PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal arrives in Thailand for his exhibition against Novak Djokovic
(AP) Rafael Nadal is in Bangkok for a sold-out exhibition match against Novak Djokovic dubbed “Back to Thailand.”
Before Friday’s match, the two players will get full VIP treatment with an escorted visit to the Grand Palace followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.
Tennis players Novak Djokovic of Serbia (R) and Rafael Nadal of Spain (C) walk in a handicraft market before their “Back To Thailand – Nadal vs Djokovic” friendly match on Friday, in Bangkok, Thailand, October 1, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
Tennis players Novak Djokovic of Serbia (C) and Rafael Nadal of Spain (R) walk in a handicraft market before their “Back To Thailand – Nadal vs Djokovic” friendly match on Friday, in Bangkok, Thailand, October 1, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
Tennis players Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain (R) look at a Thai folklore dancer as they visit a handicraft market before their “Back To Thailand – Nadal vs Djokovic” friendly match on Friday, in Bangkok, Thailand, October 1, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
Tennis players Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain (R) look at a Thai folklore dancer as they visit a handicraft market before their “Back To Thailand – Nadal vs Djokovic” friendly match on Friday, in Bangkok, Thailand, October 1, 2015. REUTERS/Jorge Silva
Rafael Nadal of Spain walks past a portrait of Novak Djokovic of Serbia before a news conference ahead of Friday’s tennis friendly match called “Back To Thailand – Nadal vs Djokovic” event at a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, October 1, 2015. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom
Rafael Nadal of Spain, left, and Novak Djokovic of Serbia right, attend a press conference for their exhibition tennis match in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015. The match will be held on Oct. 2 .(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
(R-L) Novak Djokovic of Serbia, Suwat Liptapanlop, president of the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand and Rafael Nadal of Spain pose for photographers after a news conference ahead of Friday’s tennis friendly match called “Back To Thailand – Nadal vs Djokovic” at a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, October 1, 2015. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom
Novak Djokovic of Serbia (R) and Rafael Nadal of Spain pose after a news conference ahead of Friday’s tennis friendly match called “Back To Thailand – Nadal vs Djokovic” event at a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, October 1, 2015. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom
Rafael Nadal of Spain, left, and Novak Djokovic of Serbia, right, pose for photographers after a press conference for their exhibition tennis match in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015. The event will be held on Oct. 2.(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Rafael Nadal of Spain poses for photographers after a news conference ahead of Friday’s tennis friendly match against Novak Djokovic called “Back To Thailand – Nadal vs Djokovic” at a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, October 1, 2015. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom
Tennis player Rafael Nadal of Spain gives a Thai traditional “wai” pose for photographers after a press conference for his exhibition match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015. The event will be held on Oct 2 .(AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Seated beside each other at a packed news conference, Rafa was asked if he hoped to get revenge on Nole, who won their last two tour matches at the French Open and in Monte Carlo.
Not really. No, even if I win tomorrow it will not be revenge. It’s an exhibition match. The purpose is to try to play a good match where we have some fun and create good fun for the people. Novak is having an amazing season. I texted him after the U.S. Open but I want to say today in a public way, it’s amazing the way that he’s playing during the whole season. The mental strength and the level of tennis is difficult to equal.
It’s an exhibition match, but still Novak should prevail! But there is no risk as it does not affect the Nadal-Djokovic Head to Head which is (narrowly) in Nadal’s favor.
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) It is a beautiful day & it will be a great match for you!!!!!! VAMOS ……KUDOS…… & enjoy lots of fun playing joyfully your solid powerful tennis. Your game is definitely strong & creative and with your amazing returns & movement & creative ball returns at the NET you can move Novak around & have good chances to stay competitive & push hard to establish AN EARLY LEAD….. God bless you & your amazing endurance!!!!! : ) No one has your endurance …….and you have everything it takes to come on the court ready, warmed up and tuned & establish a speedy lead right away…..ALL IS POSSIBLE dear Rafa….. by the 3rd set your endurance and passion to win will be there for you!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Enjoy your match & take your time w your well aimed improved serve!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) God bless you & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Enjoy!!!!! : ) : ) : )
Have a good day and enjoy Vamos Rafa your the best ever.
I’m a true Rafa fan always …but I like and admire Nole ..maybe as no pressure the real Rafa will emerge..Vamos
Vamos Rafa…. A true gentleman! Good luck for Beijing!
It’s an exhibition match, but still Novak should prevail! But there is no risk as it does not affect the Nadal-Djokovic Head to Head which is (narrowly) in Nadal’s favor.
Vamos Rafa. Have fun and enjoy the exhibition-match <3 <3 <3
GO GO GO . YOU GORG: GUY. VAMOSS XX VAMOSS
Yes Rafa is time for you Shine in the tennis court. Good luck and VAMOSSSSS.🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸🎾🇺🇸❤️🇺🇸🎾❤️
Play aggressive attack the net
Is the friendly match going to be broadcast on TV?
Sorry for the typographical error.I meant pictures. Of djokovic n you.
Love you buddy always.
Yes Rafa , waiting to see you back in action. Love the pis you posted , of Thailand.
Have fun. Enjoy.
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee you always Rafa 💗.
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) It is a beautiful day & it will be a great match for you!!!!!! VAMOS ……KUDOS…… & enjoy lots of fun playing joyfully your solid powerful tennis. Your game is definitely strong & creative and with your amazing returns & movement & creative ball returns at the NET you can move Novak around & have good chances to stay competitive & push hard to establish AN EARLY LEAD….. God bless you & your amazing endurance!!!!! : ) No one has your endurance …….and you have everything it takes to come on the court ready, warmed up and tuned & establish a speedy lead right away…..ALL IS POSSIBLE dear Rafa….. by the 3rd set your endurance and passion to win will be there for you!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Enjoy your match & take your time w your well aimed improved serve!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) God bless you & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Enjoy!!!!! : ) : ) : )