John Isner wrote a piece on the Players' Tribune about how tennis players share the same qualities as his favorite WWE superstars. In that article, Isner compared Roger Federer to Shawn Michaels for his dominance and consistency up to this point, while he likened Rafael Nadal to the late Ultimate Warrior.
But somewhere in the article, Isner gave the greatest homage to the most tenacious player tennis has ever seen, a recognition that belongs only to Nadal.
"That raw, intense, one-of-a-kind energy. Both won championships, and both packed stadiums. But mostly, it's that energy. There will never be another Warrior, and there will never be another Rafa [Players Tribune]"
For Isner, what makes Nadal a once in a lifetime talent is the tenacity and energy he brings in every single match he plays. Throughout his career, the Mallorcan Bull built reputation not only as a champion but arguably the most entertaining player of all time with his all-out style of play. Isner believes this particular quality in Nadal separates him from his peers.
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The American also lauded Novak Djokovic's for his complete game, comparing him to the greatest technician in WWE history - Bret 'the Hitman' Hart. There are arguments Djokovic's playing style lacks that entertainment factor, but Isner thinks the real tennis fans know how thrilling to watch the Serb.
"The excellence of execution - efficient, confident, in possession of every move or shot in the book. Looking for a technical weakness? You won't find one. Casual fans might deem this style "boring," but real heads know: These guys come to work. They put their boots on and they get the job done. If that's not thrilling to you, then you're not paying attention."
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True, Nadal and Djokovic have competed in this sport like rabid wrestlers. Their rivalry is perhaps the most celebrated of all, giving fans top-notch tennis in all of their 48 matches. But again like Isner said, these tennis star have different qualities with Nadal being the crowd-pleaser and Djokovic the purist of a technician.