In the aftermath of the recent Barcelona attack, the difference between Garbine Muguruza and Rafael Nadal seems clear.
Despite them both being grand slam champions from Spain, the difference between Garbine Muguruza and Rafael Nadal couldn’t be clearer. For example Muguruza’s game is all about power and playing big as she tries to play her opponent off the court. However Nadal’s game is based on turning defence into offence and trying to make his opponent play one extra ball. Both tactics seem successful as they have both won grand slams on multiple surfaces.
However after the recent terrorist attack in Barcelona that killed 14 people on Thursday, the difference seems pretty clear on how it affects them on the court. In Nadal’s case he took a conservative approach to his two matches as he lost to Nick Kyrgios in the Quarter-Finals last night. Despite winning his first match yesterday Nadal seemed to lack fight and hunger which isn’t something we associate with the 15 time grand slam champion.
However the same can’t be said for Muguruza who used the attacks to send a clear message, she was passionate with every ball and fought for her life in her Quarter-Final win over Svetlana Kuznetsova. It meant a lot to her as she grunted and fought with every desire and passion left in her body. She battled her way through the 2 hour and 45 minute match as she showed great defence as well as powerful attack with her groundstrokes. She fist pumped after every point and it seemed it had a positive effect on her game rather letting the attacks get to her.
Nadal and Muguruza Unite In Solidarity
The two however did symbolise solidarity as they both wore black ribbons to commemorate the victims of the attack in Barcelona. Nadal wore it on his shirt and jacket, while Muguruza wore it on her Visor so it was clear to see for the audience to see at home. Here is what they had to say on the issue:
Nadal: ‘No, what happened is terrible, no? Of course everybody is destroyed in Spain, including of course me. So, it is a tragedy, the feeling that you are not safe anywhere. So just very sad. I am very sorry about what happened to all the victims, the families, friends. It is the moments to be together like a country and al the being together, we go for these kind of things.’
Muguruza: ‘I decided to have the ribbon on the visor. You know I just posted a picture saying I had it in my mind, in my visor but I don’t know, I felt to have it today, because, first of all it’s special for me after what happened. I see all my friends sending messages and we have like a chat group. Everybody’s okay. So I’m like, I have to do it. I don’t know. Hopefully it helps.
These two Spanish athletes are a credit to Tennis the way they conduct themselves both on and off the court as this scenario is no exception. Yesterday proved that it can effect Nadal and Muguruza in two separate ways on the court, which once again proves that they couldn’t be different in how they play and how it affects their emotion.
Rafael Nadal will now head to the US Open in a bid to win his third US Open. While Garbine Muguruza will play Karolina Pliskova in the Cincinnati Semi-Finals at 12:00 local time today.
