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Grand Slams are stern tests where only effort counts, not ‘what ifs’
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At the Australian Open, every player will be seeking to exit the shadows and find the limelight.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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- Rafael Nadal's quote, "If, if, if, doesn't exist," highlights the importance of preparation and giving 100% at Grand Slams, where "ifs" don't work.
- Grand Slams are demanding, testing players' endurance and mental fortitude over fifteen days, making them a "quarterly examination" of skill and resilience.
- The focus on Grand Slam titles has intensified, making them the ultimate measure of greatness, with the Australian Open showcasing ambition and athletic desire.
AI generated
MELBOURNE – Rafael Nadal was a sneakered, sliding man of action and yet a philosopher engaged with fundamental questions of grit and geometry. He played long points but offered pithy wisdom. Once, at Wimbledon, he considered a question about what Nick Kyrgios might have been if he had worked with Nadal-like diligence and replied with a headshake and five stern words.
“If, if, if, doesn’t exist.”
