As if Tiger Woods' struggles to hit a golf ball straight weren't enough, now his legacy is receiving another sort of attack.
Business Insider compared Woods' fall from the top of his profession to that of another athlete who has lost his touch as well - Rafael Nadal.
US Open gallery laughing at Tiger Woods' misfortune
Both are stuck on 14 career major victories. Woods is four behind Jack Nicklaus for the all-time mark in major golf wins. Nadal is three Grand Slam titles behind Roger Federer to claim the mythical Greatest Tennis Player of All-Time moniker.
To no one's surprise, Business Insider considers Woods' decline to be the much more tragic occurrence.
Rafael Nadal in denial about crumbling tennis game?
"Like Woods, Nadal has won 14 major championships (grand slams) and injuries appear to have derailed his once seemingly high hopes of catching Roger Federer's record of 17 career grand slams," the publication reported. "But unlike Woods, Nadal's chase started much later, with his first Grand Slam coming in his fifth pro season. Even after he started to win, Nadal's titles were mostly limited to the French Open. It was not until seasons eight through 10 that Nadal broke through at the other Grand Slams and made people wonder if he could chase the record.
"Even if Nadal never wins another grand slam - he hasn't advanced past the quarterfinals in the last four - his career will be celebrated. Woods will also be celebrated, but that reverence will also be accompanied by a deeper feeling of 'what if?'"
Woods dominated golf from 1997-2008 while Nadal really had just 2008-11 - and in 2009, he finished No. 2. He had been chasing Roger Federer's legacy earlier in his career, and now he has Novak Djokovic in front of him.
Rory McIlroy currently is No. 1, but it's Woods' game that has fallen apart before our eyes, as witnessed by his three scores of 80 or more this year and his drop to 195 in the world ranking, prior to missing the cut at the US Open.
Nadal still advanced to the quarterfinals of the French Open and won a grass tournament in Stuttgart; he may not be the best player in the world, but he is not playing like the 200th best player (or worse) as Woods is.
Which player do you think has a better chance of reversing his fortunes - Tiger Woods or Rafael Nadal? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.