Google News Serena Williams' childhood coach details what makes Rafael Nadal special
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 7122
Coach Rick Macci says Rafael Nadal's clay record is absolutely astonishing and adds the Spaniard's way of handling the pressure is "almost bulletproof." Nadal, 36, clinched a record 14th French Open title after beating Casper Ruud in the final.
Now, Nadal is a record 22-time Grand Slam champion. Nadal has battled various injuries over the last 12 months but still he has managed to win two Grand Slams this year and to reach the Wimbledon semifinal before an abdominal injury foced him to pull out.
Macci, who was Serena and Venus Williams' childhood coach, was asked by Tennis-Infinity for how long he sees the Spaniard playing since he is constantly battling foot pain caused by the Mueller-Weiss syndrome.
Macci: Nadal is a like a machine
"No one knows what's in his head and no one knows what his health is like.
To win that many matches and hardly lose on that court, that's crazy. If you think about what's his record, that's crazy in any sport let alone tennis. Maybe he's lost a quarter of a step but he hasn't lost that fighting spirit and the way he handles pressures is almost bulletproof," Macci told Tennis-Infinity.
"If he's healthy, he'll play as long as he wants but if you talk about a role model. Young kids should just look how he responds, like Federer, after they lose a point. The guy‘s like a machine. You just don't become that yesterday or a week ago.
He's been doing that since he's a little kid." After withdrawing from his Wimbledon semifinal, Nadal returned to Spain. This Monday, Nadal returned to the practice court as he is preparing for the Montreal Masters, which kicks off on August 7.
Nadal was disappointed after being forced to withdraw from his Wimbledon semifinal but the big reason why he decided to pull out was because he didn't want to risk being out for a couple of months after the tournament.