The Australian Open quarterfinals heat up with a showdown between world No. 2 Rafael Nadal and Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas on Wednesday night. The winner will go up against either Daniil Medvedev or Andrey Rublev in the semis.
Rafael Nadal hasn’t been a kind matchup for Stefanos Tsitispas. This will be their eighth meeting since 2018, and the Greek has managed just one win. Tsitsipas ran into Nadal in the 2019 Australian Open semifinals, a tournament in which he upset Roger Federer.
After getting shellacked, Tsitsipas said of Nadal’s game, “It felt like a different dimension of tennis. He gives you no rhythm. He plays just a different game style than the rest of the players. He has this talent that no other player has. I’ve never seen a player have this. He makes you play bad.”
What he meant, of course, is that Nadal makes him play badly. Five meetings later, not much has changed. Nadal no longer hits him off the court quite so badly, but the Spaniard still seems to have his number in the big moments.
The sore back that Nadal brought into Melbourne seems to be under control. The No. 2 seed benefitted from an early favorable draw. His first two matches were against Laslo Djere and Michael Mmoh. By the time he got to Fabio Fognini in the round of 16, he had his back pain under control and was rewarded with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over the feisty Italian.
Tstisipas has made a pair of major semifinals, first in Melbourne against Nadal and again last fall at the French Open–where he took Novak Djokovic to five sets. The 22-year-old has a pretty game; he’s light on his feet and has a fluid one-handed backhand. He’s almost sure to add a few slam titles to his trophy shelf…but probably not yet.
With the matchup problem and Nadal playing himself into the tournament, the Spaniard will go into this quarter as the favorite. The good news for fans is that unlike last time, Nadal is going to have to work for it.
Cheryl pick: Nadal in 4
Ricky pick: Nadal in 4
WWW?
Vamos Rafa!
Amy ..have a very bad feeling about this ..tsitsipas will really come to play just like he did at ao in 19 against Federer
He has lost in lot of qf at ao..it’s a big hurdle for him..thiem last year ..cilic in 18 though injured , 2010,11 both qf injured
Sanju it’s true that quarter finals seen to have become a problem for rafa in slams. He played badly against Sinner at RG and had those really nervy 2 sets against Diego at yet another RG quarter final.
I was going to say that I am worried that Rafa seems to save his nervous performances for quarter finals at slams. He actually said a couple of years ago that he gets a bit tense because they are the bridge matches to the chance of winning.
I am also concerned about his fitness. He got tired in the third set of a couple of his RG matches! He said he had had a lot of problems preparing physically for Rg after the break. And then he was exhausted in the third set against Med at atp finals.
So yes I am concerned.
The four day off may not necessarily help Tsitsi. Let’s hope he screws up!
PS sanju your bad feelings are often wrong you know! Think how nervous you were before he played Fed at Rg. You’ve had bad feelings a lot of times when Rafa has gone on to win!😀
I agree but somehow I think tsitsi is determined …I’m not sure if rafa has the fitness after no much practice like novak had today .he came from down set 1,3,4 n won. I don’t see anyone beating novak to be honest .the injury is not there :–) he said from second set today he felt way better
Rafa in 5
Amy, Sanju, quarterfinal is the least of Nadal’s problems. If he manages to scrape thru this quarterfinal and its 55:45 in his favor IMHO, the worst is yet to come and they are medvedev and then djokovic (Djoko is already in the final bc dat his semifinal opponent is almost a walkover for him). That’s almost impossible for him to overcome. I don’t have much faith he will make it to the final much less win the whole thing. If he will lose to djokovic again, I’d rather him not make the finals bc of the psychological damage it will cause. I hope and wish I am wrong but I just don’t have faith he will win this australian open except by a miracle (let’s not forget his back injury now and the horror that was that Australian open 2014 final with the same back injury).
If rafa reaches the final. Why can’t a fed miracle as in 2017 happen..did anyone expect fed to win it after not beating rafa at a slam for 10 years before that .I want rafa to reach the final n if he loses ,so be it. Atleast he will get a chance to fight for the title. Strange things have happened ( stan beating rafa ao 14 due to injury , fed winning 17, cilic winning uso 14,delpo winning uso 09 )
I am more worried of qf n semi ,not final as in final ,rafa is not expected to beat djoko
First of all, this is not the same back injury. Rafa was fine in 2014. Right up until he ass warming up for the final when he felt something go in his back. I hope never to see anything like that final again.
