Unfortunately, Rafael Nadal was not able to win the final of the Qatar Open in Doha. He lost 1-6, 3-6 to Novak Djokovic in 73 minutes.
After the match, Rafa said:
I am going go keep working so hard to be ready for Australia and the rest of the season.
It was Djokovic’s ninth victory over Rafa in 10 meetings – the last five in straight sets.
The Serb broke twice in both sets as our champ had no answer to the pace and power of his groundstrokes.
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their final match of the Qatar ATP Open Tennis tournament at Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 09 January 2016. (España, Tenis) EFE/EPA
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their Qatar Open men’s single tennis final match in Doha, Qatar, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Naseem Zeitoon
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their final match of the Qatar ATP Open Tennis tournament at Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 09 January 2016. (España, Tenis) EFE/EPA
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their Qatar Open men’s single tennis final match in Doha, Qatar, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Qatar Open men’s single tennis final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in Doha, Qatar, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their final match of the Qatar ATP Open Tennis tournament at Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 09 January 2016. (España, Tenis) EFE/EPA
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their final match of the Qatar ATP Open Tennis tournament at Khalifa Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, 09 January 2016. (España, Tenis) EFE/EPA
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their Qatar Open men’s single tennis final match in Doha, Qatar, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Qatar Open men’s single tennis final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in Doha, Qatar, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Qatar Open men’s single tennis final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in Doha, Qatar, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Novak Djokovic of Serbia (R) shakes hands with Rafael Nadal of Spain after their Qatar Open men’s single tennis final match in Doha, Qatar January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Novak Djokovic of Serbia (R) walks with Rafael Nadal of Spain after their Qatar Open men’s single tennis final match in Doha, Qatar, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Novak Djokovic (R) of Serbia poses with the trophy after winning the final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during the Qatar ATP Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa Tennis Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar, 09 January 2016. (España, Tenis) EFE/EPA
Novak Djokovic of Serbia (R) poses with the trophy after winning the final match against Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) during the Qatar ATP Open Tennis tournament at the Khalifa Tennis Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar, 09 January 2016. (España, Tenis) EFE/EP
Novak Djokovic (L) of Serbia holds the trophy as he stands next to second place Rafael Nadal of Spain after winning his Qatar Open men’s single tennis final match in Doha, Qatar, January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Naseem Zeitoon
Well, it’s another loss to Nole.
It does HURT to see our RAFA, who once owned players including Nole lose badly. However, it’s a result of him peaking early and winning a lot of trophies, money and fans.
Now, it’s Nole peak season, I respect him because his play is exceptional especially against RAFA. He raises his level because he respects RAFA too.
It also hurts when ‘hater’ come here to say ”I told you so”, ”he’s a loser”, ”he’ll never beat Nole again”. It really hurts RAFA fans. The guy gives his 100%, and if it does NOT equal Nole’s 100% at this time. HE DOES GIVE IT. There is NO doubt where this is concerned.
I just want to remind everyone that NOBODY else has been able to keep Nole down, except for the one off matches. They are troubled as well as RAFA.
I am not here to say that its okay for RAFA to lose, I am here to say that I will support him always because he deserves it as far as I am concerned.
WIN, LOSE OR DRAW, RAFA HAS MY VOTE.
RAFA fan forever.
I have no advice for RAFA because I am not a professional tennis player, coach or psychologist.
Very sad! Rafa is so far away from Djokovic:(:(
Always with you <3
Get inside the court!!!! Rafa has done this very impressively all week…until today. OK,you might get passed a few times but you have more chance of hitting longer balls and taking him out of his comfort zone of cross court winners.
Rafael will never win again against ND if he does not get some extra help.
It’s so clear that it isn’t about TRYING anymore. Trying more is not going to change things for Rafa. He clearly has to change his playing ways. Being more aggressive, playing smarter, with more fire under him. I mean he lost to this jerk what 9 out of 10 times. For a legend, that’s just not acceptable imo. He has to do everything in his power to be able to play to his potential and I don’t think Rafa is doing that. If he keeps training and playing with this mentality, this way, nothing will change except his legacy will take a bigger hit over time as much as we don’t like to see that. Rafa is clearly talented enough to do everything all other players do, offensively even more so. So why play so passive, defensively when you can’t sustain that anymore ? You played the same way before Rafa and you were strong enough young enough to overcome that but not anymore. Please don’t overdo it and risk long time injury. Run less, think more and go for the win by dictating. Try to do that. You say confidence comes from good play but I think if you work hard enough on your tactics, way you play, going outside your comfort zone, you can build confidence that way.
Let’s go to allow his antis to talk and to talk, we’ll do it after the AO, remember my words
Dearest Rafa, I have come to believe, as many of your fans have, that you would do well to get a top coach to help you and Uncle Toni prepare you to win against Novak. Without doing so, you don’t stand a chance. If it works for Novak, it WILL work for you!!!! VAMOS RAFA!!!!!
Rafa beat that Djokovic to death the next time and whats more you have let arrogant Djokovic into your head get him out of there fast or you will never beat him but believe me you are the better person that is why you are so loved.
