Unfortunately seven-time champion Rafael Nadal was not able to display his best tennis tonight in Rome. He was defeated for the second time in his 14th match against Stan Wawrinka. Our champ lost 6-7(7), 2-6 to the Swiss, who will next meet Roger Federer in the semifinals. Rafa wasted four set points in the tiebreaker, surrendering a 6-2 lead.
After the match, Rafa said: “I was happy with the way I played. He played some amazing shots. I’ve lost in the quarter-final but I had two weeks in a row playing well and only one bad match with Andy Murray. I’m not playing bad. The only thing I’m sure is I will try in Paris, I feel like I’m playing well and if I continue practicing the way I am, I am confident. I have not been playing with nerves and that’s the most important thing. I am ready to accept the challenge but if I don’t play well I lose, life goes on, I have still won there so many times before.” (via AP)
Next up is the French Open in Paris which starts on May 24th.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka during a quarter final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Friday, May 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka during a quarter final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Friday, May 15, 2015. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
EFE/EPA/ALESSANDRO DI MEO
EFE/EPA/ALESSANDRO DI MEO
ROME, ITALY – MAY 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his Quarter Final match with Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland on Day Six of The Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2015 at the Foro Italico on May 15, 2015 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
EFE/EPA/ALESSANDRO DI MEO
ROME, ITALY – MAY 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his Quarter Final match with Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland on Day Six of The Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2015 at the Foro Italico on May 15, 2015 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
EFE/EPA/ALESSANDRO DI MEO
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after losing a point during a quarter final match against Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Friday, May 15, 2015. Nadal has lost on clay for the fifth time this season. The Spaniard was beaten 7-6 (7), 6-2 by eighth-seeded Stan Wawrinka in the Italian Open quarterfinals Friday. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
ROME, ITALY – MAY 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his Quarter Final match with Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland on Day Six of The Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2015 at the Foro Italico on May 15, 2015 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – MAY 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his Quarter Final match with Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland on Day Six of The Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2015 at the Foro Italico on May 15, 2015 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – MAY 15: Rafael Nadal of Spain is knocked out at the Quarter Final stage to Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland on Day Six of The Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2015 at the Foro Italico on May 15, 2015 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal, right, greets Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka after losing a quarter final match at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Friday, May 15, 2015. Nadal has lost on clay for the fifth time this season. The Spaniard was beaten 7-6 (7), 6-2 by eighth-seeded Stan Wawrinka in the Italian Open quarterfinals Friday. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal leaves after losing a quarter final match against Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Friday, May 15, 2015. Nadal has lost on clay for the fifth time this season. The Spaniard was beaten 7-6 (7), 6-2 by eighth-seeded Stan Wawrinka in the Italian Open quarterfinals Friday. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal leaves after losing the quarter final match against Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Friday, May 15, 2015. Nadal has lost on clay for the fifth time this season. The Spaniard was beaten 7-6 (7), 6-2 by eighth-seeded Stan Wawrinka in the Italian Open quarterfinals Friday. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal leaves after losing a quarter final match against Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka at the Italian Open tennis tournament, in Rome, Friday, May 15, 2015. Nadal has lost on clay for the fifth time this season. The Spaniard was beaten 7-6 (7), 6-2 by eighth-seeded Stan Wawrinka in the Italian Open quarterfinals Friday. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Nadal should talk with federer about his problems maybe he will give him some advice
Its hard to accept but I think chances of Rafa being even in the final at the French Open are very unlikely many players are playing in their thirties but I think with Rafa’s type if tennis maybe his body has had enough and love him as I do I would rather him retire from tennis than end up people feeling sorry for him or a laughing stock .That said Federer looked like his career was over a year ago and look at him now so who knows but he Rafa can only make a come back if he is willing to make changes to the way he plays and by taking on an additional coach .Do I think he will no as family to him is every thing unlike Stan wawrinka who left his to concentrate on his tennis career
ALL RAFA FANS SHOULD BRACE UP FOR THE INEVITABLE AT ROLAND GARROS! OUR DEAR RAFA NADAL WIN NOT ACHIEVE LA DECIMAL AT THE FRENCH OPEN THIS YEAR. I MAKE BOLD TO PREDICT THAT HE WILL BE OUT ON OR BEFORE THE QUARTER FINALS.
