Rafael Nadal out of Australian Open, could lose No. 1 ranking to Novak Djokovic
Top seed Rafael Nadal is out of the Australian Open after being beaten in the quarterfinal by Austrian Dominic Thiem.
The 33-year-old Rafa went down 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(8) to Thiem, who notched his fourth win over a reigning World No.1 and achieved the feat for the second time in the last four majors.
MELBOURNE, VIC – JANUARY 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain prepares to serve during the quarterfinals of the 2020 Australian Open on January 29 2020, at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand during his Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day ten of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his quarter final match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day ten of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a shot during his quarterfinal match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Jan. 29, 2020. (Photo by Kyodo News via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning the third set during his Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day ten of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 10, Rafael Nadal of Spain prepares to serve during his fifth round match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day 10 of the Australian Open tennis tournament at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Wednesday, January 29, 2020. ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG, KEINE ARCHIVIERUNG UND KEINE BUCHNUTZUNG MELBOURNE VIC AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMICHAELxDODGEx 20200129001445388300
Spain’s Rafael Nadal uses a towel during a break in his men’s singles quarter-final match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem on day ten of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 29, 2020. (Photo by Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA/AFP via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his Mens Singles Quarterfinal match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day ten of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 29: Dominic Thiem of Austria and Rafael Nadal of Spain embrace at the net following their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on day ten of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain thanks the crowd as he walks off court after losing his Mens Singles Quarterfinal match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day ten of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain thanks the crowd as he walks off court after losing his Mens Singles Quarterfinal match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day ten of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain thanks the crowd as he walks off court after losing his Mens Singles Quarterfinal match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day ten of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain thanks the crowd as he walks off court after losing his Mens Singles Quarterfinal match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day ten of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 10, Rafael Nadal of Spain speaks during a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz after losing his fifth round match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day 10 of the Australian Open tennis tournament at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Wednesday, January 29, 2020. ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG, KEINE ARCHIVIERUNG UND KEINE BUCHNUTZUNG MELBOURNE VIC AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xLUKASxCOCHx 20200130001445431951
AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 10, Rafael Nadal of Spain speaks during a press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz after losing his fifth round match against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day 10 of the Australian Open tennis tournament at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Wednesday, January 29, 2020. ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG, KEINE ARCHIVIERUNG UND KEINE BUCHNUTZUNG MELBOURNE VIC AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xLUKASxCOCHx 20200130001445431834
Spain’s Rafael Nadal speaks at a press conference after losing his men’s singles quarter-final match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem on day ten of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 29, 2020. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal speaks at a press conference after losing his men’s singles quarter-final match against Austria’s Dominic Thiem on day ten of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 29, 2020. (Photo by DAVID GRAY / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)
After the loss, Rafa said:
I think he’s playing great. He’s playing with a lot of energy, aggressive, determination. So well done for him. I honestly didn’t play a bad match, no, no. My attitude was great, I think, during the whole match. Good, positive, fighting spirit all the time, giving me more chances. That’s what I tried, no?
Don’t give up in no one moment during the whole match. I give myself an opportunity until the last point. Happy for that because my level of concentration and tennis was better, I think even the concentration than the tennis. But the tennis was not bad at all. It was difficult to play against him.
When the ball was new for me, have been better, honestly. Honestly, I had two breaks with new balls. Then I felt more comfortable with the new balls.
The ball became so heavy. He’s younger, he’s very quick. With these heavy balls, it’s difficult to produce sometimes winners. He has a lot of power, so he’s able to produce these amazing shots from a very difficult position. Nothing to say. Of course, I am sad. I lost an opportunity to be in the semifinals of another Grand Slam. But I lost against a great opponent. And he deserve it, too. Well done for him.
Our champ could lose his place at No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings on 3 February should Novak Djokovic go on to capture his eighth Australian Open crown.
WELL DONE RAFA✌, YOU PLAYED AN EXCELLENT MATCH, BUT YES INDEED TODAY DOMINIC PLAYED WELL. WE YOUR FANS WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU. RAFA YOU WILL ALWAYS REMAIN A CHAMPION FOR US🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆. 💜💜💙💖
GOD BLESS YOU. LOADS N LOADS OF GOOD HEALTH, FOR YOU. HAPPY TO SEE YOU INJURY FREE. THATS WHAT MATTERS THE MOST FOR US. 🤗🤗🤗🤗
You hit it on the nail’s head, Positive Thinker-at least Rafa is injury-free at the Oz Open.
