Nadal could be the next big thing
By CNN's Don Riddell
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LONDON, England -- In 2001, the 19-year-old Roger Federer announced his arrival on arguably the biggest stage in tennis by the sport's 'governor' Pete Sampras at Wimbledon.
It took the young Swiss two more years to reach the top of his game, but no one can question that he is now the man to beat.
Federer doesn't lose often these days, but on Sunday at the Masters Series event in Miami, he did.
The world number one was sensationally upstaged by a 17-year-old Spaniard called Rafael Nadal.
If Nadal wanted to alert the tennis world of his credentials, he couldn't have picked a bigger target.
Before Sunday the reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, Federer had lost just once in 24 matches this year.
Nadal's victory over a top 10 player was emphatic, straight sets in just over an hour. And it was no fluke; for some time analysts have predicted a big future for the left-hander from Mallorca.
Last year he beat the French Open champion Albert Costa in only his second professional tournament.
And just a few weeks later he picked another target that would make headlines by beating his mentor and training partner, Carlos Moya.
Sporting pedigree
And the story gets better. Nadal comes from a family of great sporting pedigree.
His uncle Miguel Angel Nadal was at the heart of the Barcelona defense for eight years, winning 63 caps for Spain in the process.
Since he first picked up a tennis racket at the age of five, "Rafa" has been coached by another uncle, Toni Nadal.
Whatever happens in Miami this week, Nadal will be closely watched for the rest of the year. And some are wondering whether he could make the same sort of impact that Boris Becker did at Wimbledon in 1985.
The fresh-faced German won at the All England club on his debut at the age of 17.
Of course, it's far too early to get carried away about Nadal's talent. And as accomplished as he now is, Federer endured a couple of frustrating years before finally living up to his potential.
The men's game is also now stronger than it has been for many years. Eight different players have won the last nine majors, and behind Federer there are at least half a dozen players who are more than capable of winning tournaments.
I'm sure the likes of Roddick, Ferrero, and Agassi, will have something to say about the possibility of a teenager winning one of this year's grand slam events.
But Nadal is certainly one to watch for the future. He's got plenty of time, his following is already growing, and I'm sure Roger Federer won't be the last of his victims on the court.