Rafa came into this slam with the back issue. He was lucky with his draw in the early rounds..The back seems to have gotten better. The other back problem in 2014 was more serious because Rsfa could hardly move and could not win the match. This back problem seems less serious.
Anything can happen. Matches from here on out will be tough. Will the back hold up? Has Rafa played himself into good enough form? God knows Rafa deserves a break in this slam!
It’s one match at a time for me. We know it won’t be easy. I am absolutely furious that Novak is going to play this nobody who only beat Dimi because he was injured.
I am sick of the drama with Novak and his phantom injuries.
I think Rafa would start as the favourite this year in a potential final vs Djokovic. The more difficult task is to get there than winning it.
Interesting. Same scenario as 2019 ,same players .
Rafa in 4
Tsitsi in four
Id love a Rafa-Nole final ,but not everyone agrees
If Rafa reaches the final, I think he will win it this time. But, Rafa has to reach the final first!
Rafa really has to up his first serve % from now on. Tsitsipas is a tough opponent but beatable, if Rafa reaches the semifinal, Rublev or Medvedev may be a bigger problem. Rublev, like Rafa, hasn’t lost a set here.
Medvedev Vs Rublev will be a tough call, I hope Rafa is ready for the match(es) ahead. Vamos Rafa!
Not such a tough call on their past matches, since obvious Rublevs game doesnt match up against Meds. But this time, Rublev was playing even better so a much closer match could be expected.Didnt happen though
Nadal in 5
Don’t want Rafa to play 5 sets no way!!!
In 2019 Rafa met Tsitsipas in the SF, this time it’s in the QF. Medvedev or Rublev in the SF would be tougher than a young Tsitsipas in the SF (2019). If Rafa can beat them, he will be ready for the final.
This match will effectively end Nadal’s chances of winning the title.
Rafa in 5 SETS ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND IT TOOK TSITSIPAS 5 STS 55555555555
TO BEAT KOKONAKKIS AND NOW YOU SAY RAFA IN 5 THATS YOU KNOW WHAT!!!!!
Funny thing is though, as unlucky as Rafa has been in this tourney, some of the best AO matches of all time include Rafa!lol
That’s true, he deserves at least a few titles here. Maybe it lacks a bit of sentimentalism for him. Djokovic said it’s like Rod Laver Arena is his living room.
Most likely its the surface. His topspin forehand doesn’t do as much damage and sits up against the good players that can flatten it out and take control of the point.
Nadal lacks emotional attachment to the AO and ATP Finals otherwise he would’ve found a way to win it by now.
Are you freaking kidding me? Shall we list one more time the injuries Rafa has had at the AO over the years? Give me a break!
Also, regarding Rafa not having an emotional attachment to the AO, maybe you should go back to 2014 and look at the video of Rafa walking off the court after the trophy ceremony! The camera followed him out of the court and once he was out, he put his face in his hands and started crying uncontrollably. Something I hope to never see again.
Rafa gets the double career slam if he wins this tournament. Don’t tell me there is no emotional attachment!
Nadal is a sentimentalist and largely driven by his emotions. He views Roland Garros as his backyard because it’s in Europe and close to Spain and his duty to win because he grew up on clay. Wimbledon because of tradition and it’s historical prestige. The US Open for similar reasons but mostly because it’s the country with the most money. Even though AO is a very well run grand slam it just doesn’t have any of those factors that make him go that extra level. He’s a simple man (not Einstein) that’s motivated by simple, old fashioned ideas.
His MBTI is most likely ISFP.
Whereas Medvedev has probably realised this is his 2nd best chance of winning a grand slam. Djokovic realised this was his best chance of accumulating grand slams to compete with Nadal and Federer. Djokovic realised there wasn’t much of a difference between the top 3-4 a the US Open but the AO was the one he could really gain an advantage and take ownership of.
I think Rafa should win this, he’s a good match-up against Tsitsipas because he can attack the backhand side and draw errors.
Medvedev would be a tougher opponent than Rublev, although a tough match in the 30 degree heat could soften him up.
Novak is in pole position for another title. I’m sure he has some abdominal/oblique issue, but it’s not that bad. He’s still playing at a very high level.
Stay focused, remain confident, be strong and fight bravely, Rafa!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EuZ5OoLXUAEmRh9?format=jpg
My data tells me these guys are almost identical in their levels right now with a very marginal bias in favour of Nadal.
