Rafael Nadal has lost in straight sets in the Miami Open final to Roger Federer.
Fifth seed Rafa was defeated 6-3, 6-4 in Miami, in what is his fifth loss in the Miami Open final, two of which have been to Roger Federer.
After the match, Rafa said:
Well done to Roger, I am very happy for him.
I just want to say thank you to everybody here, it’s been a good two weeks for me in Miami. It’s been a good start to the season and it’s disappointing for me to always be in this position here with the smaller trophy…
I’m going to keep trying hard over the next couple of years and hopefully I won’t have to wait three years again to fight for the title.
Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerland pose at the net before the final at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (April 1, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Roger Federer of Switzerland in the final at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (April 1, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Roger Federer of Switzerland during the Men’s Final and day 14 of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (April 1, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Roger Federer of Switzerland during the Men’s Final and day 14 of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (April 1, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Roger Federer of Switzerland during the Men’s Final and day 14 of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (April 1, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Roger Federer of Switzerland is congratulated by Rafael Nadal of Spain after the final at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (April 1, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain meets Roger Federer of Switzerland after losing the match after the Men’s Final and day 14 of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (April 1, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Roger Federer of Switzerland (left) and Rafael Nadal of Spain (right) shake hands after Federer defeated Nadal in the men’s final match on day 14 of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (April 1, 2017 – Source: Rob Foldy/Getty Images North America)
Winner Roger Federer of Switzerland with the trophy next to runner up Rafael Nadal of Spain after the final at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (April 1, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images North America)
Winner Roger Federer of Switzerland with the trophy next to runner up Rafael Nadal of Spain after the final at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (April 1, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images North America)
Roger Federer of Switzerland holds the winner’s trophy after defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain with the runners up trophy after the Men’s Final and day 14 of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (April 1, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain holds the runners up trophy after losing to Roger Federer of Switzerland after the Men’s Final and day 14 of the Miami Open at Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 2, 2017 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (April 1, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Better luck next time, Rafa!
My sentiments exactly, Rafalite!
That was a depressing show yesterday.
I just read a good analysis (there aren’t many) by Craig O’Shaunnessy on the atp site who siad exactly what I thought (hence good!) that Rafa did change his tactics against Fed–did not go the BH much as it’s been vastly improved, so instead played Rafa BH to Fed’s FH mainly, which is not a great pattern of play for Rafa.
Craig also showed stats that showed Rafa wins the most points when he hits a FH as the first shot after a serve, but yesterday it was mainly. So Rafa did try other tactics, but they failed. That’s how it looked to me.
It also was apparent his FH kill shot, the shot that he has lived and died by, the ISOCC FH, wasn’t working. Without that, forget beating the top guys. That wasn’t working, I thought, because he wasn’t hitting enough FHs in general, to hone the biggest FH of them all.
Rafa kept the score close with fantastic serving (he may have had as many aces as Fed, I haven’t seen the stats) but otherwise he was scrambling. He started strong but once broken in the 1rst set at 3/4, he played like he was going to lose.
So with three finals and three sequential losses to Fed (one to Querry) we can say Rafa is better than last year but not anywhere near his previous best.
Fed was beatable, and someone needs to do it soon. Fed has been escaping too much, building up that aura of invincibility which makes him even harder to beat. He’s in Rafa’s head now. Nick would have beat Rafa too, I have no doubt of that.
So what next for Rafa? A good clay season will build his confidence back up, maybe that’s all that’s needed. But somehow that FH has to fire, or his days of being top 4 are over. Plain and simple.
Good luck at the claycourt tournament, dear Rafa ❤️🍀 Win or loose always with you 🤗😘
VAMOS CHAMP!! 🎾💪🏼
I think one has to realize that we are rooting for something that is just not realistic anymore. Federer has always had clearly the game that would carry him for longer years. Not relying on extreme defensive moves and top spin applied with force. He is unfortunately getting his dividends now that the Djoker and Murray are out and in a clear dip. He waited 4 full seasons for his chances!
