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
Wonder how Rafa recovers from these matches. I m exhausted. Totally drained. 😩
5th set??? Please no
Rafa throws away the first TB point. COME ON CHAMP!!!
Oh Rafa how you toy with us so!
UMPIRE ANNONCING: “NADAL LADS 6:TO 5 AND 2 SETS TO ONE”…..SOUNDS PLEASING TO MY EARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP GOING SWEETHEART YOU ARE PLAYING SOLID AND HE IS BECOMING DELIRIOUS WITH TIREDNESS……. KEEP GOING SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) ; ) : ) : ) : ) : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Come on Rafa. Put the hammer down NOW! Enough is enough.
Thiem still being brilliant.
Come on Theim, do UFE. Double faults. Anything
Thiem is swinging!
Lots of first serves landing.
Cmon rafa – break him for the match and the semi final.
Break point saved!
Stand tall champ, stay strong!
Followed by a wonderful drop shot!
A great hold for our champ!
BEAUTIFUL SERVE GAME SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) I LOVE HOW YOU BRING EVERYTHING UP TO THE TOP TOP TOP TOP TOP AND IN SUCH CLASSY PASSIONATE MANNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART AND KUDOS FOR PLAYING SO BRILLIANTLY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Come on Rafa! Finish it in four
Theim is playing the match of his life.
Relieved for now atleast
Rafa looks exhausted. Hang on in there champ.
Every match that Rafa plays becomes match of the tournament
So true.
TIMELY SHARP ACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP GOING SWEETHEART……YOU WILL BREAK HIM BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) CI…….CI……..CI…….GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) I LOVE YOUR FOCUS AND INTENT AND COURT COVERAGE……AND YOUR ENDURANCE IS REMARKABLE SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR SPEEDY STRONG MUSCLED LEGS ARE DOING JUST GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LETS GO RAF LETS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP SMILING SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
If only Rafa could get some free points on his serve then things could look very different. Only 1 ace to Thiem’s 15.
Rafa breaks! Now he needs to hold!
Come at him with everything you have in the next game Rafa!
Great serving from Thiem to stay out of trouble. Terrible from Rafa now to double fault.