Nadal News 2.0
- Thread starter LazyNinja19
- Start date
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
05 vs 2017/18 Rafa at the FO, who wins?
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
I gotta go with the 17/18 Rafa. More explosive back then obviously but not the same ring generalship. Young Rafa gets tko by Rafa of today.
clayqueen
Talk Tennis Guru
clayqueen
Talk Tennis Guru
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
@Rafa24
More pictures from the trophy ceremony:
The French Open
June 10, 2018
Trophy ceremony
Photo by Christophe Petit
Via RNKOTFB
Photo by Yoan Valat
Photo by Yoan Valat
Photo by Ian MacNicol
Via Best Images
Photos by Alessandra Tarantino
Photos by Alessandra Tarantino
Photos by Yoan Valat
Via RHFB
Job done!
Photo by Benoit Tessier
See you!
Via MARCA
Happy spectators:
Via RHFB
Yayyyyyyyyyyy!
More pictures from the trophy ceremony:
The French Open
June 10, 2018
Trophy ceremony
Photo by Christophe Petit
Via RNKOTFB
Photo by Yoan Valat
Photo by Yoan Valat
Photo by Ian MacNicol
Via Best Images
Photos by Alessandra Tarantino
Photos by Alessandra Tarantino
Photos by Yoan Valat
Via RHFB
Job done!
Photo by Benoit Tessier
See you!
Via MARCA
Happy spectators:
Via RHFB
Last edited:
estigma2001
Hall of Fame
Well these were hilarious sorry that is not exactly related here but is about The Undecima!!!
Last edited:
van_Loederen
Professional
Backspin1183
Talk Tennis Guru
Nice seeing you lurking around here, girl.
clayqueen
Talk Tennis Guru
Solving The Mystery Of Rafael Nadal’s Decline
By: Noah Nelson
10/23/2015
"Make no mistake about it, Rafael Nadal is one of the best to ever play the sport of tennis. His accomplishments at Roland-Garros alone merit a special place in tennis history. However, we’re watching a legend decline before our eyes. It’s entirely possible that the tennis world watched Rafa unwittingly pass the torch to Djokovic at the 2015 French Open quarterfinals."
http://georgetownvoice.com/2015/10/23/solving-the-mystery-of-rafael-nadals-decline/
By: Noah Nelson
10/23/2015
"Make no mistake about it, Rafael Nadal is one of the best to ever play the sport of tennis. His accomplishments at Roland-Garros alone merit a special place in tennis history. However, we’re watching a legend decline before our eyes. It’s entirely possible that the tennis world watched Rafa unwittingly pass the torch to Djokovic at the 2015 French Open quarterfinals."
http://georgetownvoice.com/2015/10/23/solving-the-mystery-of-rafael-nadals-decline/
vernonbc
Legend
A long, but excellent, write-up of the match from Chris Oddo. Too long to post over here but well worth a read. Chris really captures Rafa's intensity and also his humanity. 
http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2018/The-Dynasty-to-End-all-Dynasties.aspx
http://www.tennisnow.com/News/2018/The-Dynasty-to-End-all-Dynasties.aspx
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octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
More about the graduation ceremony
Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor
Rafa Nadal Sports Centre in Manacor
June 12, 2018
The American International School of Mallorca, which is situated within the Rafa Nadal Academy and allows athletes to combine tennis and studies, held its 2018 graduation ceremony on Tuesday. Rafa and his good friend Pau Gasol, a Spanish professional basketball player (who also plays for NBA), handed over diplomas to the students.
Via RNKOTFB
Via RNKOTFB
Rafa's family attended the ceremony. Maria Francisca aka Xisca:
Via RNKOTFB
https://twitter.com/rnadalacademy/status/1006631452958773248/photo/1
Pau Gasol was also at Roland Garros and watched the men's final on Sunday. He says he has watched 8 of 11 Rafa's FO final matches from the stands.
https://twitter.com/sabrine931/status/1005896738190888960/photo/1
Pau Gasol, Manuel/Manolo Santana and Rafa in the locker room at Roland Garros last Sunday:
https://twitter.com/MutuaMadridOpen/status/1006128308487180289/photo/1
Flashback. Pau Gasol hugs Rafa after the 2012 FO final (in Rafa's players box):
Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor
Rafa Nadal Sports Centre in Manacor
June 12, 2018
The American International School of Mallorca, which is situated within the Rafa Nadal Academy and allows athletes to combine tennis and studies, held its 2018 graduation ceremony on Tuesday. Rafa and his good friend Pau Gasol, a Spanish professional basketball player (who also plays for NBA), handed over diplomas to the students.