As for Rafa, his game always relied on a brutal forehand (spin created by raw power, generated from the knees, hips, arm and shoulder). With the body aching and aging, the torque is much less (2/3 of what it was, shown several times on Europsport stats). Add to that the fact that the hound dog is no longer retrieving, and we’ve got a shade of the old Nadal. It is in fact quite a surprise that he is making finals here and there. Only with a lot of luck he may get far at the French Open. But an all out hard hitting strategy, as applied by Rosol, Brown, and now Federer, will unfortunately knock Rafa out there too. The machine is rusty and we can’t stop that process. Rafa does not have the technique and body to drastically change. To get a better serve and a better forehand at this stage, for him it is impossible.
jason,
disagree with you a little bit. I believe that the problem with rafa is that his game has become to predictable. This whole tournament except the final his forehand went very well. What he needs is a great serve. The disadvantage he has in compair to players like federer, murray, djokovic, krygios, zverev and wawrinka is that they have all a great serve that brings them free points and gets them out of trouble nadal doesnt have that. Well he had that serve during the us open 2010. That was the best grandslam nadal every played. He was invincible on his serve. I never saw that serve again.
Then his returns because he stands 40 meters behind the baseline he is unable to put depth in his returns. They are falling short which is easy then for his opponents to put the ball away. Then his groundstrokes I cant remember the last time nadal hitted various times the ball down the line with both his forehand and backhand that tells you something. Furthermore his courtposition by doing that his groundstrokes are falling short very easy to put away.
As long he refused to improve these points and decides to do the same thing he will never ever compete for the big titles again. For the people on this forum to think that everything will be fine on clay they are sadly mistaking. Players like thiem, zverev, krygios, murray, djokovic and wawrinka are wating for him on clay.
You agree on the serve. But you in fact also agree on the FH. Why do you think he stands indeed miles behind the baseline. Because his old school technique does not allow for solid returns with a short movement. Rafa needs a swing. And for a swing he needs time. And to have time, he needs distance. Apart from that, he is not able (anymore) to analyse during a match what he should change in his tactics. He looks unfortunately not very intelligent in the many losses that one as an outsider can see coming from very far away, quite often after two games already.
Well of course it went well against KOhl, Fog and Sock! The issue is Fed, or Nick (or Delpo or Djok etc.) He is no longer losing to the players out of the top ten at least. It’s an improvement, but we (and he) hope for more than that.
Hi Mjus,
Responding here to your comment below, for some reason some replies don’t have reply buttons.
So yeah I’ve rewatched USO final 2013 against Djok many times, that was a magical time for Rafa he won two Masters on Hard, Montreal and Cincy prior, then USO–unbeleivable results on HC for Rafa. He was hitting very deep and flatter. I beleive flatter is the way he must go–NOT MORE topsin–but these are very difficult changes to make at this stage. They’re difficult even at 15.
He was serving in the 120s. He’s serving there now, btw. I think the seve is maybe better than it’s very been, but the FH is not. Virtually all commies have said this, Rafa’s serve really improved with Moya.
But the topsin and the FH:
So often I see Rafa’s balls just sit up in mid court waiting to be clobbered. Small wonder he gets burned on them. Every time he hits a short overtopped ball I know it’s coming and it usually does.
BHDTL and FHDTL: totally the indicator of his confidence and level when he’s playing them. That’s when I know he could beat anyone, when all those factors are working for him. Depth, a bit flatter, and the DTL shots.
I saw the DTLs against Sock. He played a great match against Sock, and Sock is pretty dangerous these days. But he’s no Fed.
Rafa’s game these days seems to go up and down in quite fast cycles. But Fed is still too much for him in his current mindset. If had beat Fed AO, I have no doubt he would have beat him again at IW. Fed is definitely in his head now, and that’s the problem.
I see you know your tennis, but I disagree. I don’t think it’s age at all, I think the game has changed, Rafa was very slow to change with it, the feild is way stronger now too.
Biggest problem always still biggest problem–lack of court penetration of Fhs when feeling not confident or put in a chronic defensive position. Fed put him in that position and he went to back old ways.
Also ISOCC FH killer shot not working. Without this, forget about beating top 5 players.
That’s not an age thing, it’s a head thing, and a technique thing. Not feeling it. But he was at the AO, showing it’s all still possible. I beleive the loss there to Fed, when leading 5th set3/1, put another dent in his confidence.
Toni has been complaining for some time now about how the game has changed. Remember his’ “Wam, bam!” comment, and not long thereafter Rafa echoed his uncle’s words in an interview that was posted here. The “wam, bam,” shots don’t lend themselves to strategic thinking or setting up a shot by Rada as in days past, according to Toni.