Nadal in 5 20-18 in the 5th set TB.
Nadal in 4.
Tsitsi has a terrible H2H vs Nadal.
Rafa is poor in TBs nowadays; his serves are not helping him. Hope he wins this in four, now that he loses the third set in TB. Rafa not helping himself by going to TBs.
Medvedev must be feeling happy that this match is getting longer and longer. Medvedev will win the SF relatively easily if it’s against Tsitsipas; against this Rafa I think Medvedev has a good chance of winning too. If the sets go to TBs, Medvedev will most likely win the match.
I can see that Tsitsipas’s level has gone up and Rafa’s has gone down now.
I’ll call it now. Medvedev wins.
Why in the third set TB Rafa couldn’t serve like this fifth game of set four? Had he served like this, he would most likely win the match already!
Rafa has the bad habit of thinking too much while serving, and only when he’s chasing from behind in the set or match that he manages to serve well; I don’t understand his logic. He’s throwing Tsitsipas a life line in the third set, Tsitsipas is getting hard to beat now, serving well and starting to believe that he can win this!
Rafa should have not let this go to the 4th set…he should have won in 3…going distance is not god for Rafa while working well for well rested Tsitsi..Tsitsipas is hitting harder and playing fastar than Rafa, moving better now…Tsitsi is more aggressive…this does not look good for Rafa…
I hate tiebreaks… 🙁
Rafa is going to lose this I’m afraid. He looks the more tired of the two; he’s serving poorly, having problems holding serves. If Tsitsipas wins the fourth set, he will most likely win this match!
Rafa is throwing away a easily winnable match!
Yeah surely tsotsi is the fav now.. even at the atp final Rafa threw away a winnable match.. always the same at the ao😭
true..Rafa has himself to blame…he looked great in the first two sets, Tsitsi made a bit more UEs…now it’s the opposite…however, this Tsitsi stands no chance against Danil…so I guess its Novak vs. Medvedev in the finals…
Djokovic still has to get past Karatsev. That won’t be a walk in the park. Another 4 or 5 sets.
Rafa has thrown away all his matches like this form since winning his #20!! I just knew from the time he missed that overhead he was done!! I just KNEW it!!
AO is really a curse for Rafa, and just leave it as that! I hope his back improves so he can play better for the remainder of the season! There #18 for Novak!
Strangely mona.. i also thought he had fluffed the match when he messed up the two overheads in the tb. My mind went back to the 2015 paris masters qf against stan where he did something similar and his confidence was totally down.. just like the fh line is his high confidence barometer i feel his overhead mess ups are a low confidence barometer
is it Rafa playing, or Zverev in disguise?
I think Medvedev will reach the final here; Djoko will struggle all the way yet wins the trophy in the end; that’s basically him.
Had Rafa won this match in three, he would have a good chance vs Medvedev or even Djoko; now even if he were to win this in five sets, he’s not going to beat the other two guys. Rafa is just not good enough with his game at the beginning of each year. Sad but true.
But what the heck happened!! The first two sets were like a breeze. Did the day conditions help rafa penetrate the court and the night conditions are making it harder to hit through?
Damn that tsitsipas fh brought back bad memories of the 2017 ao
Amazing that Tsitsi has taken this to five. He didn’t play that badly in the first two sets, but it was some of the greatest HC tennis from Rafa in a while. Winners all over the place and barely any UE’s.
Nadal’s level only dropped slightly in the 3rd, which was kinda to be expected. Tsitsipas has stayed calm and worked his way into the points with his FH, pushing Nadal further back. As the match has gone on he’s worn the older guy down a bit.
Guys, give Rafa some credit, he hasn’t lost yet!
Thank you for saying it!
Hope stefanos tightens up serving to stay in the match… he has been serving lights out
Damn 0-15
Shit 0-30.. so many ufe rafa wtf
It is rafa who tightens up … shiit
Well a second AO is not meant to be for Rafa! Tsitsipas serves lights out to hold serve and he’s the better player in the fourth and fifth sets. Rafa has himself to blame for losing a winnable match!
Congrats to Tsitsipas, at least he’s a player whom I like.
ok, now he lost
That was some match. Tsitsipas exceeded my expectations but Rafa gave the match away in the 3rd set TB.