Via RNKOTFB
Via RNKOTFB
Rafa's family attended the ceremony. Maria Francisca aka Xisca:
Via RNKOTFB
https://twitter.com/rnadalacademy/status/1006631452958773248/photo/1
Pau Gasol was also at Roland Garros and watched the men's final on Sunday. He says he has watched 8 of 11 Rafa's FO final matches from the stands.
https://twitter.com/sabrine931/status/1005896738190888960/photo/1
Pau Gasol, Manuel/Manolo Santana and Rafa in the locker room at Roland Garros last Sunday:
https://twitter.com/MutuaMadridOpen/status/1006128308487180289/photo/1
Flashback. Pau Gasol hugs Rafa after the 2012 FO final (in Rafa's players box):
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MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Interview
MARCA, a Spanish national daily sport newspaper, June 12, 2018:
¤¤ Rafa Nadal: I thought that I would be retired by this age
Rafael Nadal won his 11th French Open title last weekend by beating Dominic Thiem in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win, but there will not be much time to relax as he looks to begin his preparation for the grass surface of Wimbledon, a tournament he has not won since 2010. Astonishingly, the 32-year-old Nadal has won 11 of the past 14 tournaments at Roland Garros and while the other members of the 'Big Four' - Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray - have a wife and children, the current No. 1 is happy to keep doing focusing on the court."I have a commitment to what makes me happy," Nadal told MARCA."My life leads me to live things one way, or to do things another. I also have a partner and it is not just me who decides things."You have to adapt to the situations that are happening. I enjoy what I love in tennis, as well as outside of it.
"A family? I don't know; things are not so easy to foresee. At this age, I thought I would be retired and would have a family."To me I think I see a more structured family with a more stable life and that is what I would have liked."The years are going on but it depends on what happens with my tennis and with my career; there will come a time when a decision must be made and when it arrives, it will come without any kind of stress."These are natural things that you go through in life."Despite his high level of success, the Mallorca-born player has always remained very down to earth and humble when discussing his achievements. "I would say that I am an ordinary person who has done something difficult or very difficult [to win the French Open 11 times]," he continued.
"This is the reality; things happen from day-to-day. In most of the games I went out to play here in Paris, I went out onto the court thinking that I could win or I could lose and this is the truth."I have won 86 of the 88 games I have played, and maybe in 75 of those, I have gone out thinking that I could win or I could lose - I think this is part of the basis of my success."The world of tennis has been surprised that Nadal and Federer have returned to dominating once again, with the two rivals having won the last six Grand Slam titles."I was surprised because in 2017, I had not won in two years and he had not won a big title since 2012," said Nadal."Of course, it is surprising because we are advancing with age."When you have been without winning for so long, you don't know if you will ever be able to replicate your previous success."
Federer currently has 20 Grand Slam titles, with Nadal on 17, but the Spaniard is very content with his success."Obviously I would like to have 20 like Federer, or more, but right now it is not in my head," he stated."17 is an incredible number; I want to enjoy the moment. I can't think of winning anymore, I can't go crazy with that."You can't go crazy if someone has more titles, more money, more houses..."When asked about whether Nadal would play on the grass surface of Wimbledon, he was a little coy."I can't think when I will have the first training session because this year I have played almost every game on clay," he said."Last year I thought I could go far at Wimbledon [Nadal lost in the fourth round to Gilles Muller]. The decision will be whatever is best for my body." ¤¤
http://www.marca.com/en/more-sports/2018/06/12/5b1f9a4f22601d274f8b4616.html
MARCA, a Spanish national daily sport newspaper, June 12, 2018:
¤¤ Rafa Nadal: I thought that I would be retired by this age
Rafael Nadal won his 11th French Open title last weekend by beating Dominic Thiem in a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win, but there will not be much time to relax as he looks to begin his preparation for the grass surface of Wimbledon, a tournament he has not won since 2010. Astonishingly, the 32-year-old Nadal has won 11 of the past 14 tournaments at Roland Garros and while the other members of the 'Big Four' - Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray - have a wife and children, the current No. 1 is happy to keep doing focusing on the court."I have a commitment to what makes me happy," Nadal told MARCA."My life leads me to live things one way, or to do things another. I also have a partner and it is not just me who decides things."You have to adapt to the situations that are happening. I enjoy what I love in tennis, as well as outside of it.
