‘We Cannot Compare Nadal with Other Tennis Players’- Stanislas Wawrinka Says Everything In Tennis Is Written In Advance

The ‘GOAT’ topic is a matter of huge debate in any sport, and tennis is no exception. The ‘Big Three’ in tennis, namely Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic, are often the center of this debate. Combined, the three have gone on to win an astonishing 61 Grand Slam titles and it’s no surprise that they are placed on the apex of the GOAT discussion.

Further, at last month’s Australian Open, Nadal created history by becoming the first man to win 21 major titles. He overtook Federer and Djokovic who are tied at 20 Grand Slam titles apiece. Recently, Stanislas ‘Stan’ Wawrinka has opened up on the ‘GOAT’ debate in general, and Nadal in particular.

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Stan Wawrinka lauds Rafael Nadal’s comeback from injuries

In a podcast with L’Equipe, the three-time Grand Slam champion addressed a few questions on the ‘Big Three’. He said, “Whatever happens we cannot compare Nadal with other tennis players, and it’s sure. Moreover, he was injured, as far as I know him, every time in his career Nadal came back from injuries, and he was out for four, five or six months.”

“And once again at this stage and level, with the difficult last year that he had, of course, it’s exceptional, just like all his career.”

Further, he added, “Sometimes, I feel, tennis is all written in advance. Before Australian Open I was talking to my coach, Dani and we discussed that, Rafael Nadal will win Australian Open, because everything is written. He was doubtful but he’s an exceptional champion. He has 21 Grand Slams, lets see if others and Novak will win more or not.”

Wawrinka feels Rafael Nadal is a step above everyone else

The former World Number 3 observed that the Spaniard could do things that others couldn’t do. Additionally, he said, “For me, I am not surprised but I admire that he is still able to do it and as I am not surprised it is because, we know that he is well above everyone else.”

Further, he added, “We saw what happened to him last year, a year full of injuries and it would have been impossible to say Nadal will win Australian Open last year. But his win is a bit similar to that Federer’s in 2017 and he has written history.”

In 2017, Federer had made a comeback on the tour after being out for more than six months. On his comeback, he won the Australian Open 2017 in a dramatic fashion. He defeated Nadal in the summit clash to become the oldest major champion since Rosewall at the 1972 Australian Open.

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Nadal will aim to continue his winning start to the 2022 season in the coming tournaments. He will next play at Abierto Mexicano in Acapulco, Mexico. It is an ATP 500 tournament starting next week. Can Nadal reclaim the top spot in the ATP rankings? Let us know your views in the comments below.