Will Rafael Nadal’s legacy in tennis outstrip Roger Federer’s?

With Rafael Nadal’s 13th French Open triumph back in October, the Spaniard moved onto 20 career Grand Slam titles, level with the great Roger Federer. Nadal’s career has been defined by that supreme dominance of the clay court, a sense of invincibility on the dusty orange surface that has see him rack up the Roland Garros titles and rarely even lose a match at the Paris Slam. In 2021, he will head to the French Open gunning for his 14th French Open title in 16 years.

Despite both players being tied on 20 Grand Slams, there is always a tendency to favour Federer over Nadal when we’re talking about the greatest tennis player of all time. Perhaps it’s a simple case of Federer having been around longer than Nadal, or perhaps it comes down to the Swiss player’s singularly graceful style, in which he seems to glide along the court before delivering a venomous backhand winner. Nadal has always been a punchier player, but the proof of each player’s respective pudding is in their Grand Slam success, and in that regard, there is nothing to separate Nadal and Federer.

With Federer currently out of action due to his recovery from surgery, Nadal has a chance to win his 21st Grand Slam at the 2021 Australian Open. The Rafael Nadal odds on Australian Open success favour the Spaniard, although Novak Djokovic is the overall tournament favourite, but if Nadal could win his second Melbourne title then the debate would start as to whether he should deservedly be held in higher esteem than Federer.

It is undoubtedly Nadal’s relative lack of Grand Slam titles on other surfaces which hinder his reputation in the eyes of many tennis fans. Of course, a tally of four US Open titles, two Wimbledon titles and one Australian Open title is not to be sniffed at, but the fact that Nadal’s career achievements are so heavily skewed towards the French Open undoubtedly impacts the way people consider his place among the sport’s finest exponents.

Federer, meanwhile, boasts a more balanced CV in terms of Grand Slam success, with eight Wimbledon titles, six Australian Open titles, and five US Open titles. However, Federer’s solitary French Open success is one minor blot on his record, even if he was faced with the challenge of overhauling Nadal on clay.

But then, there is a sense that trying to assess the players’ legacy at this stage is futile, given that both still have plenty to give in Grand Slam tournaments before they retire. While age is against them, particularly Federer, there’s no doubt that both still possess the quality to win another one of tennis’ big four events.

Nadal has the opportunity to do so in Melbourne later this month, and if he can record a few more Grand Slam triumphs away from Roland Garros, then he will have every right to be labelled as the best tennis player of all-time, even if Federer will always be the people’s favourite. Nadal is a player who has proved himself time and time again, overcoming regular injury setbacks to continually find his best form. Indeed, the fact that he has won so many French Open titles in comparison to other tournaments should be sniffed at. Instead, we should celebrate him as one of modern sport’s great specialists.