There were times in the past when I thought there was a hoodoo, causing Rafa to be injured in Melbourne, once while playing Wawrinka and another one, when he did his back.
Health above all else, I’d say.
There are matches a-plenty, and only one healthy Rafa.
Congrats to Dominic! I always recognized he is also a class act and great player. Rafa fought hard. I am always proud to support Rafa in victory and also loss.
One champion can’t always be expected to carry the entire sport of tennis. Again, I agree so happy he is healthy and injury free. He did play more tennis than usual before this grand-slam. But you can’t win every match. I am grateful for such incredible competition and intensity. I am grateful the air quality was acceptable for the tournament to go on and happy no player has suffered from playing there. Always a pleasure to watch Rafa compete.
Thank you for the opportunity to watch three of your matches Rafa, two of them were competitive, you won one and lost one. I think you and Dominic played a great match for tennis fans in general, over four hours with tiebreak in three of the four sets but unfortunately it went Dominic’s way because he played better and deserved it more.
I purchased my tickets in May of last year just to watch you, it will be different the rest of the tournament because you are out but I will still try to enjoy myself, be thankful and grateful of all the good things happen to you in your already amazing career……
Vamos Rafa💪❤️ Love and respect you the same win or lose!
When will we learn? The AO is not a happy hunting ground for Rafa. Every year since 2009 we repeat this same pattern… Why does Rafa not win in AUSTRALIA? He may not win it again. Let’s make peace with that.
Same thing with Federer fans I guess, at the FO every year since 2009…why can’t Federer win another FO? He will not win that again. I’m sure his fans have accepted that.
Same with Wimbledon for Rafa. He will give us some great matches and battles… But falls short somehow. The reasons will vary but the result every year is the same.
So let’s take the positives. Rafa is injury free. We saw his fighting spirit against Thiem. Our champ still has what it takes to make 2020 a great year. Let’s believe in our boy.
I don’t believe Rafa was nervous. His fighting spirit was not wanting.
But Dominic Thiem played very well.
Yes there is one blip – the Rafa I know would normally shrug off the chair umpire’s lack of discernment of the physicality of the consecutive two points, the time violation warning called against Rafa did not allow latitude for the specific moment in the match.
But Rafa showed his displeasure; the Rafa I know would perhaps frown etc, but move on….
Extreme concentration is required when playing tennis, let alone grand slams. They say concentration is the absence of irrelevant thoughts……
The chair umpire, the non-working air-conditioning on court…..
Next time let’s not deviate nor allow people and situations from the reason we’re here: to win.
It’s only the beginning of the season–time is on our side.
Hey Guys, you win some, you lose some. No sportsman/sportswoman on the face of the earth, has a monopoly on winning. That would be boring.
Besides the wins are sweeter, because of the losses. Far as I am concerned, Rafa’s tennis balance sheet shows a very healthy Equity indeed! NINETEEN and counting….
I have always admired Rafa’s response to his losses. It’s easy to be nice when you’ve won; the measure of the man however is how he takes his loss.
Personally, I think Rafa just got outplayed today…pure and simple…
As I was watching Dominicks whipping backhand that had such power and strength, I’m thinking …uh oh…. this guy’s been practicing…and practicing alot! From the first set, Rafa fell behind… He’s down a set …then he’s down 2 sets… that’s alot to make up against a player who is just exploding with every hit of the ball…
Rafa’s forehand down the line shots failed him over and over again…
It is true…Luck was on Thiem’s side today… He caught the tape of the net 4 times and each time the point went to him,,, and of course he always put his hand up as if to say, sorry… but it seemed like he was doing that so often throughout the match so “luck” was there….
I did not see a “nervous” Rafa…. He might have gotten momentarily annoyed with the umpire over a time warning or a potential challenge that she refused… He showed his frustration when seated after losing an important point by banging his fist… A natural reaction when a player loses a crucial point or set…
Hey…Roger got fined today for cursing on the court during yesterdays match…. it happens….
Bottom line is I saw a different Thiem today…one that was not only determined in his manner but backed it up by making incredible shots… He was a force and the only way Rafa could beat him would be if he
played a spectacular match and as we witnessed, he did not….
