On Monday, Rafael Nadal wore a new Nike cooling vest during practice at Flushing Meadows. The vest is designed to reduce stress on the body caused by high heat and humidity.
Rafa:
Anything that can help with this heat is a benefit. We typically use wet towels to stay cool, but this vest gives me relief in all the places I need it. Every area of the vest was designed with players in mind.
The prototype was born in the Nike Sport Research Lab through tests on the relationship between body temperature and athlete performance. Nike researchers found that roughly 25 percent of energy used during exercise goes toward moving muscle, and the remaining 75 percent becomes heat that increases body temperature. This can hinder athletic performance, both physically and in an athlete’s mind.
Source: Nike
OUR MAGICAL NET GENUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
Great drop shot Rafa! 2 break points!
Sorry. Scrap my last comment. I though Thiem had broken Rafa again. It’s late and my brain is fried.
All good Lorna. If it gets to a 5th, Rafa will have a chance for his own bagel:):)
Thiem is the one who knocks! Stand firm champ!
I know Rafa fights for every point but the way Thiem is playing, I think he should conserve his energy for the 5th.
Double break for Thiem? 5th set here we come? Ugh
Saved one. Save the next!
Saved! Now play steady and hold champ!
Bad play at the net from Rafa,
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) IT IS OK KEEP GOING SWEETHEART YOU ARE LAYING GREAT AND DOING EVERYTHING JUST RIGHT WITH LOTS OF CLASS AND DETERMINATION AND MIGHTY POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP GOING SWEETHEART YOU ARE LEADING 2 SETS TO ONE….AND KEEP GOING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Up the hill again then.
Tables turned. Time to save some break points!
Rafa is broken! By himself!
Gotta be careful Rafa. Thiem is going for broke now. Stand strong!
(Me sulking) Stop being stubborn Thiem! Lie down and get steamrolled!
Poor shot from Rafa into the net. 1-1
WOW what a return service winner from the champ! Swinging freely now!
WI……..WI…….WI…..SWEETHEART CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WHAT A BEAUTIFUL FIGHTER YOU ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR BEAUTIFUL TENNIS IS LIKE A BRIGHT STAR WITH MANY MANY MANY RAYS OF SPARKLY LIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) WELL DONE RAFA NADAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU WON THE 3RD SET SO DECISIVELY AND SO SHARPLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU WON AND FOUGHT AND RETURNED AND KEPT YOUR BEAUTIFUL INTENSITY AND FOCUS…….BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) SENDING HIM SIDE TO SIDE….THE POOR GUY IS SO OUT OF BREATH AND HIS EYES ARE STILL WIDE OPEN………… THIS IS EXCITING AND SEEING YOU PREVAIL AND PUT IN SUCH BRILLIANT WINNERS AND BRILLIANT SERVE GAMES IS EXTRAORDINARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU AND ENJOY WATCHING YOU PLAY VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Rafa is doing really well going to the net and mixing it up.This is a winning tactic that he should keep up.
Like fan love says ola ola ola 😁😁😁. Nadal is standing in Mallorca 😋 and he is returning even the first serves of thiem.
🤣🤣🤣
YES!!!! You have the momentum. Now tighten that screw!
Vamosssssss💪💪💪💪💪🤔
Rafa stop knocking and kick down that door!!!
OOH thank you champ!! Beautiful Rafael Nadal!!
Another one! Clamp down Rafa!