Damn it.. at the fo everything that has to go right no matter the circumstances go right for him.. at the ao everything that could go wrong go wrong.. cant believe he lost the match after being two sets to love up at a major against tsitsi..
What a performance from Tsitsipas. They obviously did their homework and knew he was a chance if he stayed calm and focused.
Well now he lost. I did not see the match until late in the fourth set. Rafa should have. Loses this out earlier.
The disappointment continues for Rafa at the AO.
After the TB Rafa level dropped and Tsitsipas level increased. Maybe Rafa is not meant to win the AO. You can’t have everything.
Rafa should have closed it out earlier!
Hope Tsitsipas has enough energy for the SF. He has a walkover in the previous round so maybe he will be ok physically.
I like Tsitsipas, hope he does well here after beating Rafa. Well done Tsitsipas; too bad for Rafa. Age is catching up with the big three, and they will be losing big matches like this more and more going forward.
Let’s see how the qualifier does against Djoko in the SF.
I am sure that Novak will beat that qualifier.
very disappointing…I did not see Rafa’s fighting spirit in this match..from the second set TB it was all on Tsitsi’s racquet…maybe Rafa just knew he stands no chance going forward and with his niggling injury it was not worth it fighting…however, I do not like seeing two different Rafa’s in one match…this was not our Rafa. Oh, well, maybe it’s just that he is getting old for those heartbreaking matches in which he would fight for every point…and all of the sudden Tsitsi seemed to be great server which he is NOT..it’s rafa who was not able to read his first serve and failed to return better…I can only imagine what Novak would do if Tsitsipas by any chance beats Medvedev…
” THIRD set tiebreaker…
Let’s be realistic. Nadal is not beating Tsitsipas, Meddy and Djokovic back-to-back at 34! QF or final doesn’t really matter if he’s not winning the tournament. This is better than a humiliating loss to Djokovic in the final and more doubts in his mind for the French Open.
Nah, had Rafa beat Tsitsipas in straight sets, he would have a good chance of beating Medvedev in the SF. Djoko isn’t impressive this AO, losing a set at least in each match from R2 onwards, so Rafa does have a good chance against Djoko should Rafa do well to win in straight sets in the QF at least.
Rafa has himself to blame, for missing a chance at the trophy when Djoko looks so vulnerable, and Rafa himself has a good chance of winning the QF in straight sets but ends up losing it!
I seriously think this is the last chance for Rafa to win the AO; next year the youngsters will be even harder to beat.
Rafa’s level in his QF was much higher than what we saw of Djokovic against Zverev simply pushing the ball. Zverev just didn’t take his many chances. He could have beaten Djokovic in 4 sets. That was a very boring match to watch.
Sorry luckystar, I completely disagree. Winning in straight sets or not, there’s no way Rafa was going to beat medvedev n djokovic back to back wit a back injury that he is still not 100% recovered from. Let’s be realistic. I was not expecting him to win this grandslam. It’s better he lost here (though the way he lost was terrible) than be pummeled by djoko should he survive medvedev.
Djokovic is NOT vulnerable, he always plays like crap before the final n then when he gets to the final, he plays his very best. It has been happening since forever except at the French open and we all know djoko is not injured so let’s call a spade a spade.
I hope medvedev wins this AO but djoko won’t let this opportunity pass him by like at the US open last year.
Thing is, unless Rafa plays brilliantly and wins quickly he doesn’t look like winning now because his physical stamina has gone down so much.
Rafa said he found it very difficult to be physically ready for RG and I thought it showed sometimes in the third set there. And this is at RG when he never had to play more than 3 sets.
Then look at how he was so exhausted in the third set against Med at the atp finals!
Rafa said that because of his age coupled with so many injuries it’s much more difficult for him if he has to
stop for any extended period of time. So the combination of quarantine here and then not practising because of his back was pretty inauspicious.
I doubt very much that he had the stamina to play Med then Nole given that there really is no way he was going to beat both of them in straights.
He can play brilliantly for limited periods of time but then he fades.
That’s natural with age. The length of your peak performance diminishes. Djokovic knows it, that’s why he was pushing for grand slams to be best of 3 sets.
Yes. I do think because of this people should cut Rafa some slack!
Plus he he was playing with a dodgy back…
He should probably miss the ATP Finals next time and carb-load as he did during the lockdown. The extra energy storage should get him through the whole event.
Rafa said his back was ok, so no he’s physically fit.
