ARTICLES:
- Nadal Reflects On 200 Grand Slam Wins | ATP World Tour
“My first Grand Slam was at Wimbledon in 2003. It had always been a dream for me,” said Nadal. “But the most important thing is a victory in the second round and not the 200 victories. It’s only another number.”
“I won two matches with comfortable results. I played the way that I had to play to be in the third round,” said Nadal. “After a difficult first three games today, I played a solid match with not many mistakes and having control of the situation most of the time. I need to keep playing better if I want to have chances in the next rounds.”
- Nadal set to join most exclusive tennis club of all | Roland Garros
Only 13 tennis players have carried their nation’s flag at the Opening Ceremony of an Olympic Games, and Rafael Nadal will join them in Rio.
“It’s a true honour,” beams Nadal, who won singles gold in Beijing in 2008 and played doubles as a 17-year-old in 2004. “I’m very excited. For me it was an amazing feeling when I was told I would carry the flag in 2012. It was terrible news when I had to pull out.” Instead he had to watch at home as basketball’s Pau Gasol proudly bore the standard instead.
- Rafael Nadal doesn’t understand why players are pulling out of Rio Olympics ~ by Nick McCarvel | USA Today
Nadal continued on his stance: “Everybody is free to do what’s better for [themselves], but I know how tough was for me when I had to lose the 2012 Olympics in London. For sure, I cannot understand people who don’t want to go to Olympics. No, is something that is not every year. Is an event that you can compete only once, twice, or three in your career maybe, if you are lucky.”
The former No. 1 and French Open champion penned a short but heartfelt letter to Nadal — anyone can do so via a Nike store in Paris — in which he called the soon-to-be 30-year-old “inspiring.” Agassi then posted it on Twitter.
“It took me most (of) my career to accomplish the herculean task of winning the French Open one time,” Agassi wrote. “Watching you attempt to win it for the tenth time is not only remarkable … it is inspiring. You make me believe in life that anything is achievable and nothing is impossible!”
PHOTOS:
- Rafael Nadal reaches 200 Grand Slam victories with straight sets win over Facundo Bagnis
- Photo highlights from Day 5 | Roland Garros
VIDEOS:
- Roland-Garros 2016 Press conference Nadal / R2
- Nadal v Bagnis 2016 Roland-Garros Men’s highlights / R2
- 200e match gagné en Grand Chelem pour Nadal (qui ne le savait pas) ~ in French and Spanish | FranceTV Sport
Devastated… Rafa Has withdrawn from the Tournament with a wrist injury. Such a huge loss for RG no Roger no Rafa..
Yb – yes he will and lets not forget if andy gets to final and novak is there – andy beat him in rome final – their last match!
Serve out – i completely agree!
Now nole does not even have to face rafa… wtf.. can anyone b any luckier… I hope he looses again like last year.. but I can’t see that happening again.. maybe pray for andy.. just sick to my stomach.. after all the hard work.. I can’t imagine how rafa is feeling right now.. 🙁
Thiem will give Novak a good challenge.
Heart-broken for Rafa, and everyone who loves and supports him! Speedy recovery, and be strong, my hero!
Just heard rafa pulled out of rg with wrist injury. Im saddened 4 him. Anyone but novak – please
Very sad news!
Apparently Rafa has officially announced his withdrawal from the French Open
Wrist Injury as we earlier suspected
Sad!
Wish Rafa a smooth recovery
Rafa pulls out of RG.. wrist injury…. thats devastating. . :(… anyway.. hope it’s not serious. .
BTW i still dont get why the player cant get points after the Olympics. I mean it is like 5th Grand slam or the tennis player, they should get rewarded in their ranking if they play good in Olympics.
I think it’s because not all the players will be able to participate in the Olympics, even if they want. There is a quota for each country.
The eligibility list for Rio will be released in June.
RAFA ROCKS
You have to question whether or not the ATP or the ITF have the authority to award points for a tournament not governed by them.
Points were awarded in the past but the Olympic committee changed that.
