Rafael Nadal triumphs at the U.S. Open by holding off Novak Djokovic for a four-set win on Monday. Despite not playing the Australian Open at the beginning of 2013, Nadal will finish the season with two Grand Slam titles.
Rafael Nadal captured his second U.S. Open title by defeating Novak Djokovic 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 on Monday night. Nadal survived a wild, back-and-forth second set en route to victory after three hours and 21 minutes.
The world No. 1 found his range in set two, firing 15 winners–more than double Nadal’s total. Djokovic missed two break-point opportunities at 1-0, but he really sank his teeth into the match when he finally broke Nadal at 3-2.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdjNghcCNPU]
It hardly mattered when Djokovic donated his own serve one game later, because arguably the best returner in tennis was in rare form even by his standards. Nadal had been broken only once in the entire tournament prior to the final, but he lost his serve three times to Djokovic. All three breaks came in succession: at 2-3, 3-4, and again in the first game of the third set.
The third, however, ultimately provided some of the most tense drama of the tennis year. Nadal fought off one break point at 0-2 to stay within striking distance before getting the break back at 2-3. That set the stage for the turning point of the match–Nadal’s service game at 4-4. The second-ranked Spaniard dug out of a 0-40 hole, saving break points with a forehand winner, a netted Djokovic forehand, and an ace. Nadal promptly broke one game later to steal the set from just about out of nowhere, clinching it with a heavy forehand.
Perhaps stunned by the quick turn of events, Djokovic could not recover for the fourth. New York’s top seed watched a Nadal forehand fly past him on break point at 0-1 and from there it was all over. Nadal made only three unforced errors in set four and lost a mere three points in his last three service games. He capitalized on his first championship point at 5-1, 40-15 when a Djokovic forehand caught the tape.
It is Nadal’s second U.S. Open title and first since 2010. The former and likely soon-to-be world No. 1 now owns 13 Grand Slam titles, trailing only Roger Federer (17) and Pete Sampras (14). Djokovic, meanwhile, is now 6-6 lifetime in major finals.
last game of the match:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYvlQnJW32g]
Reblogged this on Tennis Abides.
Like I said, Rafa on 4… OMG im soooo happy!! hahaha 😉
OH MY GOD! VAMOOOOOOS! congrat to all his fans 🙂
Rafael Nadal has beaten Novak Djokovic 6 of the 7 times in their recent meetings. Rafael Nadal was unbeaten on HC in 2013 going into the US Open. Rafael Nadal had beaten Djokovic in Montreal, on a fast HC. Coming into the USOpen, it was obvious to any tennis observer that Djokovic’s money shot, the DHBH, had not been clicking for some time. To top it off, Djokovic gets taken to 5-sets by Stan Wawrinka, a player who has yet to take a set off Rafael Nadal, on any surface, in his career.
How then can anyone justify picking Novak Djokovic? It just doesn’t make sense to me.
probably because only a few of those factors are relevant.
and it leaves out plenty of info about Djoker.
Pray tell Ricky, which factors clinched it for you to pick Djokovic? You were not eh only one, mind, Tignor also picked Djokovic. I realise that predictions are just that, predictions, but Iike to see logic behind them, even if they turn out to be wrong or right.
Here’s what I think: you picked Djokovic on the basis of his 2011 performance i.e. history. You also discounted Rafa on the basis of his historical HC performance. Why didn’t you factor in the recent past and present? In my opinion, their respective performances in the recent past and present deserved a bigger weighting than the past past. After all, tennis is about “what have you done for me lately”, no?
Not saying history does not count, just saying attach a smaller weight to it relative to the present and recent past.
Okay, you say I left out plenty of info about Djokovic, am interested to know what that is. In the meantime, how about this gem from Juan Jose at changeovertennis.com (a Djokovic fan btw), musings after the final:
“it finally dawned on me what’s been happening in the past two years. It’s not really all that surprising or complicated: Novak Djokovic has plateaued. And that plateau might be turning into a downward slope at the moment. Djokovic didn’t seem to learn the key lesson from the Federer-Nadal years: that you have to keep improving all the time, particularly when you reach the top. You can’t relax in professional tennis. Or you can, but then things won’t go as well as you’d like.”
What this quote says is this: a lot of pundits and Djokovic fans have been frozen in time, refusing to move on and accept the obvious: Djokovic 2013 is not Djokovic 2011. This can be the only explanation to continually favouring him over Rafa in spite of the stats.
Ricky, such as?
In a pre-final post, I mentioned that this final was a game-changer for both Rafa and Novak. Bodo agrees. I must say, this is one of the best pieces I have ever seen from Bodo, and I have never been a fan of his:
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/09/rafael-nadal-novak-djokovic-2013-us-open-final-bodo/49118/#.Ui62iD9RCDc
“Destiny beckoned to each man in the U.S. Open final, but only one answered the call with the full commitment of his being. As Rafael Nadal rushed headlong to embrace fate, Novak Djokovic seemed to resist it. At first, the Serb couldn’t find his inspiration; later, he couldn’t sustain it. As a result, Nadal drilled his way deeper in the record books with a triumph that might stand as a career-defining moment—a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 result that resonated with significance.
This one was for the title of player of the year, ATP rankings be danged, as the men entered the tournament with one Grand Slam win apiece. Nadal stole out of the semis at Roland Garros with a 9-7 in-the-fifth win, boosting his overall record against Djokovic to 20-15, but Djokovic had a big lead on hard courts, 11-6.
This was also Nadal’s bid to bag a 13th major title, and it had the complexion of a game-changer when it comes to his legacy. At 27, Nadal is now just four major titles behind his original rival, Roger Federer. Given his undiminished prowess at Roland Garros (eight titles in nine tries). . . well, you do the math. “
At the beginning of the year, Rafa haters were hanging on for dear life to the fact that Rafa had not won a h/c title since 2010; his wins this year would dry up after the clay season as usual, they claimed. They have nowhere to go now. Rafa has spectacularly shut them all up.
Rafa haters also kept on and on about how close Nole came to winning the FO, but for netgate. This time Nole was comprehensively beaten with a hot gluten packed breadstick in the final set.
#Vamos Rafa
And people were going on and on about how Djokovic comes up with brave shots at crucial points in a match. How about that forehand by Rafa at 4/4 in the 3rd set, down 0-40 on his serve? And the ace to bring the game to deuce, his fastest serve at 125mph?
Hot gluten packed breadstick. Brilliant.
It was what we hoped for. Rafa to pull off an unequivocal win in a battle against Djokovic in a Slam on HC. Still trying to take it in 🙂
Chapeau to all those who predicted a four set triumph.
I was steeled for a five-setter decided on one or two points: in a month of Sundays I would never have dreamt Rafa could dish out a bagel to Nole in a Slam final.
Meant to say breadstick of course.
No Clayqueen, they havent. Some of you must visit the ATP facebook blogs and see for yourselves!!! Its a mine field out there!!!!
RT @andy_murray: “Rafael Nadal Perera… Legend”
Rafa is AMAZING 🙂 Commiserations to Nole fans.
Felling kinda blue, cos this time last year…..:(
It was gutsy of you to even watch. But there is a silver lining in every cloud. The Joker bubble has burst and the Federer light has dimmed. Andy’s time will come again.
Exactly Deuce, like Ed said, you dont think Andy will remain mute next season, will you?! He sure will try to spoil things for Rafa and Novak fans!!!
So looking forward to 2014……..yes already……lol!!!
clayqeeen ‘September 10, 2013 at 6:35 am ‘
‘with a hot gluten packed breadstick in the final set’
That’s got to be one of your best ones, lol !
Shame on me!!!! I went to bed after Rafa lost the 2nd set!!!!
Sooooo glad that he won it!!!
Vamos Rafa
What do you know, the ‘king of clay’ has beaten everybody he’s played this year in HC – Not a single defeat this year in HC, beating the ‘Nr. 1 (not for very long)’ player twice.
Surely, it must be a fluke.
I’m loving it!!
VAMOS RAFA!!!!!!
(commies to Djoko fans btw – that’s the beauty of sport, one day one man is up the next he’s down)
Soooooo happyyyyyyyy, and please , stop going on about whether Rafa will overtake Fed in Slams… I frankly don’t give a toss
Oh , and Deucy, no worries mate. Andy has got some Slams in him yet, that’s for sure 🙂
Well, I agree with experts picking Djokovic to win. The way he played in set 2 and most of set 3 was amazing. As rafa said, when he plays at that level, nobody can beat him.
This coming form the horse’s mouth.
I think Rafa’s fighting spirit was what willed him win to the 3rd set. Overall, Djokovic played better than Rafa in the 3rd set, yet Rafa won out of nowhere. Djokovic hit 17 winners in the 3rd set alone, rafa only 6. Djokovic had the better serving stats too. The DIFFERENCE was the timing of rafa’s 6 winners. 4 if them hit after 4-4 0:40 down. Had Djokovic won the 3rd set, he would have most probably won the match.
