The Rio Open announced its draw today, and here are the results.
Top seed Rafael Nadal, who lost to Fabio Fognini in last year’s semifinals, will face Pablo Carreño Busta in the first round and could face Nicolas Almagro or Daniel Munoz de la Nava in the second round.
Seeds in Rafa’s half include Belluci, Tsonga and Sock. Seeds in the other half are Fognini, Isner, Thiem and Ferrer.
Projected quarterfinals:
- Rafael Nadal vs Thomaz Bellucci
- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga vs Jack Sock
- Fabio Fognini vs John Isner
- Dominic Thiem vs David Ferrer
Rafa’s potential route to the final:
- 1st round: Pablo Carreño Busta
- 2nd round: Nicolas Almagro
- Quarter-final: Thomaz Bellucci
- Semi-final: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
- Final: David Ferrer
All the best of luck in the world to you, Rafa!
Dear Rafa and Rafa Fans,
When a team / or professional athlete loses – in any sport:
1. they look at what they did or didn’t do
2. they figure out why they lost and what needs to be improved
3. they work on the weakness and the problems and try to fix it so they win the next time or fix the problems so you don’t lose (at least get to that stage where you think you can win every time).
I honestly believe that another coach and a fresh perspective in Rafa’s camp would help him to attain this winning solution. In fact, if Rafa and his uncle were willing to give an additional coach a try I know it would work. But Rafa needs to believe this is what he needs and what is missing from his team. He many not want to. Rafa has much pride and possibly cannot allow himself to go in this direction. So, I believe that his Uncle Toni needs to speak up and be the one to initiate this and very soon.
Of course, maybe Rafa will turn it around on his own, I have always believed that he could and would. In fact, I still do. But I do wish that he would seek out a super coach for 2016 – just to tweak his game and work on strategy. He has absolutely nothing to lose.
But, win or lose Rafa will always be my number one, I will always love him, and I will always be his number one cheerleader. God bless you Rafa. And please remain healthy. Love, Marylynn.
Marylynn, you have said it all, and without ranting and raving or getting hysterical. If only we knew if Rafa read these comments, maybe he would accept what you are saying. I’m sure it’s the right way to go for him.
Whatever happens, he will always be loved wherever he goes, and whatever he does.
Rafa you played hard against Thiem and it was close as was the match against Almagro in the final, Thiem is a great player in the making and one to watch in the future. All the very best this week in Rio and may you go further this time. Vamos
Happy Valentine’s Day Rafa, Hope you feel good physically in Rio. Please remain healthy. You need your health in order to play!!! I know you will do well in Rio Rafa, God bless you and Love to you, Marylynn
The very Best of LUCK in RIo next week Rafa You can do it. Happy Valentine,s day to you and Mary Vamos Rafa
Rafa, Rio is boiling, it will be like playing atop a volcano! Make it count in your favor. Be welcome to Brasil. Hope you get to visit the Olympic facilities. I am a volunteer with the Olympic Comite, just not allocated to tennis 🙁
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Lots of love & Happy Valentine’s Day to you sweetheart, your loyal team & to all your kind fans world wide & sponsors !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) : ): ) : ) : ) You are playing beautifully & so please enjoy knowing ALL IS WELL especially when a challenge comes up briefly during match! It comes & goes. Your Tennis is solid dear Rafa, and you are in shape & ready!!!!!!! : ) It can be frustrating to face challenges and the good news is that it can be just as empowering to stand facing challenges as they come ……. gently ……allowing……and with knowing it is just the body reacting to the physical demanding condition . That’s all it is. SIMPLE. It is natural to have some set back every once in a while and it is natural to feel challenged right there in the middle of intense play …… but as you know, that passes when you accompany your physical demanding game with your strong believe that all is well , reassuring your self right there & then so that instead of tightening up, let loose & stay with your breathing & body & know the beautiful relief