Rafael Nadal working out on-court ahead of the men’s singles final at the Australian Open 2019.
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
Rafa was shackled by nerves throughout most of the match mainly because Djokovic was in his head. This lead to Rafa playing a lot of short balls which just sat up begging to be hit for winners. The problem with this matchup is that Rafa doesn’t have a consistently hard, flat, deep shot to hurt Djokovic like Medvedev had against him. Also why oh why does Rafa still insist on standing so far back to receive serve? Given that Rafa has tweaked his game style, I felt like he was too anxious and too confused as to what tactics to employ.
Ah well, Djokovic was just too good and it’s back to the drawing board for Rafa. At least it was an emphatic loss and he didn’t lose in another close five setter, otherwise I can’t imagine what it would have done to his sanity. I was encouraged by Rafa’s well measured post match speech in which he said that he had a good two weeks, didn’t play well today but would fight to improve and he will. Rafa now needs to work hard to protect his clay crown.
Oh f* off Novak. “Ooo I’ve been injured tooo”
Lol Alex. That really cheered me up. Put a smile on my face – 1st time since about 8.45am this morning. Thanks!!
He’s so FOMO.
Rafa and Roger are definitely going to form a Best Friends Club to kick their wounds, now XD
This still doesn’t hurt as much as the Wimbledon semi. At least this was quick and definitive. Rafa clearly never believed. That semi was unbearable because Rafa knew he could – but he didn’t. Novak acknowledges that match as a turning point and Rafa probably does too. But he had to manipulate it to get the step he needed.
Absolutely agree with you Alex. Wimbledon semis was worse than this!!
Can’t wait to hear the crowd roar for Rafa. They bloody live him. As do we.
As do we indeed!
Djokovic is like the ex that Rafa will always be weak for, sadly:)
We love you Rafa, but seriously, get over your ex and move on with your life!
Ha ha yeah but even worse. He’s like the ex that keeps jerking Rafa back for make out sessions whenever he wants.
Now *that’s* an image I gotta deal with XD
Torture is over, thankfully.
Total and utter dominance by Djoker over Rafa. I did not see this coming for one second! This does not compute! With all the variables going into the match, I had Rafa winning.
But it seems Rafa had lost the match mentally even before it started. 6 confidence boosting wins could do nothing for Rafa against the one player who has his number.
Very sad that today Rafa got swatted aside like this. Medvedev did better against Djoker.
Rafa will win other tournaments this year of course. But the one thing us fans want, is for him to turn the tide against Djoker. Based on what we’ve seen today, I’m not hopeful of that happening.
Things are not written in the stars. Even though Djokovic believes they are. That’s what his strength is; a sense of the inevitable. Rafa is naturally a more doubting, questioning person. This is a problem Rafa can solve. But he needs to believe that.
Torture over
I wish I was as optimistic as you Mac! Nothing seems promising or positive right now
This is why I always say 1 match at a time.
This why I particularly want Rafa to win against Novak. Others are not going to acknowledge the real reason which is the mind – he becomes the mongoose and Novak is the snake. It’s irritating that all the other tennis players etc. Will praise Novak’s tennis. Yes that is good but Rafa could beat him if he believed it!
Novak even has his affirmations to make him mentally strong. I don’t think Rafa believes in these things.
Such an awful shame!!!!
Sad, sad, sad!
RAFA PLEASE HIRE A GOOD MENTAL COACH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wonder if Rafa will even say that he played badly. He’ll just praise Novak and that will feed Novak’s ego and confidence making it soar to the skies.
RAFA, YOU PLAYED A GREAT A.OPEN … WE SO ENJOYED YOUR RESPECT AND MANNERS. YPU SHALL ALWAYS BE THE WORLDS FAVORATE PLAYER, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF YOUR LEADERSHIP TO OTHER PLAYERS. BLES S YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR YOUR CHARITYS … CATHERINE CHEERS, SEE YOU SOON ON THE COURTS, PS.. I SHALL BE AT WIMBLEDON THIS YEAR . WE SHALL BE CHEERING YOU ON … THE PLANET JUST CANT GET ENOUGH OF YOUR TENNIS..
GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) MEDITATION. AFFIRMATION. YOGA. WALKING IN NATURE. FISHING. SAILING. GOLFING. PARTYING. GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
The year still looks promising. AO simply wasn’t meant to be. But Rafa has done really well, this is just not the end we were dreaming of and hoping for.
Lots of tournaments to play yet. Rafa and his team will take some learning points from this match.
What would Tsitsipas be thinking right now? This is NOT the guy who smothered me…
Well, Tsitsipas said that Rafa “makes you play bad”….Djoker certainly made Rafa play badly today!
I was just thinking the same!! Never mind. It clearly wasnt to be today. I just hope someone can stop Novak at the FO and i hope that its Rafa…