At the start of the year it seemed bizarre to link a triumph achieved at the Augusta Club to the world’s best clay court’s in Europe. However, this all changed at the weekend.
Tiger Woods, a golfing legend who was once embroiled in controversy and pondering retirement, stunned the world by winning the 2019 Masters tournament. A competition that is equivalent to a grand slam in tennis. It was Woods’ first major glory for 11 years after what has been a turbulent period of his life. Written off by some, the American suffered a heavy fall from grace. Marred by infidelity, a high-profile divorce, a run in with the police, rehab for sex-addiction and chronic back pain. Few expected the 43-year-old to once again return back to the top in what some have described as the greatest sporting comeback of all time.
“What happened during the last year for Tiger is an inspiration for everyone, not just for me. He’s a good example of passion for sport, discipline in terms of hard work and love for the game. That’s what he for sure feels to be back where he is,” 11-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal commented in Monte Carlo this week. “The celebration yesterday when he was walking with his family is one of the moments I will not forget.”
Nadal, who has gone through his own fair share of personal problems due to injury, is hoping to achieve his own fairytale. The Spaniard is a big golf fan and is regularly seen playing the sport whilst taking breaks from the tour. For him, his Achilles heel lies with his knee that has hindered his offensive on the tour in recent months. Forcing him to retire from Indian Wells and then skip Miami altogether.
Fortunately for the Spaniard, he returns to his beloved clay season. A surface, he has dominated throughout the majority of his career by winning a record 57 ATP titles on it. However, it is also the time of the season where the Spaniard is under the most pressure. Defending a staggering 4680 points, which is five times more than world No.1 Novak Djokovic.
“It has been a tough year-and-a-half for me,” Nadal acknowledges. “So it’s tough to have a clear view about how I am, because I had too many stops in between. I didn’t find the way to play three weeks in a row without problems. It is normal that, when you have these things going on, in the mental part you are a little bit more up and down. So it’s always like a comeback, no? So let’s see.”
On the women’s tour, it is Serena Williams that is hoping to draw inspiration from Woods. Since returning from maternity leave, the American is yet to win a title. Although she has come agonisingly close at both Wimbledon and the US Open by reaching the finals. For Williams, an additional grand slam trophy would bring her overall tally to 24. Equalling the all-time record set by Margaret Court back in 1973. She will have a shot at doing that in June at Roland Garros, venue of the French Open.
I am literally in tears watching @TigerWoods this is Greatness like no other. Knowing all you have been through physically to come back and do what you just did today? Wow Congrats a million times! I am so inspired thank you buddy.
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) April 14, 2019
Woods has been friends with the Williams sisters for many years. Even attending Wimbledon last year to watch one of Serena’s matches. In August he reflected on how he has found staging a comeback at the same time as Williams.
“We’re very close friends,” Woods said during the first round of the 2018 Dell Technologies Championship.
“We’ve talked at length. I think we both have had some nice comebacks.”
Away from the court, Andy Murray has been spotted on the golf course. Uploading a video on his Instagram story with the caption ‘played my first round of golf for 6 years yesterday…pain free. Hip resurfacing = (thumbs up).’ Although the timing of the video with Woods’ Masters win might merely be coincidental, Murray’s mother Judy does suggest otherwise.
https://twitter.com/JudyMurray/status/1117851441136381958
Murray has been absent from the tour since January. It remains to be seen if and when he will return to the sport following a serious injury. Shortly after the Australian Open, Murray underwent hip resurfacing surgery in a last ditch attempt to prolong his career.
Whilst woods may have no direct influence on tennis, he has illustrated that sport has no boundaries. You don’t have to be a great tennis player to inspire the next generation of players. You just have to be a great athlete. Which was instrumental for Alexander Zverev growing up.
“I also get inspired by other sports like Dwyane Wade for example inspires me a lot. The way he plays at his age and the way he has a family. And such a good father and manages to be one of the best basketball players in the world.” Zverev told Tennis Now in 2017.