4th set was just a formality. The inexplicable loss in the 3rd set broke Djokovic’s will. Rafa gained a lot of confidence and starting hitting back FEARHANDS, big serves in the 4th. Then he was unstoppable
atul, you should be on the Nole fan site.
Except it’s a best of 3 out of 5. Which means, to win, Djokovic needed to sustain that “unbeatable” level for 5 sets. He did not, he could not…….that’s why he lost. Experts are supposed to base their picks on the probability of winning, not sporadic patches of brilliance. There are no prizes for brilliance, only for winning.
I absolutely agree with Rafa’s sentiments, that is why 2011 was Djokovic’s year. In 2011 he could sustain that brilliance over 5 sets, of late he can’t.
It was okay to pick Nole, since their last two matches were incredibly close, and there was still Novak’s edge over Rafa on hard court. Before the match I couldn’t make up my mind. My heart told me, Rafa should win, my brain told me, he could win, but my gut told me, Nole might pull a Houdini again. Even if 2011 is history, it’s still lodged in our minds. Instead of Nole, it was Rafa, who pulled the Houdini in the third set. Like at the FO, Rafa out-houdinied Nole, which is a surprising development in their ongoing rivalry. I disagree by the way with the notion, that Rafa would’ve lost the match, should he have lost the third set. He certainly would not have given up, and would’ve fought teeth and nails for the trophy. Rafa knows from bitter experience, that the tide can turn quickly because of injury or the rise of old and new opponents, and he has to grab the opportunities, when they present themselves.
@littlefoot, if you had followed my posts before the final you would have seen that I was like you, I could not decisively call the match either way for the exact reason you put forward, that the win/loss margins between the 2 are very small, with their recent close matches as evidence. It is one thing to seat on the fence (like you and I did) it is quite another to decisively pick Novak (or Rafa for the matter) don’t you think?
My opinion, a lot of factors go into making a pick: history on the surface, whether past encounters are blowouts or decided on margins etc. but the most important factor, which should carry the higher weight, is WHO has won most of those marginal encounters and how recent were those wins? Taking all this into account, I had a hard time justifying a Novak pick. Because Rafa beat Novak as recently as Montreal, because Novak was having a hard time winning on his favorite surface (IW, Montreal, Cincinnati), I would have given the picks to Rafa by a nose.
Look, this is an academic discussion, which I find interesting btw! If Novak had won, I wouldn’t be nit picking like I am now!
Cheers.
If you watch the FO Semi it’s clear that it was not incredibly close. Rafa was the front runner and even served for the match in the 4th set. He got broken in the first game of the 5th, probably because he was smarting from not closing the match when he served for it. He came close to breaking Nole again before netgate and then broke Nole to love to win the match.
As for netgate, if Nole hadn’t stupidly argued that he should have been given the point no one would have given it another thought. He had to run at break neck speed to make the shot that’s why he ran into the net. He could not have made that shot without touching the net.
clayqueen@September 10, 2013 at 6:35 am
—At the beginning of the year, Rafa haters were hanging….They have nowhere to go now. Rafa has spectacularly shut them all up—
Rafa’s racket has done the talking.
Vamos tennis virtuoso Rafa!
Augusta, carrying you numbers theme:
Rafa won his 60th match this year to win his 60th career title.
Nice!!!!
Clayqueen – Thanks for your concern, but I dont need your advice as to which site I should be in.
correct. we need other fanbases here to foster discussion.
atul,
Just ignore it. You have every right to be here. I want some diversity of opinion here, otherwise it’s just a fan site. We need different points of view. I have no problem with anyone trying to make their case as long as they are reasonable and don’t personally attack anyone.
I respect your opinion, even if I may not agree with it.
Thanks NNY, appreciate it!
RITB, agree.
However, I am trying to reason that experts prediction were not totally misplaced given the way the match played out. Could have very easily gone either way.
This victory was authored in Rafa’s defeat at Oz 2012. I wish TT was still on and I could delve through its archives for a conversation I, luckystar and nadline had after that defeat by Djokovic. Rafa came out and said he had turned a corner in that defeat, that although he lost to Djokovic in that close 5 setter, he now knew what he had to do to beat him, and that he was happy with his play. A lot of people took this as his way of coping with a painful defeat. Nadline and I agreed with his assessment, that it was a good defeat. Luckystar disagreed. She had a hard time seeing the positives from that defeat. We had a good and spirited argument on the matter. I wish luckystar was around, I would love to hear if she still held that view.
In his post US Open 2013 win Rafa repeated what he said post that Oz Open defeat: that Australia 2012 is where he figured out what he needed to do to beat Novak. And so it came to pass, he has only lost 1 match to Novak since Oz 2012.
I am relating this because there is a narrative out there, driven by some Fedfans, that Rafa is deceitful, that he is not honest in his pressers. It is a pity that hate can blind you to the obvious: if you care to listen, Rafa always tells the truth, and there is a lot one can glean from his pressers.
Absolutely agree with you, RITB. I kept saying 2012, that Nole had NOT crushed Rafa’s spirit at the OZ final. I said, he struck the fear of all tennis deities into Nole. He sent the message: “I’m not planning to go anywhere, and this is, what it takes to beat me”. If you look back, Nole has never been quite the same since. This fact was just obscured a bit by Rafa’s lengthy injury timeout.
ritb,
I was part of that conversation. I was one who believed that out of the ashes of that painful defeat, Rafa found the answer to how to beat Djoker. It’s true that some thought he was trying to rationalize his seventh defeat, but I knew that was not the case. He came back from being down two sets to one and evened it up in the fourth set. Then he was actually up a break in that fifth set, two games from victory. He missed a dtl backhand shot that would have given him game point on his serve. He lost his serve and then Djoker held on for the win.
Then we saw Rafa beat Djoker at MC, Rome and RG. He had turned the corner and has never looked back.
Thanks, @nny, glad you remembered! I guess the reason I “forgot” you were part of that conversation is because you, unlike some of us, state your case in a quiet, but effective, manner!
OMG, is it quiet over on THAT blog? Rafa sure knows how to shut the hater trolls up! Am loving it…….
@Ed and Shireling
Thanks…..through my tears….
@clayqueen
We need more fans of different players on here.Difference of opinion is good when it is expressed in a civilised manner,
Where are you Andy Murray fans?
Totally agree @deucy. I wish all the ex-TT Nole, Fed and Muzza fans would come over. For the same reason, I hope Fed regains his mojo quickly so that we have balance in the top 4!
yep
deucy,
Here, here! That is what I miss here right now. I want fans of other players here. We had that on TT. It’s important to have a lively discussion with people contributing different points of view. I just don’t want to have the nasty personal attacks from the trolls who plagued TT.
I bet every tennis coach will make their charges watch that match over and over to learn how to turn a match round when all seems lost.
Nobody can do it like Rafa does it. Djokovic was on his way to a win but came up short in the critical moments.
IMO his fatal mistake was the OTT celebration when he won the 57 stroke rally. He carried on as if he’d won the tournament and that got up Rafa’s nose.
He should know by now a wounded bull is much more dangerous.
ed,
Reading Rafa’s presser last night, he was asked about that 54 shot rally. He just knew that it was one point and he had to move on to the next one. When you read Rafa’s words and see how he approaches playing in slam finals, then you realize why he has been so successful. He can move on after a point doesn’t go his way. He knows that there is more work to be done.
I don’t think Djoker celebrating bothered Rafa. He seems to be so focused on what he has to do. Besides, Djoker always does this in matches. He did it after he won the second set. Rafa just was not going to lose that match.
players on Twitter – https://tenngrand.com/2013/09/10/players-react-on-twitter-to-the-nadal-vs-djokovic-u-s-open-final/
@rafaisthebest 10.32, I completely agree with you. Most recent statistics were in Rafa’s favour. I was just making the point, that it wasn’t totally outlandish to pick Nole. I guess, Ricky likes to make strong statements, beause it sparks discussios, lol! And isn’t it great, that we are today in the position to nitpick with him, btw? :)) Do you agree with me, that it would NOT necessarily been over, if Rafa had lost the third?
We “know” each other btw. I post as “oldfanoftheblog” at QR’s site, but that moniker would not have been appropriate here. Looking forward to more great discussions. 🙂
Welcome, @OFOTB! It is so nice to have this cross-pollination! I always enjoy your contribution on QR’s site, and I know my fellow Rafans on Tenngrand will enjoy you as much as I do.
I will be honest, I stayed up to watch the match and bailed out after the first game…..I am a coward! Because of the way recent encounters have gone, I fully expected a 5-setter and I did not have to stomach for it. I woke up in the middle of the night to check the scores, only then did I have the nerve to watch the match recording!
My watching a recording, fully knowing the result, coloured my take on the match, I think. A lot of analysts said Rafa was “lost in the 2nd set and 1st half of the 3rd set. That is not what I saw. I saw a Rafa who was being bullied around in the 2nd set but who NEVER GAVE UP. Instead, I saw a Novak who became complacent in the 3rd set, Rafa capitalised and the rest is history. I agree with ed2537, that 57-stroke rally gave Novak false comfort. He thought he had Rafa on the backfoot, relaxed his intensity and boom!
