(AP) – Rafael Nadal’s quest for a third Wimbledon singles title ended in remarkable fashion in London on Saturday as the world No. 1 was beaten 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(9), 6-3, 10-8 by Novak Djokovic.
As intense as any athletes in any sport, these two didn’t exactly slowly ramp things up when they returned to Centre Court about 14 hours after they’d departed. Having the roof shut meant every sound was amplified as it ricocheted off the dome — the thwack of ball off racket, the players’ grunts, the spectators’ applause.
This was high-decibel, high-stakes, high-quality tennis between two of the greats right from the get-go, beginning with an 18-point, six-deuce game that last 15 minutes and felt truly pivotal. It included a 23-stroke exchange and three others of at least 11. Rafa saved two break points and when he finally held, the owner 17 major championships, two at Wimbledon, punched the air and yelled as if he’d won the match, not a solitary game.
When Rafa broke in Saturday’s second game, a dismayed Djokovic grabbed a spare ball and whacked it with his racket against the wall behind the baseline. Fortunately, he was at the end of the court farthest from the Royal Box, where the pair of visiting Duchesses, Kate and the newly married Meghan, sat in the front row.
There were other such displays of emotion from Djokovic, who is prone to yelling at himself or at his coach. He reacted by getting broken again to trail 5-3 in that set by raising his left shoe and violently pounding his racket against it — one, two, three, four times. Moments later, he got to love-40 before Rafa took five points in a row to serve out the set.
But it was Djokovic who tended to be better down the stretch in his 52nd career meeting against Rafa in a contest that seemed as if it should be worth a trophy.
Rafa have 135 points to defend in next two master tournament if he decide to play and overall 3025 points to defend for this season on hard courts with title defence at us open (gs) and china open(500series)
Vamos rafa…..
I am too very disappointed at Rafa losing to Novak in the SFs. A tough tough loss – difficult for me to take. It was such a golden opportunity, with the warm weather etc, to win Wimbledon this yr. I expected Rafa to get through despite his past struggles and losses against Novak. I trusted that Rafa would have more confidence, being the No1, having had a superb last 18 months, and Novak having had a miserable time in the same period. But, somehow, the Rafa we saw in the QF against Delpo wasn’t there from the start – he wasn’t fired up enough, which is very unusual for him, especially for such a big match against Novak. Whether he was trying to ease gently into the match after the arduous QF, or just sheer nerves, one doesn’t know. But, I did feel Rafa wasn’t nearly confident enough to boss the points as he does against every other opponent, including Federer. What is this match-up against Novak, that robs Rafa these days (he was a bossy young lad, confident and aggressive, a decade or so ago even against Novak), of that extra edge, that extra bit of confidence and calm, to bomb down a big serve when he has set point, I don’t know. He fluffed the set point against Delpo in the second set tiebreak (double fault – although it turned out not so grave at the end), he put in a limp first serve ( to Novak’s forehand – yet again – while he could have served a slice serve, wide to the backhand, come in and finished with a volley, like he did a few times successfully against Delpo) on set point in the third set tiebreak. Rafa could have easily won the third set, gone home with a 2 sets to one advantage, and come out confidently to win the match the next day. Think the match was lost on Fri night on that fluffed set point in the 3rd set tiebreak. What a night Rafa must have suffered after that miss !!
So, there’s a problem – although Rafa wouldn’t admit it – which is good – you don’t want to admit nerves, deep-rooted lack of confidence, etc publicly anyway. The real problem of course, is the serve – a manufactured shot – which despite the huge, huge improvements made over the yrs, still lets him down in key tense moments. The 2017 AO final was lost because of weaker serving – the 2018 SF was also lost due to weakness of serve, inability to hold serve convincingly in tense moments, win easy points when it matters. (Incidentally, the 2007 Wimbie final against Roger was also lost due to superior serving from RF). Novak does this serving business well – he won so many points acing Rafa in the deuce court, serving a medium pace first serve to the forehand, accurately placed down the T. He has mastered this as a go-to serve, which he can pull out at any critical juncture. Rafa badly needs to be able to pull out a reliable well-placed serve like this, that will guarantee him an easy point when he needs it. He lacks this mastery on serve – probably because it’s a manufactured shot – being a natural rightie, his leftie serve, although pretty damn good, is not as good as it needs to be. Interesting to visualise Rafa serving with his right arm – would it be a brilliant serve, removing the only slightly weak shot in his armoury, and made him the undisputed GOAT by now – with 25 or more GSlams already ??
