T
HE EMERGENCE of Nadal—and emergence of a
proto-Nadal—couldn’t have come at a better time for
men’s tennis. Federer remains a dignified and diplomatic
figure, but his presence and sphere of influence have
diminished, as he recovers from a series of knee injuries.
Now north of 40 years old and a father of four, Federer
hasn’t won a tournament of any size since 20 1 9. The
received wisdom is that he will retire this fall.
The longest-tenured No. 1 player, Djokovic is all too
eager to replace Federer as men’s tennis’s benevolent
despot. But he has proved time and again he is not up
to the task. Sensationally talented as he is at hitting a
tennis ball, he has similarly ionospheric powers of self-
sabotage. The lone player in the ATP’s top 1 00 to refuse
the COVID- 1 9 vaccination, he starred in an international
circus in Australia before ultimately being deported.
Unable to enter most countries until spring, Djokovic
played only two matches in the first 90 days of the year.
Though he will come to the French Open as defending
champion, his reception will not exactly recall Lindbergh
alighting in Paris in 1 927. And given Djokovic’s eager-
ness—and this is no knock—for public approval, one
wonders how adverse crowds will impact his tennis.
The younger generation hasn’t helped much, either.
Sasha Zverev, the abundantly talented 25-year-old
German ranked No. 3, is the subject of a domestic vio-
lence investigation and is playing on the ATP’s equivalentof double-secret probation after whacking his racket
against an umpire’s chair at the Mexican Open. Medvedev
briefly overtook Djokovic in the No. 1 slot. Unfortunately,
that ascent occurred the same week his country invaded
Ukraine; instead of being celebrated for his feat, Medvedev
faced questions about whether he should even be allowed
to compete unless first denouncing President Vladimir
Putin. Medvedev has struggled ever since and will miss up
to two months of action after undergoing hernia surgery.
He has also, along with all other Russian and Belarusian
players, been banned from playing Wimbledon.
Into the void steps Nadal. Athletes are supposed to
be more jaded and less accessible as they age; Nadal
has gone the opposite direction. The most focused and
passionate competitors are supposed to be the first to
burn out; Nadal’s matches still come across as sponsored
content for intensity. The most physical player in tennis
history never was supposed to be this durable.
By his own admission, Nadal will never have Federer’s
easy grace or Djokovic’s crisp precision. But on he goes.
All of which makes for a good reminder that in tennis,
as life, magic comes in many forms.RAFAEL NADALTHE MARKETPLACEJune, 2022Boost Testosterone
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