Rafael Nadal’s first match in four years at Queen’s does not go to planned. He’s lost to the world No79, Alexandr Dolgopolov, who was excellent, and his preparations for Wimbledon have been disrupted. There were flashes of class from Nadal and his fighting spirit remains intact, but he’s still not entirely comfortable on this surface. (via The Guardian Live Blog)
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Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
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Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Rafael Nadal of Spain during his men’s singles first round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (June 15, 2015 – Source: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain during his men’s singles first round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (June 15, 2015 – Source: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Europe)
Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
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Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
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Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
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LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks dejected in his men’s singles first round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks dejected in his men’s singles first round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his men’s singles first round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his men’s singles first round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 16: Alexandr Dolgopolov (L) of Ukraine shakes hands with Rafael Nadal of Spain after their men’s singles first round match against during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain leaves centre court after his defeat in his men’s singles first round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain leaves centre court after his defeat in his men’s singles first round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (June 15, 2015 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain waves to the crowd after his defeat in his men’s singles first round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain waves to the crowd after his defeat in his men’s singles first round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain waves to the crowd after his defeat in his men’s singles first round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (June 15, 2015 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain leaves centre court after his defeat in his men’s singles first round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during his men’s singles first round match against Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine during day two of the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club on June 16, 2015 in London, England. (June 15, 2015 – Source: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images Europe)
This is my first comment here though i am a regular reader. I am not a Rafa fanboy. I would call myself an Agassi fanboy for ever. However, Rafa made me love tennis again after 2006. and I have followed ever since. Hence please forgive if you think I am being too critical or flat out wrong. Though no one outside his camp can tell what is really wrong (doubt if they even know) the following is my take.
Rafa’s game has for most part been based on measured offense that complements his incredible defense. His offense is majorly centered on his forehand. That when coupled with a hard serve like in 2013, he is unbeatable on clay and close to unbeatable on Hard courts. However he has always been a candidate for being over powerd on grass where the margins are usually low and his serve can come under pressure. His returns are not always aggressive and offensive. His court position can come become defensive under pressure. However, all these boreder-line negatives were more than made up with his mental and physical toughness. Did i mention forehand.
Since THAT loss to stan in AO14 a lot of these boderline negatives have become outright liabilities. That back issue was devastating. His serve since then has not been top 10 in ATP. His leftie slice has been saving him. His medical issues last year put paid to tennis fitness. He looked fit early this year, but we have to believe him when he said he needed time to regain tennis fitness in mind and body. All this with the tour going back to speeding up the courts a tad and players hitting harder, the top players know that if they hit out against him, and their shots stick, they have more than a fair chance. Add to this players like dog dont have much to loose.. while Rafa does. Even Sock took a set at RG hitting out.
Coming to the last week and this game, I watched all the games. Rafa is certainly playing a lot lot better. His serves are almost at 2013 level (with more df counts). He is being aggressive on returns and on the groudies. HIs court positioning has been awesome. It is also true that it was only in the Finals last week that he was truely tested. Yes Bagdadis and Tomic put up a fight but he knew they cant overpower him and they never had consistency. Mofils was on a mental walk about. It was obvious he was not going to hurt rafa. Finals, Rafa won but never fell behind in the game. His game last week was much stronger in all aspects but his mental part was never really tested. Did HE really believe that he was playing better. From today’s evidence I will have to say.. he still doubts. It is all nice to say I always have doubts in media briefings, but in one on one sport, some cocky overconfidence especially if you are Rafa will not hurt.
Today makes all of us sad. The first set was not bad. Dog was just too aggressive and on grass if it stick it sticks. Second set was a Rafa masterclass. He served awesome. The way he got out on service games deep in the set and the tie breaker hole made me believe. The third was a let down. He did not manage to hold serve 4-2 when up. He did not break 15-40 to go up 5-4 either. Dog was loosing it mentally at 2-4 when his aggressive play was leading to a handful of UEs. The Nadal of old (mentally) would have imposed himself. Here he went meek. He was either missing his first serves or hitting safer first serves to avoid the agressive second serve return. He was dumping forehands in the net. He was chipping and charging the net. All looked like Rafa was anxious. And Dog picked up on it and became more aggressive and his backhand bombs stuck this time.
