Phenome-nadal

Ok, I will try not to sound like a Wikipedia article on Rafael Nadal. I will try. But what can you say about a player who at 24 has won 5 Roland Garros titles, second only to Bjorn Borg. Nadal did not drop a set in the 2010 French Open tournament. He did that in 2008 as well. Amazing control on the points. With his knees intact, he proved to be unbeatable.

Prior to this clay season, Nadal was in a title drought.11 months without a title. During this period he had many issues - his knees wearied down, he had an abdomen strain, his parents were divorced and the so-called critics wrote him off. Nadal has past his peak they said. And now that is history. Monte Carlo, Rome and Madrid master events saw him dominate his opponents like never before. He beat Roger Federer in Madrid finals in straight sets. And that continued into Roland Garros. Straight sets was the buzz word. Soderling, with whom Nadal had a rather turbulent relation since their Wimbledon clash in 2007, was dismissed in straight sets as well. So much for a guy who handed Nadal his only defeat in Paris in 2009.

I am eager to see how Nadal performs in Queens that began this week and eventually in Wimbledon. He can stamp his authority on the game now that he just acquired the 'Red Slam'. I am the kind of guy who sympathizes with the grasshopper on some occasions. Though I fondly admire Roger Federer, I admire Nadal's spirit no less. Vamos Rafa!