John McEnroe compares Rafael Nadal to a superhero after Wimbledon win
Rafael Nadal looked ready to quit for long periods of his Wimbledon quarter-final against Taylor Fritz, but he found a way to win in a dramatic fifth set tie-break.
Nadal looked poised to withdraw at several points after seeking treatment for an abdominal problem but instead dug in as only he can to secure a 3-6 7-5 3-6 7-5 7-6 (4) win and keep alive his hopes of becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four grand slam titles in the same season.
That ambition looked forlorn for long periods in an epic contest on Wimbledon’s Centre Court, with seven-time Grand Slam singles champion McEnroe suggesting the Spanish legend has superpowers to come back from the brink
“He’s like superman or something,” McEnroe told the BBC. “I thought kryptonite had struck because it didn’t look like he was going to finish a couple of times, but he found a way.
“This was a match that for long periods saw Taylor Fritz play some incredible tennis. He is an amazing ball striker. He’s got a huge serve, but Nadal was a genius out there.
“He knows Fritz is not as comfortable at the net and he exposed him out there.
“Nadal tried every trick in the book and in the end he sort of apologised for beating him when he was not 100 per-cent. That’s tough.”
Nadal and his old rival Novak Djokovic have found a way into the Wimbledon semi-finalists once again, with McEnroe suggesting the game’s young guns are struggling to find a way past the game’s enduring champions.
“These guys find a way over five sets,” he added. “This guy and Novak are tough to beat over the long-distance and it’s amazing that Nadal is now just nine games away from a Grand Slam.
“That’s tough on Taylor Fritz. When are these guys going to break through? They don’t want to hear after the match that he’s got a great future and he’s going to win big one day. They want to make it happen and these guys somehow steal it away from them.”
Latest
-
Tennis NewsDoes Matteo Berrettini have a new love interest?
Matteo Berrettini has been spotted with former model Melissa Satta.
-
Australian Open2023 Australian Open women’s final info, form, H2H, preview: Elena Rybakina vs Aryna Sabalenka
All the info you need ahead of the 2023 Australian Open women’s final.
-
Australian OpenElena Rybakina: Why the quiet girl is set to dominate Grand Slam tennis
Elena Rybakina could be an all-timer.
-
Tennis NewsMats Wilander expects Elena Rybakina to make ’10 grand slam finals’
Kazakhstan’s Rybakina beat Victoria Azarenka 7-6, 6-3 to set up a final with Belarusian fifth-seed Sabalenka.
-
Australian Open
Australian Open day 11: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina reach women’s final
The story of the 11th day of action from Melbourne Park.
-
NewsAryna Sabalenka books power battle with Elena Rybakina in Australian Open final
Sabalenka beat Magda Linette 7-6 (1) 6-2 to reach her first grand slam singles final.
-
Australian OpenNovak Djokovic plunged into fresh controversy and he needs to fix it quickly
Novak Djokovic needs to do all he can to clean up the mess created by his father as quickly as possible.
-
Tennis NewsWATCH: Andy Murray shares hilarious mock lipreading video from Thanasi Kokkinakis clash
Andy Murray saw the funny side of a TikTok video from his Australian Open second round win.
-
Australian OpenNovak Djokovic still motivated by Rafael Nadal rivalry
That Grand Slam record is on Novak Djokovic’s mind for sure.
-
NewsElena Rybakina clinches straight sets semi-final win over Victoria Azarenka
Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina defeated Victoria Azarenka to reach her second grand slam final at the Australian Open.