My take is, Rafa should stop being so -ve and honest about his feelings. It is nice and that makes us LOVE him more, fans thinking aah he is so humble and human. Well, he is not like human like we are human. His opponents have to fear him. He i think has the game still to do it. Last 2 weeks on grass has been +ve, but does he believe it. If he does not and uncle Tony cannot pump him up, he needs an outside voice. This rubbish about gaining confidence with each win has to stop being fed to the media. You keep saying that and one defeat like this is only going to make you loose confidence and more questions. Hope his team reminds him that he is RAFA. I am still hopefull if Rafa gets out of the 2-3 rounds in wimbledon. Its the slick courts in first few rounds and nothing to loose 50+ ranked big hitters I worry. If he gets past that them, I think he will go deep and surprise even himself.
Thank you for posting your first comment.
Nice to know we have one more reader who supports Rafa with us!
Hi dear new fan! I read your thoughtful lengthy comments and nice of you to take the time. : ) I like a lot of what you had to say and here are some thoughts on your last paragraph and the idea others know what Rafa needs. .
It is rather odd a couple of former older players & other tennis watchers occasionally have the idea they know what Rafa must do etc…..Somehow all these “helpful tips” / suggestions never come across helpful at all….. because fundamentally, these comments indicate that the writer has no real knowledge of Rafa’s brilliant game & his relevant ongoing development. Over the years, more than any other player, Rafa is constantly learning, evolving & keeping up his amazing tennis success. Last week he placed 14 Aces !!!!!!!!!!!!!! :): ) ci…ci…. his movement on Clay ,Grass , & Hard Court is incredible!!!! : ) His returns are powerful and classy…everyone now imitates his style, his shots, his backward running hitting FH etc…he is a legend tennis player and currently we see that his game serves as an example players look up to, & are learning from…..His net coverage is beautiful & creative….his respectful manner on the court is outstandingly rare & polite….BUT MOST OF ALL it is his passion!!! : ) No other player comes near to Nadal’s passion and drive to win and he has earned such Longevity, love for Tennis & love for competition. So I dare say such comments telling Rafa what he must do are irrelevant. He is a blessed character and he is building up on his own success and experience and his own hands on practicing w his devoted team!!!!!! : ) He is such an incredibly hard working earnest player….and he has earned the respect of his performance seven time folds…. Would be most helpful if well meaning folks would politely keep out of Rafa’s business and simply thank him and admire his beautiful game!!! Rafa knows well what works & what is best for him and we have solid proof in his beautiful, creative, powerful game!!!! He is a tennis tower with solid foundation!!!!!! : ) He is blessed with rich common sense & a gorgeous positive attitude…. so thank God for all of that!!!! : ) Rafa with his parents & family with Uncle Toni and the rest of his remarkable excellent team are amazing and outstanding in creating fine balance & greenhouse nurturing conditions for him to excel….and excel he does!!! ….
Lastly, Rafa has an internal discipline which is well cultivated & effective!!!! He is self driven, self motivated & he is blessed w the right blessed energy to practice….practice…practice….He is His own best teacher with his hands on long hours on the court learning , & his intelligence to do all corrections is magnificent!!!!: ) He has built up tennis experience no other former player or tennis instructor can offer him. His respect for others is what makes him ultimately successful!!!!: ) His managing of the MEDIA is superb & tactful & thankfully, we get to hear & see his pre & post match wisdom!!! VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!! : )
Thanks for ten years of glory Rafael, win or lose always with you…VAMOS CAMPEÓN!!!
Don’t write Rafa off. Our Champ is going nowhere but up! Dolgopolov has always been a dangerous opponent on grass. Rafa knows what he needs to do to get on form again and will fight for himself and his fans to get there. Vamos Rafa!
We have to remember all was well until last year when he had injuries and had an operation ,before that he was pumped full of anti biotics to try to cure appendicitis,that was stupid, an operation is required not a load of chemicals, I think they may have damaged his body,OR he’s not thinking properly,lack luster returns is causing him to lose easy points.
I hope I’m wrong but Rafa is fading away too quickly for the Icon of tennis that he is.
Something is not right,I feel another coach is in order with new ideas,uncle Tony has done very well,but perhaps he’s run out of ideas .
Rafa wants to be loyal to his uncle,as lovely as it is, its not working,Rafa looks so fit and strong to most of his opponants,so it must be coaching,new techniques physical and mental is what is needed before its too late.
