Vamos Rafa Tonight, he could be atop the Empire State Building in New York with 19 majors to his name
Winning a fourth US Open title would only enhance the Spaniard’s position on list of immortals
● This is a prophecy-defying era in tennis, and never more so when it comes to Rafael Nadal. The indestructible Spaniard, closing in on his fourth US Open title — and his 19th grand slam title, one shy of Roger Federer’s all-time men’s record — has been written off more times than one can remember.
Whether it was his first-round Wimbledon loss to Steve Darcis in 2013, or his humbling by Dustin Brown two years later, or his Flushing Meadows defeat by Lucas Pouille in 2016 — one that confirmed a second straight season without a major triumph — arguments were advanced that he was finished, that he played the game too hard, that his knees would never hold out.
Typically, for a man who once said that he was ready to die in pursuit of more grand slam titles, Nadal has produced the most emphatic rebuke.
Adoration for Federer
Come tonight, he could be standing on the observation deck of the Empire State Building, traditional venue for the champion’s photocall, with 19 majors to his name after his showdown against Russian fifth seed Daniil Medvedev.
Such are the legions of Fedmaniacs and Rafaholics defending their chosen one’s right to be acclaimed as the greatest of all time, any attempt to separate the two is fraught with risk. But the adoration for Federer, which grows with each unlikely testament to his longevity, might just be blinding us to the reality that Nadal’s resilience, after so many injury battles, is every bit as startling. So much so, there is increasingly a case that he will not just emulate his great rival, but usurp him.
Nothing, ultimately, should detract from the dominance that Federer established between 2004 and 2010, when he competed in 45 consecutive semifinals at the slams. It is one of tennis’s most giddying statistics.
Not quite as eye-watering, mind, as the dozen Roland Garros titles that Nadal has amassed, four more than any other male player in history has achieved at the same major.
Nadal is this year achieving a consistency that eluded him as a bullish young dirtballer from the baked earth of Manacor. In the 11 tournaments he has contested in 2019, he has gone as far as the semifinals or further in 10 of them. As a quadruple US Open champion, he would find himself only one title short of the record five that Federer shares with Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras. It is hardly an unflattering record for a player whom Federer fanatics often claim can never match their idol for versatility.
As for his Russian opponent today, he’s a bit of an enigma, who was, until this year, an unknown quantity, but now looks capable of beating anyone.
The crowd-goading villain turned contrite everyman, Medvedev is a man of many faces so it came as little surprise when a reporter at a media conference on Friday accidentally called him by the wrong name. After reaching his first grand slam final, it is unlikely anyone will make that mistake again.
Medvedev, who has won 20 of his last 22 matches across four tournaments, has barely had time to reflect on what he has achieved over the past couple of months.
“This summer’s been ... so fast and long at the same time. Long because I’ve played so many matches,” said Medvedev.
“At the same time so fast because ... I didn’t have any moment to just sit down and look back and say, ‘Okay, I’ve done amazing things.’ ”
Early on at this US Open, the fifth seed embraced his role as the guy everyone loves to hate. His on-court antics, which included angrily snatching a towel from a ball-person and showing the crowd the middle finger, have earned him $19,000 in fines.
Medvedev then changed tack after his quarterfinal win over 2016 champion Stan Wawrinka, telling the crowd, “I have to say sorry guys, and thank you.”
After clinching his US Open final berth, Medvedev reiterated a simple goal he has made for himself during the tournament: “Try to be a better person.” — © The Daily Telegraph, London and Reuters