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Rafael Nadal: Why the 2011 French Open Will Forever Define His Career
Published: June 7, 2011
The Majorcan has done that superbly over the last six years, ever since he shocked Federer in that 2005 French Open semifinal on his way to becoming one of the youngest champions (aged 19) Roland Garros has ever produced—and that too in his debut Grand Slam!
Four more Coupe des Mousquetaires later, Rafael Nadal had become Paris' own son and was one of the favourites, if not the out-and-out favourite, to win the trophy and defend his title this year.
So when the Spaniard entered the tournament doubting himself and his ability to reproduce that empowering "A" game, Paris looked set to brace itself for the worst.
Nadal was coming into the tournament on the back of four consecutive defeats to Novak Djokovic, including two on his favourite clay. His confidence was low, his body language poor and he even verbally surrendered his mantle of World No. 1 to Djokovic. But if there was one thing that Rafa promised, it was that he would fight till the very end.
And that is exactly what he did.
The first half of the tournament was not a breeze for Rafa, like it usually is. American John Isner, who played that 11-hour marathon at Wimbledon last year, looked all set to test Nadal's will-power and resilience in the very first round itself.
Nadal came through that encounter in five sets—the first time he'd been stretched so far in the first round. If that wasn't enough, fellow countryman Pablo Andujar put up an almighty struggle in the second round before finally succumbing 5-7, 3-6, 6-7 (4).
The next two rounds were a bit of a breather for Rafa, with no major complications. But that "A" game just wasn't there yet. In fact, ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis
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