Thanks for the welcome. I enjoy your contributions, too 🙂 .
I staid up, because I had work to do, but I bailed out, too, lol! Ihave a hell of respect for the Djoker, and 2011 was a bit traumatizing for rafafans. When I had the courage to take a peak at the score, Rafa was down 0/2 in the third, having lost the second. Not exactly, what I needed to see. Yet, strangely, I felt confident, that he might still be able to win in four. His matches against Nole this year have shown, that an early break meant not much, when those two were going at each other.Still, I was very nervous, when I checked google news, which featured the headline “Djokovic wins -insert punch in the stomach here- against Wawrinka and makes the final”, lol! Well, it was night time in Germany, and they were lagging a bit behind. But that made the good news eben better! So far I’ve seen only a few clips. Will enjoy the complete match at leasure tonight.
Have you watched the post match interviews? Goodness knows how players (particularly after a final) have the patience to cope with the same old questions over and over again
Lovely moment when a woman put a question to Rafa about what changes he had made to his HC game and he gently said as he always does when this happens: ‘I’ve already answered that question’.
Djokovic was understandably very subdued but frank with his answers. The only response I questioned was when he said ‘I played well throughout this tournament’.
Really? ?
I dont know about other people but, leaving aside the stunning end result, on the whole I was disappointed in the quality of this final. Apart from a few fierce rallies, It did not live up to the hype. Same applied to several highly anticipated matches in earlier rounds.
Ricky, where is the congratulations to Rafa for winning the USO in your logo? Why did Andy get one but not Rafa?
Hahaha! Don’t let him off the hook, @clayqueen!
I think a great number of Rafa fans hid behind the sofa in the 2nd and 3rd sets!!! I switched the channel and went off to feed the dogs!!! The tension was just killing me and I was just thinking, my God Rafa, not AO12 all over again……….lol!!!
lol ritb,
I bailed out after Rafa lost his serve for the 1st time in set 2 and made the decision to think about something else other than the match in order not to wake up in the middle of the night to check the scores.
I didn’t even check at home cause my son is fiercer than Rafa about his cartoons, didn’t dare change channels.. so I only checked at work… those few seconds between clicking on the link and the loading of the page were as long that 54 shot point…
We’re just big wusses , lol
Spain’s Queen Sofia watched the match and hugged Rafa – King of Clay – after his victory in a “new territory”:
http://rafaelnadalfans.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/queen-sofia.jpg?w=700&h=
http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Queen+Sophia+US+Open+Day+15+r8cfAMTw-b1l.jpg
http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Queen+Sophia+US+Open+Day+15+gJthqKVf9r9l.jpg
It’s not the first time the Queen came to see Rafa. She has watched the French Open final also (before he became Rafa VIII of Roland Garros).
Listen to Novak’s new coach, Fibak, gushing about Rafa’s turning around that deficit in the third set and winning it:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20130910/rafael-nadal-novak-djokovic-us-open-final/?sct=tn_t11_a1
” Because even when the hole got even deeper, he kept hitting out. Djokovic still had Nadal on his heels then; another awkward point later, and he was facing 0-40 and the prospect that Djokovic would soon be serving for a 2-1 lead. And that’s when Nadal reversed things, fast. A forehand winner here, a 125-mph ace there, an overhead smash to finish things off, and suddenly the 25,000 whipsawed fans at Ashe were all with him and Djokovic was looking dazed and there was Nadal throwing a fist at his box, holding onto a 5-4 lead. Djokovic responded by going up 30-0? Nadal put him back on his heels, ran down every ball to win the next three rallies — and pulled off the crime of the tournament.
“How in the world did he win that set?” John McEnroe said on CBS. “That’s stealing.”
Worse. It was competitive murder.
“That’s where I think Djoko lost his heart,” Fibak said. “He lost his belief that he can beat Rafael on the day like this, in New York. Rafael just believes. His courage to produce the biggest shots, the most risky shots, like his forehand down the line? How many great cross-courts did Djokovic hit and then he has practically no time? How many times? Novak was in disbelief. He saw and couldn’t believe: One, two, three, four, five, six, ten times, the biggest points…”
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20130910/rafael-nadal-novak-djokovic-us-open-final/#ixzz2eUcvReqr
I wonder if Fibak will get his consultancy fee or maybe it was a No Win, No Fee agreement ?
Spain’s Queen Sofia watched the match and hugged Rafa – King of Clay – after his victory in a “new territory”:
http://rafaelnadalfans.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/queen-sofia.jpg?w=700&h=
(I put 3 links into separate comments – it seems that a post containing multiple links won’t go through)
http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Queen+Sophia+US+Open+Day+15+r8cfAMTw-b1l.jpg
http://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Queen+Sophia+US+Open+Day+15+gJthqKVf9r9l.jpg
It’s not the first time the Queen came to see Rafa. She has watched the French Open final also (before he became Rafa VIII of Roland Garros).
I’ll give Ricky some slack. He is probably in bed now and will do it in his own time.
he’s no doubt getting his logo. don’t worry!
I love Rafa the VIII of Roland Garros.
ask and you shall receive!
Thank you, Ricky!
Thought you might like this. (it’s in Spanish but self-explanatory
http://www.elmundo.es/albumes/2013/09/10/13grandes/index.html
OH, just noticed the red and yellow logo, nice one Ricky 🙂
thanks.
I know I am late for the celebration but better late than never. What a great feat that Rafa just did:
– Clay Slam
– Summer hardcourt sweep
– 13th GS and counting.
– streak of 22 matches on hard courts (his supposed weak surface)
– just 120 points behind Nole to get back again to the top spot.
– Leader at YE #1 race.
Hope he’ll win one at least of the last 3 important events (Shanghai, Paris & O2) to seal his Number 1 Ranking for 2013.
Hope he maintains hew new found aggressive game from here forward.
whooooohooo Fist pump around the world and once again huge congrats Rafa and of course HIGH 5 to all my fellow Rafans.
Raindrops@September 10, 2013 at 2:53 pm
Correction: ‘Clay Slam’ -> ‘the American Summer Slam’.
Yeah, Rafa is 120 points behind Djokovic, but actually he has earned 150 points more than counted in the rankings. Due to penalties (0-points) for not playing enough ATP-500 tournaments last year, the points earned in Vina del Mar are not counted. (They will be counted after penalties expire in October).
But, meanwhile Djoko can earn points in the Davis Cup SF this week (70 points for a victory in singles).
Rafa is also playing DC this weekend.
Rafa is also playing Beijing before Shanghai where Djoko is defending 500 points.
clayqueen@September 10, 2013 at 5:49 pm
Spain & Ukraine will meet in ‘Play-off Round’, where players earn ONLY 5 points for a victory in singles.
clayqueen@September 10, 2013 at 5:55 pm
Yes, Rafa has a chance to get to No.1 in Beijing.
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/09/nadal-loss-i-found-way-beat-djokovic/49123/#.Ui8_zT9RCDc
“The second-ranked Spaniard said winning the third-set tiebreaker in the 2011 U.S. Open final gave him hope there was a way to play Djokovic and his loss in the 2012 Australian Open final gave him the confidence he could beat his rival.
“I had to wait a little bit increase my level again and for him to lose a little confidence in his game. In Australia I felt like I had changed the dynamic against him even though I lost. After that I felt I had found a way to beat him.”
It was an amzing experience for me. What more does a Rafa fan want, watching Rafa Djoko live with Rafa coming out on top. I was extremely tense during sets 2 and 3, especially when Rafa took that tumble. But once he won set 3, I was sure the match was in the bag. This is eerily similar to how Djoko defeated Rafa in 2011, also 6-1 in the 4th. Somehow Rafa seems to be ticking each match off that he lost during the 7 match streak. Miami 2011 avenged at Toronto, Ao 2012 avenged at FO and USO 2011 here. How I would love a Wimby rematch 😀
But anyway, the way the ball moves owing to external elements is something that one can only witness while watching live. Rafa was whacking his backhands hard yesterday, and I loved his celebration at the end of set 3. I am so glad, I decided to stay back for the final though I had to cite ill health at work 😀
good decision!
Many congrats to rafa and all his loyal fans. have to say I never doubted rafa would be back playing at this level again. as a muzz fan I cringed when I started hearing people talk about nole-muzz being the new rivalry, I thought, gee, have folks got short memories or what – rafa’s only having another temporary injury time out which, as everyone ought to know, he has from time to time. but the guy’s only 1 (ONE) year older than nole and muzz! roger’s slam record very seriously under threat no … even if rafa were only to show up for the clay season for the next four years!
And this wasn’t an off performance by nole either … in set 2 and the beginning of set 3 he was playing his spellbindingly brilliant best … but still not enough as rafa, knees unbandaged at the end of a huge year, just didn’t know how to lie down and get beaten by brilliance!
Olé, rafans ! Your man is back!
alex, yes it always amazes (and annoys) me when everyone tries to project what will definitely happen in tennis based on recent events, especially with regards to writing off tennis players.
