Rafael Nadal

A page and forum to discuss all things Rafael Nadal.

Nadal 5

Current ranking: 14

Last result: Australian Open second round (lost to Mackenzie McDonald)

Next tournament: Roland Garros

79 Comments on Rafael Nadal

    • Prime examples of federazzi propaganda. Weren’t we all supposed to be sellers of Nadal when he came back from injury last year?

      Sure, write off a guy who’s won 3 of the last 8 majors plus a final, more than any other player.

      They’ve never make such disrespectful statements towards Federer to this date even at 33 yrs.

      Such wistful boorish fandom writing.

      “It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.” – Sherlock Holmes

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      • hawkeye63 (at 4:33 pm)
        —Prime examples of federazzi propaganda—
        —They’ve never make such disrespectful statements towards Federer to this date even at 33 yrs.—

        He who pays the piper calls the tune. I have repeatedly said that I have had a feeling that money talks in ‘their’ bank accounts.

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  3. It’s about time Sean Randall ate a little crow. So now he finally realizes that Rafa is the man to beat at RG as long as he plays there. It’s about time! Lesson learned indeed!

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  4. Does the crows at RG hate Rafa? It is always been a mixture that crowd. In years past some of that crowd definitely acted despicably. So much so that Cheryl wrote about it and a bunch of us too. Just as there is no doubt there were always very many French people and crowd members at RG who love Rafa. It was nice to see how one-sidedly the RG crowd lately have shown their support to the humble and lovable Roi Roland.

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      • That’s a lot of tourists! Any proof?

        Again I’m talking about the RG crowd (who were quite well behaved this year), the vast majority of those who are French.

        aaugusta, how much longer are you going to defend the RG crowd?

        #Rhetorical

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      • To be honest, the only time I ever heard Rafa being booed, outside of RG, was at this year’s Australian Open and that was at Stan’s instigation. I have never heard him being booed at Wimby or at the USOpen. In fact, I remember when Rafa played Muzza at Wimby one time and I thought the crowd were more for Rafa than Muzza!

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      • The RG crowd that booed weren’t the ones at the Isner match. They booed when the final score was flashed on the other court.

        Besides, don’t blame the very few Americans at the French. The Americans cheered for Kohlschreiber against Isner at the US Open last year, Maybe it was the vast majority of Germans in New York that night. Hard to tell.

        #GodsCountry
        #WhosOnFirst

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    • Yes, please let’s not have any stereotyping of my fellow Americans. It’s true that the American fans at the Isner/Kohls match were so loud in their support for the German that Isner complained publicly about it after the match.

      Thecrowd was obviously cheering on Isner when he pushed Rafa to five sets in 2011. I also remember the crowd being decidedly pro-Fed when Rafa played him in the final in 2011.

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  6. Some of this assessing the RG crowd _does_ very much boil down to the Parisians and the French. Half of Parisians are really nice and respectful towards most people most of the time. The other half, much as I love the city, well, not so much. They admit it about themselves. They believe they are clearly better than any non-Parisian citizens of the best country. The non-Parisians will tell you what they think of the attitude. I do believe that some of the behaviour at RG, some of the years, was due to this. Mixed with the disappointment of dear Roger being bested at RG and prevented to close a career slam year after year by a younger player. It didn’t help he was from France’s favorite neighbour. What I am trying to say is that it _is_ a mixed bag. Not just the more extreme federazzi for example. Not all of the RG crown, of course. Not so much every year. And so on.

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    • ^^^ this

      (except it is more than “half”. I’ve been to Paris and it’s more like 90% at least. The one friendly person we met there turned out to be American! We had a good chuckle over that one,)

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      • I agree with all three of you on the issue of French crowd…and there is no way that their somewhat improved behavior will make me change my mind about them…I felt for so many years now that Rafa has been nothing less but discriminated by the French crowd continuously cheering Rafa’s opponents no matter who it was…

        and I also must state that Americans strike me as rather fair and unbiased spectators…the cheering for Isner came from the partisan Parisian/French crowd…

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  7. ^^^^^ Good point. The attitude towards Parisians by the rest of France verges on venomous. On the other hand the hostility and rudeness I encounter in London because I am driving a French registered car is shocking. Far worse than anything I ever encountered while driving an English registered car in France.

