ATP M1000 Rome Open 2024

[GabeT]

.

 

[zvelf]

This is the clutchest version of Nadal we've ever seen.
Won that thrilling 8-6 tiebreaker vs. De Minaur at Madrid, and won the deciding set vs. Cachin.
And now saving 3 break points in the deciding set vs. Bergs.
And the mental edge is even bigger at Roland Garros.

For such a big booster of Nadal, this is actually a pretty big insult toward the rest of Nadal's career.

 

[DIMI_D]

Nadal will play Saturday now. And I seriously cannot see HH crushing him. He is not that good on clay. Nadal will handle him imo.

Oh yes I totally agree it’s Herbies weakest surface but the writing is on the wall. This was a good farewell match I think for the fans in Rome

 

[GabeT]

The last thing Nadal needs is a rest, he looks fresh as a daisy.
Even though he's never needed Rome to win Roland Garros, he might as well win it.
Plus he gets to tie the H2H at 30-30 vs. Djokovic, if Djokovic is good enough to reach the Final.

Berg would have beaten Djokovic. He's one level above a lucky loser.

It‘s like a clown convention here

 

[DSH]

Nadal will lose this in 3.

 

[ALCARAZWON]

For such a big booster of Nadal, this is actually a pretty big insult toward the rest of Nadal's career.

If Nadal won every tiebreaker and deciding set he'd have won way more slams.
So nothing insulting about praising him for winning the tiebreaker and deciding set at Madrid.

 

[DIMI_D]

Nadal won every big point of the match, so I'd love to be in that toilet.

Oh yeah I think u know from experience what it is to live down there a lot of nice bacteria for u to make friends with
That’s a joke by the way I couldn’t help myself with that opening

 

[Carax]

Glad that Nadal avoided the rain. That was close.

 

[neytron]

What was that? All matches were interrupted, but the referee didn't want to interrupt the match between Safiullin and Mute in heavy rain. And then he interrupted the match during the point.

 

[Hitman]

Oh yes I totally agree it’s Herbies weakest surface but the writing is on the wall. This was a good farewell match I think for the fans in Rome

Man...have some faith. He can take HH. The bigger issues will be with Wild and Rune should they happen.

 

[fedfan24]

Fair play to the Nadal he came through. Thought he would break down.

 

[DIMI_D]

Man...have some faith. He can take HH. The bigger issues will be with Wild and Rune should they happen.

This is like a car crash waiting to happen I just can’t look away! Herbie wants to do the double bagel I think it’s gona be his Fedal special Fed on grass and Rafa on clay as a nice polish farewell salute

 

[Hitman]

This is like a car crash waiting to happen I just can’t look away

Lol

Don't tell me you are handwringing my friend.

 

[clayqueen]

Even the rain held back for the King. Someone's fans would say Rafa's the match was scheduled so that he wouldn't be affected by the rain.

 

[ALCARAZWON]

I've never seen anyone recover (after falling on the court) as fast as Nadal did early in the 3rd Set.
Its even harder on clay too, because your hands don't grip.
Nobody has ever had better coordination than he.

 

[The_Order]

Hurkacz has won one match in Rome in his career... fwiw, it was against Bweh!

 

[Hitman]

Hurkacz has won one match in Rome in his career... fwiw, it was against Bweh!

Nadal should beat him. It gets trickier imo after that.

 

[clayqueen]

A marble statue of Rafael Nadal should be on Pietrangeli court. What are they waiting for?

 

[BeatlesFan]

Man...have some faith. He can take HH. The bigger issues will be with Wild and Rune should they happen.

I think Rafa beats either of them unless Rune has undergone a brain transplant in the last 10 days. People here understandably don't watch Holger matches so few realize how dire he's playing and what a mental crisis he's in. Nadal would beat him handily if they meet.

 

[ALCARAZWON]

Yeh Hurkacz is not the sharpest claycourter in the shed.
31-29 record on clay.
His body doesn't look all that balanced, so Nadal will move him around like crazy.

 

[The_Order]

Nadal should beat him. It gets trickier imo after that.

Tough ask to beat a guy ranked almost 300 places above...

Bit of an in-house joke I know... but there is a reason Nadal is ranked as low as he is...

Missed a hell of a lot of tennis. He would never have this type of struggle against Bergs if he had some consistency in his game.

Hurkacz will require him to play significantly better imo. We'll look at after that if Nadal can pull off the win.

 

[clayqueen]

I'm glad that Rafa had to win in 3 sets because he needs some match-play.

 

[DSH]

Haha, I'm loving the Rafa celebrations...

You and even his detractors are going to miss them.

 

[DSH]

5-3 suckers.

 

[Vincent-C]

Go, Safiullin! and Karatsev, too!

