It will not go down as one of the best tennis matches of the year. It was not even the best match of the day. In fact, it cannot even claim to have been the best match taking place at Melbourne Park at its particular moment in time.
But that’s okay, because Rafael Nadal’s 6-2, 3-6, 6-7(2), 6-3, 7-5 win over Tim Smyczek in round two of the Australian Open wasn’t really about the tennis.
For Nadal, it was about persevering through not only scoreboard adversity, but also physical turmoil. The 14-time Grand Slam champion is not unaccustomed, of course, to dealing with a fragile body. But what befell him on Wednesday night was not a knee issue, a wrist problem, or a balky back. It was an unforeseen beast: some kind of sickness so energy-sapping that Nadal struggled to explain it.
“I felt, I don’t know,” he stated in his press conference. “At the end of the first set, I start to feel my body very bad, very tired. I don’t know. I was worrying (like) crazy. Then when I was serving for the third, (I) almost throw up. Was (a) terrible feeling, no?
“In terms of feeling bad on the court, yes,” Nadal added when asked if this was one of the toughest wins he has ever pulled off. “Probably, yes. I was close to not continue because I felt that I was very dizzy…. I suffered too much on court for three hours and a half. I was suffering a lot. Too much.”
Too much? No. Enough to trail Smyczek by two sets two one? Yes.
Consistently playing better from behind than from ahead, the 2009 Australian Open champion limped into the fourth set after compiling a combined 17 winners and 30 unforced errors in the second and third. Set two alone watched Nadal stumble to a mere two winners and 14 mistakes. Despite obviously never feeling close to 100 percent, however, he came up with all the answers to questions asked by both his own health and an opponent enjoying the match of his life. Nadal reduced his error count in the fourth to just six in nine games and he fired 15 winners compared to nine errors in the all-important fifth.
“All during my career I [have been] able to find solutions for tough moments,” the former world No. 1 assured. “I [have been] able to win matches where I was in trouble.”
For Smyczek, who had never experienced a moment or match quite like this one, it was about handling nerves in uncharted territory. Thankfully and perhaps unexpectedly given the situation, Nadal won this showdown late in the fifth set more than Smyczek lost it. Rarely is that the case for a player ranked outside the top 100 who had never previously performed on any of the four biggest courts in the world. Smyczek had never been on Rod Laver. Not once on Court Philippe Chatrier. Zero times on Center Court at the All-England Club. A stranger to Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Yet his level never noticeably dipped. Smyczek’s winner-to-error ratio was +5 in the third, the fourth, and the fifth. As the finished line approach, his undoing was no fault of his own. Nadal successfully served to stay in the match at 4-5 in the finale by putting in four first serves, striking two backhand winners, and coming up with one his largest forehands of the day. The third seed set up break point at 5-5 with a backhand pass and an on-the-run cross-court forehand before converting it with a deep backhand return.
“When he was kind of doubled over I could see he was really hurting,” Smyczek commented. “I started to believe that I really had a chance and could get it done. But he turned it up to another gear. That’s why he’s been one of the best for years and years…. I mean, (I’m) very happy with the way I played. I didn’t really struggle with nerves too much. I think that’s the longest I’ve sustained a level like that. Throughout my career I’ve had flashes like that, but definitely one of the positives I’ll take (is) being able to sustain that.”
But Smyczek’s name will be remembered for something else, because this nail-biter was also about sportsmanship. With Nadal attempting to close out the match at 6-5, 30-0, a fan screamed during a first serve that was hit well long. It was Smyczek–not the chair umpire–who gave Nadal another first serve.
The incident:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJfXLzfFNzA]
“I thought it was the right thing to do,” Smyczek said in typically understated fashion.
As cruel fate would have it for the qualifier, he lost that point on a missed first serve return then reeled off three straight points to reach deuce. Would Smyczek have won the 0-30 point then broken Nadal with those three ensuing points to even the match at 6-6? It is likely, one would think, that Nadal would have played with a greater margin for error from 30-15 up instead of 40-0 and still managed to serve it out for victory. But we’ll never know. The only thing we know unequivocally is that Smyczek would have had better chance to break serve in the biggest game of his career had he not granted his opponent a first delivery.
