This statement is why when Federer beat Novak Djokovic in Friday’s semi the door was immediately opened for Nadal to conquer a sixth Roland Garros crown and equal Bjorn Borg’s record, a feat which surely seemed impossible once upon a time.
It is, as Nadal has often said himself, his favourite mode of attack, the way likes to play and dictate his opponent. When his forehand is working, he said, he is at his happiest.
All signs are that Nadal’s game has come together at just the right time. His semi-final win against a gallant Andy Murray again illustrated Nadal’s supreme mental powers and his insatiable will to win. It also showed the weapons Nadal said were not at their sharpest at the start of the tournament are now primed for battle.
It is a big worry for Federer – the greatest player in the history of the game and the man who almost single-handedly inspired a whole new generation and legion of fans to the game of tennis. Federer is the man who has made tennis one of the most marketable and enjoyed sports out there.
But back to the game.
It is highly questionable whether Federer can beat Nadal. And it is a conundrum on so many different levels.
Firstly, and most brutally, is the question of that Nadal forehand to Federer backhand battle. This has at times, especially on clay, been the singularly most decisive factor in Nadal’s numerous successes over Federer. Federer’s backhand did look sweet – very sweet – against Djokovic. His timing, power and precision was classic Federer.
But today’s match may be a whole different kettle of fish. Yes, like on Friday Federer will be the underdog, free of the huge expectation he has had to carry throughout his glorious career, but this is still a Grand Slam final. It’s important. This secondly is Nadal, the man of vicious topspin and depth to the backhand side. It is simply very difficult to see how Federer can cope with this trusted Nadal weapon.
Second major question is whether Federer can stand toe-to-toe with Nadal for five sets. Can he match Nadal and stand up the physical demands that will be asked of him? Nadal is a phenom, he outlasts and out-grinds his opponents. He is relentless. The only two players who can live with him physically are David Ferrer and Djokovic.
The longer the match goes, the more you always favour Nadal.
All that said though, this is sport, where nothing is ever a certainty. The Philippe Chatrier crowd will be in Federer’s corner, it will try to inspire him to his first win at Roland Garros over his greatest nemesis – a win that would probably close the argument with regards to Federer’s place atop the pantheon of tennis greats.
Federer himself is a great player, at any moment capable of the ludicrously sublime and always the master of making the impossible seem ordinary.
He will need to be aggressive as he was against Djokovic, and as tennis commentators always say, Federer will need to mix it up – periodically venture to the net, take the ball early on the baseline and have patience and belief in his tools.
Federer, the most sublime player tennis has ever seen, will need all that this afternoon, the exact same form he displayed against Djokovic.
He is facing the Spanish Bull after all, the greatest competitor tennis has ever seen.
Prediction: Nadal to win in four sets.
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