RAFA ROCKS
YOu are dead on with your comment below about why he stand back so far, needing time for his huge backswing on the FH.
This is a core problem and I sometimes think the big topspin players are finished; the flatter hitter who take the ball early (Fed, Nick) are on the rise, the game has become way more aggressive.
I have wondered this about Rafa for awhile, and it’s even true on clay. More players used to stand back and wait for the ball to come to them. No longer the way.
But Rafa did change all of this at the AO. He was revieving closer in, and generally playing in a more aggressive court position.
So somehow, he relapsed in IW and Miami, went back to old ways. And the results show it.
rafalite,
I was watching the us open final 2010 between djokovic and nadal. And yeah nadal was younger then he is now. You know how he was hitting the ball? very flat and his serve was unbelievable. If he still would have that serve today i guarantee he would have been a unbelievable competitor. His courtposition was also better. This year australian open he was playing the quarterfinal against milos raonic. In that match he was taking the ball early and brought milos in trouble. I dont believe for a second that he is not capable of doing these things anymore. In my opinion he knows how to return, how to play inside the court how to hit the ball flatter, how to take the ball early. Please tell when was the last time you saw rafa hitting the forehand or backhand down the line?
Roger has transformed his game in to the new age wham/Bam type game… I don’t know how he has done it with just a new racket but he has… Rafa is playing old school tennis and it doesn’t appear that he is going to change. We true blue Rafa fans just have to accept things the way they are… One title and three finals is not too shabby. I was hoping that Moya would help revamp his game but I do not see any changes as of yet… Still playing far behind the baseline… honestly I don’t know the answer… I’m just going to take one match at a time and hope for the best… I’m just happy he’s healthy and seems to be having a good time! Love you Rafa win or lose!
Regardless of his breezy nonchalance, Fed did not get his current form easily. Neither will it be simple for Rafael to regain his fire. Stay healthy and choose wisely. There are so many nagging injuries among the top players, the scheduling certainly takes its toll. Good luck to the Nadal team to solve this puzzle.🔑👑🏆
It bothers me a lot if Roger is going to take a break before the FO. It’s a dangerous and ominous sign. Rafa can’t let Federer win against him at the FO – regardless of which round it is – for that matter the same goes for nole. That’ll flatten his confidence even if he smiles afterwards and doesn’t admit it. He desperately needs a win (or more) against them and other top players. Every time Federer wins against whoever- especially the way he did against Berdych and Kyrgios I can’t but help thinking if his horoscope and what has been predicted. Sorry 😞.
Cmon Rafa! You are doing better this year so believe more in yourself – wake up – se agresivo!!! Stand in front of the mirror everyday and say “im the best” “I am a winner” etc. etc.
Alas, Rafa will not be comfortable saying that. Will have to
make a tremendous effort – walk over his own shadow – very difficult I know believe me but try!
Always Rafa! VAMOS!!!
Rafa, if, and only if you are still capable of winning titles that’s what I want to see. If the passion is still there, that’s what I want to see. If that never-say-die attitude is there, I want to see it.
Are you considering bringing in a consultant or should we just remember what Toni said about you not changing your style after all these years, just a few tweeks here and there?
I am thrilled you are in finals after such a long absence from the podium. If your body and mind can get you the winner’s trophy, let’s see that. But if your torn-up body is letting you down, I can surely live with that.
FYI, Roger is disappearing until the French Open. I hope you are prepared to beat him and anyone else seeking to deprive you of your dixième, or as you would call it, your décima. What new weapons are you hiding?
RAFA ROCKS
I think Rafas doing well considering he has been out of circulation,yes its disappointing at Miami but Roger is playing like a demented 20 year old not 35,Dont forget Roger had his off season a while back,he came back, so can Rafa.
And Novac And Andy have lost to lesser players of late……all is change even for the top players.
