Fernando Verdasco has sent Rafa Nadal crashing out of the Australian Open in the opening round for the first time ever. 87 winners fired Verdasco over the finishing line 7-6(6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2.
WIN OR LOSE, ALWAYS WITH RAFA!
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Sweat drips from the nose of Spain’s Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
A ball boy places an ice pack over the shoulders of Spain’s Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Spain’s Rafael Nadal sits in his chair with ice packs on his head during his first round match against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Spain’s Rafael Nadal wipes his face with an ice pack during his first round match against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain changes his head band during his first round loss to compatriot Fernando Verdasco during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal during his first round match against Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal signals a ball boy to bring his other towel during his first round match against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
El tenista español Rafael Nadal devuelve la bola a su compatriota Fernando Verdasco durante su partido de primera ronda del Abierto de Australia de tenis disputado en Melbourne, hoy, 19 de enero de 2016. EFE/Mast Irham
El tenista español Rafael Nadal saca la bola ante su compatriota Fernando Verdasco durante su partido de primera ronda del Abierto de Australia de tenis disputado en Melbourne, hoy, 19 de enero de 2016. EFE/Mast Irham
El tenista español Rafael Nadal devuelve la bola a su compatriota Fernando Verdasco durante su partido de primera ronda del Abierto de Australia de tenis disputado en Melbourne, hoy, 19 de enero de 2016. EFE/Mast Irham
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point in his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal throws his towel to a ball boy during his first round match against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Jason O’Brien
Spain’s Rafael Nadal hands plastic to a ball boy as he changes shirt during his first round match against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Spain’s Rafael Nadal sits in his chair as he puts on a new head band during his first round match against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts during his first round match against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain removes his sweatband after losing his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain removes his sweatband after losing his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, left, of Spain congratulates compatriot Fernando Verdasco after their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.(AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Rafael Nadal, right, of Spain congratulates compatriot Fernando Verdasco after their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.(AP Photo/Mark Baker)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain congratulates Fernando Verdasco of Spain on winning thier first round match during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, right, of Spain is consoled by compatriot Fernando Verdasco after his first round loss to Verdasco at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.(AP Photo/Mark Baker)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain walks off court after losing his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain packs his bags as he leaves Rod Laver Arena following his loss to compatriot Fernando Verdasco in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.(AP Photo/Mark Baker)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain walks off court after losing his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal gestures as he leaves the court after defeat in his men’s singles match against compatriot Fernando Verdasco on day two of the 2016 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 19, 2016. AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST– IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE
Rafael Nadal of Spain waves as he leaves Rod Laver Arena following his loss to compatriot Fernando Verdasco in their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016.(AP Photo/Mark Baker)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain walks off court after losing his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain walks off court after losing his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts as he leaves after losing his first round match against Spain’s Fernando Verdasco at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, January 19, 2016. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain walks off court after losing his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain walks off court after losing his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain walks off court after losing his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain walks off court after losing his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain walks off court after losing his first round match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain during day two of the 2016 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
This was a disappointment as Rafael made a great effort. Stay positive, as you need to keep your focus even though changes need to be made. Execution of these changes is never easy, but a warrior finds a way.
in sports you don’t need to be saint rafa …….
u have to compliment other player just for the fact u have to
and to be angry with urself of ur play and then making no dela about it and assure u will find a way to win next grandslams
we wnat to see a hunger in ur eyes
IF U CANT DO IT GET A SPORTS PSYCHOLOGIST
BEWARE FANS ANY THING CAN HAPPEN IN NEXT FEW DAYS
I do believe that you badly needed a new coach idol.
Not sure Rafa is you are watching this space at all but I do hope you will read this comment.
I am big fan of yours from start of career but now things are not the same. You are not the same player anymore, as a fan it’s very sad to see you losing like that.
I watched full match yesterday & the fact is Fernando didn’t play good you played miserably bad. Did you see your juicy second serve, giving invitation to hit? did you see your forehand? Most of the times there was no power, only thing was working was backend but that wasn’t sufficient. Double fault in first set tiebreak, 2-0 to 2-6 in final set,six games in a row. This is not what we expected from our hero.
I am sure you know what is the problem but if you can’t change your coach as they are part of your family then what about us? We (all fans) are praying,supporting you,we are also family like. Then please listen to us, add a new coach to your team. Please hire a consultant who can work with you on your body language, I can’t see any more hunger in your eyes. Your confidence is as fragile as your body & mind.
If you are not ready to change on above please hang your boot, you were the best player for your fans & will remain same forever. But we can’t see you loosing like this, I feel like crying..
if u r going into the match and thinking of winning the match with opponet unforced error or bad play is not we use to see rafa going into the matches earlier
watched little bit of match ….have to say rafa played so average …i mean rafa played good than this match in US open 2015….
dont know why but the the energy is absolutely gone on shots not consistent on hitting the area beyond service box
somehow rafa needs get back that power back in his hands he use to have
rafa urgently needs master titles under his belt he is suffering from confidence issue going into big tournament matches
for me rafa played average what he was playing from 4 to 5 months and thats why he lost
i am in tears now
please rafa be angry with urself , dont let this match dent ur confidence further
get the power back
No comment! No advice anymore! Rafa has to decide for himself if he want to make the changes that are very urgent at this moment! Very sad and painful!
You were right J Beer you are an idiot , all of his fans can see that Rafa is not the player he was and that players he would have beaten easy at one time he now struggles to win against them, and we also know that he would benefit greatly with a new coach alongside uncle Toni.what we don’t need is a sad little man belittling Rafa and his uncle in the process to make himself feel better about his own inadequate self. To comment on his hair is probably making you feel better as you are probably as bald as a coot yourself . very strange that all the haters were on at one time ( what name are you going to use on your next account JBeer/MIOMO/deep/great thinker)
LOL getting a bit paranoid are we?
It is understable when rafa says novak played so great in doha and because of his level he lost final
But repeating that in ao 16 that verdasco played great and that caused rafa to loose
Please rafa i want to hear from u that u played badly atleast then its right way to find solutions
Earlier also opponent played great but u managed to play one step better than ur opponent
I m sure there is something secretly going so wrong with , we all hear dont know
Rafa is not getting quicknto the balls and the serve is not helping either
V dont want to see u winning 1 2 or 3 matches
rafa v want to see u lifting grandslams
I will standby what i say earlier
Rafa will still find a way to win grandslams and he will do
Stay healthy rafa …….take rest
And be a little lean