Kei Nishikori defeated Rafael Nadal in three sets on Sunday to take bronze in men’s singles.
A tired-looking Rafa lacked the precision he had employed so often throughout the tournament, hitting shots into the net or sending them wide. Though he battled back from a 5-2 deficit to win the second set, he couldn’t sustain it into the third.
2008 champion was below his best, that three hour epic with Del Potro had really taken it out of him. Nishikori won 6-2, 6-7(1), 6-3.
Rafa said that he is satisfied with his performance during Rio Olympics:
I have given all and more.
He admitted that Nishikori was better player on the court today, but criticized his break.
In worrying news ahead of the US Open, Rafa said the injury was still a problem.
The wrist is not perfect. It bothers me when I hit the forehand. The serve, the backhand – nothing else bothers me.
The truth is, when I hit the forehand, I feel it bothering me a little bit, but without a doubt it’s been a positive week in all aspects. I’ve played for many hours and the wrist at least didn’t get worse.
We have many reasons to smile about – our champ is back and leaves Brazil with a gold medal in men’s doubles for Spain! VAMOS RAFA!
El tenista español Rafael Nadal ante el japonés Kei Nishikori durante un partido de la competencia de tenis de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 por la medalla de bronce hoy, 14 de agosto de 2016, en el Centro Olímpico de Tenis en Río de Janeiro. EFE/LEONARDO MUÑOZ
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Final – Men’s Singles Bronze Medal Match – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 14/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain in action against Kei Nishikori (JPN) of Japan. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Final – Men’s Singles Bronze Medal Match – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 14/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain reacts during match against Kei Nishikori (JPN) of Japan. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal ante el japonés Kei Nishikori durante un partido de la competencia de tenis de los Juegos Olímpicos Río 2016 por la medalla de bronce hoy, 14 de agosto de 2016, en el Centro Olímpico de Tenis en Río de Janeiro. EFE/Fernando Maia
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Final – Men’s Singles Bronze Medal Match – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 14/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain reacts during match against Kei Nishikori (JPN) of Japan. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Final – Men’s Singles Bronze Medal Match – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 14/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain reacts during match against Kei Nishikori (JPN) of Japan. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates a point against Japan’s Kei Nishikori during their men’s singles bronze medal tennis match at the Olympic Tennis Centre of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 14, 2016. / AFP / JAVIER SORIANO
Julian Finney/Getty Images
2016 Rio Olympics – Tennis – Final – Men’s Singles Bronze Medal Match – Olympic Tennis Centre – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – 14/08/2016. Rafael Nadal (ESP) of Spain in action against Kei Nishikori (JPN) of Japan. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS.
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Julian Finney/Getty Images
Spain’s Rafael Nadal waves after losing to Japan’s Kei Nishikori in their men’s singles bronze medal tennis match at the Olympic Tennis Centre of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 14, 2016. / AFP / JAVIER SORIANO
Sources: NBC, AP
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Rafa will ALWAYS be loved and respected because he ALWAYS does his best in ANY circumstances. HE might play with injuries, but we KNOW that a healthy Rafael Nadal can beat ANYONE, ANYWHERE!!! RAFA will ALWAYS be NUMBER ONE to those who have seen his fighting spirit and good sportsmanship over the years!!! VAMOS RAFA!!!
From the press:
‘Of all the manifestations of any kind of joy, anger, sadness, which was given away by athletes in Rio, none of which we have seen have seemed so expressive, so sincere, so emotional as Rafa Nadal alone or in company his friend Marc Lopez.’
I see our two misery guts/naysayers are back on line (you know who I mean). Can’t imagine what more they expect of Rafa. ‘Disappointing losses’? Not what I saw. A predictable loss from a man who’d run out of steam. A man who had no chance to prepare for this tournament at all. A man all the tennis world (except you two) praises to the heavens. Now Cinci. Those saying he shouldn’t play, but rest… Well, rest wouldn’t do a lot for his preparedness. He’d need to practice hard, so he might as well play.
Best ignored Susieq. It’s the deliberate and typical ‘wind-up’ rhetoric of trolls. Don’t feed them.
The bronze medal men’s singles was only available online at NBCSports. They do have replays, but it was not Rafa’s best match. He looked and played exhausted until Kei was about to win the second set at 5-2. He then played better to win the second set. Then the craziest thing happened during the break. Kei disappeared for about 13 minutes. Rafa was furious. The rumors are that Kei took a shower! I have no idea if it is true, but he did look fresher. I really did not care about the bronze since Rafa got what he wanted which was the gold in doubles. He had an incredible Olympics and we are so proud of him.
Rafa this has been a very positive Olympics for you I beleive you did the best you could under the circumstances but you had too many matches to play and this would have sapped all your energy Andy Kei and Delpotro didn’t have the doubles to contend with and you did win a Gold in the doubles and this is a great acheiivement for being off so long so well done to you
It was so great to watch you play and see you back and we all look forward to se you a lot more on the tennis circuit
However take a rest and take your time to get fully fit your fans only want to see you stay fit and healthy so you remain in tennis for a long time to come
Vamos Rafa always the best
I WAS NOT ABLE TO SEE THE MATCH. WONDER WHY I BOTHER TO PAY FOR SKY. BUT ON A LIGHTER NOTE I THINK RAFA SHOULD NOT HAVE PLAYED LAST NIGHT AS I SAID BEFORE ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, YOU MADE THE OLYP: AMAZING FOR ME BUT NOW GO REST . YOU LOOK OUT IF IT , AS DID DEL PO . CINN: WHY YOU HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE !!TO ANYONE JUST ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE ALREADY, ITS OK FOR UNCLE TONY SITTING ON HIS BACKSIDE TUTTING WHEN YOU MISS A POINT PERHAPS HE SHOULD TRY BEING OUT THERE FOR ALL THOSE HOURS . WELL DONE FOR ALL THE JOY YOU GAVE US BLESS YOU XXXXXXXXXX
Dillusionals can cheer as much as they like. Fact is that rafa beat 4 mediocre players, lost to low ranked delpo and out of form kei. Bad news all over.
Gold medal is some achievement, Rafael brought such a buzz to the Olympics, He embraces the true spirit of the Olympics. Proud to support Nadal
Elizabeth do u know what the argument was with Nadal-Bernardes – official? Looked Nadal was quite annoyed. Still kudos for Nadal and VAMOS
After the 2nd set Nishikori left the court and came back after 12 MINUTES.
You played through fatigue and a less than 100% wrist, and Spain should be proud of your tremendous effort. The outcome may not be entirely satisfying,
but you were a true warrior. We hope you are able to participate in the U.S. Open, even if you forego Cincy. All the best of luck and health😎👊👏👍💪❤️
Rafa, you were more than amazing! Hope you don’t have a setback with your wrist. You did more than anyone could have ever expected so soon after your injury. It was great watching you play so well!