Rafael Nadal’s run at the ATP World Tour Finals in London is over in the semis after being knocked out by Novak Djokovic. Rafa lost 3-6, 3-6 in an hour and 19 minutes. Our champ and Nole are now 23-23 wins apiece against each other.
Match stats: Rafa vs Nole
- Aces: 3-4
- Double-faults: 0-1
- First serve %: 70-61
- First serve pts won %: 54-89
- Second serve pts won %: 69-61
- Break points won: 0/0 – 3/5
- Total points won: 41-58
Win or lose, always with Rafa!
Rafael Nadal of Spain walks out onto cort prior to the men’s singles match against David Ferrer of Spain on day six of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 20, 2015 in London, England. (Nov. 19, 2015 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Tennis – Barclays ATP World Tour Finals – O2 Arena, London – 21/11/15 Men’s Singles – Spain’s Rafael Nadal arrives for his match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic Reuters / Suzanne Plunkett Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Rafael Nadal of Spain walks out onto court prior to the men’s singles semi final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Nov. 20, 2015 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his straight sets defeat by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles semi final match on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his straight sets defeat by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles semi final match on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a forehand during the men’s singles semi final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Nov. 20, 2015 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Tennis – Barclays ATP World Tour Finals – O2 Arena, London – 21/11/15 Men’s Singles – Spain’s Rafael Nadal during his match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic Action Images via Reuters / Tony O’Brien Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during the men’s singles semi final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Nov. 20, 2015 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Tennis – Barclays ATP World Tour Finals – O2 Arena, London – 21/11/15 Men’s Singles – Spain’s Rafael Nadal during his match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic Action Images via Reuters / Tony O’Brien Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand during his straight sets defeat by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles semi final match on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand during his straight sets defeat by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles semi final match on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain shows his emotions after his straight sets defeat by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles semi final match on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain shows his emotions after his straight sets defeat by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles semi final match on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal’s girlfriend Xisca Perello, sister Isabel Nadal and mother Ana Maria Parera are seen during the men’s singles semi final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Nov. 20, 2015 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal’s girlfriend Xisca Perello, sister Isabel Nadal and mother Ana Maria Parera are seen during the men’s singles semi final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Nov. 20, 2015 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal’s girlfriend Xisca Perello, sister Isabel Nadal and mother Ana Maria Parera are seen during the men’s singles semi final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Nov. 20, 2015 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal serves to Novak Djokovic during their semi-final clash at the ATP World Tour Finals in London on November 21, 2015 (AFP Photo/Glyn Kirk)
Tennis – Barclays ATP World Tour Finals – O2 Arena, London – 21/11/15 Men’s Singles – Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic Reuters / Suzanne Plunkett Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a backhand during the men’s singles semi final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Nov. 20, 2015 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Tennis – Barclays ATP World Tour Finals – O2 Arena, London – 21/11/15 Men’s Singles – Spain’s Rafael Nadal during his match against Serbia’s Novak Djokovic Reuters / Suzanne Plunkett Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Spains Rafael Nadal reacts after losing a point to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during their ATP World Tour Finals tennis match at the O2 Arena in London, Saturday Nov. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
Spains Rafael Nadal reacts after losing a point to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during their ATP World Tour Finals semifinal tennis match at the O2 Arena in London, England, Saturday Nov. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland)
Rafael Nadal reatcs during his two set loss to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during their semi final match at the ATP Tour tennis finals tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 21 November 2015. (Londres, Tenis) EFE/EPA/ANDY RAIN
A general view during the men’s singles semi final between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Nov. 20, 2015 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semi final during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Day Seven at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Novak Djokovic of Serbia shakes hands at the net after his straight sets victory against Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men’s singles semi final match on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Novak Djokovic of Serbia is congratulated by Rafael Nadal of Spain in the semi final during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Day Seven at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain shows his emotions after his straight sets defeat by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles semi final match on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain shows his emotions after his straight sets defeat by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles semi final match on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Nov. 20, 2015 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain waves goodbye to the crowd after his straight sets defeat by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles semi final match on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain waves goodbye to the crowd after his straight sets defeat by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles semi final match on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain waves goodbye to the crowd after his straight sets defeat by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles semi final match on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal reacts following his two set loss to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during their semi final match at the ATP Tour tennis finals tournament at the O2 Arena in London, Britain, 21 November 2015. (Londres, Tenis) EFE/EPA/ANDY RAIN
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain waves goodbye to the crowd after his straight sets defeat by Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the men’s singles semi final match on day seven of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: Rafael Nadal of Spain leaves the court after losing against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semi final during the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Day Seven at O2 Arena on November 21, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
@Great Thinker: As far as Rafa’s team disecting Novak’s way of playing tennis /and playing against Rafa, I don’t think that will happen in the Nadal Team. If they were going to analyse Novak’s game, strategies, movement, and watch tapes of rafa and novak matches they would have done it by now. I too feel that’s what needs to be done and very quickly. Along with that, I feel a super coach to assist Uncle Toni should be brought on board for added perspective and technical advice. I know there are very strong family ties and maybe Rafa feels he is being disloyal to his uncle, but I wish and hope that he stops feeling that way. And if they do not add another person to their team then my god train Rafa specifically on how to defeat Novak!!!. I love and respect Rafa, and he needs this. I only want him to go on court and understand what he needs to do to be victorious against Djokovic but that means knowing what he needs to do and knowing how to do it. That is the bottom line. I Hope the Nadal Team WILL TEACH RAFA STRATEGY on how to play victoriously against Novak. You know, I bet Novak would welcome the competion from Rafa. Love you Rafa, and want the best for you. God bless you. Love Marylynn.
After his impressive wins against Stan and Andy earlier in the tournament, I warned everybody here that Rafa would have to continue that type of offensive and aggressive play – even MORE so – to have any chance of winning this event. But unfortunately, he did the exact opposite today. He played LESS offensively and aggressively – hitting way too many short balls – and as a result, got blown off the court. I hate to say I told you so, but ……
I TOLD YOU SO!!!
Yes, Move in Rafa or Move On, YOU TOLD THE WHOLE WORLD SO, the same way the Great Thinker ALSO PREDICTED/ADVISED, but nobody listens to us, do they?
As it is, 2016 will finally decide Rafa’s fate – whether to Move in or Move on.
The truth of the matter is that Rafa has for long underestimated Djokovic. Meanwhile, Djokovic was recruiting Coaches to help him analyse and break down Rafa’s game to pieces. All this took some 3 to 54yrsI The result of that methodical research into Nadal’s game is all what we are seeing today. But what was Nadal doing all the while, he was busy playing poker and golf!!
Nadal urgently needs to see Djokovic as an ”enemy” and play against him as an ”enemy”. He must play Djokovic with anger and not frustration. All the praises he heaps on Djokovic must stop immediately. Afterall Djokovic does not heap praises on Nadal.
He needs to be watching Djokovic day-in, day-out; he needs to breathe in and breathe out Djokovic. A picture of Djokovic should be pinned up against a wall in his room, so that when he wakes up daily Nadal must say, ”Djokovic, you are under my feet in 2016”
But can Nadal do all these – the answer seems to be NO!
Today he was stronger. Tomorrow you will be stronger. You know this is how it works. Keep your team around you and if there is a past very good player include
Him in your. Team. This could pay off! Good end of the year! Go play some golf and poker. you are more than ready for the French next year.
Rafa is healthy & strong…. and looking forward to a great 2016 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
VAMOS DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : )