ARTICLES:
- Qualifier Brown sends Nadal crashing out (via Wimbledon)
Lukas Rosol was ranked 100 when he beat the Spaniard in the second round in 2012; Steve Darcis was No.135 in the opening round a year later; in the last 16 just 12 months ago, Nick Kyrgios was No.144; and now Nadal’s string of defeats has reached a new low. Never before in any Grand Slam has Nadal been beaten by a qualifier – until the second round of Wimbledon 2015.
- Nadal Vows To Change “That Dynamic” (via ATP World Tour)
“I don’t have [any] more work here in London, so… If you want to use the house, [it’s] going to be free tomorrow,” he told the media with a laugh.
In good spirits despite the loss, Nadal maintains that he still has the motivation to improve his level and looks at the big picture when it comes to his relationship with the grass at Wimbledon.
“[It’s] going to be in my heart and in my memories forever, the 2008 final. That was probably one of the most important moments of my career, and [it] was here.
- The Unified Theory of Rafa (via tennis.com)
The game evolves, and it will evolve past Nadal one day. Maybe Rafa is starting to see that or feel that, and finding it harder to combat it with the weapons he has, and the strokes he learned 20 years ago.
For my own part, I still believe Nadal has more major titles in him, and another run up the rankings—he has slumped before and recovered. But this was the first time I’ve seen a healthy Rafa take a very bad loss, and thought that we should have seen it coming.
- On Centre Court, Paths Increasingly Diverge for Federer and Nadal (via New York Times)
“Rafa has too many highs and lows for the moment,” said Toni Nadal, his uncle and coach. “And so he doesn’t have the right feeling with the racket in his hand. Changing rackets is a possibility. We’ll see. We’ll do some testing.”
Nadal was asked what he would do if he could not get his career back on the upswing. Would he be prepared to play on with a low ranking?
“I’m not going to deceive you; I don’t know,” he said. “I think today it’s early for us, but hey, if it lasts for two years or more, then of course we will see what happens.”
Tim Henman, former four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist: “Rafael Nadal has struggled with confidence. When you have won 14 Grand Slams and 60-odd tour titles, it amazes me how fragile his confidence is.”
John McEnroe, three-time Wimbledon champion: “Rafa admitting publicly he was struggling for confidence – maybe that inspired players in the locker room. But I still believe he will win a few majors.”
Marion Bartoli, the 2013 Wimbledon women’s champion: “Rafa Nadal is too much of a champion to not come back to the level he played. He needs to find a reason why his forehand is not working. You can’t write him off.”
- Rafael Nadal told by John McEnroe to axe Uncle Toni and “get a new damn coach” (via The Telegraph)
Speaking on his BBC Radio Five Six-Love-Six programme: “Rafael Nadal is one of the great champions – a class act. He plays with a lot of effort and energy but, dare we say, is it time for some fresh blood in the Nadal camp? Can we say that? Uncle Toni’s going to be upset.
“I know that he has had other people – Carlos Costa, Francisco Roig, but athey have tried to gently persuade Uncle Toni – who has done a magnificent job since he was a little kid and told him it was a good thing to go left-handed – but clearly at this stage it would appear that some fresh ideas would be in order.”
After being told he was being diplomatic by co-presenter Tim Henman, McEnroe replied: “I’m saying get a new damn coach!”
PHOTOS:
- Rafael Nadal loses in Wimbledon’s second round
- Upset on Center Court: Brown defeats Nadal (via Wimbledon)
- Wimbledon 2015: Rafael Nadal speaks after his defeat
VIDEOS:
- Highlights Dustin Brown vs Rafael Nadal – Wimbledon 2015
- Rafael Nadal Second Round Press Conference
- Wimbledon (02/07/2015): Crónica Nadal (via Canal+)
Since winning the US Open in mid-September 2013, Rafa has won only 6 tournaments. Of those 6, only 2 were Masters 1000 or slams – last year’s Madrid & Roland Garros. He won Madrid only because Nishikori suffered a back injury while leading 6-2, 4-2 in the final, forcing him to retire 3 games into the 3rd set.
