Beating Rafael Nadal is one of the toughest tasks in tennis. Canadian Vasek Pospisil shares his experience detailing what it feels like to face the world number one.
Vasek Pospisil:
I mean, he makes you go for it and play the highest of your level. He just makes you really push your level and play better than you’re used to playing. If you want to have a chance to win, you almost have to play like that.
Yeah, physically he’s at a very high level. Physical and mental parts are so, so strongly connected. Obviously then he’s mentally very tough, too, because he’s physically very strong. I mean, if you’re doing a good job on your fitness, not getting as tired, mentally it becomes easier to concentrate.
I know that from when I’m playing in different conditions that are more difficult and less difficult for me, mentally I can be completely two different players. If I’m not exhausted or tired, pretty stable. Because he’s so strong physically, also very strong mentally, yeah, which makes him very tough to play.
Source: US Open
Rafa estas a un nivel muy alto….estas como con tus dieciocho pero con experiencia…osea dificil d ganarte…siempre contigo
Well, I’m glad that’s over!!
“Physical issue is there, of course” he said in the interview afterwards. Welp.
I heard that. I think he was referring more generally to energy levels, rather than his knee. Everyone was talking about it anyway, so he probably thought why not address it, since it’s common sense.
Congrats fellow Rafans. But Nadal needs to raise his level. Thiem then probably del potro and then nole or fed. Needs a Herculean effort to defeat all of them n this kind of lapses won’t help. Thiem played brilliantly today. It’s going to be a tough challenge.
VAMOS champ all the best
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 40: 0 CHAMPION BRILLIANT NADAL AND ENDING WITH A CLASSY ACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOTS OF LOVE AND HAPPINESS SWEETHEART AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL, FEISTY , ONE AND ONLY RAFA NADAL VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) BEAUTIFUL EXCITING MATCH AND WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY A BEAUTIFUL EVENING AND CELEBRATE WITH YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY AND LOVED ONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE MIGHTY SPECIAL GOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) PS: LOVED YOUR INTERVIEWS…..GREAT PRESENCE YOU HAVE WITH THE PRESS AND SO KIND AND CLASSY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE BRILLIANT IN TIE BREAKS AND LOOSING ONE DOES NOT CHANGE ANYTHING…..YOU ARE SO GOOD AT TIE BREAKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GORGEOUS RAFA….ENJOY EVERYTHING SWEETHEART & HAVE A LOVELY TIME WITH EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
A win is a win. Well done to Rafa and get it done easier in the next round pleeeaase!!
The one good thing about this match is that he came through a tough round after injury doubt. He might be able to trust his body better next practice/match. Maybe get some more legs into his serve again.
Start praying for the next round already! Theim looking very fresh. Best of luck for the next round Rafa! Vamos💪
He’d better be playing a whole lot better against Thiem or I don’t like his chances.
Although I suspect Thiem won’t fully take advantage of Rafa’s weak serving, as his court position is so deep.