Serve – serve – Rafa – you’ve done great work already – Boris said he couldn’t even recognize the new Raf serve- it’s changed so much – but, can it be improved ever so slightly more ? Sorry to ask for more Rafa – it’s only because we believe you can do more – you are a truly stupendous player, with so much heart and passion, with such agility and footwork – but Rafans would like to see you push on the serve just a wee, wee bit more – just make it a relaxed, reliable, powerful, well-placed delivery. We’d like another 4 or 5 slams in the bag – which you so richly deserve. In my opinion, Rafa minus the serve is the GOAT already. RF can’t hold a candle to Raf’s speed and dazzling footwork – nor can Novak, who is so arrogant and so poor on the volleys. Worth mentioning that Rafa played a far far superior game to Nole in the SF – so much variety and enterprise – rushing the net, winning volleys, deft slices – his grass court game is pretty damn brilliant now. Praying for warm weather next yr and hoping it will be Raf’s chance to make it Wimbie 3. We could be looking at GS 19 by next yr, if not 20 – let’s see – that serve – a bit more umph and magic needed there.
Finally, what a graceful and caring champion we have here – grace and sensitivity coupled with electricity – our champ doesn’t half ignite the court he plays on every single time.
Yes. This. He is so great in other areas of his game. If he could relax on serve, how much easier it would be for him to win those big points.
I think the first sign of trouble this tournament was him failing to convert the second set point on tie break against Del Potro. Not only did it show he finds it hard to rely on his serve, but it also got him into a longer match, which in my opinion made a difference in the Semi Final.
Saying that, I was very impressed by some of his serving in the final set against Novak. So clearly improvements have been made overall. I hope he can build on them.
Rafa is# 1 in ranking with 9310 points, 2230 points ahead of roger(7080) who placed #2
Rafa is also #1 in race to london with 5760 points, 1740 points ahead of roger(4020) who is placed #2 and 2410 points ahead of novak (3355)who is placed #5
R
At this stage rafa does not care of ranking its a secondary thing what’s matter is rafa’s health his fighter mentality and most important his doen the line forehand…..vamos….
Roger will not be placed at no 1 next year because of his performance this year …lets see
RAFA , YOU ARE AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE CHAMP, FOR ALL YOUR LOVELY FANS , THE WORLD OVER. IT WAS A UTTER SHAME THAT NOVAK WON.
I WAS HOPING FOR KEVIN TO WIN.
NONETHELESS, RAFA, YOU ARE MUCH ADORED AND LOVED BY ALL, FOR GENTLE, MEEK, AND LOVING NATURE, NOT ONLY TOWARDS YOUR FELLOW OPPONENT, BUT ALL LIVING CREATURES AROUND YOU. IT WAS THERE FOR ALL TO SEE, HOW GENTLY YOU PICKED UP THE BUTTERFLY.
PLEASE REMAIN FOREVER THAT WAY.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC WILL NEVER PROGRESS , FOR THE ARROGANT PERSON, HE IS.
LOVE YOU MY RAFA ALWAYS. 💙💖❤💞💚💛💜💟🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
Rafa is still my top, number one player of tennis in the world I have huge respect for his integrity , his huge attempts to help ki,dis in need of coaching…..but it has always been more than that…..he seems to have an innate kindness and understanding of human nature and human political sociology . . . it is a pleasure to follow his career. Jean Palmer Winnipeg Manitoa, Canada.
ONE MORE THING……NOVAK SCREAMING AND SHOUTING WHEN LOOSING AND WHEN RAFA PLACED WINNERS IS CALLING FOR A FINE. ATP ALLOWS THIS POOR SPORTSMANSHIP LABELING IT “VENTING”….IT IS UGLY, UNPROFESSIONAL AND VULGAR. IT IS DISTURBING THE FLOW OF HIS OPPONENTS AND SUCH MUST NOT BE ALLOWED. HE WAS SO LOUD AND ANGRY AND SHEER ABUSIVE WITH HIS UGLY BEHAVIOR…..AS A FAN IT REALLY PUT ME OFF HIM AND HIS PLAY THERE AFTER.