So truth be told, Rafa’s “dip in form” has actually lasted a full 21 months, except for the one big win in Paris last year. If it continues much longer, Rafa will either retire, or hang around for a few years just to collect his endorsement money and appearance fees, with little or no hope of returning to his previous top form. That’s because professional players rarely recover from prolonged slumps lasting 2 years or more. The longer a slump goes, the harder it is to get out of.
At age 28-29-30, Rafa should be enjoying the best years of his career, like Djokovic, Murray, Wawrinka, Ferrer & Berdych have. But instead, he is suffering the worst years of his career. Some of his fans keep saying “yeah – but he’s been injured a lot – he can’t help that.” How many of those injuries are self-inflicted from his defensive, retrieving, grinding style of play, or perhaps, from his frequent golf outings, a sport well-known for inflicting back, knee & wrist injuries. Do those injuries sound familiar?!?!?
You don’t see or hear about other top players hanging out on the golf course or diving off the top deck of their yachts. Rafa needs to get his act together. Pronto. He doesn’t seem fully committed to his tennis career, which isn’t long to begin with. By his mid-30’s, or earlier, he’ll have all the time in the world to spend on the golf course, on his yacht in the Mediterranean, and playing poker with Uncle Toni. He’s throwing away some of the best years of his career by not focusing 100% on his game and doing WHATEVER IT TAKES to maximize his on-court results, starting first and foremost by hiring a new coach.
Please Rafa. Get your act together. Now. Before it’s too late.
VAMOS!!!
Spot on!
If Rafa fails to get his act together, the way up for him will continue to be DOWN, DOWN & DOWN!
It’s the truth. As soon as Rafa was out of Queens, his first reaction was to make sure he could get home to Mallorca. He always wants to go home, he’s cleary longing for retirement, he’s not hungry to win slams, that basically says it all. What the heck is he doing playing majors if he feels he does not need to win it. It’s over!
Yup, exactly. I was shaking my head – sideways – when I heard that Rafa was going back home between Queens Club and Wimbledon. Does he have grass courts at his Mallorca practice facility? Not that I’m aware of. What in the world is he thinking? He’s had so much time off over the years due to his various injuries, and now when he’s 100% healthy, he’s taking more time off before the biggest tournament of the year?!?!?
That’s crazy stuff. Real crazy. He should just call it quits if he doesn’t have his heart in it anymore, instead of continuing to tarnish his legacy with all these embarrassing losses to qualifiers and other low-ranked players. VAMOS!!!
Thanks to all the people who offended me for my comments after R1. Apologies accepted.
Ditto.
yes Rafa you need some new idea.s. a new racket sounds to weak to me . add a new coach but tony must stay on as you say he is family xx
Agree wholeheartedly with Fan Love’s comments. Rafa is a legend. Dustin Brown is a one match wonder on a grass court. VAMOS RAFA
salut rafa ,c’est pas grave tu as rien à prouver mais le vainqueur du match doit confirmer lui on verra … enfin un peut de vacances bien mérité ….. bonne vacance rafa ….
RAFA. NADIE PUEDE VOLVER ATRÁS Y EMPEZAR DE NUEVO,,,PERO TODOS PODEMOS EMPEZAR HOY, Y EMPEZAR DE CERO. TU Y FEDERER SON LOS MEJORES EL TENIS SIN TI LLEGANDO A LAS FINALES NO TIENE EMOCIÓN,,, QUIZÁ DEBAS HACER LO QUE FEDERER Y DJOCKOVICH ,, AGREGAR A ALGUIEN MAS EN TU EQUIPO,, ALGÚN JUGADOR. QUE HAYAS ADMIRADO QUIZA,,,,,, VAS A VOLVER A SER EL DE ANTES PORQUE ERES GRANDE,,,,,,,,
Bring John McEnroe on board as Coach on team Rafa?
Vamos Rafa forever!
I have read all the comments and fully endorse them, Rafa has just had a dip in form and confidence which follows as night follows day, so give him breathing space and he will climb back up the rankings without a doubt. What he needs right now is relaxation before the American swing, no points to defend so with our support he will succeed.
A 13 month dip in form. Wake up please.
