‘He is amazing’ – Top coach explains why Rafael Nadal is better than Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer
The former coach of Roger Federer and Pete Sampras believes Rafael Nadal is just a little more special than anyone else who has played the game.
Paul Annacone, who is now an analyst for the Tennis Channel claimed in a debate over who is the true GOAT that Nadal is the man he’d choose to play for him in a ‘match for his life’.
“It is the relentless ability to play every point like nothing else matters except that point,” he said of Nadal, as quoted by the Daily Express.
“Jimmy Connors was very close to that but I’ve never seen anyone do it better than Rafael Nadal.
“It is such a cliche but if you look at the way he plays and someone asked you ‘who would you want to play one match for your life?’ How do you not pick that guy?
“He is amazing. It has been fun to watch and the era that he’s in with the other all-time greats, I just continue to sit back and a lot of times my jaw just hits the table.”
Nadal finished last season as the oldest year-end world number one in history, but has surrendered that ranking to Novak Djokovic this year.
He won his 85th career title in Acapulco though, just before the enforced break due to the coronavirus crisis, and Annacone believes there is a lot more success to come for the Spaniard.
“I hope he stays healthy. I think he’s got a lot more tennis ahead.
“He continues to love the game and as long as he does that and stays healthy, I don’t see him losing at Roland Garros.
“His records will continue to grow and we are going to have to invent new words in the dictionary to describe it.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
NewsNovak Djokovic claims fifth Italian Open title with win over Diego Schwartzman
Djokovic triumphed 7-5 6-3 in one hour and 53 minutes in Rome.
-
NewsSimona Halep wins Italian Open after Karolina Pliskova retires injured in final
Halep made it third time lucky in Italian Open finals having lost in back-to-back appearances in 2017 and 2018.
-
-
Tennis NewsNovak Djokovic concedes he ‘deserved’ warning from umpire as anger issues continue
Serb continues to court controversy.
-
Tennis News‘It will be strange without Rafael Nadal in the final,’ admits Novak Djokovic
Djokovic says he won’t underestimate Argentine.
-
NewsFive players out of Roland Garros qualifying following positive coronavirus tests, officials confirm
Two players return positive tests.
-
NewsNovak Djokovic survives Casper Ruud scare to advance into Italian Open final in Rome
Djokovic chasing title number 81.
-
NewsSimona Halep holds off Garbine Muguruza to reach third Italian Open final
Halep is looking for a first title in Rome.
-
NewsRafael Nadal hopeful he can address the issues in his game before French Open
Nadal lost 6-2, 7-5 to Schwartzman in Rome.
-
NewsRafael Nadal beaten by Diego Schwartzman in Rome quarter-final
Nadal beaten in straight sets by Schwartzman.