I couldn’t see the match. I did fear this would happen because Rafa’s fitness simply isn’t what it was. One aspect is age but the other is the layoff for lockdown. Rafa said he found it very difficult to get ready physically for RG and said that the combination of being older with the layoff was a very bad one for him.
I said to sanju yesterday I was worried about this especially because he looked tired a couple of times in the third set at RG. And then look how exhausted he seemed against Med in the third set at the atp finals.
Given all this and the time he had off recently not practising I thought he wasn’t going to win a long match, certainly not a five setter against a much younger guy.
Rafa is also now very poor at tbs in big matches. Sometimes losing them when up on the scoreline and making bizarre errors he never normally makes. This really has to be mental. In the past he used to be strong in tbs. He really really needs to talk this through with Carlos and find out what is going wrong and actually develop a strategy for them. Nole, who is excellent at tbs, says he plays them by forcing his opponents to play one more ball and putting the onus on them.
I don’t see any strategy with Rafa and he needs one. Reading your comments if he had played well in the 3rd set tb he would have won!
😠😠😠😠
I counted, from 2020 till now, Rafa had lost 9 TBs and won 8, that’s pretty poor, winning less than 50% of TBs played! He lost all three TBs to Thiem at AO last year, comparable to Fed vs Djoko at Wimbledon 2019!
He used to be very good at tbs! He really really needs to sort this problem out.
Will rafa recoup from this and add more to slam tally ? Losing ftom 2 sets up is pathetic. I kinda smelt this though not the way it happened . He played excellent till third set tb started . This match was like uso final 19..just that there rafa somehow gathered it in 5th and willed himself here he was clearly tired in 5th…
All I ask is somehow rafa to reach 22 slams..maybe 1 more rg n 1 more uso …need nothing more
Sanju, all the great ex players say it becomes harder not only physically but mentally as you get older. They say you become much more prone to lose focus and concentration. And then of course if you start getting tired you make more mistakes.
What I don’t like is the way Rafa is now constantly losing tbs. This does have to be mental as in nerves.
The more it happens the more it’s gonna happen and he has to get his problems sorted.
True that Rafa is getting older and physically he’ll be going downhill. Also, the youngsters are hitting their prime, so all the more tougher for the big three to win.
I feel that had it not for COVID 19, perhaps Rafa and Fed would have retired from professional tennis last year or this year. I believe they’re unwilling to quit now having to bid goodbye to an empty arena, so they’re hanging in there. Rafa mentioned about playing in the next couple of years, during FO last year, so perhaps he’s thinking of retiring in 2022.
I don’t think Rafa is ready to hang up his racquet for a few years yet. But yes, I don’t think he can last the way he used to, playing multiple 4 and 5 setters in a row. I feel badly about today’s loss but I didn’t think he’d get past Medvedev, and certainly once this match went to 5 sets, no chance. Lack of proper slam prep hurt pretty much everyone except possibly Medvedev.
Have we just witnessed the changing of the guard at last? Maybe, maybe not. I think Tsitsi will give Meddy some fight, but lose. I don’t think Meddy will be tired and I think he’ll win the final but who knows? This Aslan guy may give Tear Djerker some fight, but he will lose.
Federer will retire, this year or next year imo. He’ll want a shot at the Olympics if possible, and another shot or two at Wimbly if he’s fit.
Rafa may not win another hc or grass major, but he’ll still be good to go for RG for a few years yet, is my guess. I think he still relishes the challenges and he hasn’t lost his sense of humor. Joking about cramping memes in his presser! Only Rafa.
1 more rg n 1 more uso will make me happy .1 more uso will tie him with Fed at uso n he will be considered super successful at 2 slams
Yes he wasn’t going to win the AO with lack of prep
Rafa becoming no 3 in a way is good..he avoid Thiem till final always..may draw djoko in semi yes but thiem is also a big headache for Rafa
Bah, Rafa will be back to #2 by the time they draw for RG. I expect him to have a great clay court season this year!
Rafa did have the match on his racquet and two uncharacteristic overhead errors in set 3 tiebreak changed the match. Before that Rafa was dominating. Also conditions got cooler and the ball was bouncing less as the match went on. Kudos to Tsits to hold his nerve.
Looks like a nole med final.
So Tsitsipas or Medvedev for the final? Medvedev has overtaken Thiem as no.3 now; if he wins the title, he’ll replace Rafa as world no.2; not bad!
