2023 Australian Open R128: [1] Rafael Nadal vs Jack Draper

[D.Nalby12]

Ugly moonballs from Nadal. It's really shame they made court dead again..

 

[joshuayuan]

Good on you ball boy for stealing Nadal's racquet. Keep it up.

 

[GabeT]

Very good for soon to be 37 yo player.

Damn kids!

 

[flyingboris]

Orange looks really good on Rafa.

Incidentally, Rafa looks really good on orange.

 

[Bubcay]

Orange looks really good on Rafa.

Much better than those purple kits.. I still miss sleevelessdall though

 

[TripleATeam]

Just joining after watching my Bengals beat the birds. How’s RAFA looked RAFANBASE?

Not Rafan. Better than I expected, but streaky. Unsure if he's just rusty or what, but it feels like his depth/angles aren't as great as they usually are. Perhaps a timing issue. Tactics are overall still very good though.

 

[NeutralFan]

Nadal's serve and return are horrible and he's not getting through his section of draw.

 

[Kralingen]

Weirdly feel like this is danger time for Nadal. He's cruised through the first set no hiccups but now its 4-4 and he can tend to get a bit loose once a set.

Needs to stay gritty.

 

[Open Stance]

I thought I read that J McEnroe would not be commentating with ESPN this tournament.

 

[NeutralFan]

Rafa has fist pumped 12 times already according to McEnroe

That's sign of an absolute mug, Rafa is a mug now.

 

[Josh Lyman]

Is anyone from ESPN actually in Melbourne? Seems like they decided to cut costs and keep the studio people in Bristol, CT.

 

[Kralingen]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1614838817210368003

roflmao

 

[junior74]

Weirdly feel like this is danger time for Nadal. He's cruised through the first set no hiccups but now its 4-4 and he can tend to get a bit loose once a set.

Needs to stay gritty.

What do you see on balls/ spin? Has adjusted to flatness yet?

Does he hit like Tomic?

 

[The Blond Blur]

Not Rafan. Better than I expected, but streaky. Unsure if he's just rusty or what, but it feels like his depth/angles aren't as great as they usually are. Perhaps a timing issue. Tactics are overall still very good though.

It’s ok, we adopted you

 

[NoleFam]

I'm not a fan of the conditions this year. They looked slowed down.

 

[SonicNirvana]

Is anyone from ESPN actually in Melbourne? Seems like they decided to cut costs and keep the studio people in Bristol, CT.

Covid made them realize lol

 

[SonicNirvana]

Just joining after watching my Bengals beat the birds. How’s RAFA looked RAFANBASE?

Looks GOOD. But more interesting is how he is in the second set.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nadal is so bald

 

[TripleATeam]

Goddamn, those serves!

 

[Kralingen]

Nadal is so bald

dude, it's so bad lol

He either needs the superhero hair transplant or to just shave it

 

[Mivic]

Draper's forehand is making this (quickish) court look molasses slow lol... doesn't seem to be able to flatten it out when he needs to.

 

[TheFifthSet]

Draper is toast whenever Nadal gets him on the run.

 

[Kralingen]

So that point at 40-15 was just Draper's THIRD return point won all set. He's gone 3/25 lol.

Doesn't bode well for a TB. He just doesn't have the baseline juice.

 

[NoleFam]

Draper's forehand is making this (quickish) court look molasses slow lol... doesn't seem to be able to flatten it out when he needs to.

Indeed and the technique is ugly. Lol

 

[MichaelNadal]

dude, it's so bad lol

He either needs the superhero hair transplant or to just shave it

Even a year ago he had WAY more hair lol sheesh.

 

[Bubcay]

Nadal is so bald

Baldal

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Nadal having a tough time with Draper here lol

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Rafaelito has to break soon

 

[MeatTornado]

Even a year ago he had WAY more hair lol sheesh.

It depends a lot on the angle though

 

[Kralingen]

Drapery’s FH is like watching Zverev left handed

 

[Kralingen]

Rafaelito has to break soon

He’s got to throw some more first serves in

and make his returns I think

 

[flyingboris]

Draper with two UE to waste deuce.

 

[SonicNirvana]

It depends a lot on the angle though

Yeah. He cut his hair super short this year.

 

[Rudiiii]

It depends a lot on the angle though

literally this, his hair is like this since AO last year it looks really bad

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

Stolen with every intention for future use!

 

[ACE of Hearts]

literally this, his hair is like this since AO last year it looks really bad

Just shave it off and embrace the baldness.

 

[Josh Lyman]

Covid made them realize lol

It's interesting that all other broadcasting has basically gone back to in-person. But ESPN are a bunch of penny pinchers and I guess tennis isn't a big enough deal for them.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Please keep drop sheeting Jack

 

[ACE of Hearts]

Set point for nadal

 

[Snafu23]

Has Norrie been mentoring Draper's FH?

 

[Kralingen]

I am cracking up at Draper’s serve +1. They don’t even clear the service line! Easy easy pickings for Rafa and this match is all but over now.

Vamos! Easy money.

 

[junior74]

Drapery’s FH is like watching Zverev left handed

Looks more like a less talented Humbert to me

SP

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

BAMOS

 

[Kralingen]

People thought Rafa was going to lose to this mug

 

[The Blond Blur]

Have to bust this out since it’s schlem season. RAFA gets the:

 

[tennisjedi]

VAMOS! Rafa gets the break.

 

[Sentinel]

Jack Dropper.

 

[ultimathule]

Draper with the pathetic drop shot.

 

[D.Nalby12]

This court speed and bounce is very suitable for Nadal. I expect him to go deep.

 

[Bubcay]

Rafa celebrating like he won the championship...