'People hit it harder': Rafael Nadal singles out one aspect of evolved Tennis he is not a fan of

Rafael Nadal has claimed that he enjoys the tactical aspect of tennis and believes that the new game allows hard-hitting players to thrive more. Nadal has always played a tough physical style with long rallies and a heavy focus on a good defense. In comparison, his long-time adversary and friend Roger Federer possessed a game that was less physically demanding on the body due to his ability to end points swiftly.

3 things you need to know

• Rafael Nadal recently returned to the court after a long injury layoff
• Nadal incurred a hip injury during Australian Open 2023
• Nadal returned with the Brisbane International tournament

Also Read | Injury concerns for Nadal after losing in the quarterfinals of his tour

Nadal criticises the change in the tennis ball

In a recent interview with El Pais, the Spaniard remarked that tennis balls have become softer than usual, causing players to strike them harder. Players are more focused than ever on ensuring their rackets meet the ball hard from the start, leaving no opportunity for tactical thought.

"They have made balls softer than usual. And people hit it harder, it's logical. It is pure evolution of mankind. There has been an evolution to a tennis of hitting harder, of hitting practically without thinking. It is a tennis that does not require any preparation of the point to find the winning shot. Most players play very similar. Everyone hits the ball very hard. From the first ball," Nadal said.

"On hard court it is very difficult to see tactical matches, because the game does not allow it. The ball goes so fast that you just have to keep the level of the ball. To return it, come on," he added.

While the 22-time Grand Slam champion has accepted this modern feature of the game, he has admitted that he is not fond of it.

"I don't like it. I see sport as another way of thinking, of analyzing, of looking for solutions. In tennis, the solution is always to play very well, to have a very precise level of shot, and to be right. There is little tactics," he added.