Rafael Nadal crushed Sebastian Korda 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 in just one hour and 55 minutes during fourth-round action at the French Open on Sunday afternoon. It was the aftermath of the match that was far more interesting.
When this matchup was assured two days earlier following their respective third-round wins, the 20-year-old American and son of former Australian Open champion Petr Korda talked about how he idolizes Nadal.
“He’s my biggest idol,” Korda commented. “The way that he is, everything that he does is perfect. Ever since I was kid I was just over the moon watching him play…. He’s one of the reasons I play tennis. Just watching him play, unbelievable competitor; from him I have the never-give-up mentality. Whenever I’m on court, I try to be like him…. I named my cat ‘Rafa’ after him. That explains a lot, and how much I love him.”
And he doesn’t love the 19-time Grand Slam champion any less after being sent packing from Paris. Following his loss (of which he probably loved every minute), Korda asked Nadal for his autograph and Nadal of course obliged. The world No. 2 even signed one of his Nike shirts that is wearing during this tournament!
“To my friends Sebastian all the very best in your tennis career,” Nadal wrote.
“Best moment of my life,” Korda posted on Instagram.
That moment was both funny and awesome. As for the Spaniard’s post-match press conference, it was funny….and not awesome. Seriously, how can reporters be this bad? First, Nadal was actually asked what it’s like being a seeded player in the second week of a Grand Slam. It’s as if he is some 21-year-old who is seeded at a slam for the first time in his career!
Q. I have a question for you. For you as a seeded player you’re expected to be in the second week of a Grand Slam. Coming into the second week is there less pressure? Do you feel less pressure, a little bit less pressure because you’re a seeded player and you’re into week two?
Things then went from ignorant (the previous question) to just plain bizarre (the next question). It’s hard to say which is worse; both are bad.
Q. Can you sympathize with us a little because you keep winning so it’s often tough for us to ask you new questions. But I know you say you will always give us your best answers. So at the very start of the match you lost the ball briefly for a second from Sebastian’s return, you spun around like a ballroom dancer, you found it again, and made a great return. So my questions are: Have you ever lost something that is important to you and did you find it? And do you often move like a dancer on the court, do you like dancing off the court? If so, what is your favorite dance?
Q. Have you ever lost anything that you have then found?
(Nadal doesn’t understand)
Q. Have you ever lost anything that you have found? It might even be a phone.
As always, Nadal handled them with class; but there is a reason why players generally dislike press conferences, and this is one of the reasons. Be better, reporters!
Sinner match could be interesting
That could be a word for it. As a Rafan, I’m terrified. I know, it was Zverev, but he wasn’t playing badly. Sinner’s power kept AZ pushed way back. (I think he likes to roam around back there anyway – hopefully Ferrer will show him the error of his ways in time.)
I believe Schwartzman asked Rafa for an autographed shirt after his first loss to Rafa. Rafa’s rep precedes him. Let’s hope Sinner is awed too but somehow I don’t think he’ll be starstruck.
Anyway, grats to Rafa for “welcoming” young Korda to the big time. 🙂
Are u expecting an upset ?
Just nervous, as always.
My word, Sebi Korda is just too adorable and charming. And Nadal is gracious as always.
I’m completely serious that I don’t understand the last question. “have you ever lost anything that you found?” Are they seriously asking Nadal if he’s ever had to look for something? Why would you even want to know that????
I know one thing Nadal has never lost. His excellent manners! From kings and presidents to crying children, adoring fans, envious rivals…he handles it all with aplomb and good humor.
That was the last hurdle he had to clear before I gave in and became an adoring fan, lol.
Have you lost something that you have found? That question was better suited for federer. He could have replied- ” beating rafa at grand slams again”😀
No wonder some of the younger guys do nothing against the big three – they’re still too busy admiring them. Starry-eyed.
I mean it’s completely natural to grow up idolizing Federer or Nadal, but at some point I think you have to let go a little bit. You’ll always respect them immensely, but if you’re feeling like a fan whenever you play them, you’re probably going to have issues. To win against these guys you’ve surely got to want to *beat* them more than anything in the world.
That’s what Tsitsipas did when facing and beating Fed at the AO. Shapo and Felix simply melted away when they faced Fed for the first time on the tennis court, at IW I believe (or was it Miami) one year.
Yes, Tsitsipas didn’t make too much fuss about facing Fed. I think the Next gen shouldn’t be focussed on the fact that they’re playing a titan of the sport in Fed/Rafa/Djoko. During the match they just have to see an opponent across the net, nothing more. It’s easier said than done, but I suspect the mindset is not helping some of these guys.
Of course, many times the next gen haven’t been good enough anyway, but if they’re still thinking ‘wow that’s my idol’ they don’t have much chance to begin with.
Just saw rafa Korda highlights .has rafa put on ? He looked bulky to me and quiet a bit .hope it’s muscle 🙂
Yes. He looks to be carrying lot more than he usually is this time of the year due to the lay off and lack of match play which should work to his advantage in the final.
