Wilander claims Nadal's "problem-solving ability" separates him from Federer and Djokovic

Former World No.1 Mats Wilander believes that Rafael Nadal differs from his rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in many ways, with one of the most important being the Spaniards ability 'to solve problems like a scientist'.

Nadal became the first man in the Open Era to win 21 Grand Slams after he captured the title at the 2022 Australian Open, leaving Federer and Djokovic in second place with 20 apiece. His success this campaign came on the back of an injury-ravaged 2021 that saw him miss the latter half of the season due to a career-threatening foot injury and Nadal had admitted that he had doubts over his playing future.

Tennis pundit Wilander was also surprised by his turnaround in fortune.

"He is turning 36 during the French Open, it would be amazing if he can keep this up when we thought last year this is very close to being the end of Rafa’s career. He thought himself it could be close to the end of his career,” the seven-time Grand Slam winner told Eurosport.

“I would never have imagined that he would, even though he would be playing physically, that he would be able to do what he is doing. No, not in a million years would I have thought that Rafael Nadal could do that. Not this part of the year [January and February].

“Move forward a month and a half and the clay-court season has started. Now we are back with Rafa Nadal the ageless clay-court king. He is closer to 16 years old than he is 36-years-old emotionally and that is where he separates himself from the other Big Three, I have to say.”

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Wilander would go on to compare the Spaniard to 'professors and scientists', stating the 36-year old's ability to solve problems has been instrumental in his stay at the top.

"I am sure there are some professors out there or scientists who never ever get bored of challenging themselves and finding the result of the next problem, because it is mathematical or environmental and the answer is weird and they can’t guess what it is and for Nadal that is the same thing," added the Swede.

“I would have to stretch my imagination to find an athlete that finds it more enjoyable to feel fear, to be afraid of the outcome, to be nervous, to not really know what’s going to happen at the end of his match, but is so in love with the problem-solving part of his profession that he is willing to feel that pain and to feel that anxiety to just find out what’s around the next corner.

“And in the next corner could be Mike Tyson, who punches you in the face really hard and you might never stand up again and Rafa Nadal is willing to take that chance.”