Rafael Nadal Will Never Surpass Roger Federer If French Open Is Only Haven

Rafa’s kingdom is small.

Rafael Nadal, the King of Clay, will go down as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. However, if he wants to go down as the greatest ever and surpass Roger Federer in Grand Slam single titles, he must conquer more surfaces than clay alone.

According to the Winnipeg Free Press, Novak Djokovic said after his latest loss on clay to Rafa in the 2012 Italian Open: “He is always the favourite even if I win against him seven times. He is the best player in the world on this surface.”

But that’s the only surface.

Djokovic held a seven-match winning streak against Nadal before the Spaniard’s two victories on clay in 2012. While winning at all against Djoker is encouraging, if Rafa plans on catching Federer, he can’t just win the French Open every year. Right now, Federer boasts 16 Grand Slams compared to Nadal’s 10.

Djokovic is currently at five, but if all Rafa can win over the next seven years is French Open titles—and he’s not even likely to maintain the streak that long—the Serbian would’ve passed him already. Djoker won four out of his five Grand Slams since 2011. He’s at an incredible pace.

And in three out of four of those tournaments, guess who met him in the Final? Nadal, but he was no match.

Is Rafa capable of regaining his touch?

Yes, without a doubt. He has a career Grand Slam for a reason: He’s a force to be reckoned with on all playing surfaces. To win titles, however, the key isn’t being a beast—it’s being the best.

If Nadal wins the 2012 French Open, don’t get too excited. That’s exactly what he’s supposed to do—be the best on clay. Before he’s crowned the best tennis player in the world, let’s see him win on another surface again.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

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