(AFP) Rafael Nadal stuttered to victory against one of his former ball boys at the China Open on Tuesday. Out-of-sorts Rafa was broken four times by China’s 230th-ranked Wu Di, who once tossed him balls and towels in Shanghai, before winning an error-strewn match 6-4, 6-4.
“We don’t need to talk more about confidence, rhythm. That’s my level today, and I’m going to work hard to try to improve my level of today,” he said, after reaching the second round.
Photo: China Open
Photo: China Open
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Wu Di of China during the Men’s singles first round match on day four of the 2015 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2015 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his match against Di Wu of China during day 4 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2015 – Source: Chris Hyde/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his match against Di Wu of China during day 4 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2015 – Source: Chris Hyde/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Photo: China Open
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Wu Di of China during the Men’s singles first round match on day four of the 2015 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2015 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Wu Di of China during the Men’s singles first round match on day four of the 2015 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2015 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Photo: China Open
Photo: China Open
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his match against Di Wu of China during day 4 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2015 – Source: Chris Hyde/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his semifinal match against Wu Di of China during the Men’s singles first round match on day four of the 2015 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2015 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Photo: China Open
Photo: China Open
Photo: China Open
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his match against Wu Di of China during the Men’s singles first round match on day four of the 2015 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2015 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his match against Wu Di of China during the Men’s singles first round match on day four of the 2015 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2015 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his match against Wu Di of China during the Men’s singles first round match on day four of the 2015 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2015 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Photo: China Open
“But tomorrow is another opportunity. I played a match today that I can play better, and I think I can play better tomorrow because I’m practising well.”
On a heavily polluted day in Beijing, Wu anticipated superbly when he lunged for a forehand volley winner for his first break of the Spaniard early in the first set, and he wasn’t done yet. Wu broke again to go ahead in the second set but with both players uncomfortable on serve, Nadal was able to wrap it up after 86 minutes and progress to a second-round meeting with Vasek Pospisil.
“I’m practising well, so the level of tennis is going to be there sooner or later. I am working a lot to make that happen. I think I’m closer to that,” Rafa said. “I know it’s obvious that I need results to confirm that. But we are almost at the end of this season and I have time to keep playing the last tournaments of the year with the chance to practise the things that I need to do for next year. My goal is recover the level especially to play my best on clay next year.”
Source: Agence France-Presse
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VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) Congratulations on your great China Open steadfast beginning & your beautiful opening 2 wins!!!!!!: ) ci……ci…..ci…..So much fun to watch you move on the court!!!!! Great matches…..well done!!!!!! : ) Enjoy your strong serve, speedy net coverage & all your creative, great FH & BH Returns……VAMOS…….VAMOS……VAMOS…… God bless you & have fun celebrating w your amazing coach uncle Toni & the team!!!!!: )
Rafa just wants to hit Rock bottom this year so he has no ATP points to defend next year and all the ATP points to collect on the way back to the top.
Rafa seems totally clueless about what’s ailing him. He thinks it’s all about his confidence and nerves. But what he fails to understand is that ALL players have fluctuations in their confidence and nerves, even the best of the best. When Novak played Roger in the final of Indian Wells earlier this year, the TV announcer pointed out how Novak’s hand was shaking violently when he drank from his water bottle during the change of ends in the 2nd set tiebreaker. And indeed it was. But despite his nerves, Novak continued to play AGGRESSIVELY, without fear, and came out on top in the end(6-3, 6-7,6-2).
The main difference between Novak and Rafa at this point in their careers is that Novak has EXCELLENT COACHING that has instilled in him a CLARITY of purpose(hit the ball hard and deep at every opportunity) and style(maintain proper court positioning, balance and racquet follow through whenever possible). Rafa, on the other hand, has a “coach” that no other player on tour would hire, even if he offered his services for free. Uncle Toni, truth be told, is really not a coach at all. He’s a companion. But Rafa doesn’t need a companion. He needs a coach – a REAL coach. Pronto. Because he ain’t getting any younger, and he’s extremely injury prone, which could interrupt or end his career in the blink of an eye. Rafa needs to get his act together. NOW. Before it’s too late.
well-said. I wish we could contact his parents or anyone from his team.
He is an idiot to be broken 4 times but it is his decision when to quit.
It is painful to watch Rafa these days. even Wu Di can play longer shots than RAFA. What improvements rafa brought to his game?
repeating the same old stuff. play way far beyond the baseline. horrible serves and 90 percent of his shots landed at the middle of court.
Let us ask the idiots like ‘fan love’ for the answer!
Rafa, it is about time you cut the media conversations short without being downright rude (which is not your style), the next match is the next match and hopefully a win, good luck for tomorrow.
Totally agree
Always honest of what he feels. Vamos RAFA!!! Always with RAFA💪🎾💙
How boring and repetitive is the media towards Rafael. So right to cut them off quickly. The last 4 games were heartening and showed that Rafael stayed calm under pressure. Move on to the next match. Vamos Rafaaaa
Deep Thinker,
Lizzy, I still maintain that Rafa will not go beyond the quarter -final stage, if at all he gets there.
He took a lot of things for granted by wanting to sleep on his laurels of 14 Grand Slams and now, it’s payback time.
But then, life is more than Tennis.
Vamooooooossssss Rafa!!!!!!!!! You can do it!!
Vamos Rafa!!!!
so strange. it seems that that he’s forgotten how to play tennis. I don’t know what to say.
That’s the way rafa to go about…..just cut the crap of that confidence and rhtym issue and giving long explanation to media
U r right just focus on nxt match ….take each match at a time
U r getting closer if u feel that thats enough for fan like us
Dont need u to get accepted by media
Sometimes u hve to behave with media as a person who hve 14 grand slams
V know u dont like it
Bst luck for next match
A win is a win
Vamos Rafa!!! <3 <3 <3
That’s the way rafa to go about…..just cut the crap of that confidence and rhtym issue and giving long explanation to media
U r right just focus on nxt match ….take each match at a time
U r getting closer if u feel that thats enough for fan like us
Dont need u to get acfept