Rafael Nadal's comeback

This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 05/06/2012 13:09:11

2011 was one horrible year that Rafael Nadal would definitely like to forget as he lost 7 consecutive finals to Novak Djokovic who stole his number one and became way ahead of him in points.The tournaments in which Nadal was the champion became the runner up in the 2011 and at one point Novak looked unstoppable with 42 consecutive victories.

How it all started becoming worse for Nadal?
2011 started with a positive note of defeating federer at the Abu Dhabi championship but the outset of Nadal started from here where he lost to his countrymen David Ferrer in the quarter finals in straight sets due to his hamstring injury.The only positive at the early of 2011 was the Laureus world sportsman of the year award and Nadal was honoured.The difficulty of his hamstring problem started haunting him from the Indian wells where his losing steak to the serb started and Novak won the title.He started playing the Sony Ericson open with an injured right shoulder and defeated all opponents with swift actions and destroyed federer in the semi finals but again lost oDjokovic in the finals.This was the second straight loss to Djokovic.He started playing in the clay tournaments with a win over Ferrer in the finals of the Monte Carlo in which Djokovic did not play.Then came the Barcelona open ands he won the 7th consecutive title and with 2 straight titles little did his confidence improve as he didn’t meet his new jinx Djokovic.Now Nadal started playing his 3rd clay tournament which was the Madrid open and he lost to Djokovic in the finals in straight sets which was his 3rd consecutive loss to the serb.Then came the rome master finals where he lost again to Novak in straight sets and which marked his 4th consecutive loss to Novak and at this point he looked so unbeatable.Novak was on a high with 42 consecutive win and it looked like someone had to stop him soon.Now came the living legend Roger Federer as he kicked Djokovic out of the major tournament French open but eventually lost to Nadal in Finals.So,Nadal still hadn’t defeated Djokovic even though the serb has been finally defeated and his winning streak had ended.

So,the verdict seemed to be like Nadal was still a top player and Djokovic seems to have got better of him and whenever he plays Djokovic he loses.Otherwise he seems to go on to win the tournament despite his injuries.Then the next major tournament came WIMBLEDON.It was clear that Nadal was suffering from injuries and he had to play so hard and he reached the finals and lost the 5th time to the serb who won the Wimbledon in easy 4 sets.

This was a Major set back for Nadal as he strived hard but lose to Novak Djokovic in the 4 previous finals and He lost his rankings and got dropped to no.2 and Djokovic went to the first rank for his first time in life.
This was a point at which Nadal failed to Djokovic in 5 finals and one had been a major tournament and he lost his 1st rank and sustained a foot injury too that he acquired during Wimbledon.after rest,Nadal contested in a few tournaments like rogers cup and Cincinnati masters where he lost to Ivan dodig in the 3rd round and to mardy fish in the quarters.
2 consecutive early exit in the tournaments by lower ranked players dampened his spirits badly and wanted to give a comeback.This time it was the US open which was the final major tournament of the 2011.After defeating Nalbadian in the 4th round,Nadal obtained severe cramps and even fell during the post match presentation and lost in 4 sets to Djokovic in the finals which was his 6th consecutive loss to the Serb and more misery to Nadal after having only one major tournament of the year and losing 2 of it to the same player in the finals.

Nadal reached the Japan open Finals after the US open upset and was Shocked by Andy Murray in the finals and lost another tournament and this time to the 4th rank.

2011 ended in a horrendous fashion as he struggled more after this

THE 7TH STRAIGHT LOSS TO DJOKOVIC WHICH WAS THE COMEBACK:
2012 began for Nadal and since 2009,his best in the major tournament Australian open was the quarter Finals and this time he wanted to break it.He played brilliant and reached the semi finals in a jubilant manner where he met Roger Federer and in a deciding 4 setters,he finalised with Djokovic who almost lost to Andy Murray in the semi Finals.
Rafael Nadal won the first set and looked in good condition before Djokovic played his brilliant stuff of winning 2 consecutive sets.The Spaniard seemed to have almost lost when he gave a comeback in the 4th set winning the tie breaker and making the 5th set as the decider.He broke Djokovic but was broken back immediately and eventually lost the finals
It marked the come back of Nadal and it showed that Djokovic was going down a bit with his game.Then there was the sony Ericson where Nadal pulled of during semi finals due to injury.It looked like another 2011.But nadal came back very strong defeating Djokovic at last in the morle santos open and then again in the rome master finals.

Nadal seems to have at last read Djokovic..Yes,Djokovic still seems stronger and has been playing brilliant with the other players.But Nadal seems to have at last developed a strategy for Djokovic to be more aggressive and he is fitter than ever.With the French open coming next week,if Nadal can defend his title and win the remaining major tournaments this year,Nadal will be on top again and be unstoppable again.
So,it all depends on these crucial wins that will decide the future of Nadal.So,Nadal fans ~ Continue to hope for the same form as of now and he will be on top soon

Eashwar Sriram