Medvedev even has a chance at number one if he plays and wins at Rotterdam or Dubai and Miami, and does better than R1 on clay at Rome, Madrid and RG! He’s kind of scary, because he serves well, and runs so well despite his height. He’s so quick and can get to so many balls, like Djoko! And, he’s gutsy like Djoko, willing to take risk or take his chances when he’s about to lose (that’s how he beat Rafa at WTF last year)!
We may see another Djoko like player dominating the tour after the big three. He has a good record vs Tsitsipas and can beat Thiem too, the other two most likely candidates for future no.1 position.
The drive wasn’t there. No way Rafa loses from 2-0 at RG, WImbledon or USO.
His head wants to win it but his heart just isn’t there.
That is such a stupid comment! Of course his heart is in it! Why would anyone be dumb enough to think otherwise? Rafa could be living in Mallorca, fishing on his beautiful yacht and enjoying his life. It is his heart and love of the sport that keeps him in it.
After he had another knee injury and had to pull out of IW two years ago, he said that he thought it might be time to pack it in. He was in a bad place. But he worked to recover from the injury and came back to win yet another RG. I think that was the year he also won the USO.
Anyone who would question Rafa’s heart has no clue who he is!
Make that your last comment directed at me. It’s very easy for me to stop posting here.
Anonymous whoever you are,
If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen! An old saying that I think is useful here. I could have chosen much harsher words. But I stand by what I said. Your comment showed that you know nothing about Rafa. Ignorant.
I would be caution you on threatening anyone here in any way. If you don’t like what I said or disagree, then make your point. But don’t act like a whiny baby.
I know plenty about Rafa which I already explained. His heart doesn’t want the ATP finals or AO otherwise he would’ve found a way to win it over the years. I stand by those comments. Sorry that you’re a sore loser and have to resort to abusing people that know more then you and you envy.
Anonymous,
You are wrong. Simple as that. Don’t go calling me a sore loser. I have dealt with tough losses by Rafa before. It’s not the end of the world. Nobody died. Considering what is going on in the world now, losing a tennis match is not a tragedy. I think you are the one who can’t handle losses. Don’t project your problems on me.
You don’t know more than anyone else on this site. So quit giving yourself airs. I don’t know you and I certainly don’t envy a person who would say Rafa’s heart isn’t in it or his heart doesn’t want it, nothing could be further from the truth.
I don’t envy people who are ignorant.
Anonymous,
You are wrong. Simple as that. Don’t go calling me a sore loser. I have dealt with tough losses by Rafa before. It’s not the end of the world. Nobody died. Considering what is going on in the world now, losing a tennis match is not a tragedy. I think you are the one who can’t handle losses. Don’t project your problems on me.
You don’t know more than anyone else on this site. So quit giving yourself airs. I don’t know you and I certainly don’t envy a person who would say Rafa’s heart isn’t in it or his heart doesn’t want it, nothing could be further from the truth.
I don’t envy people who are ignorant.
You are a sore loser because you lost which resulted in you abusing people and attempting to stifle free speech.
He has never won its tournament because his heart isn’t in it. Everything he has wanted to win he has won!
You just want to portray me as something I’m not because you’re trying to protect the interests of this site. You’re worried the other posters will want to listen to me than Ricky which is both sad and cunning. No wonder your country has so many problems.
I might go set up my own tennis prediction site that allows people to voice their opinion freely without these games and agendas going on in the background. It’s very deceitful to orchestrate this kind of tactical behaviour in private. Actually, i’d one step further and call it evil.
Wait. You think Nadal has NEVER won the Australian Open? He must assuredly has (2009), hence pundits waxing poetic about his career Golden Slam. He has won the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open, plus Olympic gold medals in singles and doubles.
What Cheryl said. Rafa’s semi and final AO win in 2009 (v. Verdasco and Federer) are among the most famous matches. Both close 5 setters. The semi with Verdasco was one of the longest and most brutal matches in tennis history, on a very hot night, every set going to either a tiebreak or 6-4, ending on a df by Verdasco with both players exhausted. The final v Federer featured four beautiful sets with Roger’s level dropping a bit in the 5th to finish at 6-2.
and I recommend you ask for clarification before abusing people. You never know you might learn something.
