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Rafael Nadal says he is not concerned about how will the game look post-Big Three era as he is confident a new group of talented players will come and leave their mark in tennis history. Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are widely considered as the three greatest players in tennis history.
The Big Three have combined for a total of 63 Grand Slam titles and the expectation is that they will win more Grand Slams before they retire. The Big Three have left a major mark in tennis history and some fear the game will lose on its popularity once they are gone.
"In tennis there has always been generational change. We have had great stars that have been replaced by others, it is normal. Perhaps in our case what has happened is that we have been (dominant for) many years, but I am convinced that those who arrive will stay and take over," Nadal said in an interview with Talento a bordo.
Nadal on the importance of good mental strength
Nadal is a record 22-time Grand Slam champion and one of the greatest athletes in all sports history. Nadal's talent for the game is well-documented but his mental strength is also a component that has played a major part behind the Spaniard's astonishing success.
"Mental strength is one of the important elements for competition. Everything can be trained and that mental strength is something I also worked with my Uncle Toni since I was a child. Then, with the evolution of my career that work continued and the competition itself made it intensify and continue to evolve," Nadal said.
Meanwhile, Nadal returned to the practice court this Monday as he is preparing to compete at the National Bank Open in Montreal, which kicks off on August 7. Nadal was forced to give Nick Kyrgios a walkover in their Wimbledon semifinal match but he is expected to be ready for the start of the summer hard court swing.
Nadal is a five-time champion at the National Bank Open and it remains to be seen if he can win his sixth title at the Canadian Masters this year.