2010 French Open Men’s Final: What Would a Win Mean For Rafael Nadal’s Future?

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at Internationaled.org

Published: June 6, 2010

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Winning Paris used to be almost a guarantee for Rafael Nadal, but injuries and a shocking loss last year have provided us with just enough doubt to make this final both mouth-watering and terrifying.

Also, this is the first final since Nadal's maiden slam win in which he has not faced one Roger Federer across the net.  The soothing knowledge in the somewhat predictable, yet remarkably effective strategy against his greatest rival is gone.

Now Rafa must look deep inside himself and his game to find what it takes to beat someone with a not-so-obvious strategy.

But what does winning Paris mean? 

Well, beyond winning his fifth title at Roland Garros, and his seventh overall, it's mostly about being a champion again and the confidence it brings to your game and your psyche.

We all saw what Rafa's Australian Open win did for him last year.  Had injuries not derailed him, it could have been a profoundly historic year.

But a year's pain on and off the court have helped mold Rafa into a better and possibly hungrier player.  Someone who knows now that time can be taken away from anyone.  One has to only look to Gustavo Kuerten to see how an injury can take a great career away.

This year, more than most, will show us what direction Rafa's career may take over the next 4-5 years.  Sidestepping injury possibilities for a moment, a win today would be in some ways as remarkable as any he's had in his career thus far.

It's a win after so much pain.  A win that shows he can do it again when some, possibly even himself, may have doubted that it could happen again.

It's a step further toward what I like to call the Elite Legends Plateau which is ten slam wins or more. 

I'm not saying now that if Rafa wins today that he will win Wimbledon or even the U.S. Open, but it will certainly boost his confidence towards the rest of ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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