2024 Swedish Open ATP 250 R16 matchup - Rafael Nadal (SPN) v/s [5] Cameron Norrie (GB)

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Alright folks, here we go. Rafa's 6th match overall against Norrie. H2H is 4-1 Rafa.
Clay H2H is 2-0 Rafa.
However, their most recent match was at United Cup last year, which Norrie won in 3 sets.

How does this one go? Does Rafa beat Norrie or will my countryman be able to vulture yet another undeserved win over the great Spaniard?

Vote and discuss.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

@The Blond Blur

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

5 minutes to go

 

[weakera]

Let's do this

 

[MichaelNadal]

Making breakfast for this

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

First real test for Rafa. Let’s see what happens

 

[ND-13]

I didn’t realize Nadal is the bookmaker favorite for this

 

[zuluzazu]

Any links for watching without paying Tennis Channel?

 

[weakera]

Norrie looks a little like Henrik Lundqvist

 

[Hitman]

This feels like an aging Mufassa taking on a hyena with young Simba watching on.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Any links for watching without paying Tennis Channel?

Here you go bestie

Channel 1 – Tennis news today, live streaming

tennistream.com

 

[weakera]

This is kind of unnervingly competitive so far.

 

[MichaelNadal]

This is kind of unnervingly competitive so far.

That’s exactly what Nadal needs

 

[weakera]

That’s exactly what Nadal needs

Norrie is looking pretty good

 

[MichaelNadal]

Norrie is looking pretty good

Good

 

[Hitman]

In Norrie's mind he is playing peak Nadal.

 

[jl809]

Unless Nadal improves his serve return, he’s done against elite players

If he plans to voluntarily retire soon then it’s irrelevant but if he is keen on playing into next year, he needs to either get it sorted or get a new coach to fix it ASAP. Idc if that means firing Moya tbh

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Impressed with Rafa. Norrie is testing him but Rafa looks sharper, moving bit better and hitting the ball better. A good start to match.

 

[Hitman]

Two FH errors from Norrie and Nadal breaks.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

God of clay breaks!

 

[weakera]

Nice job by Rafa. He looks okay at worst so far.

 

[Deleted member 810491]

Unless Nadal improves his serve return, he’s done against elite players

If he plans to voluntarily retire soon then it’s irrelevant but if he is keen on playing into next year, he needs to either get it sorted or get a new coach to fix it ASAP. Idc if that means firing Moya tbh

That's not true actually, since Nadal was up a break vs. Zverev in the 2nd and 3rd Sets at Roland Garros this year.

 

[jl809]

That's not true actually, since Nadal was up a break vs. Zverev in the 2nd and 3rd Sets at Roland Garros this year.

Sure, but it was still off where it had been in their match 2 years before

Nadal is playing better overall today than he has been this season so far though, which is nice

 

[MichaelNadal]

I believe in Rafael Nadal

 

[The_Order]

Rafa consolidates

 

[weakera]

I would like to see Rafa win this tournament. That's where I'm at mentally at the moment.

 

[WarriorRafa]

Pretty poor level from both imo. Just an UE off with a couple of decent points so far

 

[weakera]

Pretty poor level from both imo. Just an UE off with a couple of decent points so far

Last couple of games have been poor for sure

 

[Hitman]

Nadal takes the first set. Incredible.

 

[GabeT]

Watching this on TC I can imagine the world moving to an AI commentary overlay in the future. So much more data analysis is possible.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Nadal takes the set and fist pumps! Love the passion!

 

[weakera]

Those were some tepid rallies. I don't think there was a single highlight point in the entire set.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Watching this on TC I can imagine the world moving to an AI commentary overlay in the future. So much more data analysis is possible.

Eww lol

 

[Hitman]

To think we were one set away from Nadal vs Nagal, if Sumit won today

 

[TennisFan3]

I would like to see Rafa win this tournament. That's where I'm at mentally at the moment.

It's come to this. We are "hoping" for Nadal to win a ATP 250.
Time was when he was pencilled to win Roland Garros every year and he never even played a ATP 250.

 

[Hitman]

Nadal is down!

 

[MichaelNadal]

It's come to this. We are "hoping" for Nadal to win a ATP 250.
Time was when he was pencilled to win Roland Garros every year and he never even played a ATP 250.

Im just glad to see him playing lol. Didn’t think that was even an option after he was 30

 

[Hitman]

It's come to this. We are "hoping" for Nadal to win a ATP 250.
Time was when he was pencilled to win Roland Garros every year and he never even played a ATP 250.

He is 38.

 

[Nadal15thslam]

Rafa falls and the physio is there

 

[WarriorRafa]

Oh god

 

[Centrius]

Norrie better retire If he lose this in straights.

 

[weakera]

It's come to this. We are "hoping" for Nadal to win a ATP 250.
Time was when he was pencilled to win Roland Garros every year and he never even played a ATP 250.

Don't be so mean, he has to start somewhere here. Bull21eve.

 

[Hitman]

Physios are out to check on Nadal

 

[Hitman]

Watch, if Nadal is injured and Norrie beats him, Norrie will say he beat peak healthy in form Nadal, like he said about Alcaraz in Rio last year.

 

[Nadal15thslam]

Doesn't seem anything too serious though

 

[Centrius]

Can't see right now, what happened?

 

[Hitman]

Can't see right now, what happened?

Nadal took a bit a fall and got a little treatment on his arm.

 

[TheSlicer]

Can't see right now, what happened?

Rafa looks good, Will win the slam race

 

[Nadal15thslam]

Can't see right now, what happened?

Rafa was down but nothing too serious, just some scratches I think.

 

[TennisFan3]

Im just glad to see him playing lol. Didn’t think that was even an option after he was 30

Yeah, when he was in his 20s- Roddick, Agassi, top players all said that his body was going to break down once he reached 30.
15 years and 22 slams later, he is still playing at 38. Incredible. Nadal's made a career defying all the odds.