Nadal News 2.0

clayqueen

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
“You need matches like this to be fitter after a month without competing. But that's part of the process, and I know the process,” Nadal said. “I went through all this stuff many times in my career. So it's something I am not worried about.

“So is about winning these kind of matches. That helps you to be better. Then, if I'm able to improve with my foot, I think the rest of the things [are] going to come step by step.”

Nadal meets 14th-seeded South African Lloyd Harris next for a place in the quarterfinals. Despite having admitted to some pain in the left foot during the match, he was prepared to forge ahead.

“I have been resting enough. Maybe it is not about resting, but is the moment to just keep going,” Nadal said. “It is the moment to not practise much because I played a three-hour match, so I need to be ready for tomorrow.

“[I will] have a short warm-up tomorrow, try to be ready for the match. I’m going to have a tough opponent in front. Let's see. Tomorrow’s another day, another opportunity to play in front of this amazing crowd. I want to enjoy the experience again.”

www.atptour.com

Rafael Nadal Fights Foot Pain To Deny Jack Sock In Washington | ATP Tour | Tennis

Rafael Nadal Says It Is ‘About Winning These Kind of Matches’ After Denying Jack Sock In Washington Debut
www.atptour.com www.atptour.com
 
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Rafa24

Rafa24

Hall of Fame
clayqueen said:
“You need matches like this to be fitter after a month without competing. But that's part of the process, and I know the process,” Nadal said. “I went through all this stuff many times on my career. So it's something I am not worried about.

“So is about winning these kind of matches. That helps you to be better. Then, if I'm able to improve with my foot, I think the rest of the things [are] going to come step by step.”

Nadal meets 14th-seeded South African Lloyd Harris next for a place in the quarterfinals. Despite having admitted to some pain in the left foot during the match, he was prepared to forge ahead.

“I have been resting enough. Maybe it is not about resting, but is the moment to just keep going,” Nadal said. “It is the moment to not practise much because I played a three-hour match, so I need to be ready for tomorrow.

“[I will] have a short warm-up tomorrow, try to be ready for the match. I’m going to have a tough opponent in front. Let's see. Tomorrow’s another day, another opportunity to play in front of this amazing crowd. I want to enjoy the experience again.”

www.atptour.com

Rafael Nadal Fights Foot Pain To Deny Jack Sock In Washington | ATP Tour | Tennis

Rafael Nadal Says It Is ‘About Winning These Kind of Matches’ After Denying Jack Sock In Washington Debut
www.atptour.com www.atptour.com
Click to expand...
Yay! Ready to see him play again tomorrow!:)
 
J

JustMy2Cents

Hall of Fame
clayqueen said:
“You need matches like this to be fitter after a month without competing. But that's part of the process, and I know the process,” Nadal said. “I went through all this stuff many times in my career. So it's something I am not worried about.

“So is about winning these kind of matches. That helps you to be better. Then, if I'm able to improve with my foot, I think the rest of the things [are] going to come step by step.”

Nadal meets 14th-seeded South African Lloyd Harris next for a place in the quarterfinals. Despite having admitted to some pain in the left foot during the match, he was prepared to forge ahead.

“I have been resting enough. Maybe it is not about resting, but is the moment to just keep going,” Nadal said. “It is the moment to not practise much because I played a three-hour match, so I need to be ready for tomorrow.

“[I will] have a short warm-up tomorrow, try to be ready for the match. I’m going to have a tough opponent in front. Let's see. Tomorrow’s another day, another opportunity to play in front of this amazing crowd. I want to enjoy the experience again.”

www.atptour.com

Rafael Nadal Fights Foot Pain To Deny Jack Sock In Washington | ATP Tour | Tennis

Rafael Nadal Says It Is ‘About Winning These Kind of Matches’ After Denying Jack Sock In Washington Debut
www.atptour.com www.atptour.com
Click to expand...
Another interview
 
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McEncock

McEncock

Professional
Anyone has translated what he says to Titì?
I used to understand Mallorcan dialect as a child, but I forgot it all :'(
 
J

JustMy2Cents

Hall of Fame
Reilly Opelka recently claimed that Rafael Nadal has been his favorite player since his childhood and that he considers the Spaniard to be the "greatest". Opelka further revealed that Nadal used to be his inspiration when he played dress-up on Halloween in the past.

Reilly Opelka and Rafael Nadal are currently participating at the 2021 Citi Open in Washington. At the time of writing both players are into the third round, after having won their respective second-round matches on Wednesday.

Opelka, on his part, defeated Daniel Elahi Galan in his second-round clash on Wednesday. During his post-match press conference, the big-serving American was probed about his Italian Open semifinal encounter against Rafael Nadal, which took place in May.

Rafael Nadal defeated Reilly Opelka 6-4, 6-4 in that match, and the American admitted on Wednesday there was nothing more he could have done against the King of Clay on his favorite surface.

"With my style of play, unfortunately, there was not much to do," Reilly Opelka said. "The simple fact of facing Rafa was already great, he is the greatest and was playing on his court."
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Reilly Opelka went on to describe how he would dress up as his idol on Halloween when he was younger. The 23-year-old further claimed he wanted to beat Rafael Nadal in Rome, before reiterating his "respect" towards the 20-time Major champion.

"He was always my favorite player growing up, I dressed as him for Halloween twice, so facing a legend like him is incredible," Opelka added. "I wanted to go out and win, but there was a lot of respect I feel for him, I think it happens to us all."
Click to expand...
Rafael Nadal was my favorite player and always will be: Reilly Opelka
Even though Reilly Opelka admitted to "idolizing" Rafael Nadal, he stressed that he no longer behaves like a fanboy around the Spaniard. According to Opelka, it is imperative for a player to deal with matches against their favorites professionally - like he believes he did against Nadal during their Italian Open encounter.

