Nadalites – Rafa Nadal Talk

[Kieran]

Rafa said his favorite was the first 2 sets he played in the final against Novak in the 2020
Rafa said he came into RG that year not really the favorite, also with Covid ,RG was held later than usual and colder
Rafa said once he got into the final he was able to increase his playing level, and was able to win.

Oh yeah, that was phenomenal! Rafa at his very best, unplayable. That he issued twin beatdowns including a love set against each of his greatest rivals was spectacular…

 

[Moxie]

Oh yeah, that was phenomenal! Rafa at his very best, unplayable. That he issued twin beatdowns including a love set against each of his greatest rivals was spectacular…

I'm glad he said that one! He could have said the whole match, but I get if he would pick out those first two sets. As you said, unplayable. Even with all the adversity. (Though Rafa does love adversity.) I understand why you said he'd pick the first one. That's always been his politic answer to the question. It's right that he picked one against Djokovic, who challenged him the most at RG.

 

[Kieran]

I'm glad he said that one! He could have said the whole match, but I get if he would pick out those first two sets. As you said, unplayable. Even with all the adversity. (Though Rafa does love adversity.) I understand why you said he'd pick the first one. That's always been his politic answer to the question. It's right that he picked one against Djokovic, who challenged him the most at RG.

Yeah that’s true: Rafa was never a player who was ever hanging on, despite holding a two set lead. He was never the player you think, the tide will turn and his early greatness will collapse like dust. He understands the ebb and flow, and so no lead ever felt secure, for him..

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Oh yeah, that was phenomenal! Rafa at his very best, unplayable. That he issued twin beatdowns including a love set against each of his greatest rivals was spectacular…

That 2020 French Open was the last time Rafa was truly unplayable. Yes, he won the first two slams in 2022, but he was beatable (Medvedev and FAA had Rafa on the ropes, but they didn't put him away). You could already see Rafa's body breaking down in 2021. I was surprised he returned after that loss to Lloyd Harris at the Citi Open.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Oh yeah, that was phenomenal! Rafa at his very best, unplayable. That he issued twin beatdowns including a love set against each of his greatest rivals was spectacular…

When I first read the question my immediate thought was RG 2008, Rafa to me took his clay court tennis to another level in that GS, didnt lose a set, and quite frankly was pretty much 'unplayable' all tournament ! I look back now and think how lucky was I was witness that in person, though I can see his point regarding the 2020 RG final, Rafa wasnt in good form coming into the RG 2020, though as we have seen in Rafa's career, you Never Ever Count him Out!

 

[Moxie]

When I first read the question my immediate thought was RG 2008, Rafa to me took his clay court tennis to another level in that GS, didnt lose a set, and quite frankly was pretty much 'unplayable' all tournament ! I look back now and think how lucky was I was witness that in person, though I can see his point regarding the 2020 RG final, Rafa wasnt in good form coming into the RG 2020, though as we have seen in Rafa's career, you Never Ever Count him Out!

I think he's too gentlemanly and likes Roger too much to have said the 2008 one, though he was at the peak of his clay powers then. We can understand why the 2020 was gratifying.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Like many times before Rafa Nadal supported RCD Mallorca during their home LaLiga clash against Osasuna. However, this was more than a regular match for the 22nd Major winner and Mallorca's finest. Before the match, Rafa stepped onto the Son Moix pitch as the central figure of a historic tribute the club presented, its inaugural Dimoni d'Honor award the highest distinction in history. The award recognizes Nadal's extraordinary sporting legacy, his 22 Major titles and years spent as one of global defining champions

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa Nadal underwent right hand surgery yesterday in Barcelona to address severe osteoarthritis, consisted of arthroplasty aimed at relieving pain and mobility of the joint.
Rafa on his Instagram page,
" I had to undergo hand surgery because of a issue I'd been dealing with for a long time, but I hope to be fine soon".

 

[don_fabio]

Poor guy still haunted by injuries, even in the retirement.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Poor guy still haunted by injuries, even in the retirement.

My thoughts exactly Don!

