| The King is back |
It has been long overdue. The announcement that Rafael Nadal was back from his extended injury lay-off in December was greeted with gusto. Afterwards, another disappointing development surfaced that the 11-time Grand Slam winner would skip the Doha Tournament and the Australian Open because of a bugging stomach virus. But you can't keep a good man down for too long
It is official. The Majorcan Matador is back. This time it's for real. South America is the lucky continent and Ivan Zamorano's Chile are the privileged country set to host the powerhouse tennis Legend.
The VTR Open billed to commence tomorrow at the Vina Del Mar, Chile, is an ATP 250 event which also has defending Champion and World Number 12, Juan Monaco among the players set to participate in the week long tournament. The Argentine tennis player is a long time friend of Nadal and is also scheduled to partner the Spanish great on Tuesday, February 5th when they take on the court. The likes of Jeremy Chardy (the Frenchman who shocked JMDP (Del Potro) on his way to the QF (L. to Murray) in Melbourne), Pablo Andujar, Albert Ramos, Daniel Gimeno-Traver (who won the doubles title last year with Federico Gil), Carlos Berlocq, and others will be competing at the tourney. Home favourite and double Olympic gold medallist, Nicolas Massu was handed a wild card, alongside Nadal and a certain Christian Garin.
Nadal's decision to return earlier than anticipated (was thought to return at the Mexican Open-Acapulco) has been hailed by RAFANS all over the World. 'Rafans' is the sobriquet for all NADAL FANS. Not only them, the tennis world cannot wait to watch/see the warrior of the circuit. The former World Number one who is in unfamiliar territory rankings wise, will be optimistic about his playing conditions after sitting out the last seven months, resting his bad knee and taking ample time training and trying to get back to fitness. By virtue of his absence from the Australian Open, the Spaniard lost 1200 points (for reaching last year's final) and fell to No 5 for the 1st time in 8 years (since 2005). He has booked in for 3 straight ATP events over the next month. His first visit to South America for a competitive game since 2005 when he first burst on the scene as someone to be reckoned with. After Chile, it is the Brazil Open in Sao Paulo and then, the Mexico Open, Acapulco. At the Brazil Open, he will team up with another Argentine, David Nalbandian in Doubles.
Some may argue that these tournaments are not the ideal ones because of the level of players in participation. But we must not forget that this is a man who hasn't played what he loves for the better part of a year. To get back to the level he's used to, he must first be match fit and put his knee to test. Only deluded people would think Nadal has a chance against Djokovic or Murray or Federer upon his immediate return.The French Open Champion is eager to return to the big league and this has to be done one step at a time. Rafa has hinted strongly that he will focus more on Clay events this season and less on tournaments on other surfaces. He has stated that he has to keep himself physically fit and competitive in the coming seasons and avoid layoffs as lengthy as the one he has just experienced. We need no soothsayer to inform us about his favourite surface as he has won multiple titles on Clay. 8 Monte Carlo victories and 7 French Open titles just buttresses that fact.
The King of Clay's return is a breath of fresh air to the ATP. He was sorely missed at the US and Aussie Open. The next Grand Slam Tournament is his birthright, haven hoisted 7 out of a possible 8 titles at the Court Philippe Chatrier in Paris, France. The best player of the last two or so years, Novak Djokovic is aiming to complete a career grand slam and the only man that can stop him is back on board-He needs no further introduction.
Fellow players/professionals will have mixed feelings about Nadal's return. He has been a thorn in the flesh of quite a large number of them and their slim chance to claim trophies has been struck a huge blow. The larger public will be delighted that the Matador is back. So the FEDAL (coined from the FEDERER-NADAL rivalry) and RAFOLE (Rafa-Novak rivalry) can/will be re-ignited. Rafa is the only player in the top 5 that has a winning advantage over his fellow rivals. Murray and Ferrer in particular have had little to smile about in matches against the returning great. We are all glad that RAFA is set to return and we hope he stays fit for as long as possible.
This is also wishing 2004 Olympic silver medallist, Mardy Fish speedy recovery as he battles heart related problems. We know you will win this war Mardy. We are praying fervently that you return soonest.
Ohireime P Eboreime
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