“I’m in awe,” Boris Becker said Monday. “I can’t believe the attitude he brings to the court. He loves to be out there for three, four hours a day. He loves to be in difficult situations. He loves to be down and out. It comes from love. Amazing.”
“I don’t think anybody’s played the game with the same kind of positive energy and emotion,” Wilander said. “No one. Not even Lleyton Hewitt and not Jimmy Connors. Even though they are the great fighters, apart from Nadal, they’re not as positive as Nadal. He is always positive. He’s just a new breed. We’ve never seen anything like him.”
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20130910/rafael-nadal-novak-djokovic-us-open-final/#ixzz2eVYT7xZi
epic
I love how all these people who have been worshiping Federer for years are finally giving Rafa his due. There are some great comments on the NY Times site too.
GOAT discussions all over the web once again…got to love it.
Notice who’s driving these GOAT debates? Fedfans. Most Rafans prefer to just stay in the moment, like Rafa. Maybe this makes me a sadist but I am enjoying the collective angst Rafa’s success is generating in the rabid wing of Fedfanland!
Anyone else get the feeling the final had “Novak-Rafa pre-2011” written all over it? I mean, the matches start out slow with Rafa in control, then Novak responds red-lining his game for a set and a half, with success, before dropping off and Rafa winning. Not saying we are back to the pre 2011 dynamic but their next confrontation will be interesting to see if this indeed is the case. I remember Rafa saying, during 2011, that Novak cannot sustain those high levels forever, that he will “come down to earth”. Well, if he has, it sure took him a looooooong and fruitful time to!
Rafa’s comments in his presser regarding the ebbs and flows of his matches with Djoker, were great to read. He really understands the dynamic between them when they play. He was asked how he felt after winning the first set. He said that he played very well, but when he sat down after the set he knew that Djoker would start playing better and he had to be ready. That’s exactly what happened!
Rafa also said that neither one of them can sustain their highest level of play over the length of their slam matches. There are ups and downs. We have seen that in the 2012 AO, the 2013 RG and once again in the 2013 USO. Djoker did start playing much better in that second set and I could sense him inexorably taking command as the set went on. He started the third set with real momentum and got the early break. But Rafa just stayed in the game by not getting broken again. That’s what he said he needed to do – stay close enough to Djoker to have his chances. Then Rafa broke back to even it up 3-3. So he was back in the set. Then they battled until Rafa was down 0-40 at 4-4. That’s when Rafa came up with the goods to fight off three break points. I can still see him in my mind, pumping his fist and shaking his head defiantly and walking with such purpose and intent in between those break points. I will always remember those moments.
This time Rafa just took the momentum away from Djoker. He just ripped it out of his hands. He didn’t get broken and then went for it on Djoker’s serve. The rest, as they say, is history!
Rafa knew that he was not out of this match. He understood that in a best of five match, he could just stay in the game and let Djoker play his best, but that he would have his chance. When he got that chance, he just took it and ran with it.
I love Rafa’s fundamental understanding of what happens when he plays Djoker. The one reason I thought that Rafa would beat him here this time, was because I believe that Rafa was playing better and most important of all, was the mentally stronger player. Rafa had the belief and the confidence when he needed it most. Djoker did not. To see Djoker just kind of give up in that fourth set, made me realize that maybe there is a sea change here in their rivalry. I am not saying that Rafa will win every time they meet. I am not saying that it will be any easier. But this time Rafa broke Djoker mentally. It seemed to be the other way around when Rafa lost seven straight times to him, but even in the midst of all those defeats, Rafa never seemed to lose hope that he would find a way.
i was busy so could not post much after the final…now time to get up to date 😉
First of all, even though RITB made some really strong points for her case, I agree with ATUL to a very good extent ! It was very much OKAY to pick djokovic as the winner so Ricky’s pick wasn’t outlandish in my view.
NNY, ahh, great posts ! I am in full agreement with your assessment ! The biggest and most important take away from this match is how rafa subjugated nole and slowly wore him down mentally..
MANY thanks to AUGUSTA08 and RITB for their valuable contributions ! keep those stats,tweets and updates coming ! You make this place so much more informative ..highly appreciated
and yes, PLEASE , more fans of other players is MUCH NEEDED
Thanks @vamosrafa! Yes, agree, this really is developing into a nice hangout. I have a feeling once Fed nd Nole rediscover their mojo, their fans will feel more inclined to join in. I don’t think Ricky picking Novak was outlandish at all. If anything, he has been pretty consistent in that respect! I guess I just did not see beyond the HC H2H as the rationale for the pick, thought this was too narrow a justification.
Having said that, please, please Ricky, do not pick Rafa in their next meeting, mm-kay?
#comfortblanket
hahaha, you are a funny poster too,RITB 🙂
Ed, i am glad you put this up ! I totally agree that the quality of the final was not good. I am shocked to read experts and legends saying it was out of this world tennis and becker saying he has never seen anything like this LOL…i thought rafa can play much much better and aggressive than this… the backhand was pretty average, forehand was up and down, serve was NOT as precise and accurate as it has been of late and ROS was to be honest below par….
Rafa was not making errors though, he was like a solid wall ! above all, he competed extremely well and hell bent to win
Vamosrafa, I agree: Rafa had fine moments and played a wonderful first set, but the overall quality of the match is hyped up. Technically Rafa can play much better, as he showed us many times this summer. But his fighting spirit was A plus. In that third set, he out-houdinied the Djoker. And there was no luck involved, when he killed those breakpoints one by one with outstanding and gutsy shots, pulling out the single ace, he had in the match.Small wonder, the Djoker was mentally finished after the third set. I guess, people have that in mind, when they rate this match so highly. But there were many longish rallyes, where I thought ‘Dudes, you could’ve ended this much earlier’. This was true for both guys, btw. I wonder, if the wind had something to do with it, if they didn’t want to risk too much because of the swirl.
Becker is a walking hyperbole 🙂 . Though he is the best and most charismatic player, Germany has ever had, we don’t put much stock in his blurbs. He says, whatever people in front of him want to hear.Before the tourny, he told an Englsh newspaper, Andy would defend his title, and they lapped it up like vanlla icecream. When he speaks German, we take him even less serious, because he has this funny southern German accent, which makes people laugh, even if the issue is dead serious. Politician from that area pay a lot of money to get ridd of that accent, lol!
But @littlefoot, Becker is not the only pundit who says whatever the target audience wants to hear. Exhibit A, Mats wilander. He came out as recently as just before Muzza’s ouster by Wawa at The Open saying Muzza was the best player in the world at the moment. Guess who he was speaking to? A British online publication, thetennisspace.com. They all do it.
On a separate note, Rafa means business. Look at him taking a pop at Fed:
“Strangling the language as he had Djokovic’s resolve, the quiet man from Mallorca said, in effect, it is easier to beat Federer than Djokovic. “If somebody is playing very well, the chance against Federer to somebody win easier is higher than against Novak, because there is one clear way to win the points. Between Novak and me, every point is fighting, every point is long rally, every point is more strategy. This is very tough.”
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2013/sep/10/rafael-nadal-roger-federer-us-open
Sweet! Considering all the put-downs he has suffered at Fed’s hands……….
RITB, you are right, Mats is one of the worst offenders. I don’t put much stock into his opinions.
I like Rafa’s honesty. He is absolutely right, that it is much easier these days, to slay the goat than to kill the Djoker. And in hindsight it was pretty foolish, that I frazzled so much because of the looming Quarterfedal. Fed just cannot win against Rafa in best of five anymore on any surface. In fact, he can’ win against the top ten anymore, which sounds unreal. I still have not gotten used to the goat’s reduced size. It will be interesting, how he will fare on indoor hc this season.
vamosrafa,
Yes, ed said it very well about the final. This was not one of the their memorable ones. It was nowhere near as good as the RG final and the 2012 AO final. Rafa did not play his best tennis in this final and neither did Djoker. They each did play well in parts of the match, but it was not their best.
Also, that fourth set turned out to be anti-climactic when Djoker just basically went away. That is something we have not seen in their recent matches. However, as I recall something like that did happen in the third set tb in the Montreal semifinal. That’s when Rafa pretty much blanked Djoker to get the win. But it’s hard to compare their slam finals to Masters matches.
I thought that Djoker would come out fighting in that fourth set. Watching Rafa struggle to hold his serve in the beginning, I wondered if it would be another slugfest. This time I wanted Rafa to close it out in four. That’s why I felt that winning the third set was crucial. I didn’t want Rafa having to come back from being two sets down. But no way did I think that Djoker would just go away.
Your analysis of how Rafa played technically is spot on. But the difference was Rafa’s competitive spirit and will to win. He also came up with the big shots when it counted in the match.
vamosrafa: I’m glad you saw it that way too.
I think much of the effusive commentating came from people. such as Becker. over-compensating for their lukewarm praise of Rafa in the past 🙂
Also the final was hyped up so much in advance as the ultimate showdown between these two I guess many commentators felt obligated to talk-up the quality both during and after the match.
