Nadal/Tsitsipas Abu Dhabi match: as good as it gets

[McEnborg]

The level these guys played at was incredible. Rafa is 33 1/2 and moving like he’s 25. He is hitting out even more on ground strokes and seems to have found additional power and depth. Sometimes people forget that Nadal has been in 5 Aussie finals, even though he just has the one title.

Tsitsipas has improved his game immensely as the year has gone on and has a real chance to win the Australian. His serve is bigger and his ground stokes are better than they’ve ever been. Anyway, I’d encourage anyone to watch this match on Tennis Channel replay. An absolutely phenomenal performance by both.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Rafa a real threat to win AO, and if Djoker goes down early, it is his to lose.

Rafa honestly looks about as good as he ever has on HC's. Not saying he is, but he looks that way.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

Rafa a real threat to win AO, and if Djoker goes down early, it is his to lose.

Rafa honestly looks about as good as he ever has on HC's. Not saying he is, but he looks that way.

Only till he runs into djok or fed

 

[Lleytonstation]

Only till he runs into djok or fed

We will see, but I don't think Djoker beats him in straights in the final this year.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

We will see, but I don't think Djoker beats him in straights in the final this year.

Let them both reach the final first

 

[Lleytonstation]

Let them both reach the final first

One of them will for sure. Likely both.

 

[HetTheGreaterer]

One of them will for sure. Likely both.

We'll see that

 

[DSH]

What a match!

 

[The Blond Blur]

What a match!

Crazy high level! Even though it's only an exho they sure didn't play like it! A 3 hour war and peek dat Tsitsipuss racquet smash

 

[MichaelNadal]

Most Nadal matches are epic

 

[mental midget]

yeah good match. i have a feeling tsitsipas is going to separate from the pack this year. his game seems to improve weekly.

 

[Mainad]

yeah good match. i have a feeling tsitsipas is going to separate from the pack this year. his game seems to improve weekly.

He's obviously cracked BO3 matches but still needs to prove himself in BO5.

 

[2nd Serve Ace]

Thought it was interesting that the longer (+9) rallies were slightly in Stefs favor.

Old Nadal is getting good at shortening points on his terms.

 

[StrongRule]

This is absolutely ridiculous. Nadal is not moving like he is 25 years old, don't even go there.

Rafa a real threat to win AO, and if Djoker goes down early, it is his to lose.

Rafa honestly looks about as good as he ever has on HC's. Not saying he is, but he looks that way.

Watch some videos from AO 2009 and then say with a straight face that Nadal is as good as ever on hardcourt. What he does is impressive for his age, but he is nowhere near his peak level on hardcourt. It's strange we even have to discuss this. Prime Nadal would routine Tsitsipas in straight sets, and for sure wouldn't choke sets against him.

 

[Tshooter]

Rafa GOAT-actor. VAMOS !

 

[Roddick85]

While I have no doubt that this was a good and entertaining match, let's also remind ourselves that his is an actual exhibition with nothing at stake for either players here. I don't think you can take away much if anything from that match beside the entertaining value it provided. As much as next gen is improving, they are still unproven in BO5 format where as the likes of Djokovic, Federer & Nadal have pretty much always delivered when things really mattered. Coming in fresh physically, to play an exhibition with 0 pressure because it don't mean anything can't be compared to playing in a slam where the stakes are high, pressure to perform is there along with the physical demands over 2 weeks to win the title.

 

[Lleytonstation]

This is absolutely ridiculous. Nadal is not moving like he is 25 years old, don't even go there.

Watch some videos from AO 2009 and then say with a straight face that Nadal is as good as ever on hardcourt. What he does is impressive for his age, but he is nowhere near his peak level on hardcourt. It's strange we even have to discuss this. Prime Nadal would routine Tsitsipas in straight sets, and for sure wouldn't choke sets against him.

I have seen Rafa play since 05, I did NOT say he was, but the level of competition makes it look this way. Plus, he has improved things that have helped him on HC’s. Much like Fed is not better, but has improved aspects of his game.

 

[DSH]

Crazy high level! Even though it's only an exho they sure didn't play like it! A 3 hour war and peek dat Tsitsipuss racquet smash

The Greek player is upset by the fact that he is not able to defeat the Spanish Master.

 

[DSH]

While I have no doubt that this was a good and entertaining match, let's also remind ourselves that his is an actual exhibition with nothing at stake for either players here. I don't think you can take away much if anything from that match beside the entertaining value it provided. As much as next gen is improving, they are still unproven in BO5 format where as the likes of Djokovic, Federer & Nadal have pretty much always delivered when things really mattered. Coming in fresh physically, to play an exhibition with 0 pressure because it don't mean anything can't be compared to playing in a slam where the stakes are high, pressure to perform is there along with the physical demands over 2 weeks to win the title.

 

[The Blond Blur]

The Greek player is upset by the fact that he is not able to defeat the Spanish Master.

We all know he wasn't trying though. He totally would have won if he was willing to die on the court

 

[DSH]

We all know he wasn't trying though. He totally would have won if he was willing to die on the court

There is a beautiful Greek proverb that says:

Τα πολλά λόγια είναι φτώχια.
Meaning: Many words is poverty!

 

[BeatlesFan]

Tsitsipas has improved his game immensely as the year has gone on and has a real chance to win the Australian.

He actually has almost no chance to win the AO this year unless Djokovic and Nadal are injured. Nobody has a “real chance” to win the AO unless it’s one of the big 3. The next likeliest guy would be Stan, and he has about a 10% chance.

 

[marc45]

best exo I've seen

 

[DSH]

best exo I've seen

Nadal still has 2 or 3 years more to give Masterclasses to the new litter of young tennis players!

 

[NatF]

Tbh I thought Nadal looked a little slow and I don't think his shots were as big as they have been in the past. Still a great match obvs.

 

[RS]

Rafa a real threat to win AO, and if Djoker goes down early, it is his to lose.

Rafa honestly looks about as good as he ever has on HC's. Not saying he is, but he looks that way.

Federer is the slight favourite if he and Rafa get to a final at AO.

 

[NatF]

Federer is the slight favourite if he and Rafa get to a final at AO.

Alot depends who has the tougher SF in that scenario imo. Both fresh I'd favour Fed a tad but draw is way more important for Fed.

 

[King No1e]

Rafa a real threat to win AO, and if Djoker goes down early, it is his to lose.

Rafa honestly looks about as good as he ever has on HC's. Not saying he is, but he looks that way.

Cаpybara looking good, will win AO/Sunshine double

 

[King No1e]

Very impressed by Tsitsipas. He's got the look of a champion out there...commanding presence, tough mentality, confident attacking tennis when it counts. Tennis will be in good hands if he continues his rise.
Unfortunately for him today, there was another champion out there, with 19 more Grand Slams.

 

[RS]

Alot depends who has the tougher SF in that scenario imo. Both fresh I'd favour Fed a tad but draw is way more important for Fed.

Yes. That and form is a factor. Maybe the speed of the court as a factor as AO has been faster in the last 3/4 additions.