I want to see Rafa winning again, hes one of the best that mens tennis has to offer after all.
Some of these comments are so critical, negative and unkind. I don’t understand why.
I agree with all the positive comments here and always extend full support and appreciation of Rafa which he deserves for all his hard work and perseverance.
He won a title on Sunday on the grass. He hasn’t won a grass court title since 2010.
Yes that’s a big accomplishment! Then he has to get on a plane and travel to another
country to play a match today. I’m not making any excuses but the lives of professional
tennis players are very difficult. And that should be duly noted. Andy didn’t win his
first clay court title until this 2015 season. The way these champions strive to be better
and do better makes them so special. Look at Stan at 30. I really feel that the younger
upcoming players have nothing over the more experienced, accomplished, mature
players. So what if the dog won today! Congrats to him but unfortunately he’s not
likely to win the tournament.
Rafa is doing just fine. Nothing to worry about! And actually he is playing so much better!
Always with Team Rafa!
Diane, like your comment very much and as a tennis fan and obviously a Rafa fan, can you or anyone else tell me why, when Rafa won at Stuttgart a 250 tournament , Surely not bothering Rafa, who will be planning and preparing for his next match and practising hard as ever, but I am baffled.
Diane meant to say why didn’t he get the 250 points for Stuttgart but got 205 instead,
It’s kind of telling isn’t it, that we are wondering where 45 points went these days while not so long ago the points were coming in by thousands per week. I’ll admit I also noticed it.
Hi Connie, glad you liked my comments. I have no idea why Rafa didn’t receive
250 points for winning at Stuttgart. Maybe you can direct that question to one of
the facilitators of this site. Sorry I couldn’t help you. Also baffled but more baffled
by the negative and unnecessary comments.
What to say. You people feel badly, how do you think Rafa and his team are feeling. Is he struggling over stay or go? I am disappointed. The public feels like we own Rafa. We do not. He has given me years of great tennis. I thank him. Tiger gave years of great golf. I thank him. Do what is best Rafa for you. A fan always.
Thanks Connie for your kind reply & for being a kind Rafa fan!!!! : ) It is rather obvious that none Rafa fans occasionally write on this site discouraging nonsense. When I read poor, misinformed comments it usual reflects that they are written by NONE fans, OR by other envious top players who are remaining on the top only due to the fact that they are pampered and sheltered from top competition by ATP draws. OH WELL….. the good news is that Rafa always earns his trophies by his sheer efforts & classy game!!!….VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!! : ) Thanks!
Thank you Fan love, I have been a Rafa fan for 12 years now, rejoice when he wins and feel sad when he loses, but win or lose, he tries his very hardest each and every time. I was elated when he won Stuttgart and a little deflated today (as he must be), but come Wimbledon he will be as determined to do well and try hard as usual. I also listen to his post match interviews and is always honest and praising of his opponent.
There will never be another ‘Rafa’ in my opinion and obviously yours, my turn to thank you and Rafa of course. Vamos
To Fan love, you have said all I was trying to say but couldn’t find the right words, so thank you and hope Rafa reads the comments and takes heart he is playing much, much better than ever
Ola dear Rafa, You played great…w great speed & serve & good returns….and you are moving awesome on GRASS….. VAMOS RAFA!!!!! : ) Sorry you just missed a couple of important returns, and so Alex got his second wind and that’s all…. A few times during the match he was beginning to loose his focus, missing shots etc… so it was a very very close game considering you played most of the match not in your usual relaxed mode. No big deal… moving forward to Doubles & more practice…and regardless the score, it was a competitive match & just remember dear Rafa that all is well when things get tight…. By the way, I watched the entire match w the mute button on as I am tired of the poor vocal coverage by men who never achieved 1/1000 of your success….ci…ci….I can not stand their liberty of talking so much nonsense during your matches…. .so I was happier watching you play well without listening. You are a precious champion and millions of us adore you & absolutely love watching your matches!!!! ….. This was a close great match & you were moving well….God bless you sweetheart, & keep practicing for Wimbledon!!!! : ) ..I loved your serve, and your movement and everything else and I noticed how much quicker you begin your serve and that is amazing!!!! Best wishes for your Double match….God bless you & pay ZERO attention to misinformed comments bellow. Wimbledon will be a good experience & you will do well!!!! Your over all game is beautiful & so is your grass court touch….so please enjoy the rest of the day & God bless you moving forward with your kind sportsmanship & head up!!!! : )
I agree with Tyler I think Rafa’s tennis career maybe coming to an end but no one can stay on top forever and we have been very privileged and lucky to have watched Rafa play over the last ten years there might be players older than him still playing like Stan and Ferrer but look at what Rafa has achieved playing tennis for such a long time at such a high level and at the top has had wear and tear on his body .But there will never be another player that will come close to him
I too am disappointed that Rafa is out at the 1st round in the singles, but having watched Alex quite a few times, he is very unpredictable and extremely quick off the mark, and Rafa did play very good some of the time, anyway he is in the doubles so will get more practice, so please all so called fans don’t despair..