"A family? I don't know; things are not so easy to foresee. At this age, I thought I would be retired and would have a family."To me I think I see a more structured family with a more stable life and that is what I would have liked."The years are going on but it depends on what happens with my tennis and with my career; there will come a time when a decision must be made and when it arrives, it will come without any kind of stress."These are natural things that you go through in life."Despite his high level of success, the Mallorca-born player has always remained very down to earth and humble when discussing his achievements. "I would say that I am an ordinary person who has done something difficult or very difficult [to win the French Open 11 times]," he continued.
"This is the reality; things happen from day-to-day. In most of the games I went out to play here in Paris, I went out onto the court thinking that I could win or I could lose and this is the truth."I have won 86 of the 88 games I have played, and maybe in 75 of those, I have gone out thinking that I could win or I could lose - I think this is part of the basis of my success."The world of tennis has been surprised that Nadal and Federer have returned to dominating once again, with the two rivals having won the last six Grand Slam titles."I was surprised because in 2017, I had not won in two years and he had not won a big title since 2012," said Nadal."Of course, it is surprising because we are advancing with age."When you have been without winning for so long, you don't know if you will ever be able to replicate your previous success."
Federer currently has 20 Grand Slam titles, with Nadal on 17, but the Spaniard is very content with his success."Obviously I would like to have 20 like Federer, or more, but right now it is not in my head," he stated."17 is an incredible number; I want to enjoy the moment. I can't think of winning anymore, I can't go crazy with that."You can't go crazy if someone has more titles, more money, more houses..."When asked about whether Nadal would play on the grass surface of Wimbledon, he was a little coy."I can't think when I will have the first training session because this year I have played almost every game on clay," he said."Last year I thought I could go far at Wimbledon [Nadal lost in the fourth round to Gilles Muller]. The decision will be whatever is best for my body." ¤¤
http://www.marca.com/en/more-sports/2018/06/12/5b1f9a4f22601d274f8b4616.html
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octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
The French Open
The 11th small replica of the Musketeers' Cup arrrived at Rafa's museum (at his academy) in Mallorca:
Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar @rnadalacademy 52m52 minutes ago:
"We now have the 11th Roland Garros cup at the Rafa Nadal Museum Xperience in Mallorca.
You are a terrific example of strength and achievement for all our students @rafanadal. Relentless!
Thank You!"
https://twitter.com/rnadalacademy/status/1006841328431443968/video/1
The 11th small replica of the Musketeers' Cup arrrived at Rafa's museum (at his academy) in Mallorca:
Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar @rnadalacademy 52m52 minutes ago:
"We now have the 11th Roland Garros cup at the Rafa Nadal Museum Xperience in Mallorca.
You are a terrific example of strength and achievement for all our students @rafanadal. Relentless!
https://twitter.com/rnadalacademy/status/1006841328431443968/video/1
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octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Wimbledon warm-up
Rafa withdrew from Queen's:
https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal/status/1006910863406755841
https://twitter.com/QueensTennis/status/1006898174789763078/photo/1
Rafael Plaza (a Spanish journalist who regularly writes about Rafa & his team) writes today that Rafa will follow the same path as last year. That is, he'll start practicing on the grass courts of the WTA Mallorca Open (to be held next week at the Santa Ponsa Tennis Club located 87 km/ 54 miles from Rafas home), then he'll travel to London and combine the practice there with some exho matches in Hurlingham. (Translated by GSS)
https://www.elespanol.com/deportes/tenis/20180612/nadal-renuncia-jugar-queens/314469075_0.html
Speaking of the WTA Mallorca Open, Toni Nadal has been the director of the tournament since its 1st edition in 2016:
https://www.mallorcaopen.org/2018/0...as-homes-se-vuelca-con-el-mallorca-open-2018/
Rafa withdrew from Queen's:
https://twitter.com/RafaelNadal/status/1006910863406755841
https://twitter.com/QueensTennis/status/1006898174789763078/photo/1
Rafael Plaza (a Spanish journalist who regularly writes about Rafa & his team) writes today that Rafa will follow the same path as last year. That is, he'll start practicing on the grass courts of the WTA Mallorca Open (to be held next week at the Santa Ponsa Tennis Club located 87 km/ 54 miles from Rafas home), then he'll travel to London and combine the practice there with some exho matches in Hurlingham. (Translated by GSS)
https://www.elespanol.com/deportes/tenis/20180612/nadal-renuncia-jugar-queens/314469075_0.html
Speaking of the WTA Mallorca Open, Toni Nadal has been the director of the tournament since its 1st edition in 2016:
https://www.mallorcaopen.org/2018/0...as-homes-se-vuelca-con-el-mallorca-open-2018/
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clayqueen
Talk Tennis Guru
That's a very wise decision. To play the whole of the claycourt season then turn up at Queens one week later would be madness. It's OK for those who don't do well in the clay season to play this week or next week.
