Google News 'Rafael Nadal's not able to run balls down without...', says former star
by SIMONE BRUGNOLI | VIEW 19603
Former ATP world number one and winner of four Grand Slams, Jim Courier, in an interview with Tennis Channel, spoke highly of the two Spanish tennis players Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, who will finish the tennis season as numbers one and two of the world, respectively.
About the 19-year-old from Murcia, Courier spoke about how his year has been. Despite the many words of praise towards him, the former tennis player also wanted to point out that all this was also possible due to the absence of Novak Djokovic in several important tournaments due to his unvaccinated condition.
'It's been an impressive year for Carlos Alcaraz,' he began in his interview. 'We knew it was good, but we didn't think it would get so fast, did we? He did a great job in Indian Wells and Miami. It was then that we realized what was going to happen.
But at the US Open we saw him at his best. However, I think Novak Djokovic's absence also helped him. There is no doubt that the Serbian's inability to play some tournaments facilitated his rise. However, we have to congratulate the Spaniard for his excellent year." And speaking of Spaniard, Courier also had this to say about Rafael Nadal, who recently ended his season by being eliminated in the group stage after two losses to Fritz and Auger-Aliassime, the win against Ruud is for statistical purposes only.
Roddick comments on Nadal
Andy Roddick believes that Novak Djokovic is in the best shape of his life and is currently ahead of Rafael Nadal in the pecking order. "His discipline. His body does not look like a typical body that's at the end of the road.
You look at the flexibility, he hasn't lost anything as far as movement and if anything he has only gotten better from 28 to 35," Roddick said. The American also compared the physical abilities of Djokovic and Nadal, who are in their mid-30s and excelling at the top of the sport.
"You won't find a bigger Rafa fan than me but it looks different than it did five years ago. He has to adjust the way he plays, he's having to play higher risk and end points a little sooner which means we see a lot more peaks and valleys.
He's not able to run balls down like he was able without paying a physical bill. Novak still seems that he's able to rely on his body a little more no matter which type of strategy," he added.