There are many aspects of Rafael Nadal’s game that have been praised but Andy Roddick is focusing on a shot the Spaniard played that does not get the credit he feels it deserves.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion has been the tennis world’s biggest talking point since announcing his retirement from the sport at the end of the season.
November’s Davis Cup finals in front of his home fans in Malaga, Spain will be the final tournament of Nadal’s illustrious career.
He possessed many weapons that caused plenty of damage on court over the years, such as his fearsome forehand, but there is one other shot Nadal played that Andy Roddick has chosen to focus on.
Which Rafael Nadal shot does Andy Roddick think is underrated?
Rafael Nadal possesses arguably tennis’ greatest forehand as the lethal combination of whip, speed and spin allowed him to create impeccable angles to force his opponent into uncomfortable positions on court.
He also turned into an excellent volleyer and his overhead smash is possibly the game’s most reliable one.
But Roddick has identified Nadal’s backhand as an underrated shot in the 38-year-old’s repertoire, a shot he could use to turn defence into attack within the blink of an eye.
“Couple of things that stood out, an underrated ability to step in and rip backhand on the cross court side when needed,” the American said on his ‘Served podcast’.
“If there is someone he can grind down, he was never in a rush to hit that shot, but when you are watching the highlight reels against Novak, Roger and other good players, his ability to hit the crosscourt backhand pass on the full stretch and the amount of pace he could create with that right hand.
“Also stepping up, he hit his backhand cross he hit it about as hard as anyone I have seen this side of Andre, when he decides he wants to rip it.
“Also the 7-10 split from outside the alley, where it passes you and when it passes you, it’s outside the sideline and you know it’s going to land a foot inside the sideline when it gets past you. I don’t think anyone has been able to manipulate the ball from left to right on that side.”
How many times did Andy Roddick beat Rafael Nadal?
Roddick was speaking from first-hand experience about Nadal’s backhand after playing him 10 times during his career.
The 2003 US Open winner emerged victorious on three occasions, with each of those wins coming on an outdoor hard court.
Roddick won their very first meeting at the 2004 US Open, when Nadal was just 18 years old. He beat the Spaniard 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 at Flushing Meadows, and his next win over the former Olympic champion came four years later.
Roddick won their 2008 Dubai quarter-final 7-6(5) 6-2, before picking up his final win over Nadal at the 2010 Miami Open to move into the final, where he went on to win the title.
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