When Sampras lost to another ATG (Federer) at Wimbledon 2001 who will became the future GOAT, Sampras was still the number 3 of the world (like Nadal). He was still a force at GS, losing the USO 2000 against Safin. He was undefeated at Wimbledon for 4 years. Only lost once at Wimbledon between 1992 and 2000 (Krajicek was the grass Soderling accident). He was the huge favorite to win Wimbledon again.
And then it was the downfall for Sampras. He was destroyed even worse against Hewitt at the USO 2001, and he lost to Bastl the next year in his garden. He pushed himself for a ultimate run against his rival Agassi at the USO 2002
I'am feeling Rafa is living the same moment. He was the huge favorite to win the FO again, and he was dethroned by another ATG (Djokovic) who maybe will become the future GOAT.
2021 for him will be the equivalent of Sampras 2001. He will only decline from now.
The question is : Nadal will lose to a Bastl equivalent the next year at the FO ? Will he have his Sampras USO 2002 moment too ? Will he prove he can win a GS again ? (against his archrival Djokerer ?)
And then it was the downfall for Sampras. He was destroyed even worse against Hewitt at the USO 2001, and he lost to Bastl the next year in his garden. He pushed himself for a ultimate run against his rival Agassi at the USO 2002
I'am feeling Rafa is living the same moment. He was the huge favorite to win the FO again, and he was dethroned by another ATG (Djokovic) who maybe will become the future GOAT.
2021 for him will be the equivalent of Sampras 2001. He will only decline from now.
The question is : Nadal will lose to a Bastl equivalent the next year at the FO ? Will he have his Sampras USO 2002 moment too ? Will he prove he can win a GS again ? (against his archrival Djokerer ?)
