Nadal finally loses stranglehold!!

Rarely has there been a man who has dominated a surface like Nadal has done on clay. For the trivia buffs, four consecutive French Opens to boot not withstanding, to think that he's done that since his debut is a feat worth a standing ovation. His record on clay is stupendous.

1. 81 match unbeaten strek, a record.
2. Four consecutive French opens, equalling Bjorn Borg.
3. He's 48-1 on clay when it comes to five-setters.

These are just a few of the many feats he's achieved on clay. But, as it has always been, there will always be a moment when you fall down. And that moment came in this years French Open against Robin Soderling. After four years of pure complete domination, which included a 3-set drubbing of Roger Federer, another great, Nadal looked tired and out of sorts against Soderling.

I was just thinking what has led to this. Maybe his competitors are getting better. Maybe he's getting a little casual. Or maybe on the lighter side, he's lost his lucky charms, the trademark sleeveless and capris!!

What the fourth-round did do was to give Federer a clear chance at greatness. With people like Djokovic, Murray and Davydenko falling by the wayside, it was probably his best shot at the title and he grabbed it with both hands, thus becoming only the sixth player in the history of tennis to get a career slam! Truly a great achievement!

But I really do feel that Nadal will surpass Federer. I think Nadal will get a golden slam! All grand slams together in the same year along with the Olympic gold!! He already has the gold, i guess we just have to wait till he does the rest. If that happens, nobody can say that he's second to Federer.

Beware! For the matador from Majorca will come at you hard!! GO RAFA!!