 

[Kieran]

Born to reign

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa Nadal underwent right hand surgery yesterday in Barcelona to address severe osteoarthritis, consisted of arthroplasty aimed at relieving pain and mobility of the joint.
Rafa on his Instagram page,
" I had to undergo hand surgery because of a issue I'd been dealing with for a long time, but I hope to be fine soon".

Definitely battle injuries from many wars he had on the court. Sounds like he will be ok and ready for the next chapter of his life!

 

[El Dude]

In honor of Moxie:

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

In honor of Moxie:

Gosh that match brought back memories for me, Rafa and Moyer were close, Moyer has always been a 'mentor for Rafa' in many ways, how ironic that many years later, in the later stages of Rafa's career, Moya became his coach, though I wasnt surprised.

 

[El Dude]

Gosh that match brought back memories for me, Rafa and Moyer were close, Moyer has always been a 'mentor for Rafa' in many ways, how ironic that many years later, in the later stages of Rafa's career, Moya became his coach, though I wasnt surprised.

What struck me most was how explosive he was at 16 years old. It took him another two years to become the Rafa we all remember, but you can see the extraordinary talent (and those trademark looping forehands).

Speaking of Moxie, she once said to me that she thinks that if Rafa hadn't missed most of the clay season in 2004 (injury, I think) he would have broken out that year, at 17-18. Watching that video and I think she was right...maybe not as hugely as he did in 2005, but he would have been competitive in the clay Masters and at RG, and thus maybe have had a more obvious path of development from 2003 to 2005.

 

[the AntiPusher]

What struck me most was how explosive he was at 16 years old. It took him another two years to become the Rafa we all remember, but you can see the extraordinary talent (and those trademark looping forehands).

Speaking of Moxie, she once said to me that she thinks that if Rafa hadn't missed most of the clay season in 2004 (injury, I think) he would have broken out that year, at 17-18. Watching that video and I think she was right...maybe not as hugely as he did in 2005, but he would have been competitive in the clay Masters and at RG, and thus maybe have had a more obvious path of development from 2003 to 2005.

Remember Rafa defeated Roger Federer on the fast hard courts in Miami at 17 years old during their first encounter. It took a miracle for Roger to defeat Rafa. I think the next in Miami.. Rafa blew a 5-2 lead if memory serves me correct.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

What struck me most was how explosive he was at 16 years old. It took him another two years to become the Rafa we all remember, but you can see the extraordinary talent (and those trademark looping forehands).

Speaking of Moxie, she once said to me that she thinks that if Rafa hadn't missed most of the clay season in 2004 (injury, I think) he would have broken out that year, at 17-18. Watching that video and I think she was right...maybe not as hugely as he did in 2005, but he would have been competitive in the clay Masters and at RG, and thus maybe have had a more obvious path of development from 2003 to 2005.

Yes he showed at 16 years old how explosive he was and also his mentality.
2004 he sustained a stress fracture in his left ankle but came back on the tour later in August and won his first ATP title 2004 in Sopot

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

Rafa was already a beast on clay in 2005. He swept the Masters and won the French Open, going 50-2 on clay (with the 2 losses in minor tournaments before Monte Carlo, btw). Many top players don't win 50 matches in a season anymore. Rafa did it on one surface at age 18/19.

I'd rank 2005 as Rafa's 2nd best season on clay (behind 2010, obviously).

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa was already a beast on clay in 2005. He swept the Masters and won the French Open, going 50-2 on clay (with the 2 losses in minor tournaments before Monte Carlo, btw). Many top players don't win 50 matches in a season anymore. Rafa did it on one surface at age 18/19.

I'd rank 2005 as Rafa's 2nd best season on clay (behind 2010, obviously).

I disagree Rafa took his clay court play to another level in 2008 as I was there in both 2005 at RG and also 2008 at RG, the quality of play in 2008 on clay from Rafa especially at RG was on a different level.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Andy Roddick had Rafa on his podcast Served, asking him a couple of questions regarding his up coming Netflix series and I watched a quick trailor....tears in my eyes.

Rafa- premier's on May 29th, on Netflix, it will be a 4 part documentary exploring Nada's career, retirement and his battle with injuries.