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  8. Ed, Hawkeye, and no doubt some of the other fans here,
    If you have not seen this movie I heartily recommend “Welcome to the Sticks”. That’s the English title anyway. It’s a French movie called “Bienvenue chez les Cht’is” and takes place mostly in the Pas de Calais. It is hilariously funny, a great time. And intelligent. It pokes fun at how french people from various regions think they are better than those of other regions, and believe in shallow stereotypes about them. In the case of the movie, people from the Cote d’Azur who have no clue and very weird ideas about the far North of the Pas de Calais. The movie doesn’t even bother with Paris, not necessary.

    After enjoying this movie twice I looked it up. It turns out that it shares the aim with the Asterix cartoons. Their aim was often the same: to show how stupid those local feelings of superiority and those stereotypes have always been.

    Finally there is that song from long ago by George Brassens: La Ballade Des Gens Qui Sont Nés Quelque Part.

    All countries have variations of this, but France is especially adept. 🙂

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  9. ed, hawkeye, and other fans here,

    If you have not seen this movie I heartily recommend “Welcome to the Sticks”. That’s the English title anyway. It’s a French movie called “Bienvenue chez les Cht’is” and takes place mostly in the Pas de Calais. It is hilariously funny, a great time. And intelligent. It pokes fun at how French people from various regions think they are better than those of other regions, and believe in shallow stereotypes about them. In the the movie people from the Cote d’Azur who have no clue and very weird ideas about the far North France. The movie doesn’t even bother with Paris. Not necessary.

    After enjoying this movie twice I looked it up. It turns out that it shares the aim of many of the Asterix cartoons. Show how stupid those local feelings of superiority and those stereotypes have always been.

    Finally there is that song from long ago by George Brassens: La Ballade Des Gens Qui Sont Nés Quelque Part. He nailed it.

    All countries have variations of this, but France seems to be especially adept.

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  10. Regional animosity exists everywhere. Londoners say the North of England starts at Watford which is 20 miles north from the centre of London. North country people consider anyone from the SE of England to be fair game: usually starting with “you people………….followed by an insult. And so on and so on.

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  11. Those who want to believe that the French hate Rafa can go on believing that and those of us who don’t believe that’s the case will not be convinced otherwise. The only thing that matters is what Rafa thinks.

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    • Agreed. Here’s what Rafa said about the RG crowd (mostly French) in 2006 and 2009:

      2006: “The crowd didn’t behave the way they should behave when watching a game of tennis,”

      2009: “This tournament is so important, such a beautiful tournament for me. Well, that’s the way it is, But I wish when I’m back they can support me a bit more in key moments.”

      Straight from the horse’s, well in this case, GOAT’s mouth.

      Preach it Rafa.

      Glad you finally agree nadline!

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      • hawkeye63 ( at 7:27 pm),

        I think, Rafa meant the incident in 2005. I remember that ed251137 has described this incident. The spectators made noise against the umpire, not Rafa.

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      • No, hawkeye, I don’t agree with your take on the situation at all. augusta sees it the way I see it, and I’m not going to be convinced otherwise. Some people seem to enjoy the satisfaction in believing that Rafa is hated by someone. Not me mate.

        I am well aware of what Rafa said after the Sod match but I also understand why the crowd was pro Sod. Who waouldn’t cheer for David against Goliath?

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      • Enjoy the satisfaction????

        Please don’t pretend to know my emotions.

        Nothing to enjoy.

        Curious comment nonetheless.

        Again, no crowd cheers against Rafa historically as intensely and consistently as the RG crowd (primarily French).

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    • In this conversation there is truth to what everyone said: most years most of the RG crowd does not hate Rafa. Some of the crows always does. Some of the years in some matches some of the _vocal_ crowd was so base that Cheryl wrote about it, Rafa talked about it, and hawkey writes about it. It’s a mixed bag. This year the crowd was respectful and supportive of Rafa.

      So Augusta is right (for many of the matches), nadline is, hawkeye is, Rafa was in 2006 and 2009, Cheryl was on TT, etc. I’m not even trying to be a peacemaker here or anything.

      ” The RG crowd hates Rafa ” does not mean anything we can talk about: it is much too general. Same for ” The RG crowd does not hate Rafa “

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      • Chloro (at 7:51 pm),

        Cheryl wrote about the “famous” match Rafa vs. Soderling in 2009 and the match Rafa vs. Isner in 2011. Then the Federazzi and American tourists (2011) made noise against Rafa.

        Reply

      • @chloro,

        Again many thanks for a reasonable post. There have been times when the crowd was positively dreadful and times when the crowd was polite and respectful and then this year when they were cheering Rafa on. Its a mixed bag.