Also, behind the OTT build-up was an under-lying hope, and expectation, that Novak would put Rafa in his place.
exactly vamosrafa,
Rafa didn’t play a very good match in the final compared to his standards as of late. Had he done that my prediction of a win in 3 would have been correct.
Frankly, who cares what the predictions are as long as our man comes through. He’s been proving predictions wrong since he turned professional at age 15 anyways.
When Rafa ends his ‘carrera’, the so called experts will still label him as all brawl and no class and so on and so forth.. however, the stats will remain there for anyone (even those who don’t know squat about tennis) to see. Plain and simple.
Myself for instance, I never warmed up to Sampras much but the undeniable thing is that he won 14 GS and made everyone’s life hell in his prime.
IMO what Rafa has achieved this year already eclipses Djokovic’s 2011 performance given he started from cold in February, having had no match play for seven months, and has already matched Djokovic’s tally of 10 titles. And who knows there may be more to come before the year is out.
Found this on the Spanish press
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2013/09/11/tenis/1378891585.html
The main thing Rafa says is that ‘he thinks he’ll be ATP Nr. 1 in the following weeks but that his objective is to remain as such until at least the end of the season’.
Nice
Also, appartently he denied taking a private jet that the Spanish federation was putting at his disposal for the DC arguing that given the state of the country it was not the time to go for such a big expenditure.
Rafa WILL get the no 1 ranking back sooner or later, but year end no 1 would be nice, since that’s, what goes into the history books. And, if ever someone deserved it, it is Rafa. But it won’t be a walk in the park. Novak can pick up some points for won DC matches, and we don’t know, how much Rafa has left in the tank mentally and physically.
I think, it was a good move, not to accept the private plane, not so much, because of the flagging economy, but because he probably doesn’t know, if he will end up playing 2 matches. It would look a little silly, if he is flown in and ends up not playing.
I wish, he wouldn’t play DC after the gruelling summer, but I understand, that he doesn’t want to stand by idly, when there is the threat of Team Spain being demoted from the World Group. But it’s probably a blessing in disguise, that there will be no final for Spain this year, since it would probably mean, to play Serbia in Serbia, and we all know how gruelling that would be.
littlefoot@September 11, 2013 at 11:38 am
—I wish, he wouldn’t play DC after the gruelling summer, but I understand, that he doesn’t want to stand by idly, when there is the threat of Team Spain being demoted from the World Group.—
If Rafa wants to compete in the 2016 Olympics, he has to play Davis Cup to qualify for the Olympics.
—Olympic qualifying more demanding in 2016.
The ITF has decided to change its qualification rules for the 2016 Olympics. After the 2012 Games, a player must make himself or herself available to play Davis Cup or Fed Cup four times in an Olympic cycle. Currently, players only have to make themselves available for two ties in the two prior years to the Olympics.
Another change is that the qualification window will start just after the 2012, Olympics so the upcoming September/November Davis Cup and November Fed Cup are the first opportunity for players to begin to qualify, as opposed to previous years, when the clock started at the beginning of the year following the Olympics. —
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2012/05/olympic-qualifying-more-demanding-in-2016/35780/#.UjBaptKmjPU
Thanks, Augusta08, I wasn’t aware of the rule change.
Rafa is already in Spain
http://www.as.com/tenis/video/nadal-ano-ha-sido-emocionante/20130911dasdasten_1/Ves
“With a 22-0 record on hardcourts this year, Nadal, not Djokovic, is now the world’s best hardcourt player — positioning himself closer to the baseline, going for more with his forehand and using his still-underrated versatility (see Monday night’s backhand slices and one-handed backhand winners in extension). ”
My sentiments exactly, Mr. Clarey.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/11/sports/tennis/nadal-after-injury-and-illness-enjoys-surprisingly-triumphant-season.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0
So,
2009 : Fed is No.1
2010 : Rafa is No.1
2011 : Nole becomes No.1
2012 : Fed regained the no.1 status
2013 : Rafa regains the no.1 status
2014 : Nole regains No.1 status?
abhirf,
But in 2012, Fed did not end the year at #1, correct?
I guess this has been mentioned in many a by-the-mantlepiece chat before but isn’t it a tragedy the frugality of a win in sport?
This time it was Rafa’s turn but I’m referring to the frustratingly short life of a triumph in general.
The anticipation, nerves, discussions, tensions etc.. to be had building up to the finale of this USO are so quickly brushed aside…
Apart from the inmediate relief, pride and happiness for the winning side and sadness and dissapointment for the losing one.
Then what?
Well, on to the next thing….
The main topic now seems to be whether Nadal will beat Fed’s score… for goodness sake, can’t people just enjoy the moment without fast-forwarding in time!
Yes, if Rafa gets a new Slam he’ll have as many as Sampras.
Yes, if Rafa gets one more he’ll be closer to Fed.
.. wish we could just freeze moments in time and just enjoy them a bit longer that’s all…
and one more thing which is ‘bothering’ me a bit..
So many match reviews talking about how amazingly well Rafa escaped from near defeat on the 3rd set at 4-4 and 0-40. Well, yes, he did manage to hold but why don’t they talk about how convincingly he’d won the 1st set, or does that not count? Not to mention the fact that they would have played on.. the match wasn’t finished by a long run.
Not to mention, if Rafa could contrive a Houdini act in the 3rd set, why didn’t Djokovic contrive one of his own? Oh wait, that would imply a weakness in Djokovic…………
Just read a Bloomberg article tweeted by Brad Gilbert, yes basically saying Rafa is on drugs, how else to explain his US Open win and stellar season so far. How else I deed. Rafael Nadal cannot possibly scale such dizzying heights of excellence without chemical assistance, but Djokovic? Totally.
Btw, am I the only one who was shocked and offended by the US Open trophy ceremony? Was that the occasion for Carillo to ask Rafa about his knees, really? And the money-centric nature of the whole ceremony? Really? Is tennis that tacky now? I wish the US Open organizers could consult the Italians (Rome Masters organizers) about how to conduct a classy trophy presentation. The US Open presentation was degrading to both players. Tennis is not boxing for goodness’ sake where cheques are waived about and stuffed in players’s hands……….a little more decorum was called for. Certainly gives new meaning to the phrase, filthy lucre……
trophy ceremonies should not involve questions. It should just be the players talking for as long as they want, without any kind of time limit or provocation from interviewers.
That is the reason why I watched the third set again. Because seeing it in the moment, I thought that Rafa was just hanging on by his fingernails. But when I watched that set again, I realized that he was in it all the way.
It is true that he just stole that set, but the idea that he was on the ropes or facing defeat is certainly not accurate. No one knew that better than Rafa. That’s why he didn’t panic or give up. He knew that there would be chances in that third set. Once he got the break back at 3-3, then he was right in there with a shot at winning that set. It was nerve wracking for his fans, but Rafa is one cool customer. He wasn’t going away. Rafa knew that he was very much in the fight and that there would be an opening. It turned out to be when he was down 0-40 and had to fight off those break chances.
Shirling: Could not agree more re: the emphasis on breaking this record or that – both by some players (notably Federer and now Djokovic) and by fans passionately wanting their idol to shine even more brightly.
At best records are transitory but the history books are full of stories of men and women who’ve died endeavouring to break them.
We have seen what happened in the past when Rafa pushed himself too hard: fortunately he is now listening to his body and he and his team are aiming for longevity even if that sometimes means sacrificing short terms gains for longer term rewards. Needless to say I will be as thrilled as the next fan if and when Rafa does surpass the magic 17 goalpost. But it is not the be all and end all.
.
I was unhappy that Rafa wasn’t given more of a chance to talk and express his thoughts. I am sure he would have liked to thank his family and team for all their help and support. He should have been able to talk about what it meant to come back from seven months off and have this kind of year. This was his crowning moment.
I remember what happened when Delpo won the 2009 USO. Delpo wanted to speak in Spanish to his fans around the world. But Dick Enberg, who was then still working for CBS sports, wouldn’t let him do it. In the end Delpo did manage to finally say what he wanted to say in Spanish. After the fact, Enberg was widely criticized for his boorish behavior.
They made it so much about the money. I remember thinking to myself – for Rafa this win had nothing to do with money!
Agree with Ricky, the post win interview is banal and the questions trite. Just let the players talk.
I remember Courier asking Andy, in an on court interview, whether he fancied Kate or Pippa…..YUK 🙁 Think that was the complete pits!
On tennis-x they were discussing whether Rafa can tie Fed’s record 17 slam titles. Like that should be what it’s all about. It’s unfortunate, because it’s all about Fed. I don’t think Rafa sees his career that way. I think he sets his own goals.
As if anyone on that site or anywhere else knows what will happen. The key is for Rafa to stay healthy. Whatever he has to do, however he manages his schedule. that is what is important. So he can compete at his best.
Rafa has already done enough to ensure his place as one of the greatest to ever play this sport. Rod Laver, Borg, Sampras and Fed. Rafa is right up there with them now.
