As Rafael Nadal fades ever further from his former position at No. 1 in the world, the great Spaniard who was once the greatest physical specimen ever to play tennis looks unfamiliar to his longtime rival Roger Federer. The age-defying Swiss champion Federer is considered the best to ever play the game, having won a record 17 Grand Slam titles, but many believe Nadal has been even greater–pointing to his career mark against Federer of 23 wins and 10 losses. Nadal has 14 Grand Slams.
Last weekend, attempting yet again to come back from injury, Nadal was in Basel, Switzerland–Federer’s home turf. Nadal lost to a 17-year-old named Borna Coric in the quarterfinals. Federer said simply, “that was not the Rafa we know.” Nadal is still ranked No. 3 in the world, but he has been struggling trying to regain top form.
