“A Blue-Collar”–Ex-Pro Challenges Tennis Lore With Bold Rafael Nadal ‘Anti-Aura’ Claim

What was it like facing Rafael Nadal on the clay court? Ask Casper Ruud! The Norwegian tennis star has faced Nadal twice in his career, but the biggest one was facing him in the 2022 French Open final. According to Ruud, “He makes you suffer. First he takes your legs, then your mind.” His aura was defined by perceived dominance, especially on clay courts, and his unwavering mental fortitude. Novak Djokovic felt Nadal’s presence was “intimidating“, and according to Frances Tiafoe, Nadal had such an aura of invincibility that his opponents would start looking for flights back home even before they played him in a crucial match. But the American former pro, Sam Querrey, has a different take on Nadal’s aura. What’s it?

In a recent episode of the Nothing Major Show, the tennis stars were spotted having a discussion for a 16-man aura draw. Speaking on that, Steve Johnson explained, “We’ve to remember that there’s a caveat, there is no Rafa nor Rogers. People with too much aura would automatically win, so we’re going to exclude a few players…” After hearing this, Querrey jumped into the discussion with a bold take. He said, “I don’t think Rafa has aura.” Hearing this bizarre claim, Johnson asked him if he thinks Rafael Nadal walked around the French Open with “no aura“? In fact Rafa even has a statue over there!

In reply, Querrey said, “Well, it’s not just the French Open aura, it’s just general aura. He’s got some but I don’t think he’s like an auto into the Oregon.” Even John Isner found this statement quite “interesting“! Jack Sock then came in saying that it depends on how one defines “aura“.  He said, “I do see him like dressing up like I feel it you outside the court and having that like ‘yeah dud that dude’s so swaggy.’ He was obviously just like a bull dog.” Hearing this Querrey claimed, “Rafa is a blue collar. I feel like he’s like anti-aura.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 28: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Gentlemen’s Singles second round match against Lukas Rosol of the Czech Republic on day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 28, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Talking about his aura, previously, we’ve seen Andrey Rublev claim how Rafael Nadal’s aura and work ethic were so impressive that it encouraged others to push further. While recalling a few moments from a practice session, he once revealed, “I immediately wanted to work even harder in order to somehow fight him.” Mike Digby who has closely worked with the ‘Big 3’ claimed, “His (Nadal’s) aura comes through what you hear through the heaviness of the strike, through the grunt, obviously, through the feet that you can kind of just hear him scurrying his feet.”

Not only them, in November 2024, Sam Querrey and his fellow tennis stars on this same podcast made an interesting revelation. He said, “I remember having that fear early in my career, especially on clay, losing 0 and 0 (0-6, 0-6). I was just begging when draws came out, please don’t put me against Rafa like first round of the French Open because I could lose 0-0.” While comparing Rafa and Roger Federer, he further added, “You were never worried about Roger blowing you off the court. Never. Rafa, you were afraid of it early. He just got more intimidating and more dominant.”

Even Isner gave a nod that time by recalling how Nadal was such a “bully” from the first ball onward, and Johnson revealed that Nadal has instilled “a lot of fear” in his eyes as well during their playing days. Talking about his legacy and his unmatchable aura, as most of the players claim, German tennis legend Boris Becker was recently spotted drawing a comparison of the Big 3.

“Most feared” – Boris Becker shares his thoughts on Rafael Nadal during his prime days

Together, the ‘Big 3’ have dominated the tennis world for almost two decades, clinching 66 Grand Slam titles and conquering the top spot in the singles ranking for almost 18 years! Despite having a similar dominance on the court, each of them shared a different aura.

Talking about Rafael Nadal, through a tweet on April 29, German legend Boris Becker said, “What a humble, down-to-earth guy the man from Manacor #mallorca Spain is!!! An absolute icon in the sporting world and an example how to conduct yourself on and off the court!”

Then a few days later, while comparing the ‘Big 3’ about who’s the real GOAT, Becker stated, “I call them the three GOATs for a reason—each one has been the greatest in his own way. If I had to explain their historical importance, I’d say Djokovic is the most successful, Federer the most popular, and Nadal the most feared. If you had to face Rafa at Roland Garros, you knew there was nothing you could do. Beating him there has been the only true impossibility in a sport where everything is supposed to be possible.”

Rafael Nadal has won 22 Grand Slam titles in his career, and guess what? 14 out of them came at the Roland Garros! Such was his dominance on the clay. He hails that era as the “greatest” in the history of the sport.

Who among Federer and Djokovic does Nadal think was his greatest rival, though? In an interview with Mundo Déportivo, Rafael Nadal revealed, “Djokovic is the player I’ve faced the most, but for me, my greatest rival has been Federer.”

Now, although the tennis world is seeing a strong rivalry between players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. But can they ever match the legacy and bring the same aura on and off the court in the near future?

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