In modern tennis, preparation means everything, with players examining patterns and percentages until nothing feels unfamiliar.
Rafael Nadal broke one of the sport's core assumptions - that knowing what's coming gives you control
Speaking about the Spaniard, Steve Johnson described him as the best competitor in tennis history. Johnson, who faced Nadal once in Madrid ten years ago, explained how it felt to face the ultimate tennis warrior.
Against Rafa, everyone knew the script. As always, he relied on his heavy forehand, the relentless physical pressure and the refusal to step back for an inch. And still, opponents found themselves overwhelmed, outlasted and undone.
It had nothing to do with them being unprepared - it's just that Nadal's competitiveness lived beyond tactics. Alongside his skill and athleticism, the King of clay was making the difference with extraordinary will to endure.
Facing the Mallorcan was the ultimate test of survival, with points stretching into battles of belief. When pain entered the equation, the 22-time Major champion would refuse to let it dictate the outcome.
Over the years, Rafa competed through chronic foot issues, knee problems, wrist injuries, abdominal tears and surgeries. However, he would always bounce back, extending his career and competing at 38.
His titles were earned through resilience as much as brilliance, and the wins were carved from suffering, rather than comfort. That mindset defined his incredible longevity and a refusal to surrender to time, injuries or rivals.
Last year, Nadal's body finally stopped responding to the demands he placed upon it. As we all know, Rafa experienced a severe hip injury at the 2023 Australian Open.
He embraced the most extended break of his career but refused to retire without giving everything. He returned to action in 2024 and battled with rivals and setbacks between January and November before finally ending his incredible journey at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
His legacy includes one of the richest collection of trophies. However, it goes beyond that and includes the feeling opponents carried onto the court. They knew that no lead was safe, no plan foolproof and no match finished until the last ball.
As Johnson highlighted, Nadal did not just compete to win but to resist defeat and all the challenges. His fighting spirit may never be matched again, so as his results.
The Spaniard visited the Next Gen ATP Finals last week, enjoying the matches before returninghome to spend holidays with his family. After taking a year off, we are seeing the King of clay more often on the court.
He would love to embrace exhibition matches with his greatest rivals in the future, but only after raising his level. After all,the competitive spirit never dies!
"You know exactly what Rafa is going to do at every moment, and you prepare for it. However, he always finds a way to get out of it and throw a wrench in your plans on the court.
He is without a doubt the best competitor in the history of sport," Steve Johnson said.