K-H
Hall of Fame
Yh and tbh, he looked in good shape coming into Wimbledon last year so queens isn’t really necessary.
Plus this year he should be even fresher with him missing IW and Miami.
estigma2001
Hall of Fame
Very wise, last year he was playing good despite of the lost with Muller in very close match, i think he was a little bit unlucky but you know that's tennis you might be playing good and your rival has an awesome day like Muller had in 2017
clayqueen
Talk Tennis Guru
If Rafa hadn't pulled out, he'd be at Queens now practising just days after the end of the claycourt season; that would have been madness. Apart from anything else, he needs some downtime; he needs to relax and enjoy being at home for a couple of weeks, at least. Last year worked out well apart from losing that close match to Muller. That can happen whether he plays a warm-up tournament or not.
estigma2001
Hall of Fame
This year Muller is playing bad, well just wait and see what happen.
VA11OS RAFA!!!!!
VA11OS RAFA!!!!!
D
Deleted member 756514
Guest
Very wise decision.
He should make similar announcements before Cincinnati, Laver Cup, Beijing, and Basel.
He should make similar announcements before Cincinnati, Laver Cup, Beijing, and Basel.
K-H
Hall of Fame
Yh I agree with all those tournaments.
But I quite liked the Laver cup. It’s not that many matches either.
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
@Abhinandan
The Laver Cup has nothing to do with the ATP Tour. Players have no obligations towards it.
The Laver Cup has nothing to do with the ATP Tour. Players have no obligations towards it.
D
Deleted member 756514
Guest
I know.
clayqueen
Talk Tennis Guru
Federer: "All the tennis players have to bow to Nadal"
TENNIS After winning his eleventh Roland Garros
http://www.marca.com/tenis/2018/06/11/5b1e8f26468aebdf4a8b463f.html?cid=MOTB35403#
"It's incredible, all the players on the circuit have no choice but to bow to him, only the superlatives fit," Federer said before participating in the Stuttgart tournament where he reappears on Wednesday at the circuit.
http://www.marca.com/tenis/2018/06/11/5b1e8f26468aebdf4a8b463f.html?cid=MOTB35403
TENNIS After winning his eleventh Roland Garros
- 06/11/2018 17:03 CEST
http://www.marca.com/tenis/2018/06/11/5b1e8f26468aebdf4a8b463f.html?cid=MOTB35403#
"It's incredible, all the players on the circuit have no choice but to bow to him, only the superlatives fit," Federer said before participating in the Stuttgart tournament where he reappears on Wednesday at the circuit.
http://www.marca.com/tenis/2018/06/11/5b1e8f26468aebdf4a8b463f.html?cid=MOTB35403
clayqueen
Talk Tennis Guru
Nadal: "I had cramps and I would have finished with my right hand if it had been necessary"
Rafael Nadal is, once again, the champion of Roland Garros. Before receiving the Musketeers Cup, the Spaniard was honest that "I got scared in the third set when I noticed cramps in my left hand, it was very wet, I would not have retired, I would have played with my right hand because I had two sets of advantage and it's a unique match, "he said.
Nadal gave credit to the defeated, Dominic Thiem, and congratulated him on the tournament: "He has not won this year but surely he will have many more opportunities to lift the title here."
The Spaniard, who left the track at the conclusion of the game to go to the locker room, could not find words to "describe what I felt for an eleventh title in Paris that I never thought about achieving". He began his speech in French and finished it in English. The champion, who received the Musketeers' Cup from Ken Rosewall, could not stand the excitement after receiving recognition from the stands and began to mourn before listening to the Spanish anthem.