HE WAS CONSEQUENTLY TREATED WELL UNJUSTLY, WHEN HE OUGHT TO BE PUNISHED AND FINED. THE SPORT OF TENNIS MUST TAKE A LOOK AT THE ANNOUNCERS THAT ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO MINIMIZE SUCH DISTRIBUTIVE BEHAVIOR ON THE COURT. IT SEEMS THAT ANYTHING GOES….NO MORALS….NO CLASS…..NO MINIMAL RESPECT ON THE COURT, RESPECT TO YOUR OPPONENT, AND ALL EXPRESSED FREELY WILDLY INFRON OF CROWDS …….THIS GS HAS SO MUCH WRONG IN IT….AND ANDERSON WON THE THIRD SET YET THE UMPIRE IGNORED IT AND DID NOT GRANT HIM WHAT HE EARNED FAIR AND SQUARE. NOVAK WIN WAS A SHAME AND HIS LACK OF SPORTSMANSHIP MUST COST HIM, AND BE FOLLOWED BY HARSH WARNING AND CONSEQUENCES.
I HAVE TO SHARE THAT NOVAK IS NO TENNIS CHAMP. HE IS BARBARIC AND UNETHICAL PLAYER.
I notice that in the last six years nadal has lost some very important matches who were decided in the fifth set. Give you some examples
2012 Losing against Nole in ao final in five sets after leading with a break in the deciding set
2012 Losing against Rosol in the second set of Wimbeldon
2015 Losing against Fognini us open in five sets after leading 2 sets to love
2016 Losing against Pouille in five sets at the us open
2017 Losing against Federer in five sets at the australian open after being up break in the deciding set
2017 Losing against Muller in five sets 4th round of wimbeldon
2018 Losing against Djokovic Wimbeldon semifinal five sets after wasting chances to go 2 sets to 1 up and waisting breakpoints in the deciding set
In the past Nadal won always these kind of matches if it went to five sets. He had one of the best record when it comes to playing five sets. All these matches have one thing in common: Rafa lost his killer mentality on the big points in these matches and also his mental toughness. against nole, federer and fognini he choked in my opinion because he lost his killer instinct and mental toughness. Here is a case for Moya Rafa needs to start winning these matches again and get his killerinstincts and mental toughness back
INTERESTING HOW YOU BRING THIS WHEN RAFA IS NUMBER ONE TENNIS PLAYER IN THE WORLD EARNING EVERY BIT OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) SO IT IS ALL IN THE HALF FULL HALF EMPTY FOCUS……….. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I READ YOUR HALF EMPTY LIST ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT IT IS NOT INCLUDING RAFA’S STRENGTHS, SUCCESS, ACHIEVEMENTS…..SO IN THE PAST I IGNORED IT BUT NOW REALIZE SUCH ONE HALF EMPTY CUP IS WHAT IT IS AND ALL ARE ENTITLED TO THEIR SUBJECTIVE OPINIONS. ….
RAFA DID UNBELIEVABLY GREAT WITHOUT moya BEING THERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT SEEMS COACH ROIG KNEW JUST THE RIGHT COACHING FOR RAFA’S GS PATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
The only sensible comment you’ve ever made.
What about quarter final against delpo he won in 5 set
Mjus – Rafa can’t possibly play like he used to. He’s 32 yrs for goodness sake. No point in going back as far as 2012 – he was a younger player then. Try and appreciate him as he is now and I’m sure his coaching team are highly qualified to give him the tips that he needs.
mjus, I too remember how Rafa usually came on top in the five setters. That’s why I just knew he would win. About losses, he usually says they are part of sports…that it’s only a game. I also know that a loss plays very heavily upon him and may even stay with him despite what he says. Nole is a true rival whereas Rafa is Fed’s rival.
No one here mentioned it, but after his match vs Nole in Rome Rafa went back to his bench to remove his wrist bands, he was slightly bent over and he actually punched himself with each fist simultaneously just above his hips. It happened so fast. But I played it over and over again. I can only think that he was ecstatic he had won the match. But Rafa is so powerful I was worried he had bruised himself. It happened just before he went over to sign autographs. I think not being able to express himself on court has taken its toll. Not saying by any means that he should break racquets or other odious behavior, maybe a few more “VAMOS’S” would help release that pent up tension that matches inevitably incur. It broke my heart to see him strike himself.
Despite Moyá being absent, I think his team has done a great job. They know Rafa, his body and how to care for it; that counts for a lot. Rafa doesn’t blame anyone for his losses and neither should his fans.
“That’s it.”
