ARTICLES:
- Nadal: Warm Up Sparked Winning Run (via Tennis Now)
Nadal scored his 300th career Masters 1000 victory rolling a weary Stan Wawrinka, 6-2, 6-1, to roar into the Shanghai Rolex Masters semifinals.
The 14-time Grand Slam champion says raising the quality of his pre-match warm-ups to practice sessions is a key component to his winning run in China.
“I am practicing a lot even before every match,” Nadal told the media in Shanghai. “The warm ups are not warm ups anymore, they are like a practice. I enjoy the way we are doing the things. I am practicing well. We are moving to try to go a next step in terms of level.”
- Nadal Surges Past Wawrinka Into Semis (via ATP World Tour)
“Being in the semi-finals is a great result for me,” said Nadal. “I hadn’t played the semi-finals on hard court all year and now I am playing two weeks in a row in the final rounds. That’s a big improvement for me. In terms of confidence, in terms of level of tennis, I am playing better. Very happy for that because I am working so hard.”
- Shanghai Rolex Masters: Nadal surges past Wawrinka with 300th Masters win (via The Sport Review)
The dominance of the ‘big four’ at the premier level of the ATP tour over the last five years has been remarkable in itself. Since early 2010, Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray have won 46 out of 50 Masters titles—and have also accounted for 26 of the losing finalists.
Federer does still hold another Masters accolade, the most match-wins, 326, but Nadal is in hot pursuit of that, as well.
Nadal is playing unfettered, confident tennis again. His degree of enthusiasm is so striking that it almost seems as if someone had pushed a reset button somewhere in his being. Most importantly, it appears the trademark intensity with which Nadal once played every point has also been rekindled. That’s bad news for Tsonga, because when Nadal turns up the heat and begins to swarm over opponents, it’s tempting to mentally fold up the tent and call it a tournament.
PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal into Shanghai Masters semis
VIDEOS:
nobody remember looses but everyone remembers wins and a special player like u every match is unforgettable and a memory in heart
u inspire so much rafa
u define a majority of common man in the world
vamos rafa
I’m fasting and i said a special prayer for Rafa today to be healthy and to find his form and I’m extremely happy to see his results today ! I wish to celebrate his 300th win he’s a champion like no other what a fighter ! I’m sure he will do well ! Good luck I like Joe as well ! Two of my favourite players
I can’t stop smiling for Rafael, so happy for him and his team. What fantastic support he has in Shanghai. Suddenly he is playing with joy and freedom and so on the right road to his best game.
Yes, really nice to see him play like this again! Very solid against Karlovic and Raonic and an easy game against a tired Wawrinka. But it 3 good consistent matches in a row which didn’t happen this year. Still room for improment to get to his very best but on his way, hopefully for him and for us.
Vamos Rafa!
VAMOS DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Have a happy day & a blast!!!!! It is another great match with an opening!!!!!!! : ) Your love for tennis & your magical court display is IGNITING!!!!!!!!!!!!! ci….ci….ci…. Completely Agree 100% with all your loyal fans YOU CAN DO IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Enjoy your speed & quickness ….it will be fun……enjoy your fantastic effective serve …. tie Breaks …..your commanding court coverage etc…etc…. etc…..& blessed ENDURANCE !!!!!! : )
It is a great day today…..& beautiful timing at 4:30 pm…….ci…ci….ci…..have fun at practice & spending fun time relaxing, recharging & taking it all in with your loyal team ….. enjoying everything with your kind sensibility & meditative calm joy….. !!!!! YOU HAVE EARNED IT ALL dear RAFA….KUDOS!!!!!! It was very pleasing to hear the commentators offer their high regard & praise & respect throughout the match……. everyone is thrilled to see you charge forward with your incredibly RELEVANT & TOP LEVEL gifted Tennis!!!!! : ) : ) The kind umpire officiating your match was professional & objective!!!!!! : ) KUDOS!!!!! Congratulations again dear Rafa on everything !!!!!!! With your GORGEOUS, STRONG MUSCLY legs & mighty quick STRONG feet YOU can out run any top player ……. !!!!!!!: ) : ) : ) : ) Your endurance & quick reflexes will come handy for you!!!!! : ) Enjoy your powerful discipline & magnificent instincts they are so impressive & No ONE plays as beautifully & as creatively as you do!!!!! ) : ) : ) UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Just everything about your game is very SPECIAL for us Tennis fans !!!!!!!! ….. With each tour we are being reminded of your kindness & superb sportsmanship during matches….. tremendously rare……& one of your gifts we all cherish & deeply appreciate!!!!! Thanks for all the great fun DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
Shanghai is a lovable city & its wonderful people make it special!!!!!!!!!!! very happy for you!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS & God bless you sweetheart & your amazing loyal TEAM!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) lots of fun playing & enjoying your magical & creative Tennis!!!!
You are one GROOVY TENNIS GENIUS !!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
So to all you nay-saying commentators focusing on this last year of struggles — look at him now — a 300th Masters win. How many of you guys can say that? Just asking. Rafa and his fans stay positive so why can’t you?
You are already a winner. You are playing at such a high level. It is almost like you fliped a switch. What ever you and your team have worked out stick with it!!
Congratulations! I am so happy I do not have to be sad for you!
LOVE IT, RAFA!!!! Ir’s so good to see that great sparkle in your eyes!!! VAMOS, mañana para derrotar a Tsonga!!! VAMOS!!!
Agree with all comments 👍 Rafa is improving match by match as he planned 👨👩👧👦 best of luck against Jo time . Vamos😀
We are all with you! Good luck for the match against Tsonga. Vamos Rafa <3 <3 <3
What a great Champ you are. Well done! Vamos Rafa!
Just keep believing-the power of positive mindset is the mark of a true champion.
No one plays with more passion than Rafael Nadal-whether he wins every match or not, the fire is alive and burning for a victory! Kudos to a player who demonstrates love and respect for the game.
Played best in two years aggressive came to net and won points keep it up