Reilly Opelka identifies ability that helped Rafael Nadal became great champion

Advertisemen

Reilly Opelka says players are "complaining a lot" about the court conditions across the ATP Tour and also praised Rafael Nadal's ability to adapt to any condition and win. 

At this past Indian Wells Masters, Daniil Medvedev had a stunning rant regarding the court conditions in Indian Wells, saying it was "a freaking disgrace to consider this court a hard court."

Also, there were cases during the grass season in the last few years, where players would express their shock at how slow the grass courts became. 

"Guys are complaining about it a lot more now. I haven't been around in the last eight months but I thought it was getting out of control. The slowest court I've ever played on in my life, Indian Wells is up there, but Laver Cup [2021], I remember in Boston. It was hands down, without a doubt the craziest conditions I've ever played in. But a lot of the indoor tournaments have gone super slow. And I think that's how the game evolves," Opelka said on The Craig Shapiro Podcast, per Sportskeeda.

Opelka: Nadal always finds a way to win

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, has had the ability to evolve with the game and adapt his game to pretty much any condition. 

"You put on Rafa's mind. Rafa's going to win no matter what, he's going to find a way to win. He doesn't like to lose. You increase court speed, Rafa's going to learn how to serve better, he's going to work on his first ball, might change his forehand grip a little bit to flatten it out if you speed up the court. That's exactly how tennis evolves as a whole, by having different scenarios and different conditions," Opelka explained.

Meanwhile, Opelka hasn't played in a while. 

After exiting Washington in early August, Opelka took a break from tennis to address a hip injury.

Opelka has since recovered from hip surgery but he sustained a wrist injury when he started practicing again.

However, it is not a serious wrist injury and Opelka is expected to return to tennis in the near future.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/82gxsQF

Advertisemen

 Tennis