Well said, NNY! But Rafa made it clear that he has *never* thought about retiring. After his very disappointing injury at IW in 2019 he did find it very difficult to recuperate and recover form. In Barcelona, after his 2nd round match (lowest energy on court ever, he said) he thought seriously about taking some weeks off to let body and mind recuperate (this is in the middle of the clay season!) but he did not consider retiring! He spent hours alone in his room, thinking it over and finally decided that “semi finals” aren’t that bad a result and he’d keep working and give himself credit for even small improvements and said he woke up the next morning “full of energy”! It was semi finals again in Barca and Madrid but in Rome he had an amazing run to the title featuring bagel after bagel! Then he won RG v Thiem in an unbelievable 4 sets, won Rogers Cup and won the USO in an incredible USO final v Medvedev. Great decision!
Ramara,
I know that Rafa went to a very dark place after that knee injury. I thought that he considered retiring. However, you indicated that this is not the case. Then I stand corrected and happily so!
😀
What’s the excuse this time?
Let me guess- Rafa was injured 😂😂😂 ok that’s an old excuse let me try again maybe food poisoning or maybe Aliens abducted him last night and did something to him 😞😒😉 hmm interesting.
Rafa doesn’t need excuses at 34. Eventually, you are going to start losing to high quality younger players. Most of what he’s done will never be repeated.
Thanks for saying that anonymous. He has 20 slams afterall!
And he is nearly 35 after a life time of injuries!
Anonymous/Roger:)
Rafa is a class act, his fans here are sometimes cuckoo for puffs.
Learn to read and reason sensibly.
Ricky, Stanley/ haha is back under yet another name.( See above).
Everyone on site would like him banned from here as he is universally loathed.
His new name is Rickyisadumb@££
Hello Amy, sweetie:) how are you doing 😂😂😂 hope all is good.
Banned? 😂 more like I rarely visit this site or comment this is 2nd/3rd time I visited this year.
Hope you have changed for the better you really need to xoxo😘
https://youtu.be/oVaW7srbxNI
Rafa balanced as usual.. saying he does not feel AO is cursed for him.. he got as much as he deserved at this tourney
Pure class
You’re right. Rafa is always a very classy gentleman who has a very good head on his shoulders in addition to his racquet and court coverage abilities. I always find his losing press conferences a great source of comfort. Maybe because Rafa is well on his way to winning Life. He knows the secret to happiness isn’t what you get out of life. It’s what you put into it. Rafa’s very proud of his career (on and off the court) and he’ll continue to be proud of it even if he never wins another match.
Condolences to Rafa fans. I thought his level for the first 3 sets (until the TB) was as good as I’ve ever seen it on a HC, comparable to USO swing in 2017. He should have won in the TB; how did he miss those overheads? He never misses those. But credit to Stefanos for playing brilliantly the last three sets. Just a great tennis match.
Thanks for the condolences joe!….and i agree with everythings u said…
Insyaallah Rafa will rise from this bad losses again.. he always did..
Agree. Well said.
Its a shocker of a result when Rafa should have won in three . Wilander was spot on in his prediction .I didnt see the whole match yet , but sounds like Rafa just ran out of steam . Im happy that an attacking player like Tsitsi can beat Nadal on this fast court ,but I do sympathise with the disappointment of his fans .
Earlier on,I felt that when Ash Barty lost from a set and break up.
I heard about Ash Barty. I did not see that match, but I read about it. Very unfortunate for her.
Thanks to you and Joe for your kind words. I am very aware that losing a tennis match by my favorite player is disappointing, but in the grand scheme of things it’s not the end of the world.
Reading Rafa’s words also helps to put it in perspective.
Rafa was gracious as ever when in defeat. He has won so much already so he’s thankful for everything. I’m calm with Rafa and his losses now after he won his number 20 slam. Of course there will be some regrets but life is such.
I’m happy for Tsitsipas, I mean how would he feel after battling back from two sets down and still lost it in five (think about his match vs Stan at the FO one year where he lost narrowly in five sets and also his recent five sets SF loss to Djoko at the FO last year!) . He would be terribly upset that he once again lost it in five sets after battling hard to make a comeback.
I do feel it’s Medvedev’s time now to get a slam, as I feel only a top form Djoko (and Rafa) could stop him but Rafa is out now and Djoko isn’t in top form. Tsitsipas I feel is not ready to beat this Medvedev, who’s in the form of his life now about to hit his peak, and who’s now in a 19 match winning streak, all on the HCs.