Player of the Month for April 2010: Rafael Nadal
By Nima Naderi
Whatever happens from here on in, and it's really tough to go against the grain on this one, Nadal has once again proved during the month of April that his place amongst the clay-court legends of the sport will remain etched in the history books forever.
It's not about playing his best, or about winning 6-0, 6-0 every time he steps on court, Nadal's disposition revolves around the simple notion of dealing with the fight better than his opponent.
The fight is what he relishes, an element of the game that he seldom comes in second.
Special Effects
by Steve Tignor
On hard courts or grass, Nadal can be just as good, and even more vicious in his attack, but he’s never as smooth and self-assured, never as complete and artistic and at his ease, the way he is on clay. On hard courts, he must go to the edge of his comfort zone; on clay he’s within himself. Maybe clay-court special-ist is the right term for Nadal, after all. There is something pretty special about watching him play on it.
Nadal Takes Low-Impact Road Toward French Open
There is also the unsettling feeling that the tall and very powerful Gulbis has much in common with the tall and very powerful Soderling, Both were intent on keeping the points short on clay against Nadal. Both were intent on robbing him of time by hitting with enormous pace. Both have enough height to avoid having to reach up to cope with Nadal’s nasty, high-bouncing topspin.
Bring on similar body types and tactics in Madrid and Paris, but even so, with Nadal eager and fresher by design, it requires little imagination to see him holding up the Coupe des Mousquetaires for the fifth time .
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Nadal's dominance arrives precisely on schedule
Nadal wins Rome Masters, ties Agasi's record
King of clay Nadal claims record-equaling Masters title
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