Guys and girls let’s be honest here. We keep being hopeful and act it’s just 1 match but Rafa hasn’t been Rafa ever since the USO13. That’s almost 2 years ago and he’s 29 now. I’m afraid we’ve reached an end to Rafa’s reign 2 years ago and I’m afraid he won’t ever regain that again. I have never seen a legendary player who has fallen off so quickly and so hard like Rafa. It’s like night and day. Usually it happens slowly over a period of time but Rafa dropped so fast and so hard it’s like he’s a different player. He used to play like a nr 1 who dominated his opponents physically as well as mentally, clutch as heck and a winner. Now he plays like a 20th ranked player who wins against bad players but loses against the mediocre wons and hasn’t won against a top 10 in over a year or so. I don’t know what happened.
I’m gutted to see Rafa out of queens ,he played well against a player on fire ,
A few more matches and Rafa will be ok again ,he just needs a few under his belt to build his confidence
It is always ‘a player in fire’ that beat Rafa. I now realize that it isn’t.
Sad, very sad but not too surprised as this was much more of a challenge than most of the matches in Stuttgart. Definitely shows lack of form and also bad stars. With a little bit of luck he might have gotten through?..
Hope his stars change and with that his attitude and belief in himself. In Stuttgart, when he played well his timing was good. Timing must improve (with practice, attitude and belief). Debatable whether another coach is needed. I sometimes really feel an extra coach at least, would help.
Anyway, hope for the best!!!
VAMOS Rafa!
What I’M disappointed in is the comments here. There are plenty of sites glad to bash Rafa. The comments are a disgrace, IMHO. The RANKING of the player does not matter, as anyone who knows professional tennis can testify. It is HOW they are playing.
IF you watched the match, he WAS NOT playing terrible. He was pushed by a player playing the only type of tennis that can bother him. The commentators on the feed I was watching, who are usually only too eager to criticize him, said “It’s NOT like he played a bad match.” Perhaps you whiners, supposed Rafa supporters, know more?
It seems, as usual, that you are disappointed for yourselves. Oh, your player didn’t do well. It is NOT a reflection on you. It is NOT about YOU. A true fan is disappointed for HIM (and the many fans eager to see, touch him), NOT IN him.
This is a classic denial approach. He did play bad. The only way to move from Stuttgart to Wimbledon with a real chance, was a solid run at Queens. Rafa once again did not find solutions and it was insecurity once again that led to this defeat. He was 4-2 up in the third. His FH was again the problem. He might as well not play Wimbledon, That’s how sad the situation is. He has as much chances of going deep at Wimbledon as players like the Dog. That’s his level these days.
Something is not right. Rafa should never have lost that match once he had broken serve.
Very strange. Come on Rafa. We know you can do it.
A lot of words. I can summarize it. He PLAYED terrible and with that same weak look on his faces that we’ve gotten to know all too well since that Aussie Open final of 2014.
Siempre estare contigo Rafa, por favor a mas del tio Tonny busca un nuevo coach, eres increible no se que te esta pasando, estoy triste pero siempre tendras mi apoyo
What a disappointment! Fighting spirit? Come on! He lost to a 79 ranking player!!!! He won Sunday in Stuttgard on grass and he is not comfortable on this surface? I don’t believe this!
Agree, Rafa has not played so well, his serve is much better but he has to work more with his FH. Now he has more time to rest a little bit and practice sooner in Wimbledon
Just sad! After a good tournament in Stuttgart now a bad match against Dolgopolov:( First set was very bad and in the third Rafa had the break and gave it to easy away. Than he had 3 break points for the 5-4 but he didn’t get the break and than he lost his service!!
Always the same in this season:(
Always with Rafa!!!