Nadal remains three titles out of 20 Roger Federer. In this sense, he comments that "Now I want to enjoy the moment, I can not think of earning more, I can not go crazy with that, you can not go crazy if someone has bigger, more money, more houses ... I would like to have 20 as Federer or more but now it is not in my head 17 is an incredible number I play tennis to be happy and I have already done an incredible race, I am not obsessed with Federer's greats ".
http://www.marca.com/tenis/roland-garros/2018/06/10/5b1d4d4146163f1e5a8b4615.html?cid=MOTB35403
Rafael Nadal is, once again, the champion of Roland Garros. Before receiving the Musketeers Cup, the Spaniard was honest that "I got scared in the third set when I noticed cramps in my left hand, it was very wet, I would not have retired, I would have played with my right hand because I had two sets of advantage and it's a unique match, "he said.
Nadal gave credit to the defeated, Dominic Thiem, and congratulated him on the tournament: "He has not won this year but surely he will have many more opportunities to lift the title here."
The Spaniard, who left the track at the conclusion of the game to go to the locker room, could not find words to "describe what I felt for an eleventh title in Paris that I never thought about achieving". He began his speech in French and finished it in English. The champion, who received the Musketeers' Cup from Ken Rosewall, could not stand the excitement after receiving recognition from the stands and began to mourn before listening to the Spanish anthem.
Nadal remains three titles out of 20 Roger Federer. In this sense, he comments that "Now I want to enjoy the moment, I can not think of earning more, I can not go crazy with that, you can not go crazy if someone has bigger, more money, more houses ... I would like to have 20 as Federer or more but now it is not in my head 17 is an incredible number I play tennis to be happy and I have already done an incredible race, I am not obsessed with Federer's greats ".
http://www.marca.com/tenis/roland-garros/2018/06/10/5b1d4d4146163f1e5a8b4615.html?cid=MOTB35403
Rafa24
Hall of Fame
@Rafa24
More pictures from the trophy ceremony:
The French Open
June 10, 2018
Trophy ceremony
Photo by Christophe Petit
Via RNKOTFB
Photo by Yoan Valat
Photo by Yoan Valat
Photo by Ian MacNicol
Via Best Images
Photos by Alessandra Tarantino
Photos by Alessandra Tarantino
Photos by Yoan Valat
Via RHFB
Job done!
Photo by Benoit Tessier
See you!
Via MARCA
Happy spectators:
Via RHFB
Yayyyyyyyyyyy!
Thank you octobrina!!!
vernonbc
Legend
I noticed that too. Looks like it's the same size as the original trophy instead of the smaller replicas. Only seems fair that he gets a proper sized one now after winning so many.
Rafa24
Hall of Fame
i wonder if it will be that way from now on or just this one? I know last years was special too with the engraving but the size was the same.I noticed that too. Looks like it's the same size as the original trophy instead of the smaller replicas. Only seems fair that he gets a proper sized one now after winning so many.
vernonbc
Legend
Genny SS Retweeted
Teleaudiencias @teleaudiencias 14h14 hours ago
La victoria de Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) en Roland Garros (@RolandGarros), la más vista desde el 2014 en Eurosport (@Eurosport) y DMax (@Dmax_es). La final cosechó un gran 18% de share. Ambas cadenas registraron su mejor dato de la temporada. https://buff.ly/2sS3TfB
Translated from Spanish by Microsoft
The victory of Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) in Roland Garros (@RolandGarros), the most seen since the 2014 on Eurosport (@Eurosport) and DMax (https://buff.ly/2sS3TfB ). The final reaped a large 18% share. Both chains recorded their best data of the season.
Teleaudiencias @teleaudiencias 14h14 hours agoLa victoria de Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) en Roland Garros (@RolandGarros), la más vista desde el 2014 en Eurosport (@Eurosport) y DMax (@Dmax_es). La final cosechó un gran 18% de share. Ambas cadenas registraron su mejor dato de la temporada. https://buff.ly/2sS3TfB
Translated from Spanish by Microsoft
The victory of Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) in Roland Garros (@RolandGarros), the most seen since the 2014 on Eurosport (@Eurosport) and DMax (https://buff.ly/2sS3TfB ). The final reaped a large 18% share. Both chains recorded their best data of the season.
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Last year, Rafa received 2 replicas of the Musketeers' Cup: a usual small replica and a full-size replica trophy engraved with Rafa's name, “La Decima” and the years of his ten victories. The latter was presented to him at the trophy ceremony by Uncle Toni.
Uncle Toni holds the original Musketeers' Cup and Rafa - the special full-size replica trophy (at the 2017 trophy ceremony):
The full-size replica trophy at Rafa's museum (at his academy) in Mallorca:
vernonbc
Legend
Here are Rafa's answers to the Spanish press in the post-championship presser.
THE MODERATOR: Questions in Spanish.
Q. You talked about the problem you had in the third set and you said that you found a solution. Did you think that you could not continue, or would you have continued with the right hand?
RAFAEL NADAL: Of course it was a very frightful moment. I didn't really think about what could happen.
It was a cramp, and I was hoping that it would not last. I didn't want to go out of the court, anyway. I had lost the games and waited to see if it would go. I had two sets of margin to wait if it would pass.
And I didn't think about too many things. I took a decision, and of course I would have continued in whatever way.
It's a unique match.
Q. What was the most difficult moment of this tournament in the first round against Bolelli, first set against Schwartzman, or first set against Thiem?
RAFAEL NADAL: The most difficult was being one set down against Schwartzman. That is the final reality. It's the only match where I lost a set. This is the reality. I was one set down, one break down. That was the most difficult, complicated moment of the tournament.
But throughout the tournament, although I didn't lose any set, there were many difficult moments.
Q. It's the 11th final. You played in Monte-Carlo and Rome. Can you sum up the experience of finals? Was it different from last year with the experience of playing finals?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, of course when you have played so many finals in a given moment, every year is totally different, but it's true that there is a given moment where there are situations you have already been through.
And when you have been through different times, you have normally capacity to better understand the situation and to better manage them, at least understand the moments of the match that are of high tension and do better than the first time.
So, yes, in the second set I was a bit tired. I didn't fight so much for a few games. I was at ease with my serve, although my game suffered a lot.
If I couldn't have done this in 2005, I would have played every single game with all my energy. But with the years, you try to understand where you can win when you can relax physically or mentally. And sometimes it's successful, sometimes you're not, but that's also based on experience and age.
You know that these moments are decisive. It's a special court. The wind has an importance. For instance, the first set, 4-All, it was vital to save this game with my serve. Because normally in the 5-4, with the pressure for the rival against the wind for him, if I could put the balls inside and make adequate decisions, it was a very good opportunity for me to win the set. And winning the first set is a very good advantage in such a match.
These are things you understand with time and you try to take advantage of that. That's also experience.
Q. Congratulations for the victory. You always talk about the dream of improving to continue moving forward. What do you have to improve when you have won 11 wins here?
RAFAEL NADAL: You can always improve something, and I think that everyone can improve. There is no limit. You never know where is the limit.
So no one can tell you where is the limit, so each of us has his or her limitations. We don't know them because, in the end, you can think that you can do something better and maybe you won't improve.
But if you don't have the will to improve, you don't understand the sport, because the sport is always about improving. That's the meaning of sport. It's playing with the dream of doing something better than what you're doing before. Otherwise sports, per se, is not going to be so difficult, because sports is simple. When you're not working with passion of doing something better, I think that sports will lose its sense.
Q. Congratulations. 11 titles won here in Roland Garros. What does it mean for you? What is your feeling?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it means, first of all, adding one more title of the most important tournament for me during the year. It also means knowing that for the rest of the year you know that whatever happens, the year is going to be good and you feel a bit quiet.
If you win 1000s and 500s, the money, these are many things that count. Well, a lot of things motivate you to win the title, but it all boils down to winning the title of Roland Garros, whether it be 11, 10, or 8.
The allusion, the pleasure is winning Roland Garros. This is what makes me feel really happy.
Q. Yesterday Moya was saying that one of the main points for Thiem might be the psychological issue. When did you notice that he was maybe not so much into the match? Did you feel the pressure for him?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I don't think he was out of the match. Maybe at the end when I had a break against him. But he broke against me 5-4 in the first set. Second set, if I'm not mistaken, at 4-2, there was also an occasion. We ended the first set with only one break difference at 6-3.
It's also at the end of the third set when I was able to get a 5-2 that I really overcame him, but I believe that tactically he was good and tennistically he played well.
