Maybe due to the fact that Novak Djokovic could take over that mantle no matter whether the Spaniard successfully defended his title, somehow anticipation of Nadal's quality of play was blunted.
Of course he was always seen as one of the Big Four (along with Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray), and no one could ever imagine his matches being anything other than hugely competitive. But perhaps because he fell in the quarter-finals at Queen's, or perhaps because of the foot injury he sustained in his fourth round win over Juan Martin del Potro, or perhaps because of some other strange ephemeral something which no one is quite sure about...
Remember that post-match question he was asked, early in the first week, querying whether he was "a player in decline"? Bear in mind he had won the 10th Grand Slam title of his career two weeks previously. This is a brand of decline to which all but perhaps six players in history might well aspire. Yet throughout this tournament so much about Nadal has been characteristic of the player the world has come to know - always graceful, helpful, humble and modest.
And there is a certain symmetry to his meeting with Djokovic in this final. For one thing, no true fan could feel disappointed by the prospect of a showdown between the players who are indisputably the two best on the planet right now. And for another, no matter what the rankings may say, there is a strong feeling that whoever wins this Wimbledon final should truly be considered the very best player in the world.
Four times they have met in finals already this year - and four times Djokovic has won. On the other hand, they have previously met five times in Grand Slams - and Nadal has won all five (although Djokovic retired when trailing in two of those matches). The Spaniard is on a 20-match winning streak at Wimbledon and is competing in his fifth final in the last six years, having been absent in 2009 through injury.
"His game is really complete defending," says Nadal of Djokovic, then adding ruefully: "When he attacks, too. Probably he is defending a little bit better than previous years now. In my opinion, his total game is very complete. Good serve, very good movement, very easy. He sees the game very quickly, and he moves in very quickly on difficult shots. He takes the ball so early. That's his biggest ability. Very difficult to do.
"The key will be to play really well and wait, and hope he doesn't have the best day, like it is always against the best players in the world. Mentally he is in a better position than me probably because he won the last four finals against me. I have to play aggressive, with intensity, with rhythm. I'll try my best. I think I'm playing well - really well."
Dangerous words indeed.
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