RAFA WILL ALWAYS ROCK
OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) PLEASE KNOW 100% THAT YOU WERE STRONGER THAN NOVAK….YOU DID EVERYTHING RIGHT SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU PREPARED GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU IMPROVED YOUR ACES…….NINE (9) BEAUTIES …SO TIMELY SO SHARP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) AND YOU ARE THE TIGER, GOAT, AND BULL OF TENNIS HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) CI…….CI…….CI……… WE ARE FOLLOWING TENNIS FOR YEARS, NATURALLY, ALL AVID TENNIS FANS KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON…….IT IS ALL SUPPOSED TO BE FUN…..BUT OPPOSITE, IT IS FULL OF UGLY HOLES AND UNNECESSARY NEGATIVE TACTICS THAT MADE THIS GS NOT PURE WHITE BUT MUDDY GRAY.
VAMOS SWEETHEART FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU WERE BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE!!!!! : ) YOUR AGGRESSIVE, BEAUTIFUL AND FEISTY TENNIS IS MUCH HIGHER LEVEL THAN ANY OTHER PLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU HAD TRUE SUCCESSFUL TOUR…….YOU WERE SLIDING AND GLIDING AND REACHING AND NETTING AND CREATING SUCH MAGICAL POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) THE BIGGEST GRACE IS FOR YOU NOW TO THINK OF EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE INCREDIBLY WELL……..EXCELLENT WRITTEN ALL OVER YOUR COMPETITIVE PLAYING…………..AND NOW RIDE ABOVE ALL THE BS….ALL THE MISFORTUNE…..AND RISE HIGH ABOVE BY IGNORING ALL THE POOR ASPECTS OF IT….IT IS NOT EASY BUT IT IS THE ONLY WAY SWEETHEART…..YOU DESERVE TO BE 100% PROUD! STRONG! OWNER OF YOUR PRECIOUS EXTRAORDINARY BRILLIANT TENNIS SUCCESS IN WIMBLEDON FOR YOUR OWN EFFORTS. IT WAS GREAT TO HAVE ROIG THERE WITH YOU. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP FOCUSING ON YOUR OWN BEAUTIFUL SUCCESS AND HOW BEAUTIFULLY WELL YOU PLAYED THE ENTIRE TWO WEEKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU HAVE HAD A BEAUTIFUL ENTIRE YEAR DUE TO YOUR OWN EFFORTS AND STEADFAST ATTITUDE. NO COACH OR ANYONE BUT IT IS DUE TO YOUR OWN SOLID DISCIPLINE, AND LOVE FOR TENNIS THAT BROUGHT YOU MANY BLESSED GREAT TENNIS YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) THANK GOD SWEETHEART THAT YOU KNOW ALL THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) THAT YOU KEEP GOING….KEEP MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE YOU WERE BORN FOR GREATNESS SWEETHEART AND YOU ARE ONE VERY SPECIAL CHAMPION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND LOVE WATCHING YOUR EXCELLENCE ON THE COURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU BRING SO MUCH SPIRIT AND PASSION AND BEAUTY TO TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) EACH POINT YOU PLAY IS EVENTFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP SMILING SWEETHEART AND TAKE GREAT PRIDE BECAUSE YOU ARE MAGNIFICENT AND OUTSTANDING AND VERY VERY SPECIAL TENNIS PLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY YOUR GREAT TIME OFF AND THEN COME BACK FULL OF YOUR PASSION AND INTELLIGENT, BRIGHT TENNIS….WE WILL MAKE SURE OUR SCHEDULE IS SUCH THAT WE WILL WATCH ALL YOUR MATCHES LIVE AT HOME BUT WILL BE THERE WITH YOU ENJOYING EACH POINT AT THE US OPEN IN NYC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP YOUR PRECIOUS HEAD UP KNOWING THAT IN THIS DAY AND AGE, THE GLOBAL TENNIS INTEREST, AND THE INTERNET ACCESS TO INFORMATION IS ON FOR ALL OF US TO FOLLOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) AGAIN, ENJOY EVERYTHING SWEETHEART AND HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU AND SENDING LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP SMILING! : XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO HAVE A BEAUTIFUL EVENING AND A GREAT TOMORROW! : )
SORRY I FORGOT TO MENTION THE BIGGEST WRONG OF ALL:
RAFA NADAL IS THE NUMBER ONE RANKED WORLD WIDE TENNIS PLAYER , YET WIMBLEDON DECIDED TO PLACE roger federrer AS THE NUMBER ONE RANKED AT THE TOUR. WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT???? ROGER FEDERRER SOMEHOW MANAGED TO BE NUMBER 2 RANKED PLAYER, HE WAS NOT NUMBER ONE CURRENTLY AND YET THIS DESPICABLE DECISION TO PLACE R F AHEAD OF RAFA IN WIMBLEDON IS NOTHING BUT UTTER WRONGFUL DISCRIMINATION AND LACK OF RESPECT FOR PLAYER’S TRUE COMPETITION AND ACHIEVEMENTS. WHY ON EARTH DID RF ENDED UP AS NUMBER ONE IN WIMBLEDON WHEN HE IS NOT RANKED NUBER NE IN THE WORLD?????
