Rafael Nadal’s bid for an unprecedented second Olympic singles gold medal ended with a thrill-a-minute semifinal loss to Juan Martin del Potro. The Argentinian won 5-7, 6-4, 7-6.
Rafa and Kei Nishikori will play each other in the bronze medal match on Sunday.
After the match, Rafa said:
It was good match, good level of tennis and all I can say is congratulations to Del Potro.
I try my best, I give my best ’til the last ball but that’s like this. I am very satisfied by what I did the whole week.
Tomorrow is another day and I’m going to try to be ready for it. (via ITF)
The players traded the first two sets. Coming back from a 3-0 deficit, Rafa eventually rallied to defeat del Potro in the first, 7-5. The second set saw del Potro eek past Nadal, 6-4.
Rafa and del Potro were tied halfway through the third. Del Potro eventually won a break point at 4-4 after Rafa belted a ball just beyond the baseline. The crowd roared: “Del-po! Del-po! Del-po!”
The Spaniard ripped through the next game, tying the score once again at 5-5. Again, the crowd went nuts: “Rafa! Rafa! Rafa!”
It went to a third set tiebreak. Del Potro established a lead, but Nadal hit some amazing shots as he tried to catch up. WhenRafa hit a shot long, Del Potro won the tiebreak and the match.
Sources: NBC, ITF
bronze, gold or silver is not a big deal. Rafa hasn’t won any GS in more than 2 years. That’s the problem. I didn’t see any improvement in Rafa’s match. just a slower Rafa with the same old defensive style of play, insisting playing long rallies in the hope of the opponent to make errors.
J Beer you never change , it is your attitude that is worrisome and someone your age should know better ,it’s shameful. If Rafa had won gold you still would have found something derogatory to say. Rafa lost against Del Potro by the slimmest margin but in your eyes it makes him a loser ,well I guess it must make Novak an even bigger one
I am so proud of Rafa like most of you. I know he has the heart of a lion and proved it this week. In the end, he could not quite overcome the 19 hours on court. I really doubt he could have taken on a very fit Andy in five sets today. I hope that he will win today. Kei’s performance yesterday was very disappointing. It may sound harsh, but he does not deserve to win bronze. Rafa leaves with a doubles gold which is what he was aiming for. A singles medal would be frosting on the cake. We are privileged to be fans of such a champion.
RNF: YOU RECENTLY REMOVED A RACIST FROM THE SITE SO PLEASE REMOVE THE TROLL JAYBEER. Constructive criticism is fine but this is antagonist commentary emanating from a different place.
U r a fascist. Opinions that u dont like, must be removed? Do u even realize how low of a human u must be to take this approach. Dangerous and it reminds me of the darkest times. The fuel to the horrors of Europe in the 30’s and 40’s and the current post 9/11 state of affairs, has been provided by extremists just like you. “Let’s remove jaybeer cause he has an opinion we dont like”. Shame on you.
jaybeer: you are a lowly troll. I have not seen any opinion expressed in your comments. As I said, no constructive comments, purely antagonistic and derogatory. Where is your comment celebrating Rafa’s gold? Your comment above is over the top madness. You have nothing to offer on this site other than venom. You should be removed.
J Beer: unfortunately the fascist regressive left have spread their poisonous influence to the sports too. Actually we’re in the dark age of witch hunt for the politically incorrectness. hang on there.
Teresa, where is my comment on rafa’s gold?? U r so low, u present it here as if i did not comment on that – but did u actually check??? No mrs fascist was ready to judge as usual, yelling to expell me. Scary people like you arr bringing bad to the world.
Jaybeer, I made the mistake of feeding you, your last comment is very revealing in its accusatory nature, ‘judging as usual’ when we have had no communication until today? Making inflammatory remarks then taking the moral high ground. You are desperate for argument and attention. I feed you no more.
That is just too crazy to ignore..you are Obviously out of your mind. This is a fan site for Rafa and all his Achievements that he has accomplished…. I don’t know how you can contort any comment here into the Atrocities of Hitler…You are one sick pup and need to get on some psych meds.
Terersa : you are a typical regressive left that have no regard for the freedom of speech. Many millions of the Rafa fans never express their admiration on the social sites that doesn’t make them any less of loyal fans. J Beer has no obligation to post comment on the gold medal for the double tennis. He is entitled to his opinion as you are. shame on you for promoting the censorship.
Where do you see an opinion in his comments? Read his comments properly before you form an opinion, if you yourself are indeed a fan, a troll is a troll.
I’m no good an analysing how well someone is playing but listening to the commentary of Delpo/Rafa I’m heartened by the positive reaction to how well Rafa is playing. Hopefully this means that the form he picked up earlier this year (winning Monte Carlo and Barcelona) has continued and was not set back by the wrist injury.
