Rafael Nadal’s quest for his second title in Beijing was ended today by a 2-6, 2-6 defeat in the final against Novak Djokovic.
After the match, Rafa said:
I have to say congratulations to Novak, he’s having one of the best seasons in the history of our sport.
For me, it’s also been a very positive week.
I’ve been improving every single match and all the matches are good practice for me and especially the victories (because they) are a lot of positive energy for next year. (via Reuters)
Photo: Osports
BEIJING, Oct. 11, 2015 (Xinhua) — Novak Djokovic (R) of Serbia poses with Rafael Nadal (L) of Spain and Olympic boxing champion Zou Shiming of China ahead of the men’s singles final at 2015 China Open Tennis Tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 11, 2015. (Xinhua/Wang Lili/IANS)
Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return while playing against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their men’s singles final match in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Stadium in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return while playing against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their men’s singles final match in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Stadium in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Rafa Nadal of Spain serves to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles final match at the China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, October 11, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Rafa Nadal of Spain reaches for a return to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles final match at the China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, October 11, 2015. REUTERS/Jason Lee
Rafa Nadal of Spain hits a return to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles final match at the China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, October 11, 2015. REUTERS/Jason Lee
Rafa Nadal of Spain pauses after an injury during the men’s singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, October 11, 2015. REUTERS/Jason Lee
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts as he receives treatment on his foot while playing against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their men’s singles final match in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Stadium in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Rafa Nadal of Spain receives medical treatment on his foot during the men’s singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, October 11, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Rafa Nadal of Spain receives medical treatment on his foot during the men’s singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, October 11, 2015. REUTERS/Jason Lee
Rafael Nadal of Spain limps on the court while playing against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their men’s singles final match in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Stadium in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Rafa Nadal of Spain hits a return to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles final match at the China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, October 11, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a ball against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the Men’s single final match on day 9 of the 2015 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 11, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 10, 2015 – Source: Emmanuel Wong/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafa Nadal of Spain hits a return backwards to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles final match at the China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, October 11, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Rafa Nadal of Spain reacts after losing a point to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles final match at the China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, October 11, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Rafael Nadal of Spain, left, holds the runner’s-up trophy and Novak Djokovic of Serbia, right, holds the winner’s trophy as they pose for photos after their men’s singles final match in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Stadium in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia, right, and Rafael Nadal of Spain hold with their trophies after their men’s singles final match in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Stadium in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015. Djokovic defeated Nadal 6-2, 6-2. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Rafa Nadal of Spain raises his runner-up trophy during the award ceremony after the men’s singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, October 11, 2015. World number one Djokovic continued his recent dominance over Nadal when he beat the Spaniard in the final of the China Open to win the tournament for the sixth time on Sunday. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Rafael Nadal of Spain holds up his trophy after his men’s singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Stadium in Beijing, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015. Djokovic defeated Nadal 6-2, 6-2. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
Runner-up Rafa Nadal of Spain walks off the court with staff members with his trophy during the award ceremony after the men’s singles final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the China Open Tennis Tournament in Beijing, China, October 11, 2015. REUTERS/Jason Lee
Photo: Osports
Please see below Novak Djokovic’s accurate analysis of Nadal’s game and which also explains how he has always been able to beat Nadal:
‘I think I maintained that level of aggressivity and strength and power in my shots, and eventually I knew that he’s going to make mistakes and he’s going to give me shorter balls so I can dominate the rallies, which happened.” – Novak Djokovic
So sad, So sad. So sad.
no one ever accused Novak of being humble…..
Actually, truth be told, as you could see Rafa stood up to him w enormous power in a point by point match….. VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!! : ) That was such an unbelievable match!!!! : )
To Fan love: What are you on? definitely something is wrong with you. you call it unbelievable match?
Djoker owned Rafa which is unbelievably sad and frustrating.
Good point Great Thinker. Novak’s analysis echoes almost word-for-word what I said earlier this week about him having a very clear game plan – hit the ball hard and deep at every opportunity – thanks to his excellent coaching staff. Rafa, on the other hand, seems to have no game plan other than to get the ball back into play and hope that his opponent misses. That strategy may work against 2nd and 3rd tier players, but it certainly doesn’t work against Top 5 players, whom Rafa is now 0-6 against this year – winning ZERO out of 13 sets played. It can’t get any worse than that, although some might disagree based on today’s performance.
LOVE THE PHOTOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) & the unshaven look!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) Really cool!!!!! VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) I am so happy for you and like your dear fans say….you will clime back up… & truly, your game is so top…top…top…..and today was a victory for you CI…….CI…… It was clear and obvious how tight & close the match was….. and so with your beautiful character & genius tennis, strength & motivation YOU WILL clime up!!!! Enjoy EVERYTHING and have fun celebrating your magnificent tennis!!!!! Very impressive….you truly make records with your determination & passion for Tennis…..and also with your charitable heart!!!! VAMOS SWEETHEART & have a great time In Shanghai….. !!!!!!!!
Lots of love & happiness !!!!!!!!!!!!
It is very sad to see what has become of ONCE A GREAT TENNIS PLAYER named Rafael Nadal. A player that doesn’t believe in himself anymore. A player that completely has accepted that he is finished and his best years are behind him.
Felicidades Rafa good come back, te veo mejor pero si necesitas un adicional coach, I love you, Vamos Rafa
Rafael needs a new coach just as Djokovic got Becker and became more aggressive to beat Dominick he must attack the net more he only came intwice. He is better off taking more chances or nothing will change
Agree. he needs a new coach and sport psychologist. embarrassing defeat. He couldn’t take one set from Djoker. Rafa is transformed to a pathetic loser. YES I am huge FAN of him and I know he can beat Djoker IF he hires a good coach and see a sport psychologist.