I will always be a Rafa fan – no matter what. But I will also write what I think and feel even if it sounds like criticism. Even now in 2017 even though Rafa is playing a bit better than in 2015/16 his mental problems – complete lack of confidence and belief in himself are glaring points. His body tightens and sometimes he looks lost – hits shots just to get the ball over the net (at least so it seems )I hate it when Rafa makes Federer and djokovic look better than they are and puts Them on a pedestal. His attitude is sometimes so submissive. He seems content coming into semi-finals and finals. Please Miya don’t you recognize that Rafa badly needs mental healing and coaching. That is the core problem. It’s not arrogant if one he is good – can win against anybody – is the best. Putting oneself down etc. as has been seen in the things he says finally gets one down.
Please help him coach and team and all!
rafa fan,
i agree with you complety. I am a nadal supporter since 2007. And it saddens me to see him like this. So unbelievably predictable. Bad serve, bad returns, bad courtposition. Afraid to use backhand and forehand down the line. Balls falling very short. To me it look like a trainingsession. I dont mind him losing tennis matches after all he is human. But what i am angry about is his unwillingness to learn from it and improve his game. Federer used his absence to work on his game and see the results. And that at the age of 35. And also his attitude towards other players trying to be a nice guy instead of a ruthless champion. I mean look at djokovic he doesnt give a crap wheter he his liked or not for him its all about winning titles and be the best of the world. The serb hates losing and to me he is a ruthless champion
Nadal smiled yesterday like he won the title and also he was overwhelmingly praising federer as he did in the past by calling him the whole time the goat and talked about him like the swiss is his big brother or something. To me that is the behaviour of someone who lost the passion and desire to win titles and is not upset by losing at all. but instead bowing his head to a tennisplayer who he caused tremendous pain in the past (federer crying at ao 2009). Federer doesnt give a crap about nadal all he wants is to win at all costs. Even his wife mirka is doing her part to achieve this. (mocking krygios in the semifinal)
Rafa said in the press conference that he was ready to win titles again. He also said that it was a close match and that he had many opportunities. To me the behaviour of someone who is living in denial and doesnt know what is wrong with his game. I dont see him dominating clay court season. Not with how he was playing yesterday.
He will face fierce competition on clay from players like: djokovic, murray zverev krygios, thiem and wawrinka. These are not the years of 2007 till 2013 where he was invincible
Really like your post.
But it’s not so much that he makes Fed and Djok look better than they really are–the really are incredible–it’s that they make him look like less. Tennis all about domination and submission, it’s a fascinating battle. Fed used to Rafa’s whipping boy–the tables have been reversed, and it’s humilliating.
Moya has already done Rafa much good. Not sure anyone in that camp wants to engage a mental coach–though look what wonders the sports psychologist did for Nick K!! But somehow I sense Rafa wouldn’t bite on that one.
So strange that Rafa used to be known (and is still known) as one of the game’s toughest competitors ever, and yet I’m not sure that’s still the case. When his confidence is low, he becomes very submissive–it’s a natural reaction–and somehow that cycle has to be interrupted.
Fascinating and vexing problem. He’s better than he was, but not as good as he was before he got worse.
I have to cut Rafa a lot of slack. He’s already made 3 finals in 2017 on hard courts.
I feel that’s a remarkable accomplishment so far this year. I know his fans wanted him to win today but Rafa seemed uncomfortable and struggling from the beginning due to the humidity, and temperature. He was sweating profusely and his clothes was soaked. I felt so badly for him. Roger looked fresh as a daisy! Does that guy even sweat ever? I wasn’t really blown away today by Roger’s performance. It was more that one and done style, keep the points as short as possible which Roger did accomplish effectively. He also had free points on his serve. Rafa didn’t.
I know everyone is so mesmerized by Roger’s resurgence but I still can’t fathom how a 35 1/2
year old Roger (although a champion) can compete like a 25 year old. The stats said his FH speed was 7 miles faster than Rafa. His stamina and movement and speed around the court is better than ever. How is that even possible? After those tight 3-setters against Tomas and Nick,
even his recovery is quicker. I watched his returns to Rafa and they all went consistently deep in the court which made it difficult for Rafa to retrieve. Usually as you get older your abilities start to decline even if you are a champion. I guess Roger has found the fountain of youth. I am sort of flabber-gasted by his lightning speed movement on the court at 35. Maybe he takes some super-power vitamins. I am not trying to diminish his trifecta. Congrats to him. Everyone else suffers on-court injuries except him. His injury was due to bathing his twins. Maybe this is a Roger clone made in a lab, just kidding! I am just wondering how is the new improved Roger possible at 35 1/2? What are his secrets!