"We have grown up idolizing these players (but) I no longer tell you about asking him for a selfie at the end of the match," Opelka said. "We have to draw a line on these issues. I have the utmost respect for Rafa, he is the greatest, he was my favorite player and always will be, but the day we played I entered the court and tried to beat him."
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www.sportskeeda.com

Reilly Opelka says Rafael Nadal is the "greatest", reveals he used to dress up as the Spaniard on Halloween

Reilly Opelka recently claimed that Rafael Nadal has been his favorite player since his childhood and that he considers the Spaniard to be the "greatest".
www.sportskeeda.com www.sportskeeda.com
 
octobrina10

octobrina10

Talk Tennis Guru
Citi Open, ATP-500 in Washington

August 4, 2021
R2, Rafa vs J.Sock

A few great action pictures:

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231778860_4211066612291865_2838296041490669830_n.jpg

229725605_4211065155625344_4257765909940689471_n.jpg

Photos via RNKOTFB

Vamos Rafa!
 
kevaninho

kevaninho

Hall of Fame
Just goes to show that when he came back to play Rome then RG there was a reason do many people were alarmed by his form.
These guys aren't machines and sometimes there's stuff going on behind the scenes that causes these dips in form.

I think alot of people forget this, and just want to claim its cos they're old they suddenly declined.
 
Rafa24

Rafa24

Hall of Fame
Noooooo.:(:(:( So happy I got to see Rafa play twice but hated seeing him lose tonight. His foot looked better tonight than last night. Thought for sure he would pull it out. Missed the double break point at the start of the 3rd set.

Bucket list of seeing Rafa in person accomplished. Saw an epic match that was vintage Rafa who never gives up last night so I am happy I got to see that. Was sad to see him lose tonight.:(
 
Rafa24

Rafa24

Hall of Fame
There were 3-4 serves Rafa didn't trust the hawkeye and went up and verified the mark and told the ump it was out. 2-3 of them they didn't show the replay on the screen either. The way this tournament was run I wouldn't have been surprised if they didn't mess stuff up.
 
ElChivoEspañol

ElChivoEspañol

Hall of Fame
Positives were no limping, which may indicate the pain is somewhat under control (huge question mark there really). And some flashes of his true playing level, this result is somewhat expected with the rust, foot and age all factored in.

I wouldn't read too much into these last 2 matches, Rafa needs a lot of match play before the USO and if the foot cooperates he will get back into shape, the main concern is the foot.

Vamos!
 
D

DjokoLand

Hall of Fame
ElChivoEspañol said:
Positives were no limping, which may indicate the pain is somewhat under control (huge question mark there really). And some flashes of his true playing level, this result is somewhat expected with the rust, foot and age all factored in.

I wouldn't read too much into these last 2 matches, Rafa needs a lot of match play before the USO and if the foot cooperates he will get back into shape, the main concern is the foot.

Vamos!
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I look at the no limping or no pain as a positive and a negative for Nadal, positive as in he is getting over his injury and negative as in he struggles with Sock and lost too Lloyd
 
ElChivoEspañol

ElChivoEspañol

Hall of Fame
DjokoLand said:
I look at the no limping or no pain as a positive and a negative for Nadal, positive as in he is getting over his injury and negative as in he struggles with Sock and lost too Lloyd
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He just came back, did you miss the parts where I said he needs more match play?

It is not secret to anyone that follows tennis that Nadal gets confidence playing matches, besides that fact, he experienced enough pain to hamper his game from a reoccurring injury on his first match back, that would make any player hesitant and doubtful of being able to play his game 100%.

It really isn't rocket science, he just needs more match play and the foot to allow him to play to his 100%. The technical issues will get worked out that way.
 
J

JustMy2Cents

Hall of Fame
weakera said:
Great sign that his foot got better and not worse.
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Here's Rafa on his foot and his serve
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1423463775550705665
He's such a class act. Apologizes for the defeat as he feels he has disappointed people who were so nice to him.

I think people love him for his persona of putting in the ultimate effort.
Of course his skills are legendary but a few wins/trophies more or less make no difference in our esteem for him
Vamos Rafa!
 
Lleytonstation

Lleytonstation

Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa24 said:
Noooooo.:(:(:( So happy I got to see Rafa play twice but hated seeing him lose tonight. His foot looked better tonight than last night. Thought for sure he would pull it out. Missed the double break point at the start of the 3rd set.

Bucket list of seeing Rafa in person accomplished. Saw an epic match that was vintage Rafa who never gives up last night so I am happy I got to see that. Was sad to see him lose tonight.:(
Click to expand...
Dude that is awesome though. Time was running out. I will never forget the first time I saw Fed and Rafa play live. Still only seen Fed play twice live.

Plus, you saw him win in a battle which was cool.
 
V

Vamos Rafa Nadal

Guest
I watched Gill Gross's video about Rafa's win against Sock and he points out that Rafa has a history of seeming down and out and bounces back quickly. He pointed out that Rafa was hitting too many balls to the middle of the court that were easy for Sock to attack aggressively (this was also true in the first and 3rd sets last night with Lloyd Harris). So I am incredibly disappointed but Rafa does tend to learn lessons from his defeats. The two good things from the past two matches were his dominance in the tiebreaker (7-1) and his second set in the Harris match (6-1). But the pain in his body is interfering with his shot-making decisions too much right now. It will be interesting to see what decisions he makes going forward. I am hoping he finds his winning form once again soon.
 
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