Seeing the sudden drop in Fed’s form has made me realise it can happen to anyone, including Rafa. Anything can happen, seriously. Much easier to stay in the moment and enjoy the present……………….
What will be, will be…………..
“If nothing else, this last major has put the final nail in the coffin of Djokovic’s 2011—that’s ancient history now. It’s a new day, and going forward Djokovic will have to rekindle that spirit rather than savor and rest upon it. He can no longer afford to be reluctant.”
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/09/reluctant-warrior/49129/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter#.UjCxqT9RCDc
Totally agree with Bodo statement above. For Djokovic, his fans and pundits, it’s time to move on, let go of 2011. It’s history, that cheque was cashed a long time ago.
#BackToTheDrawingBoard
Rafa already practicing for Davis Cup in Madrid, Uncle Toni and Corretja watching:
https://twitter.com/RafaelNadalFC/status/377843130780770304/photo/1
What a pro!
so is Djokovic.
unreal. respect to both.
RITB@4.08
ritb: You were not alone!
Tacky is the word which comes to mind.
However, nothing will surpass the ineptness of the 2011 AO ceremony when Nole and Rafa had just played the longest ever Slam final (just short of six hours) then had to stand and listen to the CEO of the Japanese sponsor drone on for an eternity before somebody had the wit to bring chairs and water to them. Then the Australian guy rabbited on for ages before they actually got around to presenting the trophies. I remember thinking if they dont get this over with PDQ the boys will have to be stretchered off to hospital.
It’s all about kow-towing to the sponsors whose egos have to be massaged 🙁
and who measure their investment by the no. of minutes exposure on TV, column inches in the press, and so on.
Thankfully Wimbledon is independently wealthy so has no need for all that nonsense and the French don’t dance to the tune of the sponsors to the same extent as the USO and AO.
What irritated me particularly was the lack of marshalling in the stands. They seemed powerless to stop spectators trying to get to their seats even though play was about to resume and Jake Garner’s instruction to just find a seat anywhere was ignored. People in the hospitality rows were amongst the worst culprits – stopping to greet their friends en route blithely unaware they were holding up play.
What I want to know is: do the fans of other players suffer as much as we Rafans when their favs play? We know Muzza puts his fans through the grinder, but then, he and Rafa are friends! Rafa’s Grand parents suffer like us when he plays:
http://rafaelnadalfans.com/2013/09/11/rafael-nadals-grandmother-my-husband-didnt-watch-the-match-due-to-nerves/
yes. some way more than Rafans, I’m sure.
RITB@7.16pm
Like quite a few who used to post on TT my love affair with Rafa dates back to RG 2005. The last player before that who I followed avidly was Agassi and before that McEnroe and my very first fave was Rosewall
(that dates me doesn’t it 🙁 )
I’ve often pondered what it is that provokes such intense feelings. In Rafa’s case it’s his air of vulnerability which makes me feel so protective about him. I wince at every point he loses – not because of the scoreline but because his pain at missing a shot and the bitter disappointment in himself is almost tangible.
I’m also drawn to to players who are unorthodox or, as was the case with Mac, downright rebellious. Hence my liking for Andy who doesn’t just wear his emotions on his sleeve he lays himself bare for the world to see and has no truck with conventional niceties.
In answer to your question I think Federer and Djokovic fans, generally speaking, are drawn to these two for less emotional reasons. In the case of Federer it is his talent and classic style of tennis and with Djokovic it’s a mixture of nationalistic pride and admiration for the back story behind his rise to stardom. I’m sure they agonise during matches every bit as much but I suspect it driven more by worry at the prospect their
^^^the end of the last sentence went missing:
………. but for the vast majority I suspect it is driven more by worry at the prospect their hero might lose than a feeling of empathy with the man himself.
ed, WOW…you have seen so many eras and so many legends ! I am quite young so I have only read about the past champs….i have read A LOT but watching them play would have been so much more awesome..i wud like to listen to your viewpoints on some of the topics I want to discuss from the past… hope you can spend some time 😀
and yeah, HUGE respect for rafa and nole
Happy to any time
I think hitting that massive forehand DTL at 0-40 and the only 125 mph ace doesnt the T at 30-40 is some of the gutsiest play ever seen. A they say it is not the number of winners or number of Aces, it is the timing that matters. Rafa hit them when it mattered and played the big points very well.
Also Djoo just dumping a FH into the net 30-40 in the game said a lot about Djoko, he wasn’t confident though he had 2 BPs
Sanju,
Well said. I watched the match again today. That third set is such a revelation. Rafa’s body language throughout that set was simply extraordinary. He just would not allow Djoker to take that set. It was not going to happen. His intensity when he walks around the court shaking his head fiercely and talking to himself and pumping both arms, is just something to see. That’s how he made those great shots when he needed them the most. He made it happen. Simply marvelous.
the forehand at 0-40 was just unbelievable. Djokovic hit a PERFECT return.
Ed and I have chatted about the great champions from the past on a few occasions. I also discussed it with luckstar many times. I could talk about them forever.
I grew up watching Rod Laver. He was my idol as a child. I thought he was a God. There was no one else like him. This was a Golden Age of men’s tennis, but I was too young to really understand it. Now looking back, I realize how we were spoiled by so many great champions. It was an abundance of riches. Ken Rosewall, Roy Emerson, John Newcombe, Tony Roche, Pancho Gonzales, Arthur Ashe, not a weak player in the bunch.
I talked often on TT about Borg as my first tennis love. That was special. Then I supported Lendl after Borg walked away, but I never felt anywhere near the same about him. After that it was a long drought and the feeling that I would never find that special favorite again.
Until 2007 when finally I gave in to people urging me to watch this young Spanish player named Nadal. The minute I saw him, I knew that I had found my second great tennis love. It’s been really a privilege to experience something like that again in my life.
I just want to enjoy moments like this with Rafa’s great year and now the victory at the USO. It’s special.
Uncle Toni has opened his big mouth and says 17 slams in now possible for Rafa.
Had to be him, Rafa himself would not say so.
I quite like hearing Uncle Toni saying this! It puts pressure on the rest, about time. Of course anything can happen, not guaranteed that Rafa will play as an and when he likes but this serves warning to the rest of the field that he means business. And yes, it’s better coming from Uncle T than Rafa.
The icing on the cake? It will really make Fedfans seethe with anger…….!
Also, I think what Uncle Toni is saying is Rafa has solved the Nole 2011 puzzle and he feels confident against the rest of the field.
@ed
Re Andy: I’ve NEVER felt this way about any other player. In fact it’s just plain daft that I care so much when he loses. Though it has got a lot better after this last year thank goodness;)
Nothing to do with him being British, that’s just a happy coincidence. It’s all about the “journey” yuk that word, I know. His talent, his struggles, his courage, his humour, his honesty, his tears, his determination to be his own man and so on.
Loved Mac best before then, but nothing like this!
I think it’s interesting that Uncle Toni has spoken up about Rafa equaling Fed’s record of 17 slams. He is normally very cautious in his words. He must be feeling awfully good right now!
As long as Rafa is healthy, there is no telling what he can accomplish. I think that the Nole 2011 puzzle was solved for two reasons. First, Rafa figured out how to beat this new, improved version. He realized that he had to make some changes because he had become too predictable. Second, the 2011 Nole is no longer here. Even in 2012, Djoker could still beat opponents when not playing his best with his mental strength. But that has deserted him this year in too many matches.
Now it’s going to be up to Djoker to figure it out. It’s his turn to deal with the 2013 Rafa puzzle! 🙂
My 2 cents:
1. Djoker 2011 is not coming back, we are only going to see glimpses of it over the course of a set, 2 sets and then he comes back to earth. Btw, this was the Djokovic pattern pre 2011 so, normal service has resumed. This is why Uncle Toni is feeling confident. This Djoker is good for best of 3 sets, best of 5 Rafa has a great chance.
2. To improve, Djoker needs to take a page out of the Rafa p,ay book: practice, practice, practice his bread and butter shots and eliminate UEs. Trying out new shots is a waste of time, he just needs to bed down, practice and get his money shots landing inside the tram lines! This means spending less time learning dance routines to humiliate lesser opponents with.
3. Djoker needs to work on his transition game. Blasting opponents from the baseline is too risky a strategy, hence the high UEs, he needs to finish off points more quickly and that means coming to the net intelligently and more frequently I.e. transitioning to the net. I cannot for the life of me understand why he does not play doubles more often. Why he hell has Vajda not worked on this? Uncle Toni (the Genius) has been working on this aspect with Rafa for years, that is why Rafa is now considered one of the best volleyers in the business.
4. While Djokovic’s sliding is awe-inspiring, it is not a substitute for good movement on the court, and this he just does not have. If you want to see good movement on court, watch Rafa. Watching Rafa dance around the baseline is akin to watching Muhammad Ali or Sugar Ray Leonard dance around a boxing ring, cutting out the opponent’s angles.
5. Rafa should patent his FHDL, how the hell do you negate that? By hitting to his BH? Sorry, tried and tested, ineffective now because Rafa has transformed that from a defensive to an offensive shot.