As for Rafa, I still feel he’s not going anywhere. I am grateful for the clay court season. The rallies are longer and more interesting. For me, it’s like watching a chess match on clay. Rafa has not
disappointed me at all during the HC season. I’m glad it’s over and we get a break from Roger,
Quite honestly! Roger can be so smug and arrogant at times.
Always with Rafa. There’s nobody better!
Yes, it was sad to see Rafa lose against Roger once again. And yes, I agree wholeheartedly that Rafa must play closer to the baseline to return serve. He even said in interview before the match that he needed to play more inside the court and be aggressive but it didn’t happen. However I am beginning to wonder if we are expecting too much of Rafa, comparing him to how he played in the past and urging him to repeat those glories.
His come-back in 2013 was fantastic but it is no longer 2013. It is 2017 . Four years have passed . We can’t put the clock back much as we would like.
Rafa has been on the circuit for half of his life – 15 years. His body is no doubt unable to respond as it did once and there is the constant fear of injuries which must affect him mentally.
If Fed beats him now as he used to beat Fed, then that’s the way it goes. Likewise with Nole usually beating him, that’s just how it is.
Do we have to judge Rafa because he loses to Fed and Nole? There are other players he can still beat to the point where he reaches the finals. It does not all have to be about Fed and Nole.
Please give him some slack . I know we all (myself included) want to see him win trophies but , as I said before, perhaps we are expecting too much of him at this stage of his career.
Comparing him to Roger and Nole is of no help because Rafa is Rafa . He knows what he should do but seems unable to do it
I am not taking a defeatist attitude regarding Rafa, just trying to be realistic. Some make it seem like a crime because Fed is beating him, and Djokovic is looming on the horizon to return to dominate him too.
Rafa is now back to number 5 in the world and number 2 in the race to London. He is not a failure but that is how he seems to be judged .People say it is in his head re. his losses to Fed and Nole. Perhaps it is in our heads even more ??
I love to see Rafa play. His game is still exciting even if he loses to those who once were beaten by him. He is still regarded as the favourite to win the French Open, but if he doesn’t , that is still NOT A CRIME.
We can analyse his game eternally but what he should do may be what he can’t do anymore.
He loves to play tennis and until he finds that the love is gone, let’s enjoy with him what he loves to do, regardless of Fed, Nole, or others.
Sorry for this long diatribe but this is how I feel at he moment and I needed to get it off my chest.
what kind of attitude is that you are professional tennisplayer because you like the game but also to win titles. and you trying to be the best of all time. according to your opinion he might als well raise the white flag everytime he plays federer or the other guys. I dont mind him losing matches that is not the issue. The issue is him not being upset about it and not willing to adapt his game. Not willing to work on his serve, return of serve, courtposition and other aspects of the game. He wants to be respected by people instead of trying to be the best. When you are smiling after defeat in a important final that means you lost the desire and passion to win titles.
You are mistaking my point. All the things you say he should do his body may no longer be able to do. We all have opinions as to what he should do to improve his game ( my constant cry is please stop standing miles behind the baseline to receive serve ) but none of us have an insight into his mind( or his body )to know how things really are.
As to thinking he should raise a white flag whenever he plays Roger, he was defeated by just one break of serve in each set. He was not beaten 6-0, 6-0. I am sure he fought for each point to the best of his ability. As I have said before why does Rafa have to be judged by his performance to Fed all the time.? Tennis is more than Roger Federer. As to the other guys, he beat them otherwise he would not have reached the final . Of course Djokovic was not there but why always should he be judged by Djokovic ? He may never win against Djokovic. That does not mean he does not try.
I consider Rafa’s manner at the trophy ceremony was that of a gentleman which he certainly is, and certainly that of a true and gracious sportsman. No matter what he may have been feeling inside he did not pout, sulk, or CRY. ( Fed at the AO 2009). He is gracious in defeat and does not take attention away from the winner by playing the victim.
Nor does he ever make snide remarks or give backhanded compliments to his competitor., something Federer has been guilty of at times.
As I have said before, cut Rafa some slack. While ever Rafa is still playing tennis he will always have the desire and passion to win. His public smiling after a defeat does not indicate in any way his private feelings. .
