Most memorable Nadal match

[messiahrobins]

So the Great Sporting Legend Rafa Nadal has confirmed what most knew, that he is retiring end of this year. What was his most memorable iconic match of the thousands he played. For me the ones that stick in my mind the most are:
W2008 F
FO 2008 F
Rome 2006 F
USO 2019F (i was there atmosphere was unreal)

Nadal in the noughties was revolutionary. He changed the sport and his charisma, good looks, athleticism (at the time never seen before in tennis) and unrivalled will to win and fight no matter the score attracted a whole new fanbase to the sport from other sports and catapulted tennis to the big time with his rivalry with the Great Federer, the most famous and iconic rivalry in sport since Ali-Frazier. Those 3 matches above in the noughties for me were the pinnacle in terms of awe inspiring matches he played.

 

[SpinWizard]

Based on grand slams, for me it probably stands out like this:

AO: 2022 Final
RG: 2008 Final or 2013 SF
Wimbledon: 2008 Final
US Open: 2019 Final

 

[Unseeded Player]

For me it was 2008 WB.

 

[RoddickAce]

Good list, but for me it was AO2009. As a Fed fan, I was at the time disappointed in the result, but was nevertheless in awe of the shotmaking from both players.

 

[Tennfan123]

AO final vs Meddy

 

[Incognito]

theres too many of them

The first time I saw him I was hooked. ”wow! That forehand Will rival Federer’s”.

 

[GoatNo1]

AO12

 

[weakera]

Looking back, gotta be Wimbledon 2008. Distant second would be AO 2022.

 

[RoddickAce]

theres too many of them

The first time I saw him I was hooked. ”wow! That forehand Will rival Federer’s”.

And also the insane laser-like backhand passes from 15 feet behind the baseline, wider than the doubles lines, at the tail end of a 20 shot rally. Peak Rafa was a beast.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Looking back, gotta be Wimbledon 2008. Distant second would be AO 2022.

I still can’t believe he pulled AO22 off. I was so resigned and mad after the second set, in disbelief he had tossed another AO final out the window.

 

[NeutralFan]

To me it will be AO 2012.

 

[SamprasisGOAT]

Top 3 wins for me are
RG 13 semi
RG 22 QF
USO 13 F

Top 3 defeats
Wim 18 Semi
AO 12 F
RG 21 Semi

 

[optic yellow]

This is for Former Pro Player Talk.

Never mind, I see it is EoY, not active immediately, carry on.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

i have to confess i'm a bit surprised by (most of) your choices...

 

[MichaelNadal]

i have to confess i'm a bit surprised by your choices...

My bestie Vive about to not have a reason to exist

 

[NeutralFan]

Top 3 wins for me are
RG 13 semi
RG 22 QF
USO 13 F

Top 3 defeats
Wim 18 Semi
AO 12 F
RG 21 Semi

Lmao lumping 21 RG with 12 AO F .

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

My bestie Vive about to not have a reason to exist

don't worry, i'm still here

... there's so much to celebrate right now!​

 

[Third Serve]

I mean it’s hard not to say Wimbledon 2008. Probably the most iconic match ever.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Wimbledon 2008 F

 

[Sudacafan]

Too many to choose from.

 

[Winners or Errors]

Good list, but for me it was AO2009. As a Fed fan, I was at the time disappointed in the result, but was nevertheless in awe of the shotmaking from both players.

Got to agree with this one. Just an amazing display of defense that broke Fed in that match, and the last time I remember seeing that level of movement from Nadal. It’s the reason Nadal from 2005 to the 2009 AO remains my favorite version of the CGOAT.

 

[aldeayeah]

Friday, January 30th, 2009
Australian Open SF
Rafael Nadal d. Fernando Verdasco 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(2) 6-7(1) 6-4

 

[chjtennis]

Wimby 2008, AO 2009, AO 2012, USO 2013, AO 2017, AO 2022 & FO 2022 to name a few.

 

[SpinWizard]

Friday, January 30th, 2009
Australian Open SF
Rafael Nadal d. Fernando Verdasco 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(2) 6-7(1) 6-4

Nadal's defense was better than some top playstation character that day. Amazing stuff.

 

[gamelovergold]

Cant say otherwise his win against fedrer in wimbeldon is best match he has won . Nobody ecpected that .

 

[messiahrobins]

I still can’t believe he pulled AO22 off. I was so resigned and mad after the second set, in disbelief he had tossed another AO final out the window.