Very sad for Rafa. Good luck for the match today. Vamos Rafa!!!
this match was a proof why tennis is so exciting and amazing to watch in this era because of rafa
What a match, little between them at the end, I do think that tiredness crept in due to a dreadful scheduling of matches for Rafael. Win or lose he always gives his best, the ultimate warrior and competitor. No wonder he is admired all over the world. A great champion and a great person. Proud to support Rafael Nadal. Go for Bronze to add to your collection,
Rafa what a blessing it was for me here in Sydney to see the replay of your match against Juan and what a great job you did.
I think you can be sooooooooo proud of all your play this week, in the singles aND WITH mARC IN THE DOUBLES.
All the best for your match against Kei,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Absolutely a very painful defeat. Winners only play for gold. The 2.5 month layoff can’t be brought up as excuse, given the fact that del po was away ten times as long. The Rafa warrior of old, the one last seen at us open 13, would have won this one. Gone almost 3 years now.
You never lay off do you old man …he looked pretty darn good to me..and another GOLD medal not to be sniffed at…that’s 2 more than Roger
jaybeer, more negativity and what a pathetic comment. You haven’t a clue and it is time you took a long break. Rafael was amazing after two tough matches the previous day and a demanding schedule. It was a contest up to the end. Give us all a break.
jaybeer your comments are sickening…
Rafa’s amazing now and forever 🙂 <3 VAMOS!!
U guys aren’t supporters. U celebrate and applaud losses, that is pathetuc. Success in sports, and in tennis particularly is about having an unstoppable hunger for victory and for victory only. U guys clearly don’t have that. Rafa used to have it, but lost it years ago. Dont expect federer, djoko or murray to ever take pride in losing such an important match. Losing to a player who has not played in 2.5 years, it should make any real fan cry.
u didnt noticed but i
rafa reminded of rafa 2012 in 10 th game of 3 rd set when he broke delpo in Olympics 2016
the never die attitude till the last point
with all credits to delpo
it was upto rafa in the end to win or loose
rafa lost the match with his aggressive best shot delpo not won the match
having the best form of life coming from atp masters win nole defeated in straight sets
and rafa coming from 2 and half month injury rest still fighting till very end for each point
Clearly you are not a fan – despite Rafa’s incredible achievement at this Olympics (and this year generally) you seek to disparage him at every opportunity using very emotively laden words. You seem to have an unhealthy emotional investment in putting a man down that you will never have the priviledge of knowing. Do you ever question why you do this?
jaybeer read the headlines and weep:
Nadal was valiant, and brilliant, and gutsy, and after 19 hours on court this week, he had to be tired.
Eres es nuestro heroe (he is our hero)
… this was a heavyweight fight, a gladiatorial battle, a long, slow duel in the sun
… Rafa’s Rio run. This week was a return to glory for him, one in which he added to his legacy and reminded fans of the energy he can generate on the biggest stages. Taking himself and his friend Marc Lopez to a gold medal in doubles will go down as one of his greatest and least-likely career accomplishments, and a marker of his competitive will. Asked how he had made it through 20 hours on court this week, Rafa said, “The passion for the game, and the Olympics.” No ranking points, and no money, is necessary.
You have the attention you so desperately crave. Troll – only god knows what your motivation is. Shame on us for responding to you. RNF why don’t you remove this idiot?
Teresa, please don’t get youself worked up over this “fan’s” comments. I commented earlier, either here or on a different post, that it seems Rafa could not do enough for this person. Ahh, it was regarding the “lesser” value of medals that were not gold. At first, I believed that this person was not able to express himself/herself as well as others here, regarding Rafa. By this last comment it is evident that we all wasted our time trying to “soothe” a “fan” in distress. Obviously he/she cannot appreciate the Herculean feat that Rafa has achieved. Let him/her stew in his/her own misery.
RAFA ROCKS RIO
jaybeer: Have you had the same inclination to make the same disparaging remarks relating to Djok’s first round loss (your man I believe judging by what I’ve seen on other websites) not to mention his early exit from the doubles? So your man Djok is a loser (according to you philosophy) NOTHING in the Olympics whatsoever, losing in the first round to a man who hasn’t played in 2.5 years even before he had match practice.
Teresa as much as I applaud you’d response to this guy don’t waste your energy ..not worth it he wants to prevoke sad man …nothing he says can take away the sheer joy of watching our guy this week he has been amazing..Vamos Vamos Rafa
If you did not think that was a great match or you were not entertained…you were not watching the match I watched. Rafa may very well be slowing down a tad…but He played unbelievable tennis, even the Commentators were impressed with him…plus he won a Gold medal…What else to you want from him??