RAFA HAS BEEN NUMBER ONE BY HIS SHEER EXTRAORDINARY COMPETITIVE VICTORIES. HE EARNED HIS RANKING FAIR AND SQUARE. INFACT, HE HAS BEEN NUMBER ONE AS HE WAS FACING THE VERY TOP TALENTED PLAYERS, WHILST RF WAS HIDING IN SMALL TOURS, NOT PLAYING CLAY AT ALL, AND YET GRANTED NUMBER ONE RANKING FOR A SHORT TIME TILL RAFA REGAINED IT VIA HIS OUTSTANDING TOUR PARTICIPATION ON ALL SURFACES AND VICTORIES. WHY IS RF ALLOWED TO NOT BE PLAYING ON CLAY YET BE GRANTED NUMBER ONE RANKING TENNIS PLAYER???? THE DIFFERENT TENNIS SURFACES CALL FOR DIFFERENT TENNIS SKILLS AND TENNIS TALENT ??? WHY WOULD A PLAYER BE ALLOWED TO TOTALLY AVOID CLAY SURFACE AND YET BE CONSIDERED NUMBER ONE WORLD PLAYER WHEN INDEED HE DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN GS FRENCH OPEN AT ALL THESE PAST TWO YEARS? ???? WHAT IS GOING ON WITH ROGER FEDERRER AND WHY IS HE BEING TREATED WITH SILK GLOVED, DIFFERENT THAN ALL OTHER TOP PLAYERS????? SPORT OF TENNIS MUST BE CORRECTED.
Wimbledon has their own ranking depending on success of player at Wimbledon
One of my favourite Rafa moments this tournament was on the resumption of the Semi Final. As he went to serve, he saw the white butterfly on the base line, and paused to delicately shoo it away, looking charmed by it despite being under incredible duress. I find this moment such a poignant example of his character. He is in tune with nature, instinctively caring, and attentive to those with lower profile than him – be they less privileged people, or tiny creatures. I will remember that moment always.
He is exceptional in every way.
ANDERSON WON THE THIRD (3RD) SET FAIR AND SQUARE …….WHY DID THE UMPIRE DID NOT GIVE IT TO HIM?????? ABSOLUTELY WRONG!!!!!!!! ANDERSON WON THE 3RD SET!!!!!!!!!!!!! CLEARLY THE CROWD SAW IT AND US, VIEWERS AT HOME COULD SEE IT WAS A LONG BALL……THE CROWD IMMEDIATELY AND LOUDLY ROAR STATING THE BALL IS OUT , YET THE UMPIRE PRETEND THAT NOTHING HAPPENED…..THAT IS ABSOLUTELY WRONG!!!!!!! WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS CORRUPTED GS ?????? WIMBLEDON IS WRONG AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY EVIDENT AND OBVIOUS TO ALL, THE HORRENDOUS STUFF GOING ON…….WHY IS THIS BEING ALLOWED???? PRIVATE CLUB???????? FEW ROTTEN APPLES ARE RUINING THE SPORT OF TENNIS ……AND THIS MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE. SHAPE UP WIMBLEDON. FAST! THIS IS SPORT….THIS IS SHAMEFUL!!!!!!!! INSTEAD OF ANDERSON GETTING THE THIRD SET, JERK LOOSER NOVAK COMPLAINS TO SHUT THE CROWD FROM TELLING THE TRUTH……MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS……I HAVE NEVER SEEN MORE CORRUPTED GS THAN THIS ONE…….
