Rafael Nadal - The King Of The Clay Courts
Can Any Player Really Defeat The Spanish Maestro On Clay?
Apr 21, 2009
The clay courts of Monte Carlo are quickly becoming a second home to Rafael Nadal after the world number one overcame Novak Djokvic, the world number three, in topsy-turvy affair to secure a fifth successive Masters title. The final ending up 6-3 2-6 6-1 in favour of the Spaniard.
Not only did this result secure Nadal's fifth successive Monte Carlo Masters crown, a feat no other player has achieved, but Nadal has now equalled Roger Federer's fourteen Masters titles; with only Andre Agassi having won more with 17 titles. The victory also stretches Nadal's record on clay to a staggering 138 wins in his last 142 clay court matches.
What Makes Nadal Such A Force On Clay?
It is clear that Nadal has set an impregnable benchmark on the clay surface, which includes a winning streak of 81 matches between April 2005 and May 2007. Nadal also boasts an unbeaten record at the French Open courts of Rolland Garros securing four titles in the process. Of course Nadal has an advantage after growing up on the clay courts in Spain.
However Nadal has developed a repertoire of strokes and skills that make him almost unbeatable on the crimson red surface. The ability to use his wrists to wrap the racquet around the ball makes Nadal produce top-spin and slice like no other player on the tour. As a result Nadal can turn seemingly defensive positions into attacking ones in a rally as a kicking forehand or viciously spinning sliced backhand put the opponent on the back foot. Couple these skills with immense fitness and an ability to play every angle on the court make an opponent needing almost superhuman shots every rally to win points against the Spaniard.
But perhaps what has set Nadal apart on clay, in fact apart from the whole tennis world, is the desire and work rate he produces. If there is a chance Nadal can return a ball he will run his heart out to make the shot. More than this, though, Nadal has set himself immensely high standards; standards which are yet to be met in training by his fellow competitors. As well as having unbelievable levels of self-belief it is these high standards which have propelled Nadal forward on the clay surface.
Can Nadal Be Beaten On Clay?
Though Nadal has set the benchmark there is always a chance that he could have on off day. This is only a slim possibility though with the consistency that Nadal has developed on clay. Even if he has an off day, it would take a truly world class performance by his opponent to topple the Spaniard.
Of the current crop of top players it is probably the Brit Andy Murray who has the greatest opportunity to topple Nadal. Murray is beginning to appreciate what is required to beat Nadal. An opponent may not require a vast skill set to beat Nadal but what is required is a fitness level to match Nadal. If a player is willing to get into long rallies, move the Spaniard around the court and force Nadal to try and win points with magical shots; then the opponent stands a chance of causing an upset.
It is highly unlikely that this will happen this clay court season as no player yet has the game to compete with the world number one.
Nadal now moves on to Barcelona before the Rome Masters next week with the whole tennis world fearing the immense talent that the Spaniard has shown on the clay surface.