Happy for you rafa. I was like a little kid waiting for you to get on the courts. Happy for you, to be back in the finals. Don’t worry, you played great. Time is the best.🌷 healer . You will triumph once again.
Just believe in yourself , and keep going. All your fans are right behind you.
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee you Rafa.💖.
Big God bless .
Love your smile.
Nadal u please get resignation from tennis u can’t ever beat joko ever please BCOZ I ur fan
Dearest Rafa: Great effort I pray nothing serious with your foot. And I must agree with diane: Rafa was was calm. cool and collected in this tournament. No nerves! Very composed! He was not struggling mentally and he played with intensity, and I was very happy about that. Rafa has the tools to get back to number 1, I am very certain of this. In my opinion, and I am NOT a tennis expert, but when watching the match I noticed that Rafa hit alot to Novak’s backhand say 3 or 4 times in a row & Novak would hit a return to Rafa’s backhand in such a way that Rafa couldn’t run around it and use his forehand – Djokovic is not giving him the opportunity to use his forhand which is his best weapon & when he does get to use his forehand he needs to hit a winner, as this will really build his confidence. Of course Rafa knows this, and he needs to find a consistent way to counteract this. I know that he will – and I know that he is up to the challenge that’s what makes him so Special!! Good luck in Shanghai Rafa, please stay healthy and keep believing in yourself = you will soon overcome. God bless you. I love you. Marylynn
RAFA you had a positive week, you’re great, and loved so much. You WILL recover your best game, because all RAFA fans will continue to support you.
I am so sorry that TROLLS do not have another site to go to, but come on a RAFA site to be mean, which is unnecessary.
TROLLS, do yourself a favour and support your favourite player by visiting their site.
RAFA fan forever.
As expected and all good signs for rafa, good luck in Shanghai
Fantastic that Rafael is in the final. Keep fighting in Shanghai! Some of these haters not only need to question their purpose here, but also sign up for English
Remediation.
U r the hater. Giving compliments after an earwashing is so hypocrite.
congrats to my cousin and hero in TENNIS. More wins to come Rafa.
Rafa, youre still my champ!
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) You played GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!! Very close match…..… BEAUTIFUL…score is not reflective ……had brilliant shots & top top competitive game!!!!! Congratulations again for making the Finals dear Rafa & coming up with your AMAZING Tennis!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) There is always the next tour …………You are blessed with your outstanding steadfast relevant Tennis!!!!!!! : ) Loved watching your focus & determination !!!!!! YOU are the best competitor out there…..making stunning shots right to the very last shot……. KUDOS !!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Best wishes sweetheart moving forward to your next tour!!!!!! : ) Take care of the foot & God bless you!!!! Best regards & enjoy your efforts & great tennis !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
Super great tournament for Rafa especially on the hard courts. Extremely satisfied
he made the finals again on hard court surface. According to the commentators he hadn’t
made a hard court final since January of last year so this is a huge triumph for him.
He was very calm and collected throughout the match. As a matter of fact, I saw Rafa
was calm. cool and collected in all his matches during this tournament. No nerves! Very
composed!
Congrats to Novak. His long, flat laser-like ground-strokes are so accurate. He has that
down to a science. Rafa fought hard and is making terrific strides and improvements.
Great shot-making from both. I’m really thrilled for Rafa.
The scoreline does not do Rafa justice. He fought hard and the forehand was good. Don’t be disheartened Rafa as Novak is having a great year and it’s practically impossible for anyone to beat him. You are on the right track and still progressing. Vamos Rafa!
Yes, excellent match, he’ll need to play like this in Shanghai where he has a tough match right from round 1.
The gab is widening and widening..next fase only bagels i guess.
Oh, you’re back, are you? Can’t for the life of me see why you’re on a FAN site…
Gab widening in your mind, apparently.
U wanna say it is positive that he won 4 games?
Not surprising. Novak is the best tennis player on earth right now. Its unrealistic to expect Rafa to beat him or get close to him. Rafa may not be the player he used to be anymore so dont expect too much from Rafa. Just accept it as a fact and move on.
Btw, the gap is widening between Novak and the rest of the field, and Rafa is one of them.
Novak has not improved since 2011. He just maintained his level, unlike nadal!
U r wrong gap is narrowing btw rafa and novak in h2h rafa still in edge over rafa
Dont worry rafa will widen the gap next time he face novak in terms of h2h
Vamos rafa
Post your nasty opinions on Djokovich and Federer’s website. You are not a Nadal fan so
Vamos sick of your negativity. You are very quiet when Rafa has a good win so buzz off
There has not been a good win since rg14.
At least if you persist on maintaining your obnoxious presence on this site, learn to spell, which is the first step in being taken at all seriously.
It’s gap, not gab, which you continue to idiotically post.
Fase, seriously? I guess you mean “phase?”
Maybe you should heed your own advice for Rafa, and take on some help of your own, like an English tutor.
I speak more languages than you for sure little troll.
I still say rafa and stan got that factor to end novak great times
For rafa forehand now needs to be working
Agree w you fan Ashish…..”……. rafa and stan got that factor to end novak great times”….. Well put!!!! Rafa’s brilliant returns were mighty impressive & he has effective, speedy answers to Novak’s serve ………Overall, Rafa’s game was fantastic!!!!!: )
At first: hopefully his feet is ok!
Novak is just to good at the moment:( Hard to accept but this is the true. Rafa fought great, played some good points but at the end Novak was to good.
Take rest and all the best for Shanghai! We are always with you. Vamos Rafa <3 <3 <3
U hve not won, but won hearts of many
Never mind rafa just continue the same way and sooner no one can stop u
Scoreline dont tell much about match
But is a proof that tennis is such a boring without u
U r a such a inspiring person i ever watched