Rafa cambia de Coach, nuevas estrategias y recupera tu confidence, tu eres magico, creete. suerte en el proximo partido, please busca otro Coach uregente, hazlo tambien por tus fans que te queremos mucho
“Rafa needs a new damn coach.” ~ John McEnroe(7-time slam winner & former World #1)
“Hearing from a new voice would help Rafa.” ~ Darren Cahill(former coach of Andre Agassi, Lleyton Hewitt, and other top players)
“Rafa would benefit from a new coach with fresh ideas.” ~ Paul Annacone(former coach of Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, and other top players)
“If Rafa needs new inspiration, he should get a new coach.” ~ Chris Evert(18-time slam winner, former World #1)
“Today’s loss to Dustin Brown was the worst I’ve ever seen Rafa play. He missed so many routine forehands. His backhand was too conservative. He double-faulted at crucial times. He failed to make obvious tactical adjustments, such as standing a yard or two further back when returning serve. He was rattled. He looked like a deer in the headlights. He needs to take some time off from the game and re-examine his whole approach.” ~ Jim Courier(4-time slam winner, former World #1, and US Davis Cup captain)
Enough said.
VAMOS!!!
DURING COURT OFF TIME will be most helpful if “MOVE IN RAFA OR MOVE OUT” & other such critics would please STOP posting on Rafa’s fan site – that will be appreciated! You oddly enough placing on going emphasis on few mistakes when lacking integrity to point out all the amazing things dear RAFA did since coming back from injury…. Rafa’s long time fans Are pretty tired hearing from you , and perhaps best you find another avenue TO COMMENT ON. RAFA, bless his heart is THANKFULLY surrounded w plenty GENUINE inspiring Support. Please give the fans readers here the respect knowing your point has already been heard enough.
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!! & God bless you!!!
oops….you changed the mini drawing next to my comment – please restore the one I had….please do not change the small round light blue window beside “Fan love” comment – thank you!
DURING COURT OFF TIME will be most helpful if “MOVE IN RAFA OR MOVE OUT” & other such critics would please STOP posting on Rafa’s fan site – that will be appreciated! You oddly enough placing on going emphasis on few mistakes when lacking integrity to point out all the amazing things dear RAFA did since coming back from injury…. Rafa’s long time fans Are pretty tired hearing from you , and perhaps best you find another avenue TO COMMENT ON. RAFA, bless his heart is THANKFULLY surrounded w plenty GENUINE inspiring Support. Please give the fans readers here the respect knowing your point has already been heard enough.
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!! & God bless you!!!
DURING COURT OFF TIME will be most helpful if “MOVE IN RAFA OR MOVE OUT” & other such critics would please STOP posting on Rafa’s fan site – that will be appreciated! You oddly enough placing on going emphasis on few mistakes when lacking integrity to point out all the amazing things dear RAFA did since coming back from injury…. Rafa’s long time fans Are pretty tired hearing from you , and perhaps best you find another avenue TO COMMENT ON. RAFA, bless his heart is THANKFULLY surrounded w plenty GENUINE inspiring Support. Please give the fans readers here the respect knowing your point has already been heard enough. Thank you!
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!! & God bless you!!!
I’m tired of reading your pablum and drivel. You’re not a fan. You’re a sycophant. That’s why I don’t read your comments anymore. And haven’t for quite some time. If you don’t like mine, don’t read them. Nobody’s forcing you to.
“Fan love” why don’t you pick some boyband to idolize instead of R. Nadal? You clearly don’t know anything about tennis and your comments are childish.
Awfully quiet the experts that told you and me to shut it after R1.
Yeah, I noticed that. Except for the sycophant who calls herself a “fan” in her moniker. According to her, Rafa can do no wrong. He’s perfect. And so is his uncle. LOL
I am going to support rafa always if he wins or loses it doesn’t matter he is going to be my number one.
No offence I really feel he should hire a new coach I am not saying that Toni should be fired , of course he is the one who gave world rafa nadal . I am just saying a new coach along with Toni might help , there is something which wrong which Toni can’t see !
people who keep saying things like rafa won;t win more grand slams or rafa will retire soon unless his ranking improves are wrong. everyone should know that rafa has a brilliant ability to come back from things like this and i fully support and believe in him. right now i think he should just put wimbledon behind him relax and then move forward- no point in focusing on the negatives too much
Rafa has never been on a downward spiral this long. Without drastic attempts to change, it will end badly.