6. Djokovic’s temperament does not lend itself to the kind of mental strength we see in Rafa. Djokovic wants to be loved, and if he does not feel that love coming, he frets and this affects his focus. Rafa, otoh, is able to block out each and all distractions, positively reptilian.
Australian Open 2014 will be the OK Coral for Djokovic. Should he have the misfortune of running into Rafa there and lose, I suspect he will take a long break from the game. Personally, I think he should take it now and work on finding a way to counter Rafa 3.0
10/10 RITB!
Djokovic has to reinvent himself. You make an Interesting point about his demeanour when he is not getting support from the crowd. He spends too much of his energy courting popularity. Has done right from the beginning of his career. But what was once amusing (to some people) is now forced and contrived – not to mention cringe-making. But in his defence, I suspect he is often put up to these stunts by the organisers: if this is the case, he should learn to say no.
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2013/09/rafael-nadal-might-just-be-the-best-ever/279505/
Thanks for the link. A good read.
But fellow rafans please spare Tenngrand from the Goatdom debate raging everywhere else on the internet. It can only lead to acrimony and endless circular arguments. Just let’s be thankful the clamour in favour of Federer is abating.
I warmed up to tennis thanks to McEnroe – Lendl era. I came a bit late for Borg although I did see him playing but was too young to care much. Also loved watching S. Graff and Navratilova – funny I don’t really care much about women’s tennis nowadays (after Henin retired).
I loved Becker’s diving and Chang’s cheeky play and Cash’s outback attitude and Agassi’s returns and a whole lot of other things.
Federer-Nadal was a great rivalrly and the same goes now for Djokovic-Nadal.
Tennis is just a wonderful sport.
Thanks ed251137! Regarding Novak’s crowd pleasing antics, especially during a match, surely this is something a good coach can simply say no more, or am I being too naive?
As far as Rafa is concerned, his RG 2014 defense starts in Australia 2014. He wins Oz 2014, with or without beating Novak, he puts a major dent in Novak’s confidence going to Paris. And the challenge for Novak is he not only has to worry about Rafa, he has Muzza on his case too. I think Muzza relishes beating Novak because of the same-age thing.
Ha, Ha. This does’t get talked about that much because of Djokovic’s Slam tally but Andy has always been able to go toe to toe with him.
He was pushing Djoko to the limit in the last AO final. Dont normally indulge in ‘what-ifs’ but for his blistered feet (had to look away when the camera zoomed in) I think Andy might well have prevailed.
Now he has got his one-step forward two-steps back dance routine out of the way I’m anticipating another leap forward from Andy at the Asian swing 🙂 although Rafa may thwart him – he has his eye on that No.1 spot!
Rafa will play Sergiy Stakhovsky tomorrow:
http://www.daviscup.com/en/draws-results/tie/details.aspx?tieId=100019832
(Sergiy Stakhovsky conquered Fed in Wimbledon)
Worried about Verdasco. He’s so unpredictable these days but I remember when he saved the day in Argentinia (Rafa was sidelined because of his knees) so let’s hope he rises to the occasion this weekend. He came off that victory and played lights out tennis at that memorable SF against Rafa few weeks later at the 2009 AO.
http://www.insidetennis.com/2013/09/12528/
“Ten days ago, as I wandered through the US Open players lounge—amidst the usual blur of coaches, girlfriends, and hangers-on—an over-the-top player was playing foosball with two young American kids. It was loud, intense and fun. An adolescent glee-fest arose from the din—such joy.
No one knew who those two kids were. Everyone knew who the player was: Rafa Nadal.
Elated and captivated by the intensity of the game, here was an unbridled delight. One of the world’s most celebrated sportsmen seemed to be but a boy: simple, uncomplicated and captivated by the pleasure of play.
Such is Rafa Nadal, a man with few of the nuances of the comic and occasionally philosophical Novak Djokovic. A happy lad, free of the sullen moods of Scot Andy Murray, and the occasional flashes of metro self-absorption by Roger Federer.”
Lovely piece by Bill Simons. Says it all so eloquently.
Article.
—the-top player was playing foosball with two young American kids…No one knew who those two kids were. Everyone knew who the player was: Rafa Nadal.—
I think, they were U.Toni’s kids.
—He [Rafa] briefly played right-handed—
It’s not true – he used the TWO-handed forehand. U.Toni told him to choose his one hand, and Rafa preferred his left one, because it’s stronger. (His left foot his also stronger than his right foot – he kicks football with his left foot)
— He [Rafa] was born on an island [Mallorca] in the Mediterranean—hardly a tennis factory—
Mallorca is not a tennis factory, but it has produced two world No. 1 in tennis – Carlos Moya and Rafa.
http://www.insidetennis.com/2013/09/12528/
Nadal vs. Stako preview (and Verdasco-Dolgo) – https://tenngrand.com/2013/09/12/davis-cup-previews-and-picks-nadal-vs-stakhovsky-verdasco-vs-dolgopolov/
Here’s an insight into Rafa’s improved BH, and why those who were hoping for his knees to capitulate early may be driven to despair:
“In a pre-match interview before the US open final, Rafael Nadal said, “My backhand has completely changed from what it was two years ago, no? I now transfer weight onto my right leg to protect my left knee.”
No wonder Uncle Toni is up-beat!
http://www.dawn.com/news/1042410/nadal-god-mustve-had-a-plan
Vamos!
I don’t know that I agree about what Djoker has to do in order to get himself together. If I am being honest, I also don’t know that I care. It’s his problem. I am just happy that Rafa has managed to get the better of him and turned it all around. After seven straight losses, three in slam finals, other players would have given up. But Rafa is a genius at finding solutions. He perseveres and never gives up.
Djoker’s answer was to bring on another coach. That was supposedly to counter Lendl as Andy’s coach. Whatever it was, the core problems were not resolved. Djoker doesn’t have the mental strength and belief in the critical points in matches. It’s not just in slam matches either. It happened to him in the Montreal semifinal with Rafa. Djoker just collapsed in that final tb. That’s not like him.
I think Djoker showed in the USO final, that when he plays his best tennis he is almost unbeatable. Even Rafa said as much. But Rafa also knew that he could not keep it up, just as he cannot keep up his best when they play each other. So Rafa stayed close and waited for his opportunity. He was thinking and planning and doing what he had to do to ride it out.
It was interesting watching the replay on the tennis channel yesterday. Different commentators. I think it was Jim Courier and Justin Gimelstob. They kept saying in the third set that Djoker was letting Rafa take it away from him. I do not agree with that assessment. Rafa was able to play well enough to hang close with Djoker. But he was the mentally stronger player when it counted, down at 4-4, 0-40. That was the critical moment and Rafa played his best at that time.
Djoker may be suffering from some kind of burnout. I have noticed this year in his matches that he cannot beat players from the baseline the way he did in 2011. Last year he didn’t play as well as he did in 2011, but that was inevitable. Other players were also stepping it up. Murray is one who has really come into his own in the last year or so with Lendl’s help. But in 2012, I was impressed with Djoker’s mental toughness with the match on the line. Now that has pretty much disappeared. You never used to see Djoker double faulting away breaks of serve or not being able to serve it out when up a break to get the set or the win. I believe that is a mental issue. Djoker looked great at the USO until he bumped up against Youzhny and basically gave him a set. Then against Stan we all know what happened.
The bottom line is that Rafa has emerged triumphant. He was willing to find the answers and believed in himself. It has paid off handsomely.
NNY: You’re not making a very good job of concealing your glee that the Egg Man got egg on his face ?
ed,
No, I am not, am I! 🙂
here’s an SI roundtable that I took part in, recapping the USO – http://tennis.si.com/2013/09/12/us-open-roundtable-roger-federer-serena-williams-rafael-nadal/
Ricky,
That was an interesting discussion. I got to hear more of what you really think!
I forgot to ask you something. Why did you say that Rafa better not play those two tournaments coming up?
why SHOULD he is the better question!
thumbs up
wc0206@September 12, 2013 at 7:12 pm
China Open and Swiss Indoors are ATP-500 tournaments. Rafa has to play at least one of them, otherwise he’ll receive a ‘0 point ranking penalty’ – for not playing an ATP-500 event after the US Open. The duration of the penalty is 52 weeks. Currently, he has two penalties that will expire in October. Because of a penalty (received in 2012) the 150 points he earned in Vina del Mar this year are not counted in his rankings. He could have been world No. 1 this week!
inconsequential amount of points for people ranked that high. take the penalty.
wc0206@September 12, 2013 at 7:12 pm
I have already written that Rafa has a chance to become world No.1 in Beijing (at the China Open).
doesn’t matter when it happens, as long as its before the end of the year. and its clear that will happen.
Shirling: Since you were a cowardy, cowardy custard and chickened out of watching the whole match – if you’ve not already watched a replay you can catch it on Eurosport Player until Saturday.
shirling: have just checked it out and sadly they only feature from 5th game set 3 onwards. I was wrong about up until Saturday. It can be viewed up until Sunday.
