ARTICLES:
It just hasn’t been Rafael Nadal’s year.
The Spaniard crashed out of the U.S. Open in the third round after losing a five-set thriller to Italian Fabio Fognini at Flushing Meadows, ensuring Nadal will be without a grand slam win in a calendar year for the first time since 2004.
- On Wild Night, Serena Williams Survives; Rafael Nadal Does Not (via The New York Times)
Unlike Williams, Nadal has not had a very good year, but this result was more about a fantastic comeback fashioned by Fognini than anything Nadal did wrong.
“It’s something incredible I did today,” Fognini said.
Both men competed to their limits, and perhaps a little beyond. They ran and fought, pounding grounds strokes at one another and electrifying an audience that grew increasingly loud even as it thinned out because of the hour.
- Nadal: “I Went Down Fighting” (via ATP World Tour)
“I fought until the last point, with a good attitude,” said Nadal. “It was not enough to win today. But the good thing is that my mind allowed me to fight until the end as I have done during all my career. Sometimes this year I was not able to do that.
“The nerves, the anxiety that I had for a long time this season, meant I was not able to do it. I was not able to fight the way that I was fighting today. So it is an improvement for me. I take that like a positive thing and I know what I have to do. I am going to work on it.”
Let it be said Nadal didn’t lose Friday’s match, Fognini won it. He ran the 29-year-old Mallorcan ragged with sharp, angled groundstrokes from the baseline and deft touched volleys at the net. He crushed 20 of his 70 winners in a compelling, bizarre fifth set that included seven consecutive breaks of serve before Fognini finally held at 5-4 for a place in the fourth round.
- Fiery Italian ices Nadal (via US Open)
Ninety minutes into the match, Nadal was up two sets and a break in the third, cruising to what appeared to be a routine win—so routine that many fans had filed to the exits before midnight. But for those who stayed, a classic was in the works, as Fognini raised his game and proved he wasn’t going away so easily.
Confidence, as Federer said while enduring his worst season as a star in 2013, “takes care of all the things you don’t usually think about.” Nadal and his fans would seem to have a lot to think about during the waning weeks of his worst season since 2005. Clearly, Federer has rediscovered it. It remains to be seen when Nadal will, and whether this year is an aberration, or an indication of something more dire.
- Rafael Nadal dumped out of US Open 2015 by Fabio Fognini (via The Telegraph)
He tried to look on the bright side as he spoke to the media at about 2:30 a.m., saying that he was pleased that his mind allowed him to “fight until the end, something that I was missing for a while.” But Nadal acknowledged there are problems with his strokes, particularly not enough topspin on his forehand and too-shallow groundstrokes in general. “Easy to understand, easy to explain, difficult to change,” Nadal said. “But I’m going to do it.”
For years, it has been speculated that Nadal’s demanding physical game would one day catch up with him. That day has come. Injuries forced Nadal to miss the 2012 and 2014 US Opens — and now he’s gone in the third round of 2015.
“Against Rafa, it’s always difficult,” Fognini said. “The fifth set was really difficult for both sides. When you go up one break on Rafa, your mind starts thinking about too many things.”
- Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, LeBron James and Rafael Nadal among top 10 most valuable sports stars on Twitter (via Daily Mail)
Rafael Nadal is the only tennis player to feature in the top 10 due to his 8.43million following on the popular social media website.
PHOTOS:
VIDEOS:
- 15 love with Rafael Nadal (via US Open)
Two-time US Open champion Rafael Nadal answers rapid-fire questions in the latest edition of “15-Love.”
- Rafael Nadal acknowledges that ‘Fabio Fognini played better’ (via Sport360)
- Rafael Nadal makes emotional exit at the US Open after defeat to Fabio Fognini (via Eurosport)
- Highlights: Fabio Fognini pulls off stunning upset over Rafael Nadal at the US Open (via Eurosport)
- The Coach: Rafa Nadal being crushed on his second serve (via Eurosport)
I still bekieve in you but you need some new coaching and good health. You have given us your all and we have appreciated ever effort. MV
Dear Rafa, You are still a champ!!! But every time you do not shave your face–you lose the match!!! Still love you!!