“come the final”. “in the final” is a bit presumptive even for a 12-time champion.
So yeah, the weight factor is more important than most realize. It’s similar to carb loading before a marathon. Nadal is like a bull that has been grazing in a paddock during the offseason. That will probably give him a big edge over a paper-thin and tiring Djokovic.
But we don’t want Rafa too fat for tennis, do we?
Rafa is likely in full command of his appetite and very disciplined during COVID downtime.
Jack Sock, on the other hand…
Nole appears to be someone who struggles to keep weight on.
I thought Thiem would be spent/lacking motivation after his US win but doesn’t seem like it. Not a given Nadal will be in the final.
Great write up on t shirt signing….classy move by both players. Sinner will be tough for Rafa….but Vamos in 4.
To Nny who i know love to hear Moya’s input bout Rafa…
https://www.atptour.com/en/news/moya-nadal-roland-garros-2020-qa-feature
So mira , what do you reckon n feel ?
Well Sanju….Rafa always said that winning RG is very very special to him and his ultimate goal every year..i really really believe that he will do everything in his power to win it again this year,no matter what the circumstances are or who his opponents will be…
Sooo…i think,bar from injury(please God no!) maybe we’re gonna have a good luck again this year Sanju!….Insyaallah!
Vamos Rafa!!
Amen to that Mira
Mira Andi,
Thanks so much for that! I do love hearing Moya’s thoughts. He makes a lot of good common sense. I agree with him about Rafa needing to be tested. He has to be pushed to raise his level of play.
I was not thrilled that they are playing tennis at this time. I think it’s still risky. Rafa would ideally have come into RG with more matches, but it is what it is.
I really liked hearing Moya’s thoughts about the balls and how Rsfa needs to adjust.
Thanks again! 😍
Hey hey hey back Nny!…Hope u’re okay over there & U’re most welcome Nny!😉👍
Yeah!…It’s very calming to read Moya’s thought…but i also like to hear uncle toni’s opinion too …he’s very honest..
Ohh..i’m also very happy to c Rafa adapting well to the condition at RG Nny…but gotta admit….rrrreeaalllyy nervous when he facing big hitter Sinner later…but insyaallah Rafa will win in that match…
So…20ISVERYMUCHPOSSIBLE!!…Wooohooo!!
Vamos Rafa!!
Very surprised that outside the 3 faves Moya says he could see Stefanos, Zverev or Rublev winning..
I can just about buy into Stefanos winning but Zverev or Rublev?! But hey Moya knows tennis way way better than I do.
I do think Rafa is lucky to have Carlos who has so much clay court experience of his own…He is very good for Rafa. Not at all sure that without him coming on board in 17 Rafa would have won 5 more slams..
Am not knocking Toni by saying that. I know I have been too critical of him in the past because I couldn’t cope with Rafa losing confidence.
But they did need fresh eyes imo.
Moya doesnt know waht he’s talking about. He got the job of coachign Rafa because 1) he’s spanish 2) he’s a previous number one 3) he’s good buddies and a close confidant of Nadal’s (probably the most important factor). That does not mean he is an expert of all things tennis related, that’s for sure.
The best chances at this years RG are Nadal, Djokovic, Schwartzman and Rublev. I don’t give any of the others a hope in hell of winning.
Not Thiem?!!
I’m not a fan of the way he plays. Nothing personal, seems like a good bloke.
…and i dont think he’s playing well enough and looks tired.
If he beats Schwartzman, I’ll gladly eat my hat.
LOL, is this particular hat-eating Anonymous someone I know?
This is just absolute nonsense about Moya! It us true that he’s Spanish., us a good friend of Rafa’s and a former number one. However, the results speak for themselves.
I agree with amy that you need a fresh pair of eyes. Rafa’s serve improved quite a bit under Moya. There were adjustments they made that helped Rafa get back to his winning ways. It was time for a change. I think Uncle Toni had done as much as he could. Rafa knows Moya and there was a level of trust that is important when making a change.
Moya coming on board was the best decision Rafa could have made.
Actually, Moya IS an expert. Likes to read/analyze stats and had a year’s experience of coaching Raonic, who played the best tennis of his career under Moya, before he left to be able to spend more time with his family. Certainly he believes in Rafa – always has, always will. He’s always recognized the enormous superiority of Nadal’s mental game. Toni’s a wise man and certainly understands his nephew and the basics of tennis but he never played on the pro tour – that does give insights that can’t be had in any other way. Moya also has valuable first hand experience of what happens as the player ages, the adjustments that must be made. He lived that experience.
Moya, early this year, on coaching Rafa: “It isn’t about winning slams or being #1. It’s the relationship between us.”
Is that the same mental game that lost an Australian open final before he even walked on the court?
It’s a rookie mistake to assume that a coach has to have played on the ATP tour to be a highly effective and understand all the needs of a player at various stages of their career. Some of the best coaches in the history of sport never played the game at the highest level.