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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during a match against Lloyd Harris of South Africa on Day 6 during the Citi Open at Rock Creek Tennis Center on August 5, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during a match against Lloyd Harris of South Africa on Day 6 during the Citi Open at Rock Creek Tennis Center on August 5, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
The ‘King of Clay’ is back with a bang! Rafael Nadal had missed the latter half of the previous season owing to a foot injury. However, the Spaniard has made a strong comeback this season. The 35-year-old won the Melbourne Summer Set tournament in dominating fashion. It was his first tournament since August last year.
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Moreover, Nadal created history at the Australian Open by defeating Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the summit clash. He became the first man to lift 21 Grand Slam singles titles. By doing so, he left Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic behind him in the majors race.
The entire tennis fraternity was in awe of his performance and praised him for achieving this historical feat. Recently, former World No. 9 Fabio Fognini has revealed his admiration for the Spaniard.
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Fabio Fognini likes to see Rafael Nadal run
The Italian expressed his fondness for the older generation’s playing style. At the same time, he was critical of the next-gen players’ style of play.
He said, “I’m honest with you. I don’t know if I’m going to see the tennis that’s coming. I don’t like it. They’re all bombs and serves. I like to see Rafa Nadal run In my time, doing the second week of the Grand Slam is how to make semifinals today.”
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Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 15, 2021. Spain’s Rafael Nadal after winning his fourth-round match against Italy’s Fabio Fognini. REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Further, he added, “In the round of 16 it was Nalbandian, Ferrer, Nadal, Djokovic or Federer. Today’s young people have to be very happy because those rivals are not there. I’m still wrong because I don’t know anything about tennis, but in my humble opinion that’s how I see it.”
(Quotes have been translated using Google Translate)
Fognini FILOSO: "Te soy sincero. No sé si voy a ver el tenis que se viene. No me gusta. Son todos bombazos y saques. A mí me gusta ver correr a Rafa Nadal. En mi época hacer segunda semana de Grand Slam es como hacer semifinales hoy…
— Lautaro Miranda (@LuckyLoserArg) February 10, 2022
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The Italian has had a disappointing start to this season in singles competitions. He lost in the second round of the Sydney Tennis Classic tournament and the first round of the Australian Open.
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Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis – Men’s Singles – Round 2 – Ariake Tennis Park – Tokyo, Japan – July 26, 2021. Fabio Fognini of Italy reacts during his second round match against Egor Gerasimov of Belarus REUTERS/Mike Segar
He is currently playing at the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, where he is seeded fourth. He has entered the quarterfinals and will face local hero Federico Delbonis in the last eight. Can the Italian lift his first title of the season here? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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WATCH THIS STORY: 5 Rafael Nadal Shots That Made Commentators Go Wild at Australian Open 2022