RAFA I WAS SCREAMING AT THE T.V COME FORWARD DJOC WAS FORCING YOU BACK AND BACK , FURTHER, ALSO PLEASE STAY ON THE BASE LINE COME TO THE NET MORE AND MORE DO NOT AIM FOR YOUR OPPONMENT GO THE OTHER WAY AS FED DOES, I THINK YOUR TO POLITE YOUR A FANTASTIC PLAYER SPEAK TO PAT CASH HE HAS SAID ALL I SAY AS ELIZABETH ABOVE SIAS IT IS ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE
“NEW IDEAS” PLEASE TRY THEM PLEASE XXXXXXXX
Rafa we your ardent fans know you played to your best ability but it’s not enough. your working hard is not enough either you & your team must know how to play smart in order to outplay your opponents especially that sly cocky Djoker. please watch the past matches and see how to outplay him. Perhaps you need an outsider coach who will be able to see & think out of the box now that you are back to your fighting spirit old self. Please to your fans or friends opinion otherwise you won’t win the battle. All the very best in your new season. Don’t ever harbour revenge as this will affect your play. Just play as if you have nothing to lose. Vamos Rafa.
It was 6-1 6-2 not 3. It was the 9th wake up call since the us open 13 but toni and rafa prefer snoozing.
Congrats novak
Have to say he was playing unbelivable
Haven’t see in longtime him playing this level
Obviously 2015 year and last matches with rafa can give that confidence
I repaeat again rafa has to hit beyond service box area so that he can’t be dictated from baseline and able to hit those area even playing far from baseline i.e. improve the strength of defence
Have to rafa is slow on ball
He has to be little quick on the balls
Just hope this match light a fire in rafa instead of demoralising him and from rafa attitude today it seems that a fire will ignite surely
Good part rafa not gave away till last but novak was too hot and furious
Bad part was rafa not able to change the tactic or present something new in 2 nd set
Do mind this match rafa
Have a healthy rest days rafa before ao 16
I m sure u will be ready for ao 2016
So sad for him. Glad I couldn’t watch. I feel for him.
hard work is not enough, Rafa needs to work smart. Unless he does that, there is no chance against the Serb. i really hope Rafa comes up with some strategy 🙁
Much love DEAR RAFA & best wishes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Enjoy EVERYTHING & KUDOS TO YOUR MAGNIFICENT TENNIS & YOUR LOYAL MAGNIFICENT TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) You are doing EVERYTHING RIGHT SWEETHEART & it is a pleasure to watch you glide on the court with such BRILLIANT DETERMINED TENNIS & POWERFUL PRESENCE ON THE COURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) There are a few lessons to take from this match and perhaps the most important is that YOU ARE A FANTASTIC TOP PLAYER WITH A FANTASTIC TENNIS GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We all LOVE YOU & look forward to your next match!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART & ENJOY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) YOU ARE A PRECIOUS GIFT TO TENNIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Paul Hand did not get to cover your match today……..we missed his entertaining shrewd humor & right on match remarks. He has a bright mind & kin perception of covering the matches with a balanced objective and inspiring manner.
Meanwhile sweet RAFA, have a fabulous time between your tours & enjoy your evening!!!!!!!!!!!! You have earned such high respect amongst local & global Tennis fans and we look forward to your next match!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS……….. VAMOS…………VAMOS………………!!!!! I trust your post interview common sense and content even before it is being posted……you have such a great head on your shoulders & I always love hearing your positive brilliant take on your TENNIS. Lots of love & good time & sheer happiness going your way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
Working hard is not enough anymore, Rafa. You have to be efficient and effective! You have to change your strategy and tactics, try new things, be creative and try to surprise the others, otherwise you don’t have any chance anymore to the big guys like the djoker, Federer and the other high ranked players. Please get some advice and help from other champions/professionals who knows your problems and can help you win grand slams again! You have your potentials, your strength, but that is not enough anymore. Please listen to your real fans! We wish you all the best for the rest of the season.
If only he added one more professional like Carlos Moya or Andre Agassi.
he doesn’t get it that working hard is not the solution. get a damn coach and try new tactics. go see a sport psychologist too. you become so pathetic. once for god safe go to the court and instead of standing 1 kilometer behind the baseline , stay inside the court and attack, you are gonna lose anyway. why not try being aggressive?
Well, he did but do you notice that he hit so many unforced errors?
Not a mental problem, definitely a technique problem!
Please Rafa, changing coach now! You are already 30. Don’t waste one more year!
I haven’t seen the match, I don’t have any doubts that Novak has tried and played his best but my question is how bad Rafa has play after to see that ridiculous and odd result and more after to see the Serbian playing the previous matches……hmmmm
Like always bro! So sad but true! Rafa gonna lose to Novak again and again with the same way if he sticks with uncle Toni. No new game plan, just topspin and topspin.
Sad but the truth. He cannot win with this strategy, Djokovic owns him. Sad but true, I have stopped watching Rafa’s match against Djokovic. I cannot watch him lose like this way. Absolute humiliation.
And there we go. May as well not show up. It’s like Maria Sharapova against Serena Williams; a full gone conclusion before a ball is struck.
Wait a minute, i thought i heard Nadal said something about new coach after the match right? Was he joking?
Yes, he was joking.
OMG! One moment that i thought that was true. If he continues like this, he will lose every single match against Novak. Come on Rafa! That ‘s not something like a joke right? Adding a new professional doesn’t mean sacking uncle Toni.
Watched it and Djokovic better on the day but this is about the big picture as the year progresses. Let us keep faith in our great champion. He didn’t win the match, but as ever, won the hearts of the Doha public. Rafael forever.
Dillusional as always.