Rafa Walks A Mile In Roger's Shoes

© Getty ImagesDespite six losses to Novak Djokovic in six finals this year, Rafael Nadal says that he enjoys the battle.

Rafael Nadal now surely knows what it’s like to walk a mile in Roger Federer’s shoes. After suffering his sixth consecutive loss this year to Novak Djokovic in the US Open title match, the former World No. 1 is at his wits end trying to find a path to victory through his nemesis, Novak Djokovic.

Not only did Djokovic take the US Open title from defending champion Nadal, the victory virtually assures that the Serb will dethrone Nadal as year-end World No. 1 after the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November. There is a mathematical chance that Nadal could yet end the year No. 1, but it’s the longest of long shots. This year Djokovic has three majors to Nadal’s one and five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles (a record haul in one season) to Nadal’s one.

Already an all-time great at 25, Nadal now faces the same challenge that he posed – and continues to pose – to Federer, who has never truly solved the Rafa Riddle. The 16-time Grand Slam champion has won just eight of 25 career meetings against Nadal and just two of their past 11 meetings.

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Djokovic not only has the game that troubles Nadal, he now has a clear mental edge against a player who is arguably the fiercest competitor the sport has seen. Sound familiar? Rafa, to his credit, however, does not see problems, only challenges.

“I go back home knowing that I am on the way,” Nadal said in his post-match press conference. “I like to fight; I want to enjoy this battle against him. Six straight losses, for sure that's painful. But I'm going to work every day until that changes…  [Djokovic’s] season is probably impossible to repeat… His level for sure is fantastic.  He's doing very well mentally everything.  So just accept that.  Accept the challenge and work.”

It was at Flushing Meadows 12 months ago that Nadal seemed to have set himself up for an extended stay at No. 1, having won three consecutive majors – Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open – and completing a career Grand Slam in the process. He had laid the groundwork to reclaim year-end No. 1 from Federer, and Djokovic, who had not beaten a Top 10 player all season leading into the US Open, was on his way to finishing No. 3 for the fourth consecutive year. A legitimate challenger to Nadal’s hold on power seemed a long way off.

But 2011 ushered in sweeping changes for the men’s game and Djokovic produced a season for the ages. He has beaten Nadal in six finals (four ATP World Tour Masters 1000s, including telling clay-court victories in Madrid and Rome, Wimbledon and the US Open) while building a stunning 64-2 record on the season.

Still, it would be a mistake to think that Nadal won't soon again challenge for No. 1, and Rafa seems anything but disillusioned despite the heartache at the hands of Djokovic. “I am not one that feels that the [US Open] final is a bad result. I don't consider myself that good. Final is fantastic result.This year I won another [Grand Slam], Roland Garros. I lost six finals, but I was there. So it's smart to accept the loses with the same calm as the victories, and keep working without thinking on the past.”