MADRID: It was a classic case of experience triumphing over youth for Rafael Nadal and his latest match that took place at the Madrid Open.
The 11-time French Open champion eased to a 6-3, 6-3, win over Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime. An 18-year-old rising star that is the youngest ranked player in the current top 100. In March Auger-Aliassime reached his first ever Masters semi-final at a younger age than the Spaniard did.
Despite the credentials of his rival, Nadal would not be denied victory in his ongoing quest for his first title of 2019. Coming through a rocky end to the match which saw him drop serve before prevailing on his sixth match point opportunity. Overall, the former world No.1 hit 10 winners to 16 unforced errors. However, he benefited significantly from the 30 mistakes that were made across the court.
“In general, it’s a day to be very satisfied, very happy. I managed to win. I managed to win in two sets, against an opponent which was not easy and the day was not the best, it was windy and cold.” Nadal told Spanish media at the Caja Magica.
“I think that my backhand has been really well and other things. There are many things to improve of course, especially after the last days, which have been really complicated for me.”
Nadal is now 20-2 when it comes to playing Next Gen opponents. A group of players under 21 who are promoted as the next big thing in the sport. The ATP campaign was officially launched during the 2016 BNP Paribas Masters in Indian Wells.
Due to the age of the Big Four, who are all over the age of 30, some are wondering who will be their replacement. This week there are four Next Gen players in the top 30. The highest ranked is Stefanos Tsitsipas. For months Alexander Zverev was branded the leader of the pack before turning 22 in April.
“Today’s player (Auger-Aliassime) is one of those candidates to be really good in the future.” Nadal assessed. “Shapovalov is also a good player. We have Tsitsipas. We have a group of players where I cannot predict the future for them.’
“The best player will be the one who is able to improve the most during the next months and years. And we will be able to see that as spectators and hopefully me as an opponent.”
With more players playing later into their career’s, one might think that the era of young men triumphing in the majors is over. Although Nadal, who won three grand slams before turning 21, disagrees. Earlier this year 20-year-old Tsitsipas reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
“I believe that the best players in the history, not all ones, but almost everyone who has won a Grand Slam before 20, so there is no one reason today why this cannot happen again, that’s my feeling.” He said.
“If he’s good enough to do it, and he’s good, he has a good eye, he has a good attitude on court, why not?”
The world No.2 can’t avoid the Next Gen at the moment. His next challenger will be young American Frances Tiafoe. Somebody who he defeated in straight sets earlier this year.
“Frances is a very high-level opponent. He has a lot of speed. He’s very aggressive. And he’s an electric player.” Nadal previews about his upcoming opponent. “He serves very well. He moves very good on the clay. His feet movement is really good.”
Nadal is scheduled to play his third round match not before 20:00 local time on Thursday.