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      • hawkeye63@:June 13, 2014 at 7:21 pm
        —I base this on my own observations of Nadal being disrespected vs. Soderling and Isner to name two obvious examples and countless articles (e.g. Cheryl’s)—

        I watched the highlights of the match Rafa vs. Isner at RG in 2011. I don’t understand at all WHY Cheryl created a myth that spectators were disrespectful towards Rafa ??!!

        Video. Rafael Nadal vs John Isner – French Open 2011 R1 Highlights
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwd8JRP9qa4

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      • I repeat yet again.

        The RG crowd that booed weren’t the ones at the Isner match. The RG crowd on Chartrier booed when the final score was flashed on the main screen where a different match was being played.

        Reply

  12. Why on earth would anyone think that Americans in the crowd at RG wouldn’t be cheering for Rafa? He is immensely popular in America.

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      • @augusta,

        That has absolutely nothing to do with it. Or are you saying that Rafa has no American fans because it would be unpatriotic? Or am I unpatriotic for being a Rafa fan? Sorry, but I don’t understand that kind of thinking.

        In the 2013 USO, Isner played Monfils in the second round. Have you forgotten how the New York crowd got behind Monfils in that match? So much so that Isner complained about it after the match.

        Reply

  13. nativenewyorker7@June 15, 2014 at 9:05 pm
    — I also remember the crowd being decidedly pro-Fed when Rafa played him in the final in 2011.—

    Video. “Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal – French Open 2011 Final Highlights”
    (There is no evidence that the crowd was decidedly pro-Fed; and Rafa got a standing ovation after the match!)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZpvzAPAncs

    Reply

    • Generally speaking, the RG crowd have been much worse than any other slam crowd over the years (most of whom are French). Rafa has had negative things to say about them which is enough for me. Uncle Toni too.

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      • I don’t disagree with this either… if we can add that some years that crowd has been fine.

        The way they sometimes treated Rafa (for no thing Rafa had done that was ‘bad’ itself (other than defeating someone’s idol)) … was the reason I wrote a couple of heated posts on TT that some of you will remember.

        I’m just glad to see there have been and are better years there now.

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      • Three factors have contributed to the RG crowd mellowing towards Rafa:
        1. Fed finally won a title in 2009
        2. Rafa has shown he is human on clay this year
        3. Federer is fading and is not a realistic contender anymore

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      • hawkeye63@June 15, 2014 at 11:06 pm
        — Rafa has had negative things to say about them which is enough for me. Uncle Toni too—

        Uncle Toni said it only ONCE – in 2009 when the FEDERAZZI booed!
        Rafa said it due to incident in 2005 (the crowd made noise against the umpire) and after the FEDERAZZI booed n 2009!

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      • You know and I know it takes a lot for either Nadal to speak negatively of a crowd. I’ve never heard them complain about any other slam crowd. Just the French Open.

        So even the fact that they complained THREE times (Rafa @X, Toni 1X) speaks VOLUMES.

        Where there is smoke, there is Falla, I mean fire.

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    • I distinctly remember the crowd getting behind Fed when he won a set. I am not saying that no one was cheering for Rafa, but I thought that the crowd clearly got behind Fed once he was able to win a set.

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  15. Do you guys remember the treatment rafa got from the Parisian crowd when rafa retired against Davydenko in Paris masters in 2008?

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    • Absolutely I do. But remember the Bercy crowd were already feeling cheated. Federer had withdrawn after the 3rd round. When Rafa then retired during his QF match it meant they were denied seeing either No.1 or No.2 in the semis or the final. When the French are displeased they show their displeasure, as is their wont, by heckling, whistling, and booing. It is not just because it is Rafa. Any player or umpire who incurs their wrath is subjected to this treatment.

      Chloro mentioned the 2005 QF. I was at the match when the crowd all but rioted after the umpire upheld a line call that went against Grosjean and held up play for seven minutes. This shameful incident has been cut from all the YouTube videos, I would imagine on instructions from the French Tennis Federation. If you watch the clip, you will notice the vast majority of spectators are well dressed and far from young yet they behaved like out of control football hooligans. Note however Rafa was warmly applauded. Remember too he was a virtually unknown teenager and this was his maiden RG.

      http://www.ina.fr/video/2845450001002

      I am not excusing the French or condoning their behaviour. It is what it is.

