Rafael Nadal: How star is different to Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic - Greg Rusedski
RAFAEL NADAL changes his playing style so he is "a lot more aggressive on the hard courts", says Greg Rusedski.
Nadal returns to action next week at the Rogers Cup and he has been handed a difficult draw in Toronto.
The Spaniard’s preferred surface is clay and he has won 11 French Open titles over his glittering career.
But unlike fellow greats Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, Nadal plays much more aggressively during the American tour, claims Rusedski.
The world No 1 is likely to end the year at the top of the standings but he has a great chance to strengthen his position if he excels in the US.
“I don’t think (Roger) Federer or (Novak) Djokovic have to change their approach too much,” said Rusedski.
“Nadal changes more, playing closer to the baseline, hitting his serve a bit harder, he’s a lot more aggressive on the hard courts.”
Nadal, Federer and Djokovic have all won one Grand Slam apiece in 2018.
And Rusedski thinks they will be the front-runners to challenge for the US Open later this month.
“This year I think we have in prospect one of the most exciting US Opens to date,” he added.
“We have Federer winning the Australian Open, Nadal winning the French and Djokovic winning Wimbledon.
“The big three with all their majors – you have to think one of them will take the title.
“Whoever gets two slams for 2018, even if they don’t get the ranking, will feel like world No 1. It’s all about the majors.”
Rafael Nadal possible route to Rogers Cup final
R1: Bye
R2: Jared Donaldson / Benoit Paire
R3: Stan Wawrinka / Nick Kyrgios
QF: Marin Cilic / Kyle Edmund / Diego Schwartzman / Sam Querrey
SF: John Isner / Juan Martin del Potro
F: Novak Djokovic / Alexander Zverev / Dominic Thiem / Kevin Anderson / Grigor Dimitrov