Rafael Nadal on the Fast Track to Third Wimbledon Title
We all know Rafael Nadal is the "King of Clay." He earned that right by winning a record-tying six French Open titles.
However, we might just have to also start calling Nadal the "King of Grass" at the rate he's going.
In case you missed it, Nadal punched his ticket to the Wimbledon semifinals on Wednesday, beating American Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 6-4. Despite the fact he came into the match with a tender left foot, which he injured in the fourth round against Juan Martin del Potro, Nadal looked like his typical self during his quarterfinal romp. And that is to say he looked quite good.
Not including the 2009 tournament, which Nadal sat out with sore knees, the 25-year-old Spaniard has now made it as far as the semifinals in five straight Wimbledon tournaments. He has won the tournament each of his last two trips, and it definitely looks like Nadal can do so again to capture his third Wimbledon title.
The road is not entirely clear for Nadal. He will have to get past Andy Murray in the semifinals, and he will probably be matched up against Novak Djokovic in the final. Not exactly a cake walk.
But what the heck. Let's presume that Nadal is up to the task of winning a third Wimbledon title. What then?
Well, given the course Nadal's career is on, we would pretty much have to entertain notions of all-time grandeur. With three Wimbledon titles under his belt, he will be halfway to Roger Federer's total to six, and four away from Pete Sampras' all-time record of seven.
A long way to go, yes. But keep in mind that Nadal is still just 25. He can tie Federer by the time he's 28, and can tie Sampras at the age of 29. Sampras, for the record, won his seventh and final Wimbledon title a few weeks shy of his 29th birthday.
Of course, this means that Nadal will have to string together consecutive Wimbledon titles, which is not exactly child's play. However, do you doubt his ability to do it? Both Sampras and Federer proved that it can be done, and Nadal is the one man in the world that is capable of doing it right now.
To be sure, Nadal probably won't need to set any Wimbledon records in order to be considered the greatest player ever at the time of his retirement. There are some who think he already is the greatest player ever, and it will become official when he breaks Federer's record of 16 Grand Slams.
Besting the Wimbledon marks of Federer and/or Sampras will merely be icing on the cake. Or, if you prefer, another jewel on Nadal's crown.
Jason Arnott David Clarkson Patrick Davis Tyler Eckford Mark Fraser Andy Greene
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