Theory behind Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open demolition by Novak Djokovic revealed
RAFAEL NADAL lost convincingly to Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final because his “rhythm got broken”.
Nadal says he needed 'something special' to beat Djokovic
That is according former top-10 player and current tennis coach Andrei Chesnokov.
Nadal lost the final 6-3 6-2 6-3 to the Serbian, who claimed his seventh title at Melbourne.
Nadal was honest in his appraisal, lauding the capability of his opponent, saying: “It was unbelievable the way that he played - no doubt about that.
“But at the same time, it’s true that probably, physically, I was not able to play fantastic tennis throughout both weeks. It’s true.”
Nadal was not at full fitness ahead of the tournament and former player Chesnokov, who struggled in the latter stages of Grand Slams, believes their structure does not help competitors.
“When it takes place four times a year, players do not compete because they do not want to get tired,” the Russian told Sport24.
“I will be interested to see [a] new format featuring just one week. The previous format is obviously a tradition. But I would change them.”
The next major tournament is the French Open starting on May 27, with Wimbledon following five weeks later.
Not playing at Wimbledon on the Middle Sunday is stupid
And it is in the legendary grass court tournament that Chesnokov wishes to see a change of scheduling.
“For example, the Wimbledon traditions are silly ones. Not playing at Wimbledon on the Middle Sunday is stupid.
“Take any player. He played a match on Friday and he should play the following one on Sunday. But since this is a day off, he will not play.
“And on Monday the weather is a bad one, it rains all day and so a player takes a rest on Saturday, Sunday, Monday.
“When in a Grand Slam tournament you play every two days, you get used to that rhythm. But like this you do not have it anymore.
“At the 2019 Australian Open, Nadal played the semifinals on Thursday and the final on Sunday.
“And we say, ‘oh, he played bad’. And all this because the rhythm got broken.”