LIVE
...

Follow us on

News

Pat Cash picks what was better to watch between Rafael Nadal at the French Open and Roger Federer at Wimbledon

Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Follow us on Google Discover

Rafael Nadal was left emotional at the French Open on Sunday, where he was honoured after retiring from tennis last year.

Iga Swiatek was emotional at Nadal’s farewell ceremony, which she attended alongside many other star names within tennis.

His fellow legends Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray were also present to give the Spaniard a fitting send-off.

Nadal won 14 French Open titles during his stunning career, more than any other man, with Bjorn Borg his nearest rival on six.

The Spanish icon retired late last year with 22 Grand Slam titles to his name overall, second only to the 24 of Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray pose together at Rafael Nadal's farewell ceremony.
Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Pat Cash picks between Rafael Nadal at the French Open and Roger Federer at Wimbledon

But his efforts in Paris particularly caught the eye, with former players Marion Bartoli and Pat Cash having now shared their take on the legendary figure for BBC 5 Live Sport.

Bartoli said: “He has been synonymous with Roland Garros for the past two decades, and now Carlos Alcaraz is sort of starting to fill those shoes.

READ MORE: Aryna Sabalenka has one question she wants to ask Rafael Nadal after winning her first round match at the French Open

“And everyone is talking every single year whether Alcaraz is going to be the next Nadal. Only time will tell.”

Cash then shared his verdict, saying: “Yeah, I don’t see anybody doing what Rafa has done ever, not until I’m gone.

“Nobody’s going to be like Rafa. I mean, just to see him on the center court there tearing all over the place.

“It’s one of the greatest sights I’ve ever seen. Roger Federer at Wimbledon, yes, the flow and the beauty and the elegance and the power.

“But Rafa at Roland Garros is… if you’ve never seen it, I’m sorry, I’m sorry for you. I sat there with my jaw open every time.”

Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer Grand Slam titles

Just like Nadal made Roland Garros his home, Federer enjoyed stunning success on the grass courts of Wimbledon.

The Swiss icon won eight times in London before calling time on his phenomenal career, more than any other player.

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic overtakes Rafael Nadal as he makes tennis history with his Geneva Open win

But his record is somewhat under threat with the presence of Djokovic on the ATP Tour, with the Serbian just one behind.

He is joined by Pete Sampras and William Renshaw on seven Wimbledon titles, with another chance at success set to arrive later this summer.

PlayerTitlesAustralian OpenFrench OpenWimbledonUS OpenYears
Rafael Nadal22214*242005–2022
Roger Federer20618*52003–2018
Rafael Nadal vs Roger Federer Grand Slam titles (*record)

But the French Open is up first for the 38-year-old, who just won his 100th ATP Tour title at the Geneva Open.

Djokovic starts his latest Roland Garros adventure against Mackenzie McDonald, with the world number six representing the sixth seed at the Grand Slam.

Nadal and Federer will likely be watching on, with their efforts at the French Open and Wimbledon respectively simply needing to both be admired in their own individual ways as opposed to being pitted against one another.

Both were truly jaw-dropping in their own ways, with such heroic feats not likely to be repeated in the future of the sport.