Ditto.
RAFA TENNIS WOULD BE SOOOOOO BORING WITHOUT YOU. KEEP THE FAITH, YOUR TIME WILL COME AGAIN. THE BEST!!!!!!
Well said! Tennis needs Nadal & his current contributions & talent are both outstanding & brilliant! He is a genuine top player!!!! Far better player than r. fed & other top players… The only reason r.fed is still around is due to the continuous help he receives from administrative politics & easier protective draws on all tournaments including Grand slams. Novak has developed nicely and yet as we see, he will never have Nadal’s strong & wise game! He does not have the endurance nor the passion & skill…. both he & r fed appear vulnerable & at times ill by end of 4th set….Nadal excels the longer a match goes….
ATP must be loyal & fully stand behind players, particularly players w top notch sportsmanship & brilliant game as Nadal’s. These past two years , way before the aus open last year, it seems everyone in the ATP presents him w way more challenging draws than to r fed & novak, or other rising players…. ATP match commentaries, interviews & media coverage all appear thrilled w Nadal’s few losses and senselessly build it up more than necessary. We even see some old former players trying to ride on Nada’s success & world wide fame & appeal and put much energy and focus on his few losses by urging him to get new coaching etc….Ridiculous! You would hope that after a top players returns from injuries, there will be an interest to transition him & keep him back in the tours…. after all they did just that for r fed and Andy….
Nadal’s world wide popularity among tennis fans is magnificent & rare….he is pretty special person!!!! During the last few years his natural gifted talent has ignited other Spanish players and Nadal along w the other top Spanish players added so much interest & verity to all tours….they are all amazing, strong players & it is wonderful fun for spectators and views at home… Wimbledon is no longer interesting to watch without Rafa playing & so off goes the screen till the next tour.
The great news is that Rafa has millions of educated tennis fans world wide who follow his beautiful tennis career, regularly watch his matches, and are fully supportive of his continued inspired success. Rafa is a tactful, respectful top player and he is successfully moving forward w his solid character & love for tennis. VAMOS DEAR RAFA !!!!! : )
Thank u, well said & brilliant! Needed to hear!
I agree. Tennis needs Rafa for the way he handles himself on and off the court, too. Always respectful and courteous, always neatly dressed …a good example of a fine person. We will continue to support Rafa wherever he plays. Thank you, Rafa, for all you have done for tennis and for the help you provide for others in need. You are a good example of what we call ALOHA here in Hawaii.🐯🎾🍧
You are sure going to push Rafa to his doom with your very hypocritical and untruthful comments! You are relying on old, historicals to the detriment of current realities!! You’re praise-singing Rafa when he is bleeding……. you should be ashamed of yourself!!!
I’m heartbroken for my beloved Rafa, but I still love and support this incredible man.
Keep trying Rafa; nothing lasts forever; the tide will eventually turn in your favour.
Hugs and many, many kisses to my Rafa.
Just as Roger Federer has renewed his passion for the game, Rafael Nadal will find his fight
and reason to win. It seems the battle is within himself now. He must know that the world of tennis is lacklustre when he is not there to battle in the final!
Mr Rafael Nadal,
Definitely, you are amazing player, you have everything in tennis, but recently your game were not very consistent, you lost and you drop your rank, we as your hard fan fell very dissapointed on what you had shown. We want to advice you so that CHANGE YOUR COUCH. It will help to improve everything as your frends A.Murray, Federer, and Novak. We know it is hard to change Mr Tony as your couch because he is your uncle and family, but consistency in every games are the priority, and you can improve yourself with the new coach. Please be remind yourself and help youself Rafael Nadal otherwise you will take a decision to retire in Tennis. Please HELP YOURSELF by changing your Coach.
Always behind Rafa <3 <3 <3
We do believe he can come back from this, but something needs to change. He cannot rely on his serve at the moment, and I personally agree with McEnroe, he needs a new coach. Look how inspired Federer has been with Edberg and, Novak with Boris. I agree Uncle Toni has been a huge influence as a coach, but maybe now is the time to change.
Rafa will find his confidence and come back strong–never write off Rafa–he is a champion and his fans love him and tennis needs him!