Eight-time champion Rafael Nadal has been knocked out of the Barcelona Open in the third round by Fabio Fognini.
Fabio’s 6-4, 7-6 (6) victory was his second consecutive win on clay over our champ, following his three sets victory in the semi-finals in Rio de Janeiro in February.
Win or lose, ALWAYS with RAFA!
Photo via Mundo Deportivo
Photo via Mundo Deportivo
Photo via Mundo Deportivo
Photo via Mundo Deportivo
Photo via Mundo Deportivo
Photo via Mundo Deportivo
Photo: Barcelona Open
John MC is not a good example or a player to look up to….. Nadal has a solid, nurturing team behind him, plus, he himself has developed over the years so much openness regarding his game and the knowing what solutions to find as needed…. so please forgive my disagreement but John MC is a funny suggestion….it seems to me MC is 20% of Nadal’s wisdom & tennis know how…. MC has demonstrated childish and disrespectful manner on the court, he is a light weight in terms of depth and perseverance …so no he is not the person to look up to, or elicit advice from….he is a talker…and often goes by the wind of ATP politics during his match coverage … .where as Nadal is governed by concrete action & hard work…… Rafa and his team has admirable longevity & remarkable success…I wish them best as they move forward with continued inspiration & good time. I gather that many progressive Athletic mentors are kin on introducing Yoga, Meditation & lots of stretching…. all fruitful practices for every person. Vamos Rafa and all best wishes!!!: )
Rafa …at this time… We all think you need a new coach, person in your team..
John Mc would tell you exactly what you need…honestly.. Besides your family..
We hate to see you struggling… We all know you can do better..
Taiwo Samuel Very good analysis Taiwo Samuel. I agree with almost all of it; including that Novak’s game is very exceptional. As I said I AGREE with all of it, and I too think that Rafa needs new coaching perspective and many other things. But, I know that he will win. Thanks for your response to my post. Marylynn
Tennis experts have analysed Novak Djokovic’s current game and have all unanimously confirmed it as perfect, one without any weakness in any form.
Rafa Nadal will surely have his hands full at the FO this time around!
Everyone has said it all. I love you Rafa and I know you are struggling very much. But I know that you will find a way, and by the grace of God… that you will win at least one more grand slam if not two more. And I DO know from my heart and soul that you will lift the trophy this year after the French Open Final at Roland Garros. I know all of you Novak and Roger fans may not like hearing that, but I know that he will be the champion again this year. He will defend his title. I promise all of you fans. God Bless you Rafa and be well. Marylynn
Let’s put emotions aside, Marylynn, the truth is that Rafa has not done what he’s suppose to do. Immediately after losing the 2013 FO to Nadal, Novak Djokovic realised he had a problem to deal with, especially after losing when he had a 5 – 3 lead in the 5th set. He realised he had ”confidence issues at critical match moments” to deal with and he then later brought in Boris Becker to help solve the challenge. The rest, ofcourse, is history now!
Just like Rafa’s routines – butt picking, touching nose and ears b4 playing every new game, not stepping on the baseline, etc,etc – which almost all players on tour can mimic, most of the top level players (probably excepting Federer and Richard Gasquet)have since mastered his game and therefore can readily anticipate his moves on the court.
So, let me summarise by telling you the main things that Rafa need to urgently do:
1. Get a new coach to work with good, old Uncle Toni, as soon as possible.
2. He should learn to keep his secrets secret. Rafa talks too much and in the process, he reveals vital info about his strengths and weaknesses to the press. This is not good at all; opponents are listening and feeding on his words to perfect their strategies.
3. He should immediately stop playing poker! Since he started playing poker, things have been going bad for him tennis-wise.
Lastly, o the upcoming 2015 FO, I honestly do not see him winning it again this year. He is not likely to achieve ‘LA DECIMA’ this year as he is in the worst form of his tennis career right now. Last year, and in previous years, he had a good run b4 the start of the FO.But no good run has happened at all this year up till now – 4 weeks to the FO!!!
Again, he is bound to lose some points following his poor showing at Barcelona. Except he really performs well at Rome and Madrid, he may fall well out of top 5! If that happens, he will definetely not have a favourable draw at 2015 FO! When you don’t have a favourable draw, when you start battling in early rounds with the likes of Tsonga, Nishikori, Nick Kyrgios, David Ferrer or Isner or Fernando Verdasco or Fognini, then it’s ‘Game Up” at the finish line.
PLEASE WRITE THIS DOWN SOMEWHERE: I PREDICT THAT EITHER NOVAK, ROGER OR DAVID FERRER WILL WIN THE 2015 FO.
I’m not a Novak fan, but I’ve got to admit the truth that Novak is simply the best right now. He has really improved all aspects of his game and he’s far better than last year. Meanwhile, our own Nadal, like Emperor Nero, continues to fiddle away while Rome burns to ashes. Nadal continues to fiddle away, thinking everything will go his way once the FO starts……..for how long will it continue to be like this without a strategic plan.
I heard the commentator mention Rafa has a new Racket……..well it doesn’t seem to be working for him…..as a lot of his famous corner shots went out…and he looked very unrelaxed and looking worried at the Racket, Roger took a long time to get used to his new larger racket……it looks like the same with Rafa……..so he better decide which Racket is best for the FO…I think go back to the old Racket…..he may relax more
Dear Rafa…. All good wishes sweetheart & blessings coming your way !!! : ) Have a nice evening & enjoy your time off!!! Eat those yummy shrimps & Pasta & Continue to wisely follow your intuitive wisdom as you are doing …. You KNOW your game better than anybody & keep doing what you are doing so beautifully because you are moving forward…. ci…ci… !!!! : ) Not winning every match is natural & as long as you are out there… competing…. breaking your opponent serve, coming up w solutions etc…. playing and giving it your best effort…that is all that is required…. As you can tell from all the loving fan mail you are getting, many people are happy & thrilled to see you playing, evolving and developing…. you are open & full of integrity!!! : ) We see other top players simply disappear temporarily…. hiding their ups & down… canceling their tour participation suddenly because they are not honest w their game level…. fear to show weakness, hiding where they truly are w their tennis… Then, after a rest/a break they return & show up as if nothing happened & pretend they are as strong as ever…. but tennis fans know better…. Thankfully, you are a blessed open book….so honest & precious….that is why you are most respected, admired player!!!!: ) You are an amazing gift to Tennis and to all of us fans who love you & love watching your passion on the court. VAMOS Rafa & God bless you!!! : ) One match at a time is your forever philosophy and that is beautiful!! : )
So beautifully, poignantly and perfectly expressed by Fan love.
nadal has precisely NOT come up with any solutions to his sloppy play in nearly a year. He needs a fresh voice and perspective his camp.
May be it’s time for Rafa to retire to start playing poker full time.
Afterall he defeated Ronaldo de lima and the rest of the world in a well publicised poker match.
Really really sad to see Rafa play – devastated to see him struggling. More so after reading his interview – confirmed what I was thinking during his match. Of course he can improve and in time be his old self – but he needs time. Wonder if he should really take a break. Can’t help thinking of the forecast I read last year written by Octozone Lobo – that his form will plummet and he may retire end of year. Forecasts and predictions needn’t be accurate and can be overcome. Rafa needs to be immensely strong, determined and positive mentally. Affirmations, visualisations, etc.. Fans could do the same. Rafa probably needs earnest mental coaching. Rafa, wish you every success, patience, and will power to get back to your old self again. Your most ardent fan. Vamos!