will follow in seconds. YOU CAN DO IT! It takes practice to stand up to sudden physical challenges but it is worth the following great nice relief of knowing you did it and can do it again. Your tennis playing was great & you are a magnificent player dear Rafa…….when you made that beautiful net winner towards the end of the 1st set it was exciting & sometimes being aware of exciting great winners can make the mind busy……and so please feel great with your winners , know that you are making them with your beautiful ability & fantastic tennis wisdom & move on to the next point not giving it much attention. Keep your flow on your next point….and enjoy all the great winners you make!!!!!! : ) This was a close solid match and you were the stronger player and take that to heart and to the court knowing you are right up there with your amazing competitive edge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) I know YOU KNOW IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Uncle Toni & your loving team also know you are right up there . I think it will be wonderful and helpful for EVERYTHING to make your sleep longer & at ease. Each night when you go to bed EARLY, don’t try to fall a sleep….instead just relax and rest…..thinking of sweet thoughts & the sleep will follow. Do not resist staying up….instead allow your body to sink into the bed with comfort & ease. Move your neck around, gently touch your face….your arms and get nice & comfy…..then your sweet sleep will arrive unnoticed. I know from personal experience that I am a night owl…I love to stay up very very late reading, watching films etc….I enjoy the quietness & solitude of the night hours very much…..but when I have a demanding next day, it does effect my brain and I am not as sharp & clear. So dear Rafa, when I have a demanding schedule, I do exactly what I offered you here….. instead of staying up late, I go to bed an hour earlier etc….
I am sure you will love it after trying it for a while and seeing the direct strength a good night sleep has on the next day. It not only lifts your spirit up but energizes your entire being and gives you a great physical feeling. Anyways, I always end up writing longer than I plan to hoping it is helpful in some measure. Have a beautiful week Sunday & a beautiful week ahead and HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY filled with sweetness & love to you & your loved ones!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
Vamos Rafa.💖.
GREAT EFFORT DEAR RAFA ON YOUR PART. BUT AS I ALWAYS SAY, HARD WORK PAYS OFF.
DON’T WORRY, YOUR FANS ARE ALL WITH YOU.
ALL THE BEST.🌷 FOR RIO OPEN.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH. WE NEED YOU TO BE HEALTHY.
WARM REGARDS .
WILL PRAY FOR YOUR GOOD HEALTH.
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee you Rafa.💖 always.
Onwards and upwards Rafa will support you win or lose or whatever you decide to do. Elaine have a great time in Spain and on your birthday I’m sure it will be televised in Spain fingers crossed
Thank you very much Maria.
It’s still early into 2016 so we will see our Champ build on self confidence and triumph as the year progresses. We believe in Rafa and he still has all the talent he always had. Disappointing in Argentina but Rafa is human too and suffered with heat and stomach pain therefore obviously he could not perform at his highest level. Good luck in Rio. For fans in the UK Rio is being televised on Sky Sports. I will be in Spain this week for a week celebrating a milestone birthday so it would be great if anyone could tell me what channel I could see the tournament on? Vamos Rafa!
Strong ,aggressive ,positive ,and concentration ,wishing you all the very best Rafa
Still with you Rafa ,,,still with you ,,,,support you every step ,,,positive vibes sent to you ,
To all Rafa fans, we are disappointed when you lose a match but none more than yourself so remember that we are always behind you what ever you decide to do and that you are NUMBER 5 IN THE WORLD, all the very best in Rio.
Vamos Rafa. Rio is yours. I am confident that you will win all 3 majors this year. I know that you will destroy Djokovic when you meet him next time. You and your Uncle Toni are the best combination ever. Only Uncle Toni was able to teach you the best forehand ever.
Dear Rafa – we wish you all the best for Rio. Win or loose believe in yourself. Don’t give up Rafa..
