Tennis is one of the most beloved and competitive sports all over the world. With each year, players work hard to become better athletes and rise up in the rankings. However, the tennis resume 2022 season will bring with it a very different kind of competition: the GOAT race between Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Read on to learn about how this race could potentially shape up and why it’s sure to bring some painful tears for one or more of these superstars.
World No.1 Ranking
It is safe to say that Rafael Nadal’s return to the top of the ATP rankings has been nothing short of remarkable. The Spaniard unseated Roger Federer at the summit of the men’s game back in August 2017. Some three-and-a-half years after first losing his place to the Swiss. Nadal then regained the World No.1 ranking for a second time in June 2019, before going on to finish the year as year-end No.1 for the fifth time in his career.
But what does it actually mean to be ranked World No.1? And how does one go about achieving such a feat?
To put it simply, the World No.1 ranking is awarded to the player who has accumulated the most points over the course of a season. These points are earned by winning matches at ATP Tour events, with more points on offer for winning bigger tournaments. Players are also able to defend their points from previous years. Meaning that it is possible to stay at No.1 even if you don’t win any tournaments in a given season.
There have been just eight different men to hold the World No.1 ranking since its inception in 1973, with Nadal and Federer accounting for six of those between them.
Also Read: The 2023 Australian Open ATP Entry List
Career Highlights
In his career, Nadal has won 19 Grand Slam singles titles, the second most in history for a male player. As well as 35 ATP Tour Masters 1000 titles, 20 ATP Tour 500 championships, and an Olympic gold medal in singles in 2008. He is widely considered one of the all-time best players. He has been nicknamed “The King of Clay” and is often considered the greatest clay-court player in history.
Nadal’s father, Sebastián Nadal, is a businessman who owns an insurance company and a glass and window company. Ana Mara Parera is his mother, and he has a younger sister named Mara Isabel.
Injury and Defeat
No one is immune to the effects of aging, not even the greats of tennis. As the years go by, the body breaks down and injuries become more common. Even the most successful players have had to deal with these setbacks, as they try to extend their careers and remain competitive.
For some, like Serena Williams, these challenges only make them stronger. She has come back from multiple injuries and surgeries to win major titles, including the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant. However, others have not been so fortunate.
Many top players have been forced to retire early due to injuries, including Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro, and Marin Cilic. While it’s always sad to see a player’s career cut short. It’s a reminder that tennis resume 2022 is a physically demanding sport and that even the GOATs are only human.
Struggles on the Court
When Rafael Nadal lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open semifinal, it brought an end to his record-tying 20th consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance.
It was also a crushing defeat for the Spaniard, who had been trying to tie Roger Federer’s record for most men’s singles Grand Slam titles. Nadal has won 19 majors, but with each passing year, it becomes less and less likely that he’ll catch his great rival.
Nadal’s body has always been susceptible to injury and this was on full display in Melbourne. He suffered from cramping in his forearm during the match and was clearly in pain. This has been a problem for Nadal throughout his career and it’s something that continues to plague him.
While Nadal remains one of the best players in the world, his struggles on the court are becoming more apparent. At 33 years old, he’s not getting any younger and his body is beginning to betray him. It’s unclear how much longer Nadal can keep up this level of play. If he’ll ever be able to catch Federer in the GOAT race.
Also Read: Serena Williams Comeback: Mouratoglou Thoughts
Crowds of Spectators
When it comes to the tennis resume, there are GOATs and there are goats. The latter gets spectators cheering when they win, and the former gets them jeering when they don’t.
In this tennis resume race, Rafael Nadal is the clear frontrunner. He has 20 Grand Slam titles under his belt, more than any other male player in history. And he’s still got plenty of gas left in the tank. As evidenced by his recent run to the French Open final.
But there’s a new kid on the block who is quickly gaining ground on Nadal in this tennis resume 2022. His name is Novak Djokovic, and he’s already won 16 Grand Slam titles of his own. At just 30 years old, he’s got plenty of time to catch up to Nadal’s tally.
The two men have been locked in an epic battle for supremacy over the past decade, with Nadal winning nine times and Djokovic seven. But their most recent meeting was a lopsided affair, with Djokovic cruising to victory in straight sets.
The win sent shockwaves through the tennis world, and it has many wondering if Djokovic is now the man to beat. Only time will tell if he can keep up this level of play and dethrone Nadal as the GOAT.
Setting an example for the next generation
To be the best, you must defeat the best. But when it comes to the GOAT race in tennis, there can only be one winner. For those of us who have been following the sport for a while, we know that there is no clear-cut answer as to who is the greatest of all time. Some may argue that it is Roger Federer, and others may say it is Rafael Nadal. Also then there are those who believe that Novak Djokovic is the true GOAT.
There is no denying that all three of these players have had phenomenal careers thus far. They have each won multiple Grand Slam titles. Also have been ranked number one in the world at some point in their careers. However, when it comes down to comparing their resumes, there can only be one winner. And the winner is Roger Federer.
Federer has more Grand Slam titles than any other player in history with 20. He has also spent more weeks at number one in the world rankings than any other player with 310 weeks. When it comes to head-to-head comparisons, Federer also has the edge over Nadal and Djokovic with a 23-15 record against Nadal and a 27-22 record against Djokovic.
There is no doubt that Nadal and Djokovic are both great players with amazing careers. But when it comes to the GOAT race, there can only be one winner – Roger Fed.
Also Read: Ash Barty Returns To The Australian Open – This Time As A Mentor!
Final Thoughts on the GOAT Race
It has been an emotional roller coaster following the GOAT race with both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. I have to give credit where credit is due, and that is to Rafael Nadal for his hard-fought victory. It was not an easy match by any means, with both players giving it their all until the very end. In the end, though, Nadal was just too strong and too relentless for Federer.
Now that the dust has settled, I wanted to take a moment to share my final thoughts on the GOAT race. First and foremost, I want to give a huge congratulations to Rafael Nadal on his well-deserved victory. It was an incredible match to watch and he truly deserves to be called the greatest player of all time.
I also want to give a big thank you to Roger Federer for everything he has done for tennis. He is a fantastic player and role model; I have appreciated watching him play over the years. I know that he will continue to be a force in tennis, even if he isn’t able to win another major title.
Finally, I want to say that this tennis resume 2022 GOAT race has been an absolutely incredible journey to follow. It has been so much fun watching these two great players battle it out on the court, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them both.
Also Read: Nick Kyrgios: “If I Win The Grand Slam, I’ll Retire”
Frequently Asked Questions:
Only one player has completed the calendar year Grand Slam. Rod Laver of Australia won all four Open period majors – the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open – in 1969, and this weekend’s Laver Cup is named in his honor.
From my perspective, the real Greatest of All Time is the Swiss Maestro, Roger Federer. Roger Federer is the greatest of all time when he is at his peak. Roger Federer is the best of all time at his weakest. Federer is the greatest tennis player of all time, according to all evidence.
Federer leads on grass (3-1) and indoor hard court (3-1) while Nadal leads on clay (14-2) and outdoor hard court (8-6). (5–1). There were 14 major matches, with Nadal leading 10-4. Nadal leads the French Open 6-0 and the Australian Open 3-1, while Federer leads Wimbledon 3-1.
