Stefan Bürer: “Without his injuries, Rafael Nadal would have all the records”

As a long-time tennis commentator, Stefan Bürer has followed Rafael Nadal’s career from the beginning. blue Sport talks to him about Nadal’s legacy and his most defining moments.

“I am firmly convinced that Rafa believed that he could come again.” “But his body has definitely thwarted his plans,” says long-time SRF tennis expert Stefan Bürer to blue Sport (see Video above). “If you realize at some point that it no longer works, then it no longer makes sense.”

After Nadal’s retirement, Bürer’s main memory will be the Spaniard’s long-standing showdown with Roger Federer. “From a Swiss perspective, it was a fantastic rivalry. Suddenly this young Mallorcan man came with a sleeveless shirt and capri pants. And suddenly there was someone who could really hurt Roger,” remembers Bürer.

Roger didn’t like that at the beginning, but over the years something very special emerged from the mutual respect. “As far as I can tell, they really liked each other as people.” And I think that’s a fantastic story in top-class sport. It doesn’t happen that often.”

Bürer only has words of praise for the 38-year-old Spaniard and makes it clear: “He is one of the greatest athletes of all.” Not just in tennis, but in general. What he has achieved is unique.” Bürer is particularly enthusiastic about Roland Garros. «Win a tournament 14 times. You have to imagine it. Once is incredibly difficult. But 14 times is actually an absurd number.”

The many injuries – what if?

Nadal has repeatedly been set back by injuries throughout his 23-year career. For Bürer, this is perhaps a reason why players like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic were able to keep up with the Spaniard.

“I really believe that if Rafael Nadal had been as healthy as Roger, apart from Roger’s last phase of his career, I think he would have all the records.”

Bürer points out and compares that beating Nadal at his best was “almost impossible”: “Roger played 80 Grand Slam tournaments. Rafa has played 60 Grand Slam tournaments. There are 20 potential chances of victory missing. That’s five years. That’s why I’m sure he would have the records on his side if he had stayed healthy.”

Videos from the resort