Just how do you know Rafa has not worked on all the things you’ve listed?? I thought he served great against Fognini. Also, do you rather see him destroy a few rackets after he loses a point, a game, or a match like some others do? For me, I still see his true passion when he fights off a break-point or wins a difficult rally.
YOu pose a valid and interesting question, re “do we have to judge Rafa because he loses to Fed and Djok.?”
Well we all have our own answers to that question. The only important answer is Rafa’s own–does he expect it of himself?
For myself, I did not expect it of him when he was losing to all kinds of players in 2015-2016. He’s fixed that, thank god. Seeing how close he came to beating Fed AO final, I then expected it, because it’s within his means.
I would bet anything he sees this too. It’s within his means to do so. So yes. But he may need more time to work it out. Chris Evert said she lost to Martina something like 17 times in a row, before beating her again. In the end, they finished quite close.
I think he can still do it. It’s not a physical limitation, it’s a mental and technical one.
Vy, can you disable the likes/dislikes?
They’re absurd.
All kinds of well informed comments are getting more dislikes than likes–not sure whether it’s Fed fans who are pathetically lurking, or Nadal fans who resent anything but knowledge-free comments they can grasp.
Hey, go to the Roger’s fans blog, this is not your place
You talkin to me? I am the biggest hater of Roger here.
If you’re talking to me, you’re seriously compromised in the intelligence department. Also your comment about Rafa not showing any passion, indicates court and life stupidity.
Just sayin ….
Your comment looks like a reply from where the margins are.
Ah, the intolerant approach. Look in the mirror!
This is starting to look weird, very weird…. why Rafa is not showing any passion and become so passive but only playing against Federer who has had more tough and tied matches going through 3 sets and playing against players with less game than Rafa and in IW and Miami could beat him just in 2 sets? this is not normal
julia,
when you lose a important final and you smile in the microphone like rafa that means you lost the passion and the desire to win big titles. Rafa simply bowing his head to roger and adores and respect him so much that he is not bothered at all by losing against him
Roger doesnt give a crap about him. I am a nadal supporter for 10 years now. But i am having a hard time remaining patient and positive. I dont mind him losing a match after all he is human. What i dont like is a tennis player losing matches and not being upset about it and refusing to acknowledge that his game needs improvement. Its like him living in another universe and pretending and nothing is wrong. His refusal to work on his serve, courtposition, returns.
Guys like djokovic, krygios and zverev and murray have a much better atitude. I dont expect anything from him on clay. He will face tough competition from murray, djokovic, wawrinka, thiem, zverev and krygios. I certainly do not expect him winning roland garros. If he plays roland garros like he played to day he will not survive the first week
It doesn’t matter the Roger’s new magic racket or how well he is playing, Rafa knows perfectly well how to beat him for years so I don’t understand why he doesn’t want do it any more. I though before that he is getting too nervous playing the finals (AO) but what about in IW? it wasn’t a final
But at the same time is not just Federer, he lost Acapulco final against Qurerey which means that obviously even reaching most of the finals Rafa is still riding the roller coaster
It’s the new normal unfortunately.
Things change, don’t like it, but that’s the truth of it now.
Your idea that Rafa doesn’t want to beat him, or it’s a matter of passion, is ridiculous.
Rafa with his current game and mental state on the court, can’t beat him.
Have you seen how Sam played in that whole tournament? Remember, he beat the red-hot Djokovic too in Wimbledon.
A few hours post hideous loss and I’ve moved on! To the wonderful “Feud” dramatizing Joan Crawford and bette Davis’s vicious rivalry, and who would be who’s whipping girl.
Sounds familiar?
It’s more entertaining than the feeble Fedal today–and Fed and Rafa may get along off the courtt –but it’s a perfect paralell.
Rafa is now Fed’s whipping boy, which is just terrible to witness. Pick yourself up off the floor Rafa fer chrissakes! Get that FH deep, it’s the only way.
Watching Rafa’s balls sit up for easy pickings today reminded me a bit of how Djok shut down Rafa. If he can’t hit through the court he’s not going to beat the big ones. Hitting deep is confidence, and not taking the submissive role. Harder to do against Fed than Sock or Fog for sure.
Someone else will have to put out Fed’s fire, it may burn itself out after Wimbledon. He look tired today. But still won. Jeeeezuz.