Shirling
The video also includes the Talking Heads discussion at the end of the match. I have revised my opinion about Marion B – clearly the outfit for her first appearance was chosen by a junior fashion stylist trying to make a statement. She scrubs up well and looks good on camera. Even more importantly, she talks well and very fluently about the tennis. I see a bright future for her as a commentator.
http://rafaelnadalfans.com/2013/09/12/rafael-nadal-the-ultimate-point-miester/
I admit, I was a coward who didn’t leave the back of the couch until I knew Rafa won. I signed up for tennis channel and watched the whole match last night from 11:30 PM to 3:30 AM. (I even went to work at 9!)
I LOVE the 3rd set. It’s classic Rafa. He fought and fought and fought some more. I’m glad people start calling him the greatest competitor of the sport. I think that’s absolutely true. Yes, Ricky, the forehand DTL shot at 0-40 and 4-4 was HUGE. He didn’t tighten up due to nerves. He swung freely and hit that huge winner. The overhead smash to hold that game was also spectacular. He deserved a standing o for that game and the next game. He has the nerves of steel and the never-say-die attitude that can be very demoralizing to his opponents.
I don’t think Djoker “gave up” in the 4th. I think he’s still thinking about the 3rd set so his focus wasn’t as sharp in the 4th. All the UFE came from his drifting attention. SI’s Jon Wertheim called him king of the hard courts. That has to be tough to swallow for Djoker.
Thanks for posting all the links. I enjoy reading them.
Oops, I meant to say Jon Wertheim called Rafa “king of the hard courts”.
I agree with JCKNY, I dont think Djokovic ‘gave up’ on the match but he had stopped believing he was going to win. He came out ready to fight in the 4th but the cumulative effect of losing the 4-4 battle in the 3rd and Rafa breaking him to take the set was too much for him: he started to unravel and Rafa pounced like a panther who has smelt blood.
I don’t understand the discussion about Rafa playing or not playing those two tournaments. Then there is the talk about the penalty thing.
So is Rafa playing in Beijing at the China Open?
I didn’t know about the penalty taking away his points from Vina Del Mar.
nativenewyorker7:@September 13, 2013 at 3:33 am
In June, Rafa confirmed to play at the China Open in Beijing. He hasn’t withdrawn.
—Spanish Tennis King Rafael Nadal Back In Beijing
June 8, 2013
China Open organizers today confirmed the participation of 2013 Roland Garros finalist and 2005 China Open Champion Rafael Nadal at this year’s tournament, making his first appearance in Beijing in four years.
The Spaniard is the first of many ATP World Tour players confirmed to play, and Beijing remains a special place for Nadal, after his 2008 Beijing Olympic success helping him to complete the rare achievement of a “career golden slam”.
“Rafa was the 2005 China Open champion and has always been in close relationship with our tournament. It is so gratifying to see him back on court in great form and we look forward to welcoming him back in Beijing!” said Alfred Zhang, China Open Tournament Director.—
http://www.chinaopen.com.cn/en/news/2013-06-08/1530559.shtml
augusta,
Thanks for this confirmation about Rafa playing at the China Open. So this is the place where he can get the #1 ranking back.
I don’t know whether this article has been posted here or not, but this is the best article about Rafa after his US Open win IMO.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/tennis/news/20130910/rafael-nadal-novak-djokovic-us-open-final/?sct=tn_wr_a1
JCKNY,
That really was an exceptional article. It gave me even more insight into what makes Rafa so special. As was said, it’s how he plays. It’s his style. It’s like no one else. We could see the positive body language as he fought like a man possessed in that third set. We could feel his passion.
I never liked Wilander because of comments he has made about Rafa in the past, but this time he finally got it right. So did Becker. Rafa is at his best when he seems to be down and out, when his back is against the wall. That’s when he really comes to life. I can feel his love for this sport. I thought he had lost that back in 2011 when he was struggling. But whatever he was going through back then, he found the joy again in playing tennis.
We are really lucky that he did!
Thanks for putting up the link! 🙂
You’re welcome. I’ve been staying late reading tons of articles. I enjoy every one but this one is the best written, in my opinion. I want to save it but can’t. 🙁
@Ricky
Enjoyed reading the discussion, ta 🙂
Does CN write for Bleacher? I’ve seen the name somewhere.
@Ricky
The round table discussion is a great format.
A bit like eavesdropping on a private meeting 😉
ed,
Yes, I really did like the format. We can get different opinions from a variety of people.
JCKNY: Agreed. That SI article says it all. Fulsome praise indeed.
I’m just loving the way so many big names in tennis have have finally gotten around to acknowledging the brilliance of Rafa after years of lukewarm praise – or even sometimes downright dismissive criticism ?
@ricky, thanks for the link. Enjoyed reading the disccussion you were involved in at SI 🙂 Ricky’s analysis always has ‘originality’ and I have always liked that.
Ed and NNY , wow ! you two are quite fortunate. Thank you for summarizing those eras and how your favorites changed over time 🙂
Could you tell me a little about rosewall and laver’s games? Have not seen much of their tennis except for a few small blurred clips ! Plus, what are your opinions on the grass court speed in the laver era as compared to now? Do you think the difference is big or its somewhat hyped up too?
Thx for the info ed (September 12, 2013 at 10:08 pm).
As I recall it, you also chickened out, didn’t ya? 😉
You can read the US Open final match report in verse! It’s great!
Rafael Nadal: The Ultimate Point Miester
http://rafaelnadalfans.com/2013/09/12/rafael-nadal-the-ultimate-point-miester/
An excerpt:
—No one plays points like Rafa Nadal.
He’s a man with a racket obsessed with the ball.
His ability to focus is second to none
whether he’s ahead in the score or under the gun.—
“I don’t know about you but I am slowly becoming a fan of Rafa. I have always been impressed by him of course but I naively concluded that his game was built on muscle.
The closer I look the more I notice the attention to detail. I first noticed it early in this year’s US Open. To be a contender Rafa had to serve well. He did that when he won in 2010 but it put too much strain on his knees, so naturally I wondered whether he would have an answer this time. It turns out that he does. His answer is to trade pace for spin, saving his knees but creating big problems for his opponents. The extra spin is most obvious on TV in his swinging slice serve. The amount of movement he got looked like he was hitting a forehand for his serve and I liked it. The result of these changes is that in the final we saw that Rafa is currently the player that is better at solving the big problems. He backed up everything we have seen throughout 2013 to cement his claim as the best player of the year.
Rafa clearly put in diligent study, tennis R&D, during his seven months out exploring ways to compete with his obvious limitations. He used the injuries to improve his technique and strategy. Now that he is back on tour he is putting the R&D to work and taking the theory and molding it into a polished product.”
http://www.tennisfrontier.com/blogs/colin-chambers/us-open-2013-review-mens-final-solving-problems/
This is the best read I have come across on how Rafa has improved his game and why. This is not the usual praise-singing or GOAT debate, this is solid analysis from someone who clearly was never a fan of Rafa before!
Agree. I read that last night and liked it. I’m glad more people notice Rafa’s problem solving ability. USA Today has an article on that too. The Atlantic calls him Leonardo da Vinci of tennis. In the past, everybody only looked at Rafa’s muscle and assumed his games were all power and spins. Rafa has a lot more intangibles than people appreciate.
Apologies if this ATP clip has already been put up but having just watched it I wanted to share it with anybody who may have missed it.
http://preview.tinyurl.com/pvkb25q
I just cant get enough of reliving that amazing victory or of marvelling at the miracle of his comeback. What struck me anew was the look of wonderment and joy on his face both during the ceremony and in all the later interviews. I also found the moment at the net, when he sank his head on Nole’s shoulder, very touching.
http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/09/nadal-i-needed-create-confusion-vs-djokovic/49211/#.Ujsb_j9RCDc
“In an interview with PBS’ Charlie Rose, U.S. Open champion Rafael Nadal says that when he faces world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, he must create confusion by changing direction and hitting his forehand to Djokovic’s forehand rather than consistently playing his cross-court forehand to the Serbian’s two-handed backhand.”
Yes Rafa, Djoker looked totally confused in that 4th set…………..
Vamosrafa@ Sept 14, 10:13 am
I do apologise. I have only just seen your questions about Rosewall, Laver, and grass speed. The system of grouping replies under the specific point works well for continuity of subject matter but one runs the risk of missing a response because it is out of time/date sequence – particularly if you are ‘away from your desk’ for any length of time!
I will go back down memory lane and try to convey what it was like to watch Rosewall in his heyday in a day or two. I’ll leave it to NNY to wax lyrical about Laver 😉
PS: I’m a bit pressed for time this week but I’ll give you a nod on an active thread to alert you, OK.
Shirling: No way I chickened out for the final. You are thinking of one of the matches I missed when sleep deprivation took its toll.
I was glued to the tele every minute of the way even though I was so nervous I kept forgetting to breath and was tempted to get behind Deucy’s sofa a lot of the time. Cigarette consumption rocketed sky high too 🙁
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