before, there was a repetitive aspect to his game. We knew exactly how he was going to win the point.
And we knew he would win 6-2 6-2 6-2. Now he creates uncertainty: what will he do on the next move? It's like watching Federer when he was at his best. I no longer want to commentate on his matches, I just want to watch him play," Wilander added.
Meanwhile, Nadal is taking some time off following his 22nd Grand Slam victory at the French Open. In the upcoming period, Nadal plans to address his chronic foot issue and he hopes to be able to compete at Wimbledon.