THE WRONG OBSTACLES PUT ON RAFA’S PATH TO THE TITLE IS ANOTHER DISGRACE SECOND TO NONE. GOODNESS…..THIS IS RIGHT OUT NEGATIVE STAIN ON GS AND WIMBLEDON IN PARTICULARLY. THERE ARE PLENTY GOOD, HONORABLE SPOTS JOURNALIST, AND PLEASE…….PLEASE REQUIRE AN INVESTIGATION AND SEEK SOME CORRECTION TO THIS CROOKED WIMBLEDON SO CALL GS…….THEY BROUGHT OUT THE PRIME MINISTER ROYAL FAMILY ETC…..AND UNDERNEATH ALL THAT FACADE THERE IS ALL THIS WRONG BEING ALLOWED TO CONTINUE YEAR AFTER YEAR……. THE UNJUST HELPLESSNESS PLAYERS ARE AGAINST AND THE TOTAL UNFAIR CONTROL AND MANIPULATION THIS PRIVATE CLUB HAS REMINDS ONE OF SAD OUTDATED SLAVERY HISTORY…….WHY DOES WIMBLEDON HAVE ALL THE CONTROL WHEN UNJUST AND UNFAIR TACTICS ARE HAPPENING….PRIVATE RICH CLUB????? THE OWNERS , THE DIRECTOR AND A HAND FULL OF ORGANIZERS ARE SHAMING THE SPORT OF TENNIS. IT SEEMS ALL PLAYERS WISHING TO PARTICIPATE, AND EVERYONE VIEWING, THE FANS, THE CROWDS ARE ALL HELD CAPTIVE BY THE WICKED WRONGS HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENE IN THIS GS. HOLDING ALL OF US BY THE BALLS WITH THEIR MANIPULATIVE UNJUST WAYS. FOR GOD SAKE NOT GIVING ANDERSON TODAY THE THIRD SET WHEN HE EARNED IT FAIR AND SQUARE…..WHAT IS GOING ON…… SURE LOOKS LIKE TRYING TO CROWN PLAYERS WITH OUT FAIR COMPETITION……
WHY WAS RAFA NADAL’S OPINION DID NOT COUNT AS MUCH AS NOVAK’S WITH REGARD TO THE OPEN/CLOSE ROOF?????? WHY ON EARTH BEING AN OUTDOOR TOUR , DURING SUNNY MORNING THE ROOF WAS CLOSED????? WHY DID RAFA’S SEMI FINAL WAS SPLIT INTO TWO DAYS????? AGAIN, WHY WHEN IT WAS SUNNY AND BEAUTIFUL, THIS OUTDOOR TOURNAMENT WAS INSTEAD INDOORS WITH CLOSED ROOF???? WHY OVER AND OVER AGAIN MANY MISCALLS ARE BEING ALLOWED, IGNORED, AND ALWAYS BENEFITING PLAYER WIMBLEDON DECIDES TO CROWN. …….TOO MUCH DISGRACE IMHO, AND HEARING ALL THE BS CEREMONY AFTER SUCH UNFAIR FINAL MATCH FEELS LIKE SUCH HYPOCRISY IN ITS EVIL ROOT. I MUST SAY BRITISH PEOPLE ARE LOVELY….I LIVED IN ENGLAND FOR A YEAR AND A HALF AND LOVE THE ENGLISH FOLKS….. IT IS JUST AS SOMEONE MENTIONED BEFORE, JUST A HAND FULL OF OLD FARTS THAT TURN THIS BEAUTIFUL TENNIS SPORT INTO AN AWFUL EXPERIENCE FOR FANS AND PLAYERS ALIKE. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!
I AM SORRY DEAR RAFA THAT YOU HAD TO EXPERIENCE SO MUCH POOR TREATMENT ESPECIALLY SINCE YOU ARE SUCH A BRIGHT BEAUTIFUL FANTASTIC GOAT IN THE TENNIS WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU MADE SO MUCH PRECIOUS GENUINE EFFORTS….YOU WON SO MUCH……YOU MOVED AHEAD SO STEADILY AND THEY HAD TO STOP YOUR MOMENTUM ARTIFICIALLY WITH THEIR CRAPPY ROOF BS AND THEIR DIFFICULT DRAWS, AND MATCH TIME, AND REMOVING YOUR GOD GIVEN ENDURANCE ADVANTAGE WITH THEIR WICKED SPLITTING OF YOUR GS SEMI FINAL MATCH….. I ASK THAT YOU AND YOUR LAWYERS GET TOGETHER AND ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ISSUES SINCE YOU CAME TO PARTICIPATE IN A GS, SPORT, COMPETITIVE TOUR….AND THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU GOT…….THE FACT THAT THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS DOES NOT MAKE IT ACCEPTABLE….TIME FOR UPDATE AND CHANGE. PLAYERS MUST FORM SOME SORT OF UNION AND ADVOCATE FOR ONE ANOTHER…….SOMETHING CAN BE DONE.