APART FROM HIS LOW LEVEL WAY OF PLAYING, THE MOTIVATION TO WIN IS NO LONGER THERE. ANY ATHELTE WHO LACKS MOTIVATION TO WIN IS FINISHED.
GO AND REST, RAFA. GO AND MARRY MARIA PERELLO AND SETTLE DOWN AND HAVE KIDS..AFTER ALL, YOU HAVE ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD. BUT KNOW THAT WHEN THE STORY OF TENNIS IS WRITTEN, YOU WILL BE CALLED ‘THE KING OF CLAY” WHILE NOVAK DJOKOVIC WILL BE CALLED ”THE KING OF TENNIS.” WHICH ONE DO YOU PREFER, RAFA?
WELL, AS YOU SAY, ”LIFE GOES ON”.
Novak needs to win more slams than Rafa and then we can talk about him being better. Rafa has a winning record against Federer. Novak and Murray.
A lot of homework to do before RG.
We believe in you our Champ and know you will find a way.
Vamos Rafa!
moi je trouve que tu as laissé stan gagné ce match avant il n’aurais pas fait un point avec toi secoue toi ou restes chez toi je suis tres décue pourtant je t’adore bonne chance
If you reas rafa’s comments in tennis.com he actually is quoted saying he did not play well. If he wants to be a major winner again, it is time for major changes. The hunger seems gone.
Terribly disappointed! That Rafa said that he played well and not bad, amazes me. He did not play as badly as he did against Andy but even so. I am an ardent fan of Rafa – words cannot describe that but also one who tries to face up to some facts. All of us fans know his character etc. etc., but I dont think one can keep harping on that. It will not help Rafa. Encourage him but also look problems in the face. There is something not right with Rafa. Out of form even though he shows glimses of his former self. Mental problems too – natural – being out of form. But to say that he did not play badly is an understatement. He played okay in the first set up to a point – but just couldn’t pin Stan down – couldn’t get on top of him. That’s serious. He has been showing this since a while – not being able to convert his break points and/or consolidate his breaks but yesterday, the tie-break took the cake.
Whilst watching the match I kept yelling ‘come in’ ‘come in’ but ………… . I just could’nt understand why he was staying so far behind the base line. His short of a length shots are also not a new thing and he knows it. Another thing is going into the defensive when he could be trying to attack. (When he won in Madrid against Berdych – he played attacking tennis and his choice of shots were good and that’s why he could win.) On the whole his service was not that bad. Maybe someone other than Toni could talk to him about his present weaknesses, to improve his timing, length and getting a kind of killer instinct.
If this carries on for much longer he could decide to retire – a disaster for such a great sportsman. Yes, as a fan or fans said – we could all pray for him. Can’t tell you how much I pray for him – every single day ……. but I guess more collective prayer will help. Let’s go Rafa fans and cheer our star on!!! VAMOS Rafa – it’s never too late.
I shall always believe in Rafa, but like other fans I wish you would play more on the base line
and come to the net more. . watched Fed yesterday he just stroll on court stands in 1 corner
does not move far hits the ball anywhere back across the net and lets the other guy run , justs watches his apponent and waits different yes but saves his energy, he is like a ballet dancer when he moves , think about that Rafa. save your self. and mix up your defense
but love youxxx
Anthony, we are 10 months after the arm injury and 7 months after the appendix operation. It is indeed time forget about that. Rafa needs to man up.
Everyone seems to have forgotten Rafa was out injured and had an operation last season,plus he was pumped full of Anti Biotics in an a stupid attempt to cure appendicitis,all that did was to delay the much need operation early on after diagnosis,and possibly cause damage to his bodilyfuntioning,plus you need time to get over an operation, mentaly and physically.
I feel Rafas showing signs of his old playing self and its just a matter of time before he comes back to his full form,hes not that old yet.
His comment(life goes on) I am beginning to think he’not so bothered now (done that been there ) but what of his fans their life goes on but with dissapiontment these fans who pay a lot of money to watch him play and win and fans like me who pay a fortune to the sports TV channels to watch him come on Rafa stop being commplacent