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
Helpless
Don’t know about Rafa but I m scarred for life😢😢😢
Djoker has hardly reached second gear.
I’ve given up on Rafa to do any damage to Djoker on non-clay surfaces. He just plays as though Novak owns him
😭😭😭
Djoker is hardly reached second gear.
That’s the sad thing Lorna. It’s like Rafa is not even trying hard enough.
Facing Djoker seems to cripple Rafa’s mind and will.
I believe that rafa needs to try to win the australian open. But it will not be as long as he faces djokovic in the final it just the way it is.
What this will do to Rafa’s confidence, heaven only knows.
Wow. Simply wow! For me this is not about Djoker playing well. Rafa decided to leave his tennis brain at home. It’s about to border on the embarrassing.
Based on form coming into this match, Rafa has been the much better player by far! How can his game break down so spectacularly in the face of Djoker?
Come on Rafa!
Djoker is playing well, though. We’ve got to acknowledge that.
A double break!! Oh no…..
Well now I m comforting myself by assuring that it’s just a tennis match. No ones gonna die😰😰😰
Again and again rafa is so stuborn by attacking the backhand of nole and refuse to hit the forehand down the line. he did it again on deuce instead of using fdtl he went cross again
Just hang in there rafa that is all you can do right now
Did Rafa forget that this is a final? He’s playing without that killer instinct we’ve seen in his previous matches.
Rafa’s tennis is far superior so why is he getting bullied like this? Wake up Rafa!!
Well I think the problem is that he’s remembered it’s a FINAL in all its aspects and the occasion has overwhelmed him. But that’s why I love him, because he’s human.
Rafa is not I’ll. He’s nervous and panicking. It’s the Djokovic factor. Rafa is still bearing the scars from the last seven hard court defeats he has suffered from Djokovic. Let’s hope the Djoker has a let down in form and soon.
This is a lesson in psychology. How we all have the capacity for self-sabotage, and there is always someone / something which activates it in us. Djokovic makes Rafa fight himself – do what is against his interests – and that’s why Rafa can’t beat him. Because he makes Rafa beat himself first. Only when Rafa stops fighting himself can he fight his external opponent. That is why Djokovic is his true antagonist. Djokovic is a better hard court player – I don’t see how that’s not factual – but he is still beatable. Rafa has the game. But he doesn’t have the mentality.
Sad as Rafa was known for his mental strength for many years. At times it looks like it’s there but sometimes (as today for example) its gone awol.
He’s still known for it. His mental strength to come back from injury – his perseverance – is phenomenal. This is more specific; it’s about beliefs. Rafa is still very mentally strong. He’s just tying himself up in knots over this particular problem.
There was too much hype overall. On court interviews, press etc. Novak was mad in one of his last press interviews because they were talking about Rafa and he got angry and said that he’s not here to talk about Rafa. This is his interview. Already then I though “oh no how he’s going to be more determined than ever”. He’s got the killer instinct.
Now only God can help Rafa – also to help himself.
None of his shots are as good as in the other matches – not even his forehand.
God, please let his shots and serve and nerves and mind work!!!!!
VAMOS VAMOS VAMOS
Is Rafa ill? This is not the same Rafa we’ve seen all tournament. I refuse to believe he will lose a grand slam final in straight sets so I’m remaining hopeful
Rafa is not playing as in previous matches. He is playing same old same old attacking the backhand of djokovic not using forehand down the line. also not serving well and very insecure. Lets hope nole level will drop otherwise it will be 3 sets victory for nole too bad
It reminds me of the us open final 2011. Also rafa is returning aweful
Come on Rafa! Impose your will on this match!
All the hype about Rafa’s new serve. Djokovic has lost only one point so far on serve in th match. I’m shell shocked.
I don’t know what will change to give Rafa the confidence that he can beat Novak. It’s a mental battle and as I’ve always said Novak is very strong and that’s the main difference. Not the tennis. This is one of the main reasons I wanted Rafa to win against Novak. To get back his belief!!!!!
Rafa seems to be playing like 3-5 years ago.
That’s why I e match at a time!!!
Rafa fan 1 , I think mental damage was done in Wimbledon semi with that roof shut😢😢😢