The draw for the Madrid Open was performed today.
Rafael Nadal has been drawn into the bottom half of the draw and looks tough on paper, but he is the King of Clay who won three of four titles on the Caja Mágica clay.
After a first round bye, our champ will face the winner of the match between Fabio Fognini or Joao Sousa. He could face Nick Kyrgios in the third round, prior to a quarter-final against Milos Raonic or David Goffin.
Rafa’s potential route to the final:
- 1st round: Bye
- 2nd round: Fabio Fognini or Joao Sousa
- 3rd round: Nick Kyrgios
- Quarter-final: Milos Raonic or David Goffin
- Semi-final: Novak Djokovic
- Final: Andy Murray
- Andy Murray vs Dominic Thiem
- Stan Wawrinka vs Marin Cilic
- Milos Raonic vs Rafael Nadal
- Kei Nishikori vs Novak Djokovic
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Kei made it also.
RAFA ROCKS
Raonic is still alive.
RAFA ROCKS
Tomorrow Rafa will battle Kyrgios for a spot in the quarters.
RAFA ROCKS
Really hope the ear infection is gone now or at least to it’s very minimum that it will not give problems with Rafa’s playing tomorrow ,since he will be facing a tough opponent in Fognini . Good Luck Rafa !!!
If his healing prowess is any indication, Rafa should be fine by Wednesday. The type of ear infection he has will also be an indicator of how quickly, or slowly, he heals. A virus ear infection will not respond to antibiotics so I just hope it’s a bacterial infection. Please, no GlassiDal.
RAFA ROCKS
Haha, Margo, it’s should be “Glassdal” and in fact some has called him that. But I don’t think that nickname ever suit him even though he’s been through a lot of injuries. 🙂
ROF LMAO Thanks for the correction. Was not aware that he has been called that. WHAT NERVE!!!!
Rafa is the Spanish version of the Man of Steel.
My opinion.
I read Alberto Martin’s entire interview and am still scratching my head. He wants more praise for Ferrero, Moya and Corretja.
He may fear that Rafa’s success has raised the bar so high that Spanish youth will not attempt to make tennis a career choice. What he really wants is more Spanish youth to be involved in tennis.
Firstly, he gives short shrift to Spaniards’ intelligence.
Secondly, the three male tennis players who he mentioned [Ferrero, Moya, and Corretja] did very little in comparison to former world number one and four-time Grand Slam winner Arantxa Vicarrio Sanchez, a female. I mean, no disrespect to these three guys but HEY! One female accomplished more than all these three guys put together.
Thirdly, Rafa is hot now, so of course he is being praised and talked about. And even after he retires he will be talked about. Monte-Carlo 10X, Barcelona 10X. French Open 9X [as of this writing].
Fourthly, Yannick is the only Frenchman to have won the FO since 1983 [33 years]. Of course the French idolize him [if they do]. I didn’t bother looking up the last French female winner of the FO.
RAFA ROCKS
Buena suerte Rafa eres un verdadero champion Vamos Rafa
After reading that Rafa has requested to play his first match in Madrid on Wednesday instead of Tuesday, I’m even more convinced that he should withdraw. I know he is eager to compete and doesn’t want to disappoint the tournament organisers and fans, but common sense must prevail! Nevertheless, if he is well enough to play, I’ll have my fingers crossed for a victory!🤞🏼
is rafa playing today and what time please?
Former World No. 34 Alberto Martin says that the enormous success of Rafael Nadal has spoilt the Spaniards and have made them accustomed to unrealistic expectations of players winning Grand Slams every year.
About Spanish tennis he went on to say “I see a downturn. We have lived such a good time that everything that comes now will not be so good. The problem is that Rafa has distorted everything. If he had not arrived, now we would be talking about Moya, Ferrero or Corretja, all huge players that have been eclipsed by Rafa. No one will come out of his caliber, but when someone arrives and is top 20 they will not be given the value they deserve because they will not win a Grand Slam per year.
I think he should give the Spanish people more credit, they know someone like Rafa only comes along once in a lifetime , and when he retires they will give their support to all there players alike
Maria that was an interesting article and very well said!
I agree totally with you mjus. An ear infection can affect lots of things including your balance and concentration. If it hasn’t cleared properly Rafa should withdraw from Madrid. In fact, it will be a blessing in disguise as it will give him the opportunity to get further rest as he heads towards Rome and RG. We will know very soon in his presser at 1.30pm today.
The best of luck Rafa 🍀❤️🤗
Wishing you a speedy recovery from your ear infection 🙉🤞🏻😘
VAMOOS! 🎾💪🏼😃