Four-time champion Rafael Nadal had to experience a defeat against Andy Murray on clay. The Scot, who won his first tournament on clay last week, picked up a 6-3, 6-2 win Sunday over Rafa in the final of the Mutua Madrid Open.
Rafael Nadal: “Congratulations Andy. You played much better than me today so good luck for Roland Garros and the rest. Clearly it wasn’t the match I hoped to have. It’s not a nice way to end what has been a very positive and important week for me. I’m looking forward to Rome and French Open now.”
Andy Murray: “To play Rafa in Spain is always extremely tough. But this is the reason why we play, for these matches. One of the toughest things to do is beat Rafa on clay, and I’m glad I was able to do it today.” (via BBC)
Our Champ will play the tournament in Rome next week.
Rafael Nadal of Spain, left, and Andy Murray of Britain, right, pose for photographers as they celebrate the birthday of former Spanish tennis ace Manolo Santana, center, prior to their men’s singles final match at the Madrid Open Tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday May 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Paul White)
Andy Murray of Great Britain before his match against Rafael Nadal of Spain in the mens final during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (May 9, 2015 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Andy Murray of Great Britain during the final of the Madrid Open Tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point won against Andy Murray of Great Britain during the final of the Madrid Open Tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns a forehand to Britain’s Andy Murray during their final match at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, May 10, 2015. REUTERS/Sergio Perez TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Andy Murray of Britain during their men’s singles final match at the Madrid Open Tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Paul White)
MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 10: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays shows his frustration against Andy Murray of Great Britain in the mens final during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in front of a full crowd against Andy Murray of Great Britain in the mens final during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (May 9, 2015 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand against Andy Murray of Great Britain in the mens final during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (May 9, 2015 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand against Andy Murray of Great Britain in the mens final during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (May 9, 2015 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain at the Madrid Open Tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 10: Andy Murray of Great Britain shakes hands at the net after his straight sets victory against Rafael Nadal of Spain in the mens final during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 10: Andy Murray of Great Britain shakes hands at the net after his straight sets victory against Rafael Nadal of Spain in the mens final during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain dries his body after losing to Andy Murray of Great Britain in the final during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (May 9, 2015 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
MADRID, 10/05/2015.- El tenista español Rafael Nadal (d) saluda a la reina Sofía (2-d), al término de la final del Mutua Madrid Open ante Andy Murray disputada esta tarde en la Caja Mágica, en Madrid. EFE/Juan Carlos Hidalgo
Rafael Nadal of Spain lifts his second place trophy at the end of the final of the Madrid Open Tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2015. Andy Murray of Great Britain defeated Nadal 6/3, 6/2. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
Photo: Julian Finney/Getty Images
MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 10: Andy Murray of Great Britain is applauded by Rafael Nadal of Spain after his straight sets victory in the mens final during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Andy Murray of Great Britain holds the winners trophy with runner up Rafael Nadal of Spain and along side Queen Sofia of Spain in the final during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (May 9, 2015 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Andy Murray of Britain, right, holds the winners trophy as he poses with runner-up, Rafael Nadal of Spain, after their men’s singles final match at the Madrid Open Tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2015. Murray defeated Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2. (AP Photo/Paul White) )
MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 10: Andy Murray of Great Britain poses with his winners trophy after his straight sets victory against Rafael Nadal of Spain in the mens final during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain wipes his runners up trophy with his finger after losing to Andy Murray of Britain during the men’s final at the Madrid Open Tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2015. (AP Photo/Paul White)
MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 10: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks at his reflection in his runners up trophy after his straight sets defeat against Andy Murray of Great Britain in the mens final during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain, left, and Andy Murray of Great Britain pose with their trophies at the end of the final of the Madrid Open Tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, May 10, 2015. Murray defeated Nadal 6/3, 6/2. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
Rafael Nadal of Spain dries his body after losing to Andy Murray of Great Britain in the final during day nine of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 10, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. (May 9, 2015 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
From this point onwards, it may either get better or worse. It’s 50-50 for Rafa’s game to get better or worse.
Novak is coming to Rome hence (realistically), I don’t see how Rafa can win there. It’s mission IMPOSSIBLE.
He seriously needs to repackage his game. as so many of his deft moves of yester years are now known to every body. Well, every body except Richard Gasquet and presumably, Roger Federer too.
I will stop supporting Rafa the day Richard Gasquet beats him.
Time to change your coach or RETIRE! Watching you play is now pure torture. Maybe it’s your wrist?
I`m sad too but its okay. If you can`t change your coach juz add one……good luck…..
Congrats to Andy for finally beating Rafa on clay. Andy has been nipping at Rafa’s heels
for years and he finally achieved that goal. I just dread the next time they face each other
on clay! Rafa will totally make him pay. I remember how Andy struggled to get the
monkey off his back to finally win Wimbledon. So I am happy for Andy. Again I really
do find these heartfelt rivalries one of the backbones of this sport. They are riveting!
I honestly believe Rafa had a terrific result in Madrid. He just came up short today! It happens! No shame in that especially against another terrific competitor and self-determined athlete. Andy struggled for a very long time following his back surgery over a year ago and he finally returned to his best form in 2015. Rafa is certainly on that same path to his best form! He played an outstanding match yesterday against Tomas.
To me, this isn’t a setback but a giant step forward, Look how the Great Serena Williams
and Maria Sharapova lost in the semi-finals! It happens even to the great ones! But
what they all do best is re-group, re-bound and move forward and not dwell on the past!
I’m still a true believer that Rafa will perform just fine by the time he reaches the French
Open! Win or lose, I never, ever under-estimate Rafa.
That smile can melt a million hearts…something needs to change…hate seeing you lose so badly Rafa ..against Tomas you were awesome…just wasn’t there today …your army of fans will still be there…onwards to the next tournament Vamos Rafa
My King Of Clay & Tennis Is Back <3 <3 Yey !! Can't Win them all 🙁 ,Better days to come ,Be Strong ,take care Rafa & Good Luck In Next Matches <3 <3 🙂 Lv u alwaysX0
maybe its time to change coaches all the other players do eventually he needs new stragety he has had a great record and if he wants to win more majors he needs a fresh prespective
I too am sad at Rafa’s loss today. He played a terrible match and I am disappointed to the point that I will no longer be a Rafa fan UNTIL HE CHANGES HIS COACH. Tony has done what he could but it is over. RAFA NEEDS A NEW COACH!!!
It has not been the real Rafa for some time. Please come back Rafa I so want you to win Rolland Garros for the 10th time and we are all with you. You have let these guys into your head. It is your fault for doing so, you are the best clay court player in history . Please do not lose your mojo. Come right back please!!!
I am actually in tears guys. Still tough to believe what happened their in the court. I thought i’ll be able to accept Rafa’ losses but it’s really tough. I cant watch it. O GOD !!
You are a champion Rafa my boy. So graceful in defeat, although I could sense the sadness in your heart. It was not your day for some reason. We love you for yourself win or lose, n we know you will get back your old form. Keep smiling. Vamos, Vamos, Vamos next week Rafa. God bless you. Hugs from your Aussie Nana. xxx😄😃😀
Just didn’t happen for our champion this evening. These things happen . We support and love our champion always . His grace and dignity shine through . The essence of class. He is unique and let us suppprt him always .
I feel sick to my stomach after yesterdays game I thought Rafa had this one in the bag but he seems to have taken backward steps I don’t know what the answer is I’m gutted
So sad. This was not the Real Rafa today:(
Always behind you<3