Wilander: "Federer played the right shot to close the point, Rafa did it to take control of the exchange".
le 19/11/2024 à 10h02
On the occasion of Rafael Nadal's retirement this week, Mats Wilander was asked about him by L'Équipe: "Rafa didn't necessarily play the most spectacular shot.
But he very often played the best shot at the best time. That meant he played the perfect point. He just played tactically.
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He held the rally in his hands. Roger Federer played the right shot to close the point, Rafa played it to take control of the rally.
This was often the case from the very first stroke of the racket. Against him, you had to defend perfectly from the first two strokes.
Otherwise, the point was lost. By doing so, he made the point easy for himself.
I would have to agree, but I can remember a few times when Nadal lost matches because his tactical approach to the match as whole was wrong. And so glaringly so I'm watching on the sidelines begging the question, "What is he thinking ... or is he thinking?"