What Else Remains in the Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic Rivalry?

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: June 11, 2014

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Although Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic in another historic French Open, not all tennis fans are raving about their rivalry. This might be difficult to understand for their respective fanbases, but have we already seen the very best they can offer? Or will they elevate their rivalry with more epic battles?

All great rivalries are measured on a kind of aesthetic scale. Tennis players with dynamic personalities and contrasts of styles have often attracted a broader range of sports enthusiasts. Veteran tennis fans still refer to the halcyon years of Bjorn Borg vs. John McEnroe. More recently, other prominent contrasting rivalries have included Pete Sampras vs. Andre Agassi and Roger Federer vs. Nadal.

The Nadal-Djokovic rivalry is an alternative masterpiece, colored in darker hues, shaded by stubborn comparisons and fierce competitiveness. It’s more akin to the overlooked and mostly forgotten mini-rivalry between Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl. These are rivalries built on physicality, baseline bashing and hard-headed hubris.



The left-handed Connors was one of the most intimidating forces in tennis history, and he played every point with relentless hustle and energy. He was a creator and self-made champion who defied the conventions of his era.

The right-handed Lendl had to grow into his role by improving his toughness, fitness and championship mettle. Eventually, he would step ahead of Connors and rule with the biggest groundstrokes of the mid-1980s. (Sidenote: Connors was seven years the senior of Lendl and won their first eight matches. They had a true competitive streak in the early 1980s, culminating with Connors’ 1983 U.S. Open win, his last major. After this 13-5 Connors lead, Lendl tore through Connors for 17 straight victories. Nobody talks about that. Connors is still probably fuming over those losses.)

So there is a type of precedent in terms of intensity and bulldogge...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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