Rafael Nadal: His Relentless Quest for Excellence and His Injuries

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at Internationaled.org

Published: November 8, 2010

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Rafael Nadal impinged on our consciousness in 2004 when as a mere 17 year old, he defeated Federer, then the world No. 1, in their very first meeting. Lest you thought it was a fluke, Nadal defeated Federer in six of their first seven matches ultimately going on to notch a head-to-head record of 14-7. 

Initially, you might have been tempted to dismiss him as an irritant for Federer but really not a threat to his greatness. But Nadal ruled at Roland Garros, twice preventing Federer from achieving calendar slams and seemingly setting himself up as a permanent block to Federer's career slam aspirations. Still only a claycourter, you thought. He extended his dominion to grass in 2008 and then dramatically to hardcourts at AO 2009. That was when the world realized that here was someone who could not be straitjacketed under labels or categories. Oh well, they thought, let us welcome the new superstar.

They expected him to get perhaps even a calendar slam but once again he surprised everyone by not winning a single slam between his 23rd and 24th birthday. Injuries to his knees and abdomen kept him out or below his best, and the world prepared to write the epitaph of a hero whose body had been stressed to an early doom. He then proved his resilience by coming back and winning three grand slams in a row, including the title at Flushing Meadows for which his game was considered to be unsuited.

His game is ever evolving and he is constantly adding new skills in his quest for excellence. But injuries or  threats of injuries continue to follow him everywhere like his shadow. Even in the midst of all his achievements this year, there were injuries. At Queen's, he suffered a hamstring injury. At Wimbledon, he played through knee and elbow problems. Of course, his knees are his permanent bugbear. Now he has withdrawn from the Paris M...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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