Those who call for Rafa to quit are those who fear for their own favorite players because they know that Rafa could come back and be a threat again.
Don’t listen to them, Rafa, they are just scared so they are hoping to discourage you.
Vamos Rafa siempre.
THE good news Rafa keeps moving forward, improving & enjoys his passion for tennis & life!!!!! Rafa is a very very special admired Sportsman & continues to be the classy GOAT he is!!!!
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!! : ) : )
I’m certain that all of Rafa’s fans want him to improve his game and win more grandslams. In my opinion, everyone has a right to their opinion. I feel that he should add someone to his team to advise on improving his serve (and for all we know he has); and maybe another scouting expert. And I definitely know that this would help him greatly. But wishing and hoping is all we can do. So, I will continue to support him and hope that he stays healthy so that he is able to compete at his best. And as I said, we all want him to improve and win more majors. Marylynn.
PS: DEAR RAFA FANS: Rafa is A TOP PLAYER…….VERY CURRENT, VERY SUCCESSFUL….BLESS HIS HEART, & his on going adjusting to the new Tennis Style of players w one-point-serve-game is evident in HIS POWERFUL RETURNS & his improved SERVE!!!! Rafa’s entire Tennis is, and always has been improving because that is where he is gifted, in his efforts and purpose is moving forward!!!!!!
If none of us fans respond to the occasional unkind comments here INTENDING to place malicious doubt , we will maintain the integrity of this fan site and refrain from reacting back & forth. Furthermore, ignoring such unflattering content, then no attention will be focused on that, and they will appear even more useless & senseless…… There is a lot of BS on line and I urge Rafa’s genuine fans to understand that these unflattering comments are written by fans of OTHER threaten one or two top players…..NOTICING RAFA IS BACK & CURRENT…… very obviously, and as we all gather by now, these comments carry no merit or usefulness here….. please enjoy Rafa’s stride forward, his efforts & accomplishments this season, and simply ignore the occasional empty comments, and try to rise above and not react…..Simply keep putting forth your own positive thoughts. AS WE SEE, RAFA’S LONGEVITY & SUCCESS ARE ON GOING……GOD BLESS HIM….HE HAS A TOP TOP POWERFUL, IMPROVING, WINNING GAME!!!!!! HIS TEAM IS OUTSTANDING and THEY ARE DOING GREAT MOVING FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As genuine fans, lets please focus our energy giving our support & respect to Rafa & his team. VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
To Fan love: You are not a true Rafa’s fan. just writing a page of nonsense positive affirmations
in each of your post doesn’t make you a true fan of his. We love RAFA and are concerned about his state of mind and his career.That’s why we voice our concerns and solutions for his current prolonged slumping phase. Please stop bashing anyone who dare to be critical of his game. You can’t close your eyes and pretend that everything is alright because it is not.
DEAR RAFA FANS: If none of us fans respond to the occasional unkind comments here, we will maintain the integrity of this fan site and refrain from reacting back & forth. Furthermore, ignoring such unflattering content, then no attention will be focused on that, and they will appear even more useless & senseless…… There is a lot of BS on line and I urge Rafa’s genuine fans to understand that these unflattering comments are written by fans of OTHER threaten one or two top players…..very obviously, and as we all gather by now, these comments carry no merit or usefulness here….. please simply ignore and try to not react…..& simply keep putting forth your own positive thoughts. VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
Very disappointing to read Rafa ‘s so called fans and their advice to Rafa. how many of you actually play tennis? Rafa Nadal played well against Fogninni, it lasted five sets. How many of you have actually had a challenge such as he faced last night? He is still a great athlete who has done well without our advice for several years. Please, all of you, back off until you are in the top ten players in the world. Then I may respect your opinion. Jean Palmer Winnipeg Canada my part
DEAR RAFA FANS: If none of us fans respond to the occasional unkind comments here, we will maintain the integrity of this fan site and refrain from reacting back & forth. Furthermore, ignoring such unflattering content, then no attention will be focused on that, and they will appear even more useless & senseless…… There is a lot of BS on line and I urge Rafa’s genuine fans to understand that these unflattering comments are written by fans of OTHER threaten one or two top players…..very obviously, and as we all gather by now, these comments carry no merit or usefulness here….. please simply ignore and try to not react…..& simply keep putting forth your own positive thoughts. VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
You’ll get back, Champ🌟❤️ I’m sure of it. You’re well on the way. Just keep believing in yourself – I do 😊😘 Keep working hard and play smart. VAMOS sweet Rafa 😍🎾💪
Hi All, Deep Thinker is here again to tell the naked truth as it is. I love Rafa more than anybody, but I’m not afraid of criticizing him, because the TRUTH is like a candle light that all the darkness of the world cannot hide. I’ve been abused, called several names including ”a moron” on this site, but alas I’ve always be accurate in my analysis of Rafa and his game..
