Rafael Nadal produced one of the greatest Rolland Garros performances of all time to edge out Novak Djokovic in the French Open final.
The fixture which was expected to be a game of margins turned out to be the most lopsided of Rolland Garros finals in recent years as the current World number one succumbed to Rafa in straight sets one of which was a bagel. What changed for Nadal? And what were the tactical blunders that Novak committed? And what is the future of Tennis with the Big three at the fag ends of their career?
Ivan Lendl, an 8 times grand slam winner and former legend of the sport himself put light on some of the most burning and dividing tennis questions today.
“Rafael Nadal was far better tactically than Novak Djokovic at French Open final,” says Lendl-
Lendl was speaking at Patrick McEnroe’s holding court podcast and the former great put forward his thoughts on Rafael Nadal’s absolute demolition of Djokovic at the French Open.
“A few things stuck out right away from the beginning of the match,” Lendl told the Holding Court podcast.
“Number one – Rafa was using his forehand down the line a bit more than he usually does.
“And the third, which was interesting. Anytime Rafa was in big trouble, he would throw up a lob, make up and get back into the point because Novak wasn’t putting the overhead away.” he continued.
Also read:RAFANTASTIC: Rafael Nadal defeats Novak Djokovic to clinch 13th French Open title
“If you are as quick and defend as well as Rafa, you get back into the point, and Rafa was very successful at that,” Lendl concluded.
“The most difficult for me would be Rafa”
Ivan Lendl also spoke on whom he considers being the toughest opponent for him were he to play today.
“I never got to practice against left-handers,” he said.
“We had no left-handers in our club so to see left-handed serves just in the matches made it very very difficult. Hence for me, Rafael Nadal would have been the most difficult” Lendl added.
Speaking on whom he considers the best of NEXT gen, Lendl seemed unsure, given their lackluster performance against the Big three at the majors.
“We know they have won at certain levels, we know they have won the level below But until they get into the crunch in a major final we really do not know what’s in there. “
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