RAFA YOU ARE THE BEST 🍓🍒🍑🍂🍁🍀🌹🌸🌷🌼🌻🌺🍓. NO ONE IS BETTER THAN YOU. I WAS IN TEARS TO SEE YOU LOSE. I DO NOT LIKE TO SEE YOU LOSE.BUT, AS THE SAYING GOES, ONE WILL LOSE ONE WILL WIN.
YOU BRING IMMENSE HAPPINESS 😊😊😊😊😊ON THE COURT, TO ALL WHO WATCH YOU PLAY. YOUR PASSION FOR THE GAME, HAS WON YOU MANY HEARTS💙💙💙💙💙. HOPING TO MEET YOU IN PERSON SOME DAY , GOD WILLING.
YOUR ARE MY HERO. LOVE YOU RAFA❤💙💚💛💜💓💔💕💖💗💘💝💞💟. I WILL GIVE UP WATCHING TENNIS🎾🎾🎾, THE DAY YOU RETIRE.
ALL THE BEST FOR YOUR NEXT MATCH🍹🍹🍹🍹🍹. I’M POSITIVE YOU WILL WIN.
LOVE N ALL OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU. 💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💒💐🌷🌸🌹🌼🌻🌺
STAY HEALTHY N FIT. 🍇🍈🍉🍐🍑🍒🍓🍍🌰🍅
So very proud to be an ardent Rafa fan…that was an amazing match…as usual he gave it 100% even though you know he must have been completely exhausted. He should not be disappointed with what he accomplished in Rio…starting with carrying the flag; to adding another gold metal and possibly a bronze to his already Extraordinary résumé! I was disappointed that the Brazilian fans behaved like they did, booing him when he won a point and cheering when he missed …. I do not like anyone to hurt him or say anything negative about him…guess I’m overly protective!! VAMOS RAFA ! I will be watching every minute and Rooting for you till the end!
Rafa, Rafa…you can not win ‘every match’! LOL
Luv ya, your my mentor and my hero! 🙂
Congrats on a great week.. not over yet.
Another medal tomorrow!
Vamos
XOXXOXXO
RAFA is still Rafa! UNIQUE!!!! No one brings this passion to the court! The result is irrelevant because it was so close with the disadvantage of all the hours he has been in the court in 24 hours. Ridiculous!
GRANDE RAFA, SIEMPRE SERAS UN GRANDE!!!
U lost , but I feel it was the best match between the two . But still u REMAIN THE GREATEST .
Rafa you played brilliantly against Del Potro The game could have gone either way. Fingers crossed that you have enough energy to win the bronze to-morrow.
I read that you intend playing in Cincinnati and that worries me.I feel you would be best to rest and be fresh for the US Open. You could aggravate your wrist with all this playing and be forced to withdraw from the US.
I hope your doctor advises you against Cincinnati. If he does please listen to him.
For the first time in about 2 years, the Nadal 2013-14 was back. Wow, and I mean RAFA will most definitely improve if the wrist is okey now. The backhand is really good at the moment, he hits it with good pace. The forehand was a lot better today.
The US Open will be a 3-horse race between Novak, Andy and Rafa.
I like the changes he has made with his serve in the ad court, because Rafa tends to lean/jump towards his backhand after he has hit his serve. Just add a bit more pace on the serve more consistently and we have a good shot to win 1-2 grand slams.
Great and truly comment!
Rafa you play so good it was to clouse Mach .the best tennis you play.and give all vamosssssssssssssssssssi love you play very good .you have a gold and doubles .congrats 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🎾🎾🎾👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🎾🎾🎾👍👍👍
Rafa was just magnificent all week long. Who would have expected such phemonenal
results from Rafa after being without match play since the early french open withdrawal
due to injury. I was so thrilled when he and Marc won the Gold for Doubles. Another tremendous effort!
Also thrilled by his remarkable performance today against Del Potro. It could have went either way. Congratulaltions to Del Potro for his wonderful resurgence this week. I am also
happy for DelPotro, another wonderful sportsman and competitor. It’s been a pleasure
to watch these all time greats competing for their countries.
Best wishes to Rafa tomorrow against Kei in his pursuit for the Bronze. Rafa doesn’t even need another medal to prove how great a champion he is. Thank you for these wonderful memories!
Bravo et merci à rafa pour ce match superbe !! Il est là notre champion de rafa 👍👍👍👍👍très beau parcours durant ces jo de Rio 👏👏👏aujourd’hui il aurait fallu décerner 2 medailles d or tant ce match était de haut niveau et surtout ça c est joué à si peu 👏👏👏👏👏