The last 10 years have been the toughest in men’s tennis with the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic having a stranglehold on grand slams. The domination of the terrific trio, who share 40 major trophies, is so complete that only a very few — Juan Martin del Porto (2009 US Open), Andy Murray (2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon), Stan Wawrinka (2014 Australian Open and 2015 French Open) and Marin Cilic (2014 US Open) — have tasted major success.
As it got tougher and tougher, pros like Feliciano Lopez, one of the only two players (the other being Federer) to have featured in all grand slams since 2002, were left with no choice other than taking pleasure out of pushing the champions to the limit.
“I think the most important thing for a professional athlete is to reach the best you can. For me, I reached the quarter-finals on four occasions and won the Davis Cup a few times. I am happy with what I have achieved, ” said the 34-year-old Lopez, who represents Nagpur Orangers in the Champions Tennis League.
“At the last US open quarter-final, which I played against Novak, I lost in four sets with the last one being decided after a tie-breaker. I gave my best, but he was better than me. What else can I do ”
Lopez said Federer had been evolving with time in a bid to keep pace with the younger players. “Roping in Stefan Edberg as coach was a masterstroke from Roger. He looks different in Stefan’s company. He is a lot more aggressive now. When Roger went down in the rankings a few years ago, I think he learned a lesson. He understood the need to overhaul himself. He knows the younger bunch is a lot stronger and thus he kept improving. That’s why he remains a champion,” said Lopez.
Having seen Nadal at close quarters, Lopez feels it would be difficult for the Spaniard to part ways with his long-time coach Tony, who is also his uncle, and work with someone else. “You have to believe in your coach 100 per cent. You can get the best coach in the world, but it’s no use if you don’t trust him. Rafa feels his uncle is the best person who can help him improve. And, it’s a personal thing,” added Lopez.
One of the best exponents of serve and volley, a dying art in tennis, Lopez said he was born to play on grass. “For a Spaniard, it’s little bit strange to say this because we grow up playing on clay. But I was gifted with a good serve and I am taking advantage of that. I think my serve and strokes suit grass and hard courts,” said Lopez who became the first Spaniard to reach the last eight of Wimbledon, in 2005, since Manuel Orantes’ feat in 1972.
