Rafael Nadal was victorious on his return from injury after he defeated Tomas Berdych 6-0, 6-4 at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
He will now play Milos Raonic in the semi-final of the Abu Dhabi exhibition event.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during day one of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at Zayed Sport City on December 29, 2016 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during day one of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at Zayed Sport City on December 29, 2016 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Tennis – Mubadala World Tennis Championship – Rafael Nadal of Spain v Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic- Abu Dhabi, UAE – 29/12/16 Rafael Nadal of Spain. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah
Tennis – Mubadala World Tennis Championship – Rafael Nadal of Spain v Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic- Abu Dhabi, UAE – 29/12/16 – Rafael Nadal of Spain. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah
Tennis – Mubadala World Tennis Championship – Rafael Nadal of Spain v Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic- Abu Dhabi, UAE – 29/12/16 – Rafael Nadal of Spain. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah
Tennis – Mubadala World Tennis Championship – Rafael Nadal of Spain v Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic- Abu Dhabi, UAE – 29/12/16 Rafael Nadal of Spain. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah
Tennis – Mubadala World Tennis Championship – Rafael Nadal of Spain v Tomas Berdych of Czech Republic- Abu Dhabi, UAE – 29/12/16 – Rafael Nadal of Spain. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah
After the match he told the press:
I created a lot of damage with my forehands. That has been one of my main goals in these past couple of seasons – to rediscover my forehand. When I am hitting my forehands, I feel in control of the points.
When you have not competed for a while and come back, you don’t expect to play at that very, very high level in your first match. But I practised so good in Mallorca for one month and a half. I think a lot and I am excited to be back competing.
I don’t have any expectations. I just want to enjoy. For me, there is no pressure now. It’s a moment where I just have to give my best because I am starting from zero. That’s my mentality – I am starting from zero again and I am trying to focus on things that will help me to win.
That’s what I am going to try and do for the first couple of months of the season. I am excited and I will try to make something beautiful.
Source: The National
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C’mon Rafa, you have been down sets before and came out the victor. Do it again.
Rafa-Milos 3-6 second set
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa now 4 -1 up in Set 2!!
Vamoooooooooooooooooooooooooosssssssssssssssssssss
But we’ll see……..Hmnn…..
Come on Rafa
First set 6-1 to Rafa 😀
First set Rafa 6-1
Bagle not…
RAFA ROCKS
Dear Rafa’s fans : in US, you can watch the match LIVE ….Google “LIVESTREAMING TENNIS” ( “livestreaming” one word) and click on the first link…..then click on Rafa’s match….best of luck…. if first link does not work for you, try another link…..
C’mmon Rafa boy, you can do it!!!!
OMG! Are we going to get a repeat of yesterday’s first set . Rafa is 5-0 up😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😊😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😁😁😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀
Aww so sorry Beverley, guess there is not much you can do for a fractured shoulder, but keep it Immobilized. ( Hope you aren’t in too much pain) At least you are able to enjoy Rafa playing again at such a high level! Happy you can still communicate on your computer…I so enjoy your positive, beautifully written posts! Keep us all updated on your recovery. Sincerely, Souix
VAMOS SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) 3: 0 for RAFA……brilliant serve games!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ci…..ci….ci….ci….ci….ci….& ci….. : )
Well thats a Rafa / Murray final out as Goffin has just beat Murray , but I’m quite happy with a Rafa/Goffin final . Rafa is on court in 10 mins , hope it goes well with the RIGHT result.COME ON RAFA😀🇪🇸😀🇪🇸😀🇪🇸
OLA & VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Very happy for you!!!! : ) have a beautiful day and lots & lots of fun……. and by the way very happy to see Daveed Goffin win the 1st set and come back 2nd set from 4:2 2nd to leading 5:4…..he is a good player and nice to see him do well against Tsonga and Andy….!!! : ) deserves it….NOW MATCH POINT!!!!!!! : ) Like you, he is humble and modest yet a tiger on the field. Goffin JUST WON!!!!!!!!!! : ) Out goes Andy…..
You are our favorite sweetheart Rafa and VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Enjoy your beautiful natural court magic and your free fun playing!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
Good start of the year. Good luck for today. Vamos Rafa!!!
HAPPY FOR YOU, RAFA. I WAS EXTREMELY HAPPY TO SEE YOU BACK. AND IN ACTION.
LOVE YOU ALWAYS.💜💟💓💔💖💗💛💚💙❤💘
I could not find this match in the US, but read several reports. Rafa apparently played great especially the first set. He was very happy with his play in the post interviews. Tomorrow will be a much tougher test. I really hope he can win against a much improved Raonic.
I was not able to find Rafa playing either… I just was reading the posts from Maria England …Margo and others …It’s so difficult to know he is playing and I can’t watch him! Seems in the states, tennis takes last on the totem pole in sports. However everyone was very positive and happy with his performance… Mostly Rafa was happy as well! So sorry to hear about Beverly Injuring her shoulder in a fall… Sincere best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Read that he bageled Tomas in just 26 minutes!!!
Thank you,Souix. Recovery will be slow – bad fracture, but nevertheless I am following the results of Rafa’s matches with great joy.
Sad not to be able to watch Rafa after all this weeks without him. Have not missed a match since nearly two years, but at this days it seems impossible for me (stress) 😢. I read that he was doing great against Berdych. Sounds good!
I’m still nervous about the ATP tour- competition, I will be nervous until he won his first matches on the tour.
Vamos Rafa! No extra- pressure needed, but enjoyment.
Ps. I’m so sorry for you Beverley about what happened with your fall! Get well soon!
Edit: I meant stress at work which keeps me from watching tennis, not stress because I’m afraid about his game ;).
So glad you clarified that Fedallica. I know how deeply you care for and empathize with Rafa so was brainstorming to write something to try to get you to de-stress.
Even though players consider Mubadala just a warm up to the AO I do hope Rafa wins or does very well. He will do his best and that’s all I csn ask.
Get some down time and read the various interviews. The sports media are very happy to have him back on tour.
RAFA ROCKS
Thank you Fedallica. I too am nervous about his world tour matches, especially as he is playing here in Australia first of all. Last year he was defeated in the first round so that was all we saw of Rafa. Since I am housebound most of the time at present I am hoping to see him play on TV in Brisbane and Melbourne with good results. Not necessarily that he wins the whole thing, although it would be wonderful if he did, but that he at least stays around long enough to play some good games and get some confidence for future tournaments.
Rafa,
Welcome back Rafa, with such GREAT energy and enthusiasm.
Well done defeating Thomas.
All the best for your game with Maonic.
I am looking forward to seeing you in Sydney on the 9/1/17.
HAPPY NEW YEAR Rafa, with Carlos joining your team,
Love and prayers,
Alaine XXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Hi! Could you tell me what’s happening with Rafa in Sydney on 9th Jan?!! – I am also in Australia!
I’m so happy for you, Rafa!!! Keep it up!! VAMOS, RAFA!!! 🙂
Breathtaking tennis today.Fantastic.Onwards and upwards for2017.May it be your best year yet.Yes You Can.
So happy Rafa is time to play tennis and good luck tomorrow .the best .your fans love you .this year is goin to be good ,👍👍👍🎾🎾🎾🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️❤️❤️🎾🎾🎾
Congrats, Rafael. Great to see you thinking and playing freely, and so ready to win. Have a fantastic 2017🤗👏💪👑🏆🍾❤️⛔️
So happy for you Rafa. Be ready for the challengers and challenges ahead of you. Give it good to Raonic. Good luck tomorrow. Full steam ahead. Love your indomitable enthusiasm.
RAFA ROCKS