“What he did in the last game…,” Nadal reflected in his on-court interview, “not a lot of people will do something like this at 6-5 in the fifth after four hours.”
Not a lot of people could do what Nadal did, either. So for that, congratulations to both.
Ricky,
Thanks so much for this! What a great analysis of this match! Brilliant! You said it all nd there is no much else for me to say.
I finally got to see the rest of the match. I don’t know how Rafa did it, but I was so proud of the way he played in that fifth set. He did win it. He came up with the shots.
Now hopefully Rafa can rest and recover from this ordeal.
Sorry, typos in my post above from lack of sleep. I meant to say that Ricky said it all AND there is NOT much else for me to say!
That’s a fair assessment Ricky. Rafa’s career has been full of ups and downs and that makes him an interesting subject if they ever want to make a film about winning against all the odds. Sportsmen who simply sail through with no dips are boring, there is no side to them, but with Nadal, there is a lot to his illustrious career for a full length blockbuster.
I can’t think of any.
#DoYou???
Great article Ricky
Thanks?
Smyczek- classy guy
true indeed…well said Ricky! Congratulations to both…and you…
Rafa was suffering today and his fans on the court suffered…and his fans all over the world watching this match suffered…a lot of us suffering for one day, don’t you think? I also had tears in my eyes when Rafa won…the same as Rafa…the same as that lady on the stands who cried during Rafa’s interview…and it was only the SECOND round…do we ever get used to pain?.. Can we actually ENJOY the pain?
To someone tennis is a pure relaxation…some claim it’s boring sport to watch…for us Rafans it can never be either of these…we can never sit back and enjoy…even if Rafa performs well we fear of some upcoming injuries, we carefully observe his body language, we read from his lips, we try to learn from the expression of his face…we look for answers that never come on time…and again we suffer…but I would never trade places with some Nole fan…or Roger fan…NEVER! I am happy when I watch Rafa play even if he breaks my heart…so, the answer is YES…we CAN enjoy the pain…we do…all the time…
Vamos Rafa!
well said
🙂
https://twitter.com/VamosRaFAN/status/558048077555453952/photo/1
[polldaddy poll=8600667]
I really don’t know what to predict for Rafa’s next match. Will he be able to recover from whatever was ailing him and such a long time on the court?
I thought Smyczek would be easy. Now I am not sure. I am thinking 11-14 games lost, but wouldn’t be surprised if it’s more.
It all depends on how Rafa is feeling.
[Google translation]
EL UNIVERSAL, January 22, 2015: ¤¤ Nadal doctor is confident that the player “will recover”
MELBOURNE Rafael Nadal will recover for Friday’s game in the Australia Open Tennis, said his doctor, Angel Ruiz Cotorro on Thursday…. “Rafa sweat a lot in the match, and that generated a loss of liquid above normal.” ¤¤
http://www.eluniversal.com/deportes/150122/medico-de-nadal-confia-en-que-el-jugador-se-va-a-recuperar
expected
https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal/status/558215284038062080/photo/1
just saw this. This is encouraging !
Absolutely!!
That’s good news about Rafa. I hope that this next match will be a lot easier.
Ricky, this article deserves a wide audience in many countries on many sites.
chloro,
I agree! It’s one of the best things Rick has written and it’s not just because it’s about Rafa. It’s powerful and insightful and gets right to the heart of what that match was all about.
this is the best article on Nadal-Smyczek I have come across on the internet! excellent ,Ricky!
I want to add that Smyczek played a brilliant match! he was striking the ball really well and kept up the level throughout. Rafa was , as we know, well below his best because he was totally drained and was not able to focus properly.
keeping rafa’s illness aside, I am satisfied with different parts of his game and I believe he is doing the right things! the ROS continues to be good and he is gradually improving. There were countless lapses due to his illness but I am confident he will get over them especially after having read the assurance given by his doctor.
Yes, one of the best things Ricky has written.
I watched most of the last sets and there were a lot of things Rafa was doing so well… considering.
