10-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal could have easily topped the list of the most tenacious sportsmen of the 21st century, if it was any. Renowned tennis coach Magnus Norman though went a step ahead in eulogizing the Majorcan, declaring that the 31-year-old was not from this planet.
Calling the Spanish superstar an ‘extraterrestrial’, Norman praised the current World No. 1 for his work ethic and his ability to defy the odds almost every time whenever he is under fire from the critics.
Norman, the former coach of Robin Soderling and Stan Wawrinka and a former Roland Garros runner-up himself also lauded Nadal’s great rival Roger Federer, claiming that he was mightily impressed with the way the Swiss maestro has remained so competitive even at the age of 36. He said: “Roger has shown that you can remain very competitive at 35 years old if the illusion and commitment remain.”
“And for me Rafa is an extraterrestrial. When everyone thought he was finished, he surpassed himself and all the barriers along the way to get back to the top. For me it is an impressive feat to be No 1 and to be again, ten years later with the competitiveness that there is in tennis, back at the top.”
Norman believes the secret of Federer and Nadal’s longevity is the love for the game they have, the mental toughness they have and the vast amount of experience they have gained over the years by winning numerous titles on the ATP tour.
“They have very specific objectives, a plan to develop it, a team to carry it out and an environment that allows them to achieve them,” he added.
“I believe that today with these four concepts that can be applied at any level, in the development of tennis, it is the formula to achieve success. The players have the tools, a very defined pattern of play, they are very strong physically and take maximum care. But perhaps it is the mental issue that makes the difference today – the one thing they control the most, perhaps due to their experience.”
