do you think nadal can still become no. 1 despite that djokovic is making a name?

Question

if nadal would not become no.1 is he the only player who didn't become no.1 despite winning 3 grandslams.

Answer 1

I believe he can. Rafa's always willing to make the necessary adjustments to raise the level of his game. Unlike Rafa, Djokovic can't keep his emotions in check, which kept him from winning the U.S. Open. Djokovic is still somewhat new to the scene, but Rafa has 3 slams and 2 Wimbledon finals to his credit, which Djokovic has yet to achieve that much. They both have much to learn and improve upon, as they both are still very young at 20 and 21. Rafa knows by now, that in order to make a run, he first has to stay healthy. I'm sure he's learned that after what happened this year. If he stays healthy and makes those 1 or 2 improvements to his game, he's near impossible to beat. Nadal has shown himself capable of winning on every surface. Before it's all said and done, he will probably have won each of the 4 slams. Djokovic needs more big match play and to control his emotions better.

With that being said, Rafa will reach No. 1 before Djokovic does. Both are fantastic players, but Rafa's got more big match experience, a bigger game and controls himself on the court better than Djokovic does.

Answer 2

If Nadal can manage his injuries well, he certainly has the weapon and the will to be No. 1.

But for the next year or two (or three?), I think he will also have to worry about becoming No. 3. The competition between Djokovic and Nadal can only serve to benefit Federer and his place as No. 1.

Answer 3

Nadal has a much better chance at becoming number 1 than Djokovic does. One thing that Nadal has in his favor is his ability to beat or threaten Federer. Djoko has beaten Federer once (really Federer beat himself that day). If Nadal can make it to more finals, he always believes he can beat Federer.

Re: The other part of your question. Jan Kodes has 3 Grand slam titles but his highest ATP ranking was #5. So Nadal is not alone.

Answer 4

Nadal definitely has the skills and the mental strength to become number one, the only question is whether his body will hold up! He works so hard to win points that his body takes a dreadful pounding and eventually, it will break down. I think Rafa has a few good years left at the top and then his knees will rebel. Having a very talented Djokovic breathing down his neck doesn't help much either. In fact, I think Novak has already overtaken him to become the second best player on hardcourt.

Answer 5

I think that Nadal could do it to become #1 some day if he can get himself healthy and not have so many injuries around the time of the U.S. Open. I know that some of the commentators when the U.S. Open was going on also commented that he is going to have to be a little more careful about how he sets his schedule up which will also help reduce the number of injuries that he gets. The fear is that his career may end much sooner than he wants it to.

Answer 6

Nadal will be #1 I think in 2009. He has improved a lot on grass and hard courts. His improving hard court game isn't good enough to beat Federer yet. But Nadal will win Wimbledon and the French Open in 2008. Nadal needs to rest for the remaining of this year. He is continuing to improve in all facets in tennis.

Answer 7

I think he could take over number 1. Djokovic is solid but for now he's pretty far behind nadal and federer in points. Not right away though, Fed still has a few more years of dominance ready.

Answer 8

He is undoubtedly the best clay player in the world, with his French Open streak. His game on hard court and grass has improved drastically, even though he performed poorly at the US Open because of injury. A healthy Nadal next year could take home the Wimbleton title.

Answer 9

Impossible is nothing,all Nadal needs is the spirit and motivation to get there.After all Federer was once like him before he became world no1.The issue of Djokovic making a name sounds good to me because it will only increase the competition in the game making Federer work harder for trophies.

Answer 10

the reason Nadal is amazing on clay is because he has speed and all he has to do is run towards the ball and SLIDE on the clay court thats why if u noticed he never get anywhere in wimbeldon or hard courts and in 2007 roland garros (FRENCH OPEN) did anyone notice how Federer wasnt trying but im a djokovic fan and always will be