I went to the court with a clear idea of what I wanted to do. I applied it well. And sincerely, I don't know. I don't know if you saw it in any other way, but I felt the match was good throughout.
Q. You say that each Roland Garros is special, but when you read titles, you see words like something mythical or legend. When you go to the lockers, what do you think? Not what people think, but what is in your mind?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, to be honest, I haven't got much time to think about things, because until a few days after, I'm not saying that I'm not aware. I'm 100% happy about what happened. But when the tournament is finished, you have to say hello to people, people congratulate you, you have to see lots of people. I have to be here, et cetera. So a whole series of things that do not give you time to think.
But what do I think? Well, the answer is quite simple. I think probably the same as you. That in the end, I don't like to say it, but it's something that is really unique, something that you can't dream of, winning 11 times the same tournament.
But it happened, and as always, I would like to thank life for giving me this opportunity. Many people work as much as I do or even more and haven't had my luck. This being said, yes, winning 11 times here is a lot. I can't tell you any more than that.
Maybe I don't like the way it sounds, but that's what I can tell you.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
THE MODERATOR: Questions in Spanish.
Q. You talked about the problem you had in the third set and you said that you found a solution. Did you think that you could not continue, or would you have continued with the right hand?
RAFAEL NADAL: Of course it was a very frightful moment. I didn't really think about what could happen.
It was a cramp, and I was hoping that it would not last. I didn't want to go out of the court, anyway. I had lost the games and waited to see if it would go. I had two sets of margin to wait if it would pass.
And I didn't think about too many things. I took a decision, and of course I would have continued in whatever way.
It's a unique match.
Q. What was the most difficult moment of this tournament in the first round against Bolelli, first set against Schwartzman, or first set against Thiem?
RAFAEL NADAL: The most difficult was being one set down against Schwartzman. That is the final reality. It's the only match where I lost a set. This is the reality. I was one set down, one break down. That was the most difficult, complicated moment of the tournament.
But throughout the tournament, although I didn't lose any set, there were many difficult moments.
Q. It's the 11th final. You played in Monte-Carlo and Rome. Can you sum up the experience of finals? Was it different from last year with the experience of playing finals?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, of course when you have played so many finals in a given moment, every year is totally different, but it's true that there is a given moment where there are situations you have already been through.
And when you have been through different times, you have normally capacity to better understand the situation and to better manage them, at least understand the moments of the match that are of high tension and do better than the first time.
So, yes, in the second set I was a bit tired. I didn't fight so much for a few games. I was at ease with my serve, although my game suffered a lot.
If I couldn't have done this in 2005, I would have played every single game with all my energy. But with the years, you try to understand where you can win when you can relax physically or mentally. And sometimes it's successful, sometimes you're not, but that's also based on experience and age.
You know that these moments are decisive. It's a special court. The wind has an importance. For instance, the first set, 4-All, it was vital to save this game with my serve. Because normally in the 5-4, with the pressure for the rival against the wind for him, if I could put the balls inside and make adequate decisions, it was a very good opportunity for me to win the set. And winning the first set is a very good advantage in such a match.
These are things you understand with time and you try to take advantage of that. That's also experience.
Q. Congratulations for the victory. You always talk about the dream of improving to continue moving forward. What do you have to improve when you have won 11 wins here?
RAFAEL NADAL: You can always improve something, and I think that everyone can improve. There is no limit. You never know where is the limit.
So no one can tell you where is the limit, so each of us has his or her limitations. We don't know them because, in the end, you can think that you can do something better and maybe you won't improve.
But if you don't have the will to improve, you don't understand the sport, because the sport is always about improving. That's the meaning of sport. It's playing with the dream of doing something better than what you're doing before. Otherwise sports, per se, is not going to be so difficult, because sports is simple. When you're not working with passion of doing something better, I think that sports will lose its sense.
Q. Congratulations. 11 titles won here in Roland Garros. What does it mean for you? What is your feeling?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, it means, first of all, adding one more title of the most important tournament for me during the year. It also means knowing that for the rest of the year you know that whatever happens, the year is going to be good and you feel a bit quiet.
If you win 1000s and 500s, the money, these are many things that count. Well, a lot of things motivate you to win the title, but it all boils down to winning the title of Roland Garros, whether it be 11, 10, or 8.
The allusion, the pleasure is winning Roland Garros. This is what makes me feel really happy.
