Unlike The Ball, Nadal Won't Bounce Back

Heading into the new tennis year, there has been a lot of speculation buzzing around: Will Federer continue his dominance, will Del Potro continue his winning streak, and, most importantly, if it’s now even possible for Nadal to regain top form.

In 2008, Nadal’s career year, he won two grand-slams (French, Wimbledon), was the proprietor of an 81 match winning streak on clay, and continuously beat Federer, finally proving he’s winning abilities surpass clay.

Nadal was on top of the world going into the French Open: he had officially been ranked as number one by the ATP, and was obviously headed into his most accustomed tournament.

Then it ensued: during the much sought after semi-final of the Madrid Open, Nadal’s tendinitis was aggravated, seemingly being a little injury. “Not much to worry about.” These are words echoed out of mouths of trainers, Uncles, and the player itself.

It didn’t seem like much to worry over anyways, though. He went on to finish, and win this match, yet got abolished in the finals. But he was headed into the French Open, and all analysts sided with him for champion.

Round 1, Round 2, Round 3: Nadal breezed by all these games. We had all already forgotten the injury causing Nadal to flinch in Madrid. It was Nadal, we thought, he could overcome such an injury.

Round 4 came. Nadal was meant to face Soderling, a little known opponent, but one who had clearly caused Nadal trouble at Wimbledon in 2007. I remember first receiving the news that Nadal had lost the first set. It wasn’t even close: 6-2. Though I was exceedingly surprised, I took myself to believe it had been a fluke, and that Nadal would bounce back from the first set.

The second set proved more interesting, yet Nadal clinched it at the end, winning it 7-6. I figured this was the set that would push up Nadal’s confidence, and hurt Soderling. I was attested wrong with Soderling winning the next two sets, ultimately kicking Nadal out of contention.

I was in utter awe; never had I envisioned anyone but Nadal not winning this French Open. After, he complained about his injuries, but worries still scatter amongst fans.

Where am I headed with this match? That Nadal, ever since this one singular game, has never been the Nadal we had grown familiarized to. And we won’t ever see the Rafael Nadal, the one dominant on clay, the one who could beat Federer consistently, and the one who puts us all jaw-dropped after his tremendous shots.

He won’t come back.

Depressing as it may be, and how easy it may be not think this way, to think that Rafael will return, it is almost not viable to happen at this stage. Though still early in his career, he should be characterized as a young veteran. One who still is in his youth, yet is beginning his sixth career year, and has already been harshly struck by injuries.

Though it is what brought him so far into his career, his physical style of play won’t let him come, holding him back while beating him down. Nadal’s reason for success has eventually become the reason for his own down-fall.

Nadal will not be successful in any of the grand-slams this year because the amount of matches will tire his young, yet old, body. Almost evidently, this will allow Nadal to slowly move down his precious ranking, becoming forgotten.

The last piece of evidence needed to declare Nadal’s down-fall, was his last grand-slam, one in which once again he claimed to not be hurt by multiple injuries. The U.S open, where he was eliminated in the semis.

Obviously, this isn’t terrible at all, to make all the way there. Yet, after the first couple of matches, it was easy to see the fatigue hurting Nadal more and more. Del Potro, ranked not even in the top five, managed to embarrass Nadal in the match, winning in straight and easy sets.

As much as I would love to see the original Rafael, I know it just about impossible. Nadal, just like Soderling and Del Potro have done, has beaten himself.