The magical run Down Under for Rafael Nadal and his fans has ended. He has lost in straight sets in the Australian Open final to world number one Novak Djokovic, who played without any fear and seemed to have an answer for anything our champ threw at him.
Second seed Rafa was defeated 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 in Melbourne, in what is his fourth loss in the Australian Open final, two of which have been to Djokovic.
Our champ just didn’t play close to his best level, but also Novak was just too good tonight.
Next up for Rafa will be the Abierto Mexicano de Tennis in Acapulco at the end of February.
Win or lose, we love you Rafa and we are so proud of you!
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No excuse for the way Rafa played in the final… You just don’t play lights out for two weeks and then crumble I’m mad… He didn’t go for any of his shots he didn’t even go after any balls he crumbled. I have been and alw just ays will be an urgent band of Brothers but that was just a horrible final he didn’t even try .
You are right but the time that I could get completely agitated about this is over. I simpy accept that overall, Novak Djokovic is a better tennis player. Who knows that the future will bring, it seems however unlikely that Rafa can change much about that.
Reality is that Rafa was nervous. Acted insecure. Missed shots he did not miss in a lot of other matches. Had he come out smoking, it would have been a closer match, for sure. Could he have won? That would have been a long shot. We know that the Djoker’s level usually drops when he faces an opponent who hurts him back. Mentally and physically, Rafa couldn’t bring it yesterday. He is not as strong in both departments, as he was in 2013 for example. Yesterday he could fight off only a few BPs. In his stronger years, he’d come down from 0-40 multiple times.
He is still a major contender for the FO. For other majors, he indeed needs everything to allign for him. We can forget about the double career GS for at least another year. Personally, I don’t see it happening anymore for him. His best chances were 12, 14 and 17. He did not take them.
He will go down as one of the GOAT but his case for THE goat, is not strong enough, due to these missed opportunities. We will have to accept that.
GORGEOUS TROPHY PHOTOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) BEST LOOKING HUNK ON THE STAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART AND CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR TROPHY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Always a gentleman. I know you gave it your all; however, isn’t it funny how a loss of your favorite sports figure can effect the day when there are so many more important things going on in the world today. I hesitate to think about a day when you are not on the court anymore… will be such a loss to the tennis world. Praying you will continue to be injury free. Can’t wait for your next tournament. 🎾