Google News 'Rafael Nadal has seemed to be in difficulty in recent months', says legend
by SIMONE BRUGNOLI | VIEW 8427
Stan Wawrinka responded to a tennis fan on Twitter and suggested that he, too, is surprised that he doesn't have more than three Grand Slams in his collection. Wawrinka, 37, is a three-time Grand Slam champion and has a great track record in Grand Slam finals – the Swiss won his first Grand Slam final before ending up on the losing end in his fourth Major final.
Wawrinka has also been a Grand Slam semifinalist on five different occasions. One fan tweeted: "Sometimes I still don't understand how Stan Wawrinka has won three Grand Slams!!!" In the follow-up tweet, the same fan added: "Let me clarify: I didn't mean that in a negative way!
I love Stan." Wawrinka noticed the tweet and reacted: "Me neither." In the 2014 Australian Open final, Wawrinka defeated Rafael Nadal to win his first Grand Slam title. The following year, Wawrinka defeated Novak Djokovic in the final of the 2015 French Open.
In 2016, Wawrinka won the US Open after beating Djokovic in the final. Wawrinka played in his last Grand Slam final in 2017, when Nadal handed him a straight-sets loss in the French Open final. When Wawrinka beat Djokovic in two Grand Slam finals, he delivered outstanding tennis.
In a recent interview, Wawrinka admitted that he loved facing Djokovic in top form. "Of course I remember the matches against Novak, they were always real battles, especially in the Grand Slam tournaments, when he was among the best players in the world.
I remember well my victory against him in 2014 at the Australian Open in the quarterfinals, it was the year of my first title in Grand Slam tournaments. In fact, I have always liked playing against him in top form."
Henin comments on Rafa Nadal
Speaking to Eurosport, Justine Henin spoke about Rafael Nadal's future.
“Today fans are asking many questions about Rafael Nadal, who has already amazed everyone a myriad of times” – analyzed Justine Henin. “Victories at the Australian Open and Roland Garros in 2022 left everyone speechless, proving that Rafa should never be underestimated.
At the same time, it must be admitted that he has seemed to be in difficulty in recent months. He had several physical problems, became a father in the autumn and has never returned to 100% fitness. The 2023 Australian Open didn't go well and he injured his ileo-psoas, which he really didn't want after the ordeal of the last few months.
Will Rafa be able to rise again? We will find out at Roland Garros” – added the Belgian. Nadal was snapped up by Djokovic to lead the all-time Grand Slam leaderboard.