Q. Yesterday Moya was saying that one of the main points for Thiem might be the psychological issue. When did you notice that he was maybe not so much into the match? Did you feel the pressure for him?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, I don't think he was out of the match. Maybe at the end when I had a break against him. But he broke against me 5-4 in the first set. Second set, if I'm not mistaken, at 4-2, there was also an occasion. We ended the first set with only one break difference at 6-3.
It's also at the end of the third set when I was able to get a 5-2 that I really overcame him, but I believe that tactically he was good and tennistically he played well.
I went to the court with a clear idea of what I wanted to do. I applied it well. And sincerely, I don't know. I don't know if you saw it in any other way, but I felt the match was good throughout.
Q. You say that each Roland Garros is special, but when you read titles, you see words like something mythical or legend. When you go to the lockers, what do you think? Not what people think, but what is in your mind?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, to be honest, I haven't got much time to think about things, because until a few days after, I'm not saying that I'm not aware. I'm 100% happy about what happened. But when the tournament is finished, you have to say hello to people, people congratulate you, you have to see lots of people. I have to be here, et cetera. So a whole series of things that do not give you time to think.
But what do I think? Well, the answer is quite simple. I think probably the same as you. That in the end, I don't like to say it, but it's something that is really unique, something that you can't dream of, winning 11 times the same tournament.
But it happened, and as always, I would like to thank life for giving me this opportunity. Many people work as much as I do or even more and haven't had my luck. This being said, yes, winning 11 times here is a lot. I can't tell you any more than that.
Maybe I don't like the way it sounds, but that's what I can tell you.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
"If I couldn't have done this in 2005, I would have played every single game with all my energy. But with the years, you try to understand where you can win when you can relax physically or mentally. And sometimes it's successful, sometimes you're not, but that's also based on experience and age."
Basically he even admits, he was tireless
Basically he even admits, he was tireless
Absolutely true. I posted it today, it got to at least 4 pages and then just disappeared. I just reposted a link to article again.
This has happened to me several times before. I've created Pro-Rafa threads that have been "too succesful". Several have gotten to 10+ pages before some modeerator decides they don't want people to keep reading a thread that paints Rafa in a strong light (or as better than Federer).
D
Deleted member 756514
Guest
And yet threads like these containing disparaging comments about him and his loved ones are allowed to exist. https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/rafa-pulls-out-with-maria.619127/
D
Deleted member 688153
Guest
This thread rn:
Uncle Ebeneezer
Rookie
This is great. Did you make this? I'd love to see one for Federer so everyone could see side-by-side the huge difference between the two players as far as time missed for injury, throughout their careers. The fact that since Rafa has missed TWELVE majors, Federer missed only FOUR (And Fed's absences didn't even start until 2016) and yet they are only separated in total by THREE, makes Rafa's achievements even more incredible.Genny SS Retweeted
Rishabh Bafna @RishBafna
Rafa has missed 44 tournies in his career (Incl. 9 GS) due to as many as 16 injuries till date amounting to 2.5+ yrs lost in playing time. Despite this, he has 17 GS and a W/L record (903-187) in par with Roger (904-205) by the age of 32. Remarkable!!
A thought provoking article, http://www.espn.co.uk/tennis/story/_/id/23784126/tennis-rafael-nadal-not-only-king-clay-goat
D
Deleted member 688153
Guest
Really got my noggin joggin too.
AlexanderTheGreat08
Hall of Fame
Rafa24
Hall of Fame
Thanks for posting I remember that well now. I was thinking it was bigger last year but when I saw the instagram post it looked like the others.Last year, Rafa received 2 replicas of the Musketeers' Cup: a usual small replica and a full-size replica trophy engraved with Rafa's name, “La Decima” and the years of his ten victories. The latter was presented to him at the trophy ceremony by Uncle Toni.
Uncle Toni holds the original Musketeers' Cup and Rafa - the special full-size replica trophy (at the 2017 trophy ceremony):
The full-size replica trophy at Rafa's museum (at his academy) in Mallorca:
ADuck
Legend
Any reason why it might have been deleted? I was posting on it when it had 1 or 2 pages only and there wasn't anything bad then?
Crisstti
Legend
Well, wouldn't that be EPIC
This thread rn:
Maybe you have a theory why the thread in question was deleted. Twice.
I think the thread about Rafa's comments about equal pay among men and women players was deleted as well.