When the draws of the US Open was published on this site, and many here commented that they expect Rafa to win, I had stuck out and predicted that Rafa will exit before the quarters. Again, for the umpteenth time, my prediction has come to pass. It appears I’m not a moron afterall!
By now, I should have been a millionaire if I were betting on Rafa’s matches. However, I strongly detest gambling and I love Rafa too much than to bet against him.
Of all the comments I’ve read so far, the best and most truthful comment has come from NERUDA. I doff my hat for you because I know that it is not easy to come out on this site and say such bold comments. You are indeed my hero.
I was strongly championing and advocating that Rafa should either change his coaching crew or add to the team a la Novak Djokovic. But after the Fognini 3rd round match, a cold shudder ran up my spine and I was hit by blinding blaze of light. Hot tears streaked from my eyes as a new reality dawned on me.
Indeed Rafa is 100% correct. The problem is not with Uncle Toni at all.The problem is Rafa. My new analysis of Rafa is that 75% of his body, soul, spirit and mind is no more in tennis. Clearly, he is struggling with himself: Should I continue or not?
Clearly then, the time to exit is now. He should retire to his Mallorcan Island and marry his long time sweetheart, Maria Perello and raise a family. Rafa should exit now to protect his legacy and avoid further humiliating defeats which will further dent his amazing record. Nature abhors a vacuum and I know that sooner or later a greater champion will emerge to make us happy again.
As he famously said sometimes ago: ”Life is more important than Tennis”
He cannot retire. Too much money to lose on endorsements. They will not give up that kind of money.
Ha ha ha …. do u hve any crystal ball to look in rafa future or his mind…..
To ur comment i must now tell u one real thing.. on december 31st 2014 a famous card reader of my country told that rafa stars r not proper etc ..etc.. and that he will not win any grandslam in 2015 and to avoid these he have to add some letters in his name
So should i now beleive that he was correct…
No not at all predictions r made by ppl who dont live in present
Do any body predicted abut 1st round loss of nishikori….do any one predicted that murray will play 5 setter against manarino… in 2nd round….
foginni was bombarding bombs like wawrinka did agnst rafa in ao and agnst novak in fo…..
Actually it was rafa with good defense handeled well in 5 th or it might have 6-0 for fogini
These bombarding type of tennis…actually player who play such type also not sure if it will come off or not…and if it come off u will be a winner sad part is it is so inpredictable and hence inconsitent …lets see does it comes off for fabio in nxt match..
but if u want to win gs u obivoulsy not choose this type of unpredictable type..
Present for rafa is he played all 4 gs.and major masters 1000 and he is healthy and somewhat close to winning major tournament form….
Actually problem is not with his coach..it only rafa too humble nature and too down to earth attitude … he always consider himself average player and downplay himself in any match
Actually best part is rafa is not perfect player likes of roger or novak he always fights hard to get in winning position because of his never say die attitude … actually that only real thing makes him great
In this world many stands for struggling life and very few lives perfect and rafa defines that struggling common man of this world who want to achieve greatest …
So just wait and watch the present because v r so lucky to see him playing if ur a rafa fan or not … what will happen in future v never know but just want rafa to continue for many more years
One thing is sure rafa is a player who dont want to continue playing with 8 or 10 seed ranking if it remains same for him till the end of 2016 season
I think he and his team should deep look in to the strings , grip and weight of racquet … and work on it
.
It is so easy to predicts things for players who is playing too good and playera who are not playing good