More I read these comments more it hurts 😭. Rafa was so close. But it was not meant to be. I didn’t watch the final but of course couldn’t save myself from the bitter news of djoker’s win. Well karma will get Novak one day. He can not get away with his dirty tactics all the time. I will be right here waiting for that day. I wish I had the mental strength to get over this defeat quick and move on. Right now I m struggling. It will take sometime. Wish Rafa all the best for future tournaments. Hoping and praying for Rafa’s Us open win and anything before and after that. Vamos
It kind of hits me in waves. I find myself so hurt by the injustice of it. It feels like more than a loss. It feels like a theft.
So true Alex
As long as he is healthy, i’m happy ☺️
Well yeah, that’s the main thing. I am happy for that.
But I still have to find some sort of nuclear waste disposal to deal with all these other feelings…
Rafa Fans, I posted yesterday, but after reading several posts (Nikos in particular) and thinking about what he did, I am furious. I am very upset at the way Djokovic behaved at Wimbledon and just as upset because he was allowed to get away with it. This Includes when he insisted almost at the last minute that Roger Federer play on Court 1 and that he play on Center Court. He didn’t care that people already had tickets to see Federer on Center Ct. Neither did the officials.
But to insist that he and Rafa finish their semifinal under a CLOSED roof because “they started that way” really infuriates me. Wimbledon is a outdoors tournament. It was sunny and clear out not a cloud overhead. Why in the hell did the roof have to be closed. I’ll tell you why, it’s because Novak is so sleezy that he will do anything to get the advantage and win. He knew the closed roof environment would not help Rafa, and that it would most definitely help him as a result. AND IT DID, Novak was never a favorite of mine, but I always said what an amazing tennis player he was. Now I don’t care how amazing he is because if he has to use shady unfair tactics to gain the advantage over his opponent(s) than in my opinion he is not amazing nor is he a professional. He has done things like this before. I remember when he played Rafa at the French Open he would insist & demand that the court be watered at the end of every set. And obviously it was because Rafa had better results on a dryer court. There are other thinks that come to mind as well. He is not a nice person. More people need to speak out against his sleezy tactics and put an end to them, Because if not, they will continue. There were not many points between them during this match. And if the roof was opened I think Rafa would have won!!!
God bless you Rafa. Marylynn
I am genuinely interested in what the personal relationship between Rafa and Novak will be after this. My impression was that the relationship between Rafa and Roger was always good (with ups and downs), but it’s harder to tell with Rafa and Novak. I don’t usually bother with the player’s personal interactions – it’s too hard to understand, and my only business is their tennis – but in this case I am super curious.
Alex, there is no personal relationship between Rafa and Nole. Nole said he respects both Fed and Rafa but cannot have a friendship because they compete against each other at the highest level.
“We play big matches with much money at stake in the biggest events because of this I don’t see enough space for an honest friendship.
I thinks it’s enough for us to have a correct relationship and respect each other.”
💔
Rafa’s the better player and man than Djokovic and could have won if the roof had been open, it should have been open anyway because of the humid hot weather.Bad bad thinking.
Lawn Tennis is an outdoor game,the roof should only be closed if it rains or they need the roof lights for evening play.
The whole game and the Ladies final was severely disrupted by the length of the The Isner ,Anderson match due to the no tiebreak rule on the 5th set.it ruined everything for everyone inc the fans.
The Wimbledon officials must wake up use what little brains they haveand only use the roof when needed because of weather conditions.
Also they must introduce a tiebreak rule on the 5th set.
I would have loved to see Rafa in the final,not that big mouth egocentric Djokovic,even if Rafa had lost to Anderson I would have been happy as Kevin deserves a grand slam title and Like Rafa is a nice guy.
