ARTICLES:
The current loss of Nadal vs. Federer is, to tennis fans, like the removal of the Red Sox from the Yankees’ schedule. Rafa and Roger isn’t just a rivalry. It is a brand, a monument to tennis, a reason for huge purses and TV audiences. They are a reason to watch and care.
Will Nadal become Nadal again before Federer starts taking the court in a walker? Will their next head-to-head be on the senior tour? Are we ready to let it go and prepare ourselves for the Federer-Fognini rivalry? Are you kidding?
- The End for Rafael Nadal? Don’t Fret (via The Wall Street Journal)
These are just a few points in a long match, but essential points because Nadal became Nadal by paying attention to detail. Look back on his matches of old and you’ll see all the times he was close to defeat before turning a match in his favor with a few shots. This is not easy to do, and Nadal may never do it as well as he used to do it. But he’s still not too old or broken down to do it for a while longer. He says he’s getting closer, and he sounds like he knows what he’s talking about.
- Rafael Nadal now a fading force after US Open defeat to Fabio Fognini (via The Guardian)
Nadal can come back, but he is finding it increasingly difficult. The reason, almost certainly, lies deep in his heart. He has loved tennis all his life, except for a couple of dips when things have not gone well, notably in 2009 after his parents split up. That deep love may have gone for good, replaced by golf and assertions that all is well.
But as Nadal says, whether winning or losing: “Is only sport, no?”
- Poor play or bad luck for Rafael Nadal? (via ESPN)
Nadal has won these kinds of close matches recently. There’s no reason he can’t recapture that luck — or skill in the clutch, or whatever it was — and turn around his losing streak in lottery matches.
- A Fab Night (via tennis.com)
When you woke up on Saturday morning you may have asked yourself, as you scrolled through the tweets on your phone and shook your head in growing disbelief: How in the world did Fabio Fognini, of all people, come back to beat Rafael Nadal, of all people, from two sets and a break down at the U.S. Open?
- Sharapova Shows Nadal Some Twitter Love (via Tennis Now)
Maria Sharapova took to Twitter today to give Rafael Nadal and his fans a boost. Sharapova showed compassion for Nadal and, like many of his fans, is apparently growing weary of reading negative things about the Spaniard as he struggles to find his game in 2015.
… Nadal took the court in a black and gray camo top emblematic of his indomitable spirit. He looked fierce, and the pink Nike swoosh on his headband seemed like a subtle way of reminding his great rival Federer that he too can dabble in the flamboyant.
PHOTOS:
- Fashion at the U.S. Open (via SI.com)
- Scenes from Queens: 24 Hours to Remember (via tennis.com)
VIDEOS:
- US Open 2015: Rafael Nadal’s third-round press conference (via US Open)
- Nadal: “Los tenistas tienen muchos gastos” (via ESPN)
- Rafel Nadal perd amb Fabio Fognini i diu adéu al US Open (via IB3)
Yes, I am a true loyal fan for Rafa, but what is obvious has to be said for his own good. After the second set, to me, he handed Fognini the game in a silver platter. he needs to wake up to reality, he is no playing as he used to. Sorry for being blunt, but I suffer for him but he needs to wake up!
like some one here said a chat with the greats like Pete Sampras can
be a good!
;
Yes Tennis needs Rafa back to his best. Whether he can get back to his absolute best depends partly on his body and partly on his mind to keep fighting back through the injuries. Can’t wait to see the next rafa novak clash, rafa fedex has run its course now.. Cheers Pramod
While I agree with some of Sharapova’s comments about Rafa, as a fan of Rafa, I urge him to look at his team and ADD another professional (not getting rid of Uncle Tony) to coach him. I suggest a sports psychologist who will help him understand the reasons why he is slumping and who will professionally suggest to him what he needs to do to get better. Clearly he has the talent but there must be an underlying issue which is undermining his confidence and that is preventing him from playing as aggressively as before. Rafa, just hire a sports psychologist to help you and I can almost guarantee that by next year you will be winning slams and will equal or surpass Federer’s number. Remember that you have a winning record against ALL top ten players.
I’ve been telling the same thing for almost a year and half . He needs a sport psychologist and a new or additional coach. But uncle Toni’s ego is so huge that doesn’t allow Rafa to get the help he desperately needs.
Rafa needs to add another coach like dokovick did in becker who has made him more aggressive in coming to the net.when he comes in he wins points but in his last match he just played his old style
Rafa, Roger and Novak are great role models for winning and losing. They are always gracious and mention the strong points of their opponents. Our up and coming young players could do well to pattern themselves and their behavior after these gentlemen. That is not to say that they aren’t fierce competitors but very polite in their comportment on the court and off. They are very aware of what their fans and their personal teams mean to their success or failure.