      Reply

  16. it was clear the crowd was behind Fed in the 2011 final !! esp after fed won set 1… I don’t think the paris crowd ‘dislikes’ rafa, no… but they have their preferences !

    Rafa once said that when he is out in the streets in paris, the love he gets from the people there is quite appreciable…

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    • Rafa is extremely popular everywhere (even thousands of fans at RG). I would never argue this. But Fed is heavily favoured with the RG crowd historically.

      #Relativity

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    • @vamosrafa,

      Thanks! So you also had the same impression.

      @ed,

      What’s up with the “come on”? The crowd wanted to see Fed win that match. It wasn’t just about the match being competitive. My hearing is still good and the crowd went crazy when Fed took a set. I don’t even understand why people are arguing so intensely about it? I don’t subscribe to revisionist history. There’s no reason to try and pretend that the French crowd has always adored Rafa. I wish is were so, but I saw and hear otherwise in the past.

      Reply

  17. I hope rafa plays the exhibition matches at Hurlingham Club…. the field there so far comprises Murray, Berdych, Dimitrov and Nishikori. It will be great for practice.

    I think rafa’s knees are much better this year … I hope his back won’t hamper him. He will be putting a lot more effort behind his serve at Wimbledon. Confidence wise, rafa will won’t be feeling really good about his grass court game because he has not won a match on grass since 2012. It’s his nature. He NEEDS victories to feel good .

    Rafa’s aggressive game was really good by the end of the French Open so he must carry the momentum into the grass season,just like he did in 2008 and 2010.

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    • Rafa coped for years with the tendinitis in his knees which it would seem is being successfully managed. I am convinced the sudden drop in confidence is due entirely to the spectre of an ongoing back problem which could derail him at any moment. In the short term this can be managed with anti-inflamatories and cortisone injections before matches. Whilst masking the pain which allows a player to carry on it also carries the risk that by doing so the injury could be made worse.

      Playing on grass for Rafa is now doubly hazardous. Putting his dodgy knees under extreme pressure and compromising his back. IMO not a good prognosis for Wimbledon 🙁

      #Ed’sEyoreSyndromeAtWork

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      • From someone who has had serious lower back problems for decades, swelling in the bone indicates inflammation. I don’t know the exact nature of Rafa’s back issue and wouldn’t presume to diagnose it or try to say exactly what is going on, but this seems to be an ongoing problem. I don’t know if there are any degenerative changes in his back. Even though he’s young, tennis players put enormous stress on their bodies and sometimes develop conditions that won’t show up in the normal population until much later.

        There is always a risk of aggravating an existing injury. That seems to be what happened when Rafa played in Rio. He said that after the final, he needed treatment. Anti-inflammatories don’t simply mask the pain. They work to relieve the swelling in the area. Rafa has his doctor and team and they know the nature of the back injury. I am sure that they are working to make sure that it won’t be exacerbated. There are no guarantees in life. Players have to deal with injuries. Rafa is getting the best care possible. That’s all we can ask. I think Rafa’s knees are in good enough condition to stand up to the grass. But the back is still a question mark. It sounds like it’s coming and going. It flares up and then eases up. Rafa has a little bit of time to get treatment and take it easy before coming to Wimbledon.

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    • @vamosrafa,

      I agree about your thoughts regarding Wimbledon. I hope that Rafa can play in that exho. Rafa complained about a bone edema during RG. That’s his lower back. I hope that this can be managed. His serve will be extremely important at Wimbledon. He does need to get the feel of the grass again. The first week is going to be tough because the grass is slippery and there are some big serving dangerous players lurking.

      Reply

    • @hawkeye,

      Please don’t encourage anyone! 🙂

      I’ve been through it too many times here. Not that I have been accused of being part of the federazzi, just that I not loyal to Rafa because I have said positive things about his rivals.

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  18. So who does Fed think are the favs?

    “He’s the world No1. He’s dug himself out of deeper holes before,” Federer said of Nadal before looking ahead to Wimbledon.

    “I think the favourites are the same, regardless of what’s happened in the last years, the last weeks. It all starts at zero,” Federer said.

    “I had my own problems last year when I lost early in Wimbledon and I don’t want that to happen to me again. I’m concentrating on that.”

    Reply

    • Rafa has repeatedly taken Fed’s side when he was being written off after lean periods without a title (e.g. 2008, 2010, 2011). Federer can empathise with Rafa and is repaying the compliment by standing up for him now.

      Reply

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