World No. 3 Rafael Nadal is out of the Rio Open, beaten 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 in the semifinals by fourth-seeded Fabio Fognini on Saturday. The Italian ended Rafa’s 52-match win streak in tour-level semi-finals on clay.
Rafa complained of cramps from the Rio heat, and said he simply has not played enough. He said he’s motivated, and said Rio “was not a negative week.”
“I have to be happy the way I played that first set. But I got tired too early today. … But these kinds of things can happen.” (via AP)
AP Photo/Felipe Dana
AP Photo/Felipe Dana
Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Well Fannine lost today.Rafa.Rafa will return strong and he will win .
Rafa needs to regroup if he wants to continue his dominance. Add a new coach to offer another perspective. Even Uncle Tony’s good advice over the years can get stale. All the losses to qualifiers and former losers like Berdyche and Fognini are wake-up calls. He sweats profusely and much more so than other players, a good nutritionist to help him combat this problem will help. Look at Novak, always making changes to fit his needs, whether it’s diet or new coach. Rafa needs to be more flexible mentally if he wants to play many more years. Tweaking here and there will do some wonders, give it a try.And please don’t ever wear pink again, just bring him bad luck. Also, how about shave the thinning hair a la Andre Agassi, not only will that alleviate a bit in the sweating department but also better to look at when the camera zooms in and the looming baldness is not good to his handsome image (just a suggestion).