Come on, reasonable people respects Rafa. It is impossible not to respect him in and outside the court. Headlines are meant to sell newspapers and they will always be that way in tennis, politics, business section, everything. Fognini played the life of his life in the last set. He was in “The Zone”. Rafa didn’t play badly. He didn’t leave short balls and was aggressive. Maybe he could have gone to the net a bit more. It hurts because he could have gotten at least to the quarter finals. Anyways I wouldn’t make a drama about this. I agree that he could have, not a new coach but a new experienced advice like Annacombe, a chat with him or someone like him? Only a chat at least?
Rafa is the most inspiring player of all times, impossible not to love him, win or loose. We love you Rafa and we are with you ALWAYS!!!!!
It is not about the last set. It is about RAFA that lost the match with 2 first sets win and one break up in the 3rd set. We all love Rafa and very sad when he loses like that but we need to be realistic and see the problems.
sempre RAFA, força, fé, determinação!
Dearest Rafa
You are definitely gonna be back.You ate already back.No matter we all are and will be a die hard Rafa fan ..Even if people are making fun ;just keep going ;they will eventually stop when they see how hard are trying..we all are there.you are always no.1 for us.
You have had a dream; you still have a dream.I am sure you have the confidence to make your dream come True..you Rock…
It doesn’t matter what everyone thinks;
People are always judging each other and the truth is they are not good at it.Don’t put a lot of concern in what people think of you or for you.we weren’t created to please and entertain everyone.You were created to be you ; Feel awesome about yourself..
You can’t start the new CHAPTER OF LIFE if you keep re reading the last one.When your past calls ;Just don’t answer.it has got nothing new to say..
You are an original;an individual; a MASTERPIECE; Celebrate that .Don’t let your uniqueness let you shy.Don’t be someone other than the wonder you are.Every star is important to the sky. And you are already a ROCKSTAR..
the only one who can tell you ‘You cant is You’ and “You don’t have to listen to it”
What are you waiting for.Buck up your chests and rock it my one and only one Inspiration..
You rock.I am sure you are coming back ..
Thank you for everything RAFA..YOU HAVE inspired SO MANY people.keep the spirits high.
God bless.
Loads of hugs from this fan of yours
Nisha iyer
(India)
Gracias MARIA!!! I’ve been watching Rafa since he started playing with the “Big Boys”. He has soared like an eagle. I have great respect for all that he has brought to tennis. Win or lose..I’m still in his corner rooting for him. He will come back and I can’t and will not give up on him. VAMOS RAFA!!!!
Thank you, Maria. Spot on commentary, which is why real tennis fans love and respect you both!
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
Maria you are so awesome to speak on Rafas behalf..He is a role model for all.How many of the critics have accomplished 1/10 of what Rafa has. Rafa will always be The King Of Clay and of being an absolute GENTLEMAN!!!VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Am a SHARAPOVA fan now after her remarks about RAFA–I do believe that he will find his way back and regain his confidence. Tennis needs Rafa and just isn’t the same without his spirit and fight. People are so quick to write him off…prove them wrong RAFA….ALWAYS WITH RAFA!!!
Absolutely Maria Shsrapova! Grand slam every year for past ten and I am sure more to come!
RAFA is and still a 👑 nor matter what 💪👏🙏 !
Thank you Maria for showing support to Rafa.💖. No matter what, there will never be a another Rafa Nadal. People have to stopping writing negative points about him. He is a champ. It is very difficult to achieve what he did in his days. Time is the best.🌷 healer.
Don’t worry Rafa, I’m sure time will heal everything. You will come back to your top form. I will always remain your loyal fan for life.
I just couldn’t watch you lose, yesterday. You gave us a wonderful match to watch yesterday.
Relax, come back strong for the next tournament. Don’t be depressed. Couldn’t see you cry my dear .my heart bleeds for you.
Thanks again for entertaining us with all the great matches.
Ignore all that is written. Think it was just a bad dream.
God bless you Rafa 💗.
Vamos Rafa, tu no tienes que dar explicaciones; haz lo que sientes!!!
YES I AGREE SOME OF THE AMERICAN GUYS ARE THE WORST AND SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES,THEY FORGET THAT AFTER ROGER THERE IS NOT ANOTHER TENNIS PLAYER WITH THE GRANDSLAMS THAT RAFA HAS……AND NO MATTER RAFA WILL BE AND IS A LEGEND…….NO MATTER WERE HE IS NOW…. AND THERE IS TOMORROW.WELL SAID MARIA
I too thank Maria for her comments as I am totally fed up with the negativity surrounding Rafa. Yes he is losing matches which he would have won earlier on in his career and I am heartily sick of the comments from this website and in particular from the court side commentators at US Open during the Fognini match when one remark was about a shot of Fabios described as pure quality and no mention of the player on the other side winning 14 GS!!! other than ‘Federer or Novak would not have missed that or they would have played it differently..
Rafa deserves more respect and is getting better and will get better so please get behind him. Kia and Tommy Hilfiger would not have asked him to sponsor them if they did not feel he will come back.
Thank you Maria! Rafa dominated this sport for 10 (!!) years! He had so many injuries but he always came back to the top!
2015 is a tough year but Rafa is a fighter and wil try everything to be at his best again.
Always with Rafa <3 <3 <3