More than one Masters tournament claims to be the fifth grand slam. The Olympics is in a category all its own. No monetary awards, just a gold, silver or bronze medal which is priceless.
RAFA ROCKS
For me it is hard to understand too, why somebody dont want to compete in Olympics. In my family when the Olympics is on , we watch/ listen/ follow it all day. i will never forget when i was in middle school and the Sydney Olympic was in school time and the whole school watched Olympics between lessons , sometimes instead of subjects.
Rafa is speaking for himself as he clarified that everyone is free to make his own choice.
For transparency’s sake, and transparency’s sake only, let’s hear the other side which, maybe, some of you are unaware.
Three of the four, well-known tennis players who will not go to Rio, have participated in past Olympics. The fourth is young enough to go in 2020.
Reasons given for not going are; no points will be awarded; scheduling conflicts (World Cup); and last but not least, “I have to do what is best for my career.” In 2015, many tennis players
complained about the scheduling so I am not at all surprised that some have chosen to not participate in Rio.
I hope the games in Rio are a success but the possibility of civil unrest, Zika and a government in turmoil would have been more than enough to keep me away.
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa Wants to attend the Olympics. He has explained how privileged he is to have been chosen as his country’s flag-bearer. He was obviously heartbroken by not being able to attend in 2012.
He is expected to play singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, already having chosen to partner with Murguruza.
I was more concerned with safety, and a government in flux rather than Zika. All I can do is support him in his decision. I hope he comes home with more oro.
RAFA ROCKS
why take unnecessary risk of injuries and the virus infection going to Brazil? he’s already won an olympic gold medal in singles. but Uncle Toni has already decided that Rafa should compete in the olympic.
Rafa,congratulations on your latest achievement.
Spain will be well represented by having you as their flag bearer at the Olympics.
An extremely well deserved athlete, who is a credit to himself, his family, his friends and his country.
An amazing role model to all of us and in particular the youth and children of today.
Love and prayers Rafa for next game,
AlaineXXAustralia
Rafa, you have achieved a Career Grand Slam and you are an Olympic Gold Medalist. Spain has chosen well in having you as her flag bearer in the Olympic Games. I am so very happy for you because I know how much it means to you. You so much
appreciate being a part of the Olympics where only the best athletes compete.
Please stay focused for round three because my entire family is betting on you, as we always do.
RAFA ROCKS
Andre and Rafa. The only 2 Golden Career Slam champs in tennis. What a great message from Andre to Rafa. Vamos!
As you always say Rafa, “One match at a time,” and I am with you on that. As always, I am impatient for your next round. MMWHAAAA
RAFA ROCKS
As a fan I am appalled, considering Agassi’s admitted banned drug use, that his note to Rafa is posted on a Rafa fan site. The world knows how Rafa feels about the sport of tennis and of his vehement stance against doping in particular. I hope Rafa gave his approval to have this note posted in connection with his good name.
I’ve always known how very special you are, Rafa. Wishing you an uncomplicated round three. I hope you are improving to your satisfaction.
RAFA ROCKS
Good match today. Wish you all the best for the third round. Vamos Rafa!!!
I have just watched on UTube the best ever match in tennis history between Rafa and Roger Wimbledon 2008 I watched at the time but watching again today I can’t beleive how amazing it was
Rafa and Roger are. The best ever and I can’t imagine we will see this ever again
So go Rafa win again in RG
I watched the full match on youtube recently. It brought back so many memories. It was the first time I had ever clapped eyes on Rafa. I remember phoning my sister and saying ‘you’ve got to see this kid’. I was fascintated by him. We were transfixed and phoned eachother throughout the match we were so excited. I didn’t even understand tennis scoring at the time and had to work it out as I went. It was a special and memorable day!
I really wish Rafa could win La Decima since he is such a remarkable athlete, but an even better person! It is so moving how he talks about the honor of carrying the flag at the Olympics. I thought the hand written letter from Agassi was also special. He knows how hard it was to win the FO once. Sadly, wishes don’t make it happen, but Rafa seems on the right track.