Reason i didnt put AO 2022 or any of his more recent slam wins on the list is because when i close my eyes and think of Rafa, its long hair, sleeveless and kahki shorts.

 

[Mustard]

Let's go back to 2005, with these beauties:

 

[MichaelNadal]

Reason i didnt put AO 2022 or any of his more recent slam wins on the list is because when i close my eyes and think of Rafa, its long hair, sleeveless and kahki shorts.

Same lol

 

[Mustard]

I still can’t believe he pulled AO22 off.

The look on Nadal's face, and his reaction, when he won, summed it up.

 

[legcramp]

Reason i didnt put AO 2022 or any of his more recent slam wins on the list is because when i close my eyes and think of Rafa, its long hair, sleeveless and kahki shorts.

 

[SonnyT]

Top 3 victories
'08 WB
'09 AO
'13 RG

Top 3 defeats
'12 AO
'17 AO
'18 WB

 

[Razer]

Friday, January 30th, 2009
Australian Open SF
Rafael Nadal d. Fernando Verdasco 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(2) 6-7(1) 6-4

Nadal's best match in terms of athleticism and tennis is probably vs Verdasco, he was at his absolute peak.

but other than that there are many matches.

 

[jackson vile]

Anytime he beat Federer off of clay, sign me up for that!

 

[Nappa]

RG 05. A star is born.

 

[Racquet_smash]

Australian Open 2009 final.

The highest baseline quality i've ever seen a day after another 5 hours long all time great match.

 

[Mustard]

Anytime he beat Federer off of clay, sign me up for that!

The 2006 Dubai final. Nadal did to Federer that day what Ali did to Foreman in Rumble in the Jungle:

 

[Darrell]

For me, it's the AO 2022 final. It was between that match and Wimbledon 08, but that comeback at the Aussie was legendary.

 

[Winner Sinner]

Vs Coria at Rome 2005.

 

[messiahrobins]

The 2006 Dubai final. Nadal did to Federer that day what Ali did to Foreman in Rumble in the Jungle:

Brilliant call, this was tennis from the Gods in truth, on another level when it was peak Federer v peak Nadal. 2005-2010 was the Golden Age with Federer v Nadal at their best. Its also one of those moments when you watch this (as with other ATGs in other sports) where you sort of wish they didnt go on so long as younger fans tend to associate ATGs level from times when they were way past it. in Federer's case that was clearly post 2010, for Rafa post 2014. In another sport i always think of Tendulkar, i literally have heard younger cricket fans call him a defensive batsman lol.
Depressing to see this, and then see what tennis is like now with the exception of Alcaraz and Djokovic (in best of 3 set matches now).

 

[messiahrobins]

The look on Nadal's face, and his reaction, when he won, summed it up.

It was a miracle, genuine miracle and a truly special moment. In truth, in terms of his level (as we can see if we watch Dubai 2006 Nadal v Federer match you kindly posted) Rafa in 2022 was a pale shadow of the player he once was, and yet somehow he still won. Truly epic.

 

[Djokovic2011]

The 2008 Wimbledon final will always go down as the most defining moment of his career.

 

[objection_]

i have to confess i'm a bit surprised by (most of) your choices...

Your list would include 2012-2015 WB losses

 

[Bill Lobsalot]

The most memorable for me was Wimbledon when Dustin Brown beat him handily. Brown's variety confounded Nadal and he had no answer. Nadal is a great player, but I did enjoy watching somebody blow him out with a unique style.
Would have never happened on clay.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Friday, January 30th, 2009
Australian Open SF
Rafael Nadal d. Fernando Verdasco 6-7(4) 6-4 7-6(2) 6-7(1) 6-4

You better slay

 

[The Blond Blur]

My top 3 favorite matches would have to be:

Wimby 08 F
AO 09 SF
Rome 05 F

 

[Lleytonstation]

You better slay

One of the best matches I have ever seen.

Sue me.

 

[The Blond Blur]

One of the best matches I have ever seen.

Sue me.

Lleyton after he realizes his mistake:

 

[MichaelNadal]

Honestly I could choose 20 matches.

 

[Tano]

I still can’t believe he pulled AO22 off. I was so resigned and mad after the second set, in disbelief he had tossed another AO final out the window.

Nadal epically slayed for the 21st time.

 

[Genie Of the Bank]

RG 2013 semi final for me as a Djokovic fan.