He _might_ surprise us and get to the final again. Although frankly that will surprise me quite a lot, this time around, between the lack of matches in the last half year and the sign of his relative fitness yesterday.
But one thing is sure… he does not at all suffer from the mental burnout he had around RG a few years ago 2011 I think it was (or was it 2012). So I continue to simply wish he has no major injuries all year round in 2015. The rest he will then turn into more spledour.
I will remember Tim for this match for years to come.
chloro,
It’s interesting that you brought up Rafa’s annus horribilis, otherwise known as 2011. As I watched Rafa’s match the other night, I found myself thinking back to that first match at the 2011 RG, where Isner pushed Rafa to five sets and was leading two sets to one. That was so difficult to watch, because Rafa was simply not himself. That was when he started losing to Novak and couldn’t seem to get himself together. That was when the commentators were saying out loud that maybe Rafa was going the way of Borg.
What was so gratifying to see in this match, was that Rafa never gave up and stayed in the fight. His mind was still there, even if his body was compromised. I got emotional watching him fight back in the fourth and fifth sets. I think he played his best in that fifth set, when it really counted. He found another gear and even though he was struggling physically, he came up with the goods. I was incredibly proud of him.
It also reminded me one more time of that 2009 AO final, one of Rafa’s finest triumphs. I still cannot fathom how he found the energy and strength to play yet another five setter on one day’s rest after that brutal marathon with Verdasco. But Ricky got to the heart of what it is – the mind overcoming the body. Rafa dug deep and found a way to battle Fed for five sets and come out on top.
I guess we should not be surprised or wonder that he was able to do it again in this latest match. He is one of a kind.
Oh and a salute to Smyczek’s sportsmanship ! he really set an example
Very nice article Ricky.
How does a fan vote for sportsmanship award? Or are only the players allowed to vote? I definitely think Smyczek deserves something, even if it is a sportsmanship award for AO15. I think they Grand Slams should start this…MVP, Sportsmanship award…let’s see what else? best kit award? best interview? (too bad Li Na retired), best match?
and definitely a best hubris award
#humble
They nominate 3 players for the award, Federer (every year) and 2 others like Dimitrov and Cilic (last year) and all the players ‘vote’ for the winner.
Agree, excellent article. Always proud to be a “Rafian.” I always feel that if Rafa can go through the trials he has had to face, I am willing to “suffer” with him, win or lose, tears and all.
And salutes to Tim who def deserves an award. Perhaps we can start a “Rafael Nadal Sportsmanship Award” for someone who exhibits this stellar behavior, in honor of a Champion who always sets this example. I guess sometimes what goes around does come around!
if Federer wins the Sportsmanship Award AGAIN, you can be sure I will be writing SEVERAL articles about it. And will hold nothing back.
Please do, Ricky. It’s about time someone said something about this aberration.
Ricky,
Yes, please do! I would love to read it!
I don’t like the idea that there is this nomination process in which Fed always gets picked as one of the candidates. It’s become something of an embarrassment. This sportsmanship award should be based on what players have actually done in that year to deserve it, not bringing up the same player by rote.
Just because I say so does not mean you have to do it, of course,… but since you already have so much to say about (some) of Federer’s previous sportsmanships awards, why wait to write these articles? It has been over the top already and for a long time. Why wait until the end of 2015 and see whether they elect him again?
‘they’
If Federer wins?
hahahahaha
#NID
#DoYou???
phenomenal point
You have too much time on your hands. :/ How does it even matter? Bar the YE #1 trophy none of the awards the ATP has to dole out mean anything. Something like Laureus adjudicated by an independent body would perhaps count somewhere. The rest is just popularity, sport-promotion, etc.
right, it’s a popularity contest.
but you are wrong in thinking it doesn’t matter
and thanks!
Rafa’s pains make his gains even sweeter.
Smyczek should win the 2015 SE Award. I guess he won’t even be nominated. The resident nominee will win it again.
Ricky,
I thought you would like to know that this blog was posted by someone on the Tennis Warehouse forum. You are getting praise from people there.