Rafael Nadal has affected younger generation more than Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic says Mats Wilander in another twist to GOAT debate
ATP
Mats
Wilander has weighed in on the ongoing GOAT (Greatest of All Time) debate,
expressing his belief that Rafael Nadal has had a more significant impact on
the younger generation compared to his Big-3 counterparts, Roger Federer and
Novak Djokovic. The former Swedish tennis player shared his thoughts on Nadal's
recent elimination in Brisbane.
Nadal made
a comeback to the court in his first tournament after a 12-month hiatus,
securing victories against Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler. However, he faced an
unexpected exit in the quarterfinals against Jordan Thompson in a marathon
match lasting three hours and 24 minutes, where Nadal even squandered a match
point.
Following
the confirmation that Nadal would miss the Australian Open due to an injury
sustained during the match with Thompson, 7-times Grand Slam champion Mats
Wilander expressed his regret, stating, "It’s extremely sad news.
Obviously, it’s the most sad news for himself because I saw the first three
matches that he played in Brisbane. He looked extremely good in the first match
against Dominic Thiem. He looked even better in the second round against Jason
Kubler," said the Swede.
“And then,
having three match points in the third round against Jordan Thompson. He looked
great. He can miss those match points. We all have done that in our careers.
The older you get, maybe the more pressure you put on yourself but I think it’s
a little bit of a wake-up call in one way.
“You just
realise that it’s not just his ankle and his knee and the big part of his
muscle, it’s also the smaller muscles in his body. Either he’s trained so hard
over the years, or he tries so hard over the years that he breaks. And it’s so
unusual,” Wilander added.
“It is
unfair to someone like Rafa Nadal, because he’s got the spirit that very few
professional athletes have had over the years, and no-one, I think, gets the
people so emotionally involved in his tennis or the sport they’re doing.
“So he’s a
player that has had seasons. His season has very rarely lasted the whole year.
We’ve gotten used to him coming back and doing the non-human thing, of coming
back from injury time and time and time again, and maybe now at 37 years old,
maybe this is the last time that he was able to come back.”
“It’s time
that we start to celebrate Rafael Nadal, because Rafael Nadal is the main
reason why we have the passion and players like Carlos Alcaraz, like a Stefanos
Tsitsipas,” stated Wilander
“I mean
Rafael Nadal is the one that has affected the younger generation more to me
than, Roger Federer, or even Novak Djokovic, because of the way that he has
behaved over the years. Always so,” the Swede added. “Such a sportsman, always
trying so hard, maybe trying too hard. But I think that’s what we want to see
in our younger players and Rafa is the main reason for me.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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