I agree with all of you…..it’s early in the season … There’s a lot more tennis to come…
I happen to disagree with you. Rafa to me was nervous from the get go. If he’s not nervous, he won’t be losing his serve while serving for the set. Do note that Rafa has developed such a bad habit of losing his serve while serving for the set or even the match (the Kyrgios match wasn’t the first).
Rafa wasn’t playing badly but neither was he at his best, yet despite Thiem’s overpowering groundstrokes, speed around the court and his incredible retrieving, Rafa was still a break ahead in the first set and serving for the set. After losing the first set TB, Rafa was still able to break serve in the second set to lead 4-2, but unfortunately he had to lose serve and then played poorly in the TB to lose again.
It seemed to me when Rafa was ahead, he just got nervous as if eager to hold on to the lead and then became tense and started playing more conservatively; had he carried on being more aggressive, I felt he could have won the second set.
The third set somehow had proven what I felt to be correct; Rafa didn’t break Thiem’s serve and so all were good with each holding serve until 5-4 Rafa serving first, then in the last game of the set, Rafa broke Thiem and so won the set. Had Rafa broken serve early in the set, I bet he would soon lose the advantage again.
In all three sets, Rafa was ahead but he was nervous and couldn’t serve well to hold on to the advantage in the first two sets; it’s when Thiem was serving to stay in the set, got a bit nervous, and Rafa was about to lose the match, that Rafa managed to play well enough to break serve to win the set.
For Rafa, it seemed that when his back was against the wall then he could play his best tennis; but when he’s ahead he played too tentatively as if he was afraid to lose the advantage.
I don’t know since when Rafa developed such a mentality, I hope Moya could help Rafa overcome such a problem in his game. He obviously has the game to beat Thiem (note that Rafa won most of the short points and Thiem the longer ones), and he’s only five points short of Thiem’s 148. To me Thiem had played his best tennis but Rafa hadn’t so I expect a Rafa who could play his best tennis to beat Thiem when they meet in the future.
It seemed as though your razor sharp focus was not there today. I am sure the NK win was exhausting due to the unpredictable opponent and off court events. But, no excuses. DT deserved
and earned the win. Recover and stay healthy👏💪👍🤛🙏❤️You know how we hate to see you
lose😠but thank you for a tremendous AO effort.
Good game. That third game in the 4th? set is where things might have gone Rafa’s way. He didn’t hold serve; and his volley at net should have been a drop volley, imho. Of course, he would have had to make the shot. I also think that Rafa was intimidated by Thiem’s power, speed, and determination. I also wonder if his grip should be different, if that’s possible…..just wondering.
Looking forward to the French…..number 13! Vamos Rafa!!!!!!
If Rafa improves his service… couple of aces would have got him to a 2 set lead… I hope he gives this a thought because Thiem could be a real threat at the French open this summer.
I’m really depressed. I’m glad I didn’t watch the match. I don’t know why Rafa can’t say he didn’t play so well when he doesn’t. Only when he plays really badly does he mention it. No doubt thiem played well but Rafa just doesn’t pounce on his chances. As some fan said he was really nervous and yes Margo your comments about Rafa doubting himself because of his comments that it would be arrogant not to is also right. I’ve always said he acts too humble and gives too too much respect to the opponent. Believing in oneself and just admitting that one is good, very good is not arrogant. It’s the way one behaves that is important. One can have great humility and unassuming even if one believes in oneself.
Cmon Rafa please start changing some of your ideas and get a mental coach.
We may throw criticisms Rafa’s way, but at least he is honest and gracious enough to admit that Dominic was the more powerful player who was better on the day and deserved to win. Dominic has been knocking on the door for a while and has come very close on more than one occasion, so it’s no huge surprise that he won.
As always I love Rafa’s fighting spirit and the positive spin he puts on things (no pun intended 😀). I’m no longer thinking of what could have been in the match today, because that won’t change anything.
Unlike Mjus, i believe that Rafa WILL get more grand slams before he’s done. He’s fit, healthy and still fast around the court. It’s early days as far as the year goes and there are other grand slam rewards to come for him. Our great champ will keep working to find solutions and keep fighting to make it happen.
Lorna. Well said. We need to rejoice that our Champ is healthy