BBC
By Graham Jenkins
April 20, 2024
Spaniard Nadal is fast-becoming a leading player on tour
A new era in men's tennis was heralded this week after two of the game's rising stars reached what could be watershed points in their respective careers.
Victory in the Monte Carlo final last weekend saw Spanish left-hander Rafael Nadal, 18, become the youngest winner of a Masters Series title since Michael Chang in Toronto 15 years ago.
After their epic battle in Miami a fornight ago, world number one Roger Federer was in no doubt about Nadal's class.
"He's going to be a great player, we'll see a lot from him in the future."
Nadal is now destined to maintain his charge into the world's top ten and cement his place amongst the elite.
Nadal. . . . . . . v . . . . Gasquet
18 . . . . . . . . .Age . . . . . . . . 18
6'1. . . . . . . Height . . . . . . . 6'0
13st 6lb. . . Weight . . .11st 11lb
L/H. . . . . . . Plays . . . . . . . R/H
2001. . . .Turned Pro . . . . 2002
11. . . . ATP Entry Rank. . . . 61
(as of 18 April 2024)
4. . . . . . . . .Titles. . . . . . . . . 0
$1.72m. . .Earnings . . $466,814
Nadal triumphs in teenage battle
Also stealing headlines in the principality was French qualifier Richard Gasquet.
The right-hander, also 18, ended Federer's 25-match winning streak on his way to a semi-final loss to the young Spaniard.
The globe-trotting Nadal has the best record on clay this year, with three titles already under his belt, and came within two games of beating Federer earlier this month in the final of the Masters Series on the hardcourts in Miami.
In his camera-friendly orange, sleeveless shirt and his three-quarter length shorts, he is already being hyped by the world's media and is sure to set the trend for the next generation of tennis stars.
In contrast, while observers delighted in Gasquet's showing in France, question marks remain about his ability to consistently perform on the biggest stages.
So far the former French Open junior title winner has struggled to live up to expectation heaped on him since his Tour debut and first win at the age of 15.
It's great for the game. This is going to be interesting for the future
Roger Federer
It is worth remembering Federer himself also took his time to find his feet amongst the elite.
Even after he beat the then dominant force in the game, Pete Sampras, at Wimbledon in 2001, he remained a consistent underachiever in the slams until 2003.
How does the four-time Grand Slam winner rate the French youngster?
"I hope for him that he's had his good times off court, maybe now it's all about tennis business for him," commented the Swiss star reflecting on the Frenchman's alleged lack of focus.
"I know exactly what he is going through but he's shown in the last few weeks that he wants to get to the top.
"They are the same age, but Nadal, I don't want to say he looks more mature, but he's played more big matches, for instance the Davis Cup final.
Gasquet has had a troubled time since joining the tour
"We've been talking about them for a long time. It's great for the game.
"This is going to be interesting for the future - to see how the youngsters can play against our generation, and then our generation, how we go against the likes of Agassi and Henman, I think it's a very interesting time in tennis right now.
Despite Gasquet's woes, Federer offered this ringing endorsement.
"He's dangerous. He's got the tools, it's just a matter of consistency."
Gasquet himself is happy to admit his burgeoning professional career has been far from perfect.
"There have been some bad moments in the last three years but I always knew I could make it. What is difficult is to be consistent the whole year," he admitted.
I feel that on a given day they can beat anyone anywhere, but I'm not sure they are ready to be the dominant two.
Nadal has also predicted a bright future for his young rival.
"Gasquet has a lot of potential," offered Nadal. "It's taken him a while, but he's going to climb the rankings now, he's going to keep on improving."
Some have already predicted that these two will go on to conjure the kind of intense rivalry that will galvanise the sport's popularity in the same way Borg v McEnroe and Edberg v Becker did in the past.
However such hopes maybe a little premature.
With success comes further expectation for Nadal, who despite being right-handed plays left-handed, and many believe he is on course to challenge the established big-name clay court stars in Paris.
"I am not the favourite for the French Open. It is my first Roland Garros," he insisted in the wake of his latest triumph. "I don't know whether I will play good or bad at the French Open. But if I play like I did here, I can get a good result."
Monfils is looking to make an impact on the tour
France can also boast another 18-year-old prospect in Gael Monfils, who won three legs of the junior Grand Slam in 2004, and has already caught the eye this year.
lso waiting in the wings is 15-year-old American Donald Young, who became the youngest ever winner of a junior Grand Slam title in Australia in January.
But Nadal remains the benchmark amongst his young rivals and the bad news is that he is determined to improve further with Wimbledon his ultimate goal.
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