US Open Tennis 2013: Is Rafael Nadal in the Greatest of All Time Discussion?

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at Internationaled.org

Published: September 10, 2013

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On Monday evening, No. 2 Rafael Nadal took out No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to win the 2013 U.S. Open.

It was his second U.S. Open—his 13th Grand Slam overall—and the win put him in great position to overtake Djokovic at the top of the ATP rankings before the year is up.

The win also moved Nadal to within one major of tying Sampras for the No. 2 spot on the all time Grand Slam singles list with 14. Federer is still the outright leader with 17.

Since Nadal is 27 years old and finishing up one of the best years of his already illustrious career, it seems like it's time to start talking about him in the all-time greats category of this sport.



Nadal has always been a part of the conversation, since his head-to-head over Federer is so lopsided (21-10) in his favor, but Federer's 17 trophies and Nadal's hard-to-overcome reputation as a clay-court specialist have always muted the discussion.

But now, with his phenomenal 2013, he has a legitimate case for consideration. In tennis, major championships have always seemed to weigh heaviest in the best-ever debate. And, if recent history is any indication, Nadal has a chance to pass Federer.

Nadal captured No. 13 just a few months after turning 27. Federer, coincidentally, captured his 13th major at the 2008 U.S. Open—one month after his 27th birthday. Sampras, similarly, won his 11th major just before turning 27.



Therefore, Federer won five majors after his 27th birthday and Sampras won three. Neither Federer or Sampras looked anywhere near as dominant as Nadal has in their 27th year, however.

This year, Nadal has looked nearly unstoppable, amassing a 60-3 record, 10 titles and 17 wins over Top 10 players, all while missing the Australian Open and having his season come on the back of a seven-month injury layoff.

Nadal seems poised to contend for 17—e...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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