2009 champ Rafael Nadal will continue his Australian Open campaign when he takes the court against rising German star Alexander Zverev (currently ranked 24 in the world) on Saturday.
Date: January 21, 2017
Match time: Rafa is third match on Rod Laver Arena. Approximately 3 PM local time / 11 PM EST (Friday night) – New York, Montreal / 4 AM GMT – United Kingdom / 5 AM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa on playing Sascha Zverev:
It will be a high quality match. He’s a potential Grand Slam winner and a big talent. He’s improving in every moment. He’s a player that can be a future world No.1 so it will be a big challenge for me. I’ll need to play my best.
Rafa and Zverev will be facing each other for the second time. When they met in Indian Wells last year, our champ saved one match point in a 6-7(8), 6-0, 7-5 win. Zverev had led 5-2 in the deciding set.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) You were right to question this poor call when umpire not giving the winning point challenged, when clearly Sacha was way on the other side no where near being able to respond….. YOU WON THAT POINT! Thankfully, you are able to move on despite such poor subjective miscalls. VAMOS SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) You look strong and mighty out there and you are playing incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
ci….ci…ci….: ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Great solid TENNIS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Love your serve games….love your powerful returns….love your mixing it….and….love your net genius!!!!!!!!1111!!!!!!!! : ) GREAT MATCH DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) You have such grace and such solid court attitude….you are THE BEST EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) God bless you sweetheart & GO RAF GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
Vamos Rafa….
YEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GREAT BREAK 2nd set YOU ARE PLAYING BEAUTIFULLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ACES & ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : )
Rafa you are flying high my son at the moment n I wish you luck today. My sister-in-law n niece had Box Seats when you defeated Bagdatis!! I vow to see you play in person in the 2018 AO – I am 81 n it may be my last HOORAH??? God bless you. Vamos Rafa. Love from your Aussie Abuela. ⏳👑😊😀😇
OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Very happy for you dear Rafa and congratulations on your amazing brilliant THREE sets win!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) That was incredible!!!!!!!!!!! : ) You have won decisively, swiftly and with your passionate, powerful impressive play!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Enjoy everything sweetheart !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) We love you and know this will be another great match for you!!!!!!! : ) Can’t wait to watch you LIVE !!!!!! : ) Have lots & lots of fun and enjoy your amazing gifted talent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
I guess Carlos Moyà has settled The question. He was very forthcoming in his answers. Following are just some highlights of his ten-minute interview.
According to Moyà, Toni knew he was leaving Milos’ team. Toni called Moyà and asked him to join the team and to work at the academy. Moyà told Toni that he first would have to speak with Rafa before deciding. It would be a big commitment from Moyà as he has children, he would have to travel and be away from home.
Rafa explained to Carlos how well he was practicing and paying attention to nutrition to be in the best shape possible. Rafa expressed a desire to be on top again. Moyà bit.
Moyà feels Rafa is still Slam material provided he stays injury free. He is committed to see Rafa back to where he wants to be.
Moyà just may be that missing link. Hearing this interview should vanquish any lingering doubts of the doubters as to what Moyà can add to the team.
I trust you with Rafa, Carlos.
RAFA ROCKS
This young man is eleven years younger than Rafa and he has the boundless energy of youth as well as being a very talented tennis player. But Rafa has years of experience behind him and in a best of five situation I am hopeful that Rafa will prevail. He is injury free at this moment and a healthy Rafa is far different to a Rafa struggling with injuries.
I agree….my very thoughts.
Talent+Energy<Experience+Best of Five
Enjoy the match Beverley, this may be a nail biter.
RAFA ROCKS
GOOD LUCK RAFA!
👏👏👏👏🎾🎾🎾🎾🐨🐨🐨🐨♥️♥️♥️👏👏👏👍👍👍👍👍👍
Rafa, you beat Alexander before in a best of three. This is a best of five where you have excelled. You know what to expect from him so you are not going in blind. You have more experience. Use all of these things to your advantage.
I will not insult you by claiming he had you by the throat. You scared him so much in the second set with his zero score that he fought harder in the third but you beat him in the decider. Take advantage of his errors, because he will make them, and you will win. I take your view that a win is still a win and that a lot of matches are decided by a difference of a few points. Let the points be in your favor.
RAFA ROCKS
Good luck to you Rafa.
Rafa still has 3 more years of good tennis. This is an opportunity to show why he is the GOAT. He has gained confidence and by seeing Novak loosing as it happened to him last year, it gives Rafa a great push in his efforts to gobfor 4 to 5 more grand slams. Go Rafa Go!
Buena suerte mi Rafa, tu puedes con todos, Vamos Rafa
others have wonderfully covered all those I had in mind wishing all the very best for RAFA
If Rafa could pass this guy, Murray, Federer would not be a problem! Of course, he has to sustain his level to keep his dream alive.
OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Have a beautiful day and enjoy lots & lots of fun playing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) It will be a great match for you and VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Lots of love & happiness!!!!! : )
GOOD LUCK RAFA ❤
Rafa, you are the favorite to win this match so go on court and get the job done.
This Zverev with pose more of a challenge than his brother did but you will show him the exit door.
Best of luck Rafa!
RAFA ROCKS
Good luck and Vamos Rafa. You can do it <3
Hopefully a few hours before Zverev boards a plane to head back to where he came from:)
Seriously though, I think this is the opportunity for Rafa to make a statement that, hey guys, I know you’re the up and coming superstars and all, but you got to wait your turn because I don’t plan to go anywhere soon.
Make that statement Rafa! This boy had you by the throat last time and you were super lucky to escape with the win… show him that was a fluke. Please:)
Mac, I so hope that you are right! When I looked at the Men’s draw, the first name I looked for was Sascha’s. I knew Andy or Novak would be there. It would be so good for Rafa’s confidence to win this!