Speaking to the Tennis Channel, Pam Shriver analyzed the moment he is going through the Spanish champion Rafael Nadal. Hardly anyone expected such a start to the season from Rafael Nadal. Nadal proved once again to be a legend of modern sport, surprisingly winning the Australian Open and reaching 21 Majors.
After surviving two real battles against Denis Shapovalov and Matteo Berrettini, the former world number 1 came back two sets behind Daniil Medvedev in the final. In addition to beating Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the all-time rankings, the 35-year-old from Manacor has become the fourth man in history to have won all Grand Slams at least twice.
The Iberian suffered a fractured rib during the Indian Wells semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz, a setback that caused him to miss the first tournaments on red. Despite still being far from the best condition, Rafa has hit the quarterfinals in Madrid where he Alcaraz again, but he lost after an amazing match.
Pam Shriver: “Victory in Melbourne revitalized Rafael Nadal”
Pam said: “Rafael Nadal has learned to listen to his physique and it is no coincidence that he is still at the top after 18 years of career. Madrid is undoubtedly the tournament in which he is least comfortable among those played on clay.
I have no doubt that he will be back at 100% after this injury, he has shown it to us a myriad of times in the past. That extraordinary start to the season and the triumph at the Australian Open gave him further confidence.”
Patrick Mouratoglou instead expressed some doubts: “He hasn’t played many games in recent times and it has never happened that he arrived at Roland Garros with so few matches played on red. Despite having had a fantastic start to the season, Rafa is a player who has always needed to play a lot to find the rhythm.
He will not arrive in Paris in the best conditions.” We recall that Nadal won the first 20 games played in 2022, putting three trophies on the board.