Lean from your failures and always remember that all of your hard work will eventually pay off. As fans we will be always with you.
yesterday saw mahut klizan match and i am amazed how nowdays players are striking balls so furiously, they dont even care about injury … i am where is tennis going. now it isi more about just powerful games …..the danger is on someday they can just overpower top 10 players because they are top 10 and loose the next match and they just dont care and move to next tournament
yesterday dominic played good defence against rafa but rafa is still playing good he just need to plan out the specific play on important points
in 3 rd set on 5-4 (40-40) , dominic just started to strike out furiously forehand , single hand backhand (as he have no option) and luckily all shots were gone for winners (that u called a luck)
rafa good luck for rio open ………..just dont feel let down v are with u
but i have to say it is high time u and ur team sit up and take strong decisions , if u feel new member should be added just go for it
always with u forever
Vamos rafa, cakewalk draw!
Still throwing venom barbs I see thinly disguised …sad old man
All the best of the luck in the world to you my dear dear Rafa.
I have watched the game on Buenos Aires, I really enjoyed your play and I did not care about the winner. You are always the winner for me. 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
Wish you all the Very Best, RAFA
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I Adore you Rafa you are such a good sport, I know the weather was very hot the last couple of days and you got a little sick at your tummy, rest up and start out fresh in Reo hopefully you will adapt to the heat there. Good luck and cant wait to see you again soon.
Good luck for Rio. Wish you a good result! You need this.
do the best you can hopefully by next week you should have acclimatised to the atmosphere. Vamos Rafa 🙂
Dearest Rafa, I’m so excited, knowing you will be playing in Rio next week!! Please know ALL of your fans are STILL with you, and ALWAYS will be supporting you!!! BUENA SUERTE, RAFA!!!!
Vamos, Rafa!!! Don’t be too hard on yourself. Your matches are always fun and exciting to watch. Remember you have won 14 Grand Slams and that is an amazing, incredible and awesome feat. You are in the Top Ten among the best players and the bar is high. Good luck in Rio de Janeiro, your fans will be rooting for you every step of the way.
Good evening & VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: ) : ) : ) OLA!!!!!!!!!!! : ) RIO will be a great tour for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
PS: VAMOS VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) I forgot to mention WE LOVED how you came back in the tie break with returns closing the gap….sorry time ran out……..
We are sending a special massive comfort hug…. for you & for your on going unbelievable efforts & improvements. We know this is not easy moments of post missed opportunity…… but that’s all it is…..a missed win…..life goes on and you are entitled to win and entitle to not win……..Please do not care about any outside responds or opinions since YOURS is the most important relating to you. You are entitled to your private personal life, and like all of us you are entitled to be human and fragile at times. BUT TRUST ME DEAR RAFA, you are extraordinary and bright as the stars!!!!!!! : ) Know you tried your best for today and that is great enough. . People who love & care about you totally understand and accept everything about your precious life, and will always be encouraging and supportive. SO THAT FACT is what is important. YOU TAKE BEAUTIFUL CARE dear Rafa & keep your head high up for being such a good person and trying your hardest. PLEASE keep your solid faith in yourself that whatever obstacles there are now, they will pass! AND PASS THEY WILL!!!!!!!! : ) Keep your precious heart in tact, and your passion and always feel good about who you are, and your brilliant efforts. As importantly, pay zero attention to external low handed tennis critics as they are never ever objective or fully informed. PLEASE keep up your gut feeling of inspiration and positive attitude. THAT IS YOURS and always will be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
Behind the scene and in private moments, please have zero pressure on yourself because you truly give it all and doing everything right. Everyone is human and you too have no reason to have any doubt or regrades. VAMOS SWEETHEART & know all of us fans are right there with you!!!! In an hour or two, please look at the amazing success you have had elevating your level to TOP current competition …..that is heroic given your longevity in TOP TENNIS. In the end of the day, making a semi final is great accomplishment, so congratulations on that, and please take time to appreciate your on going hard work & efforts. PLEASE EAT A NICE FAVORITE MEAL & take good care celebrating YOU….& marvel at the goodness in your life. vamos sweetheart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Have a great evening & keep smiling! : )
Have a great time in RIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Enjoy everything & keep your beautiful inspired attitude ! : ) Lots of love & happiness to you & your loved ones !!!!!! : )
VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
O_O