 

[DSH]

He's like the optimistic version of Strongrule. I think both of them don't believe what they're saying.

They say opposites attract and it couldn't be more true.

 

[DSH]

A marble statue of Rafael Nadal should be on Pietrangeli court. What are they waiting for?

Presto realizzeranno la statua del miglior giocatore della storia del torneo di Roma.

 

[junior74]

You and even his detractors are going to miss them.

You're right. He is a unique character

 

[robyrolfo]

Once again, Moutet is proving to be the most enjoyable watch in professional tennis.

Presto realizzeranno la statua del miglior giocatore della storia del torneo di Roma.

Ciro Immobile?

 

[DSH]

Once again, Moutet is proving to be the most enjoyable watch in professional tennis.


Ciro Immobile?

Francesco Totti.

 

[marc45]

Nadal will get slaughtered by Herbie next round if he gets there, I’m afraid it’s going to look really nasty maybe even a bagel to add another string to Herbies bow after the Fed QF send off

lol...this is delusional

 

[junior74]

You and even his detractors are going to miss them.

You're right. He is a unique character

That said, I don't miss Federer. It's a strange thing; once they quit, it's over. And then you just acknowledge the greatness and appreciate the characteristics and playing style you enjoyed so much. But I am hoping for Rafa to end his career with something more worthy than Laver Cup, despite the lovely hand-holding from the two amigos

 

[BeatlesFan]

I had never heard of Rafa's opponent before today, Zizou Bergs. He's really articulate (English obviously is not his first language) and seems like a great guy. Very good brief interview here:

 

[chuckersthenut]

Go, Safiullin! and Karatsev, too!

I'm starting to wonder if my ravorite Roman just isn't very good.

 

[Vincent-C]

I'm starting to wonder if my ravorite Roman just isn't very good.

He's good enough to take out tiny

 

[Notorious_Junkballer]

My god Giron, what is that wife beater.

 

[Musterrific]

My god Giron, what is that wife beater.

Pic?

 

[neytron]

Draper is in good form, one of the worst opponents for a seeded player in the 2nd round. It will be tough for Medvedev. I'm not sure if it was right for him to go to Rome with an injury.

 

[Kralingen]

Draper is in good form, one of the worst opponents for a seeded player in the 2nd round. It will be tough for Medvedev. I'm not sure if it was right for him to go to Rome with an injury.

 

[clayqueen]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1788575266790666664

 

[ALCARAZWON]

I know Nadal didn't play perfect, and he said in the interview that he's been practicing a lot better than he played today, but I must say Nadal is moving EXTREMELY well in terms of foot-speed and flexibility.
He's more athletic now than he was at 2022 RG, so I'm very confident in his ability to win 2024 RG.
And when he says his form is a up-and-down now, the best-of-5-sets format will help him in that way and give him time to work his way into matches, and that is why his best-of-5-set record is WAY better than best-of-3-sets on clay.... plus the court Philippe Chatrier is huge and suits his game brilliantly.

 

[sortof]

Struff struffer than Cachin - 6:4, 6:4. Tsits next.

 

[fedfan24]

Evo is outplaying Fognini here, it’s only luck that has kept this game going. Cmon dan!!

 

[DIMI_D]

Hurkacz has won one match in Rome in his career... fwiw, it was against Bweh!

Number 2 is surely in the bag

 

[DIMI_D]

I know Nadal didn't play perfect, and he said in the interview that he's been practicing a lot better than he played today, but I must say Nadal is moving EXTREMELY well in terms of foot-speed and flexibility.
He's more athletic now than he was at 2022 RG, so I'm very confident in his ability to win 2024 RG.
And when he says his form is a up-and-down now, the best-of-5-sets format will help him in that way and give him time to work his way into matches, and that is why his best-of-5-set record is WAY better than best-of-3-sets on clay.... plus the court Philippe Chatrier is huge and suits his game brilliantly.

U must be loving those special mushrooms you pick from your garden. I will just stick around the forum to view your posts! Thank you so much for the entertainment u will literally make my days better with your comedic affect

 

[DSH]

Number 2 is surely in the bag

You have become Strongrule's twin.
What fun!

 

[Rosstour]

I didn't watch the Rafa match but wondering if he was saying "vamos" or "come on" today?

@MichaelNadal @Rattie

 

[fedfan24]

Cmon Evo put this guy away. 3 BPs blew from 0-40.

 

[Rattie]

I didn't watch the Rafa match but wondering if he was saying "vamos" or "come on" today?

@MichaelNadal @Rattie

Of course

https://twitter.com/x/status/1788560359906779170

https://twitter.com/x/status/1788550035703021780

 

[fedfan24]

So many lucky passes and net chords by fognini