One thing rafa was upset about closing the roof but he didnt want to say it in english but rather in spanish which is strange i noticed his body language that he was angry. You still can see that he doesnt feel comfortable to do interviews in english which is strange after so many years. And here you have djokovic and federer who both are fluent in english.
Nadal sometimes has difficulties expressing himself in english if you listen good to his press conferences.
mjus, I think Rafa was very, very angry. IMO It is possible that his dislike for Djokovic and his dislike of playing under a roof may have contributed to his loss. Only at the very end of each segment did Rafa mention Djokovic by name; it was either “him” or “rival.”
Rafa spent almost the entire Spanish language section of his interview on the “roof” subject but refused to discuss it in the English section. He did answer one English language question about the roof;
Q: “Rafa, do you think it made much sense to have the roof closed today?” A: Rafa: “No.”
Both Rafa and Nole were told on Friday by the umpire and tournament director that their match would be played under the roof. According to Rafa, he was told it was to save time because it was getting late, no tennis after 11pm, and it would be getting dark.
Rafa told the Spanish media that on Friday he had trouble seeing from which direction the ball was coming. He said that he could see better on Saturday.
Rafa said there was enough daylight left to start the match outdoors and so I agree they should have waited later to close the roof.
Nole said he was asked his opinion about the roof on Saturday AFTER he understood the decision had been made already to play with the roof closed. He said he wanted to finish the match under the same conditions as when it started.
I think it is fair to say the tournament should have had Rafa play his match before the Anderson-Isner match.
Rafa’s match should have started outdoors regardless of how long it would take to finish. The curfew is 11pm whether or not a match is finished.
Mjus, Margo – do either of you understand spoken Spanish or have you found an English translation of the presser? What’s done is done and I think Rafa was very diplomatic and professional in his response in English – the press and haters would have been all over him had he said anything more – but I’d love to know what his real feelings were. There was one question that he answered in great detail in Spanish, I wish I could understand what he said.
jas uk
i watch the press conference he didnt want to comment about the roof in english but did it in spanish and yes i understand spanish not much but good enough to understand what he was talking about. Look he was clearly upset but couldnt express it good enough in the english language. And yes what done is done you right but some of use are very frustrated about it and using this platform to write about it. The result stays the same off course. Nadal was very angry what i hoped is that this anger will fire him up and energize him in a way that he will not lose this against nole. Same as serena saying to sharapova you are never going to beat me again
jas uk
that question was about the roof
Thanks mjus for your reply.
I wanna write one final thought about wimbeldon:
Djokovic the cheater/loser has won his grandslam title. He should thank the tournament organization for the help that they gave him and never complaint again about unfair treatment. Second all I have listened to all the tv pundits and with the exception of john mcenroe most of them are all biased against rafa and are pro federer and djokovic.
Second i read some comments on other pages who were disrespectful of rafa. Rafa is loved by the fans but not by some tournaments including wimbeldon. They still see him as a clay court player instead of a overall one of the greatest of all time. That is why this was a missed opportunity to prove that he is more then a clay court player.
Also in my opinion carlos moya has a important task and that is help him with his mental toughness and selfbelief in a way that becker was for djokovic. He should definitley be with him on the hardcourt season and the us open. Nadal must change his way of thinking when it comes to playing djokovic and federer.
I also read federer fans thanking djokovic for saving federer legacy. Nadal is going to overtake federer i have no doubts about it. and frankly the return of nole is also bad news for federer because I dont see federer with both nadal and nole winning a grandslam again to be honest. So federer legacy is still in danger. If nadal can hold off nole in new york then the gap is two and with the french open where i see nobody beating nadal the gap is only 1 and there you have the australian open left so federer should worry not nadal.
Nadal came close very close but it didnt meant to be so hopefully the next time.
I agree with everyone about closing the roof. it gave D an unfair advantage and should never have happened. The organisers need to wake up and realise the match should have been played in the open air. it must have been so humid and dreadful for Rafa to play in those conditions. But Rafa is the better man and better player, a great gentleman and the winner for me. He’s the best and many around the world agree. Enjoy some time out Rafa and you’ll win the next one. we love you.
A final only shows how rafa was only one who has the answers to novak game and in the rallies he has upperhand and favourite just the serve did well for novak than rafa…tennis game wise rafa was so superior in semifinal and in tournament….i can feel it the great opportunity to win but i am pretty sure nadal wanted wimbeldon title badly and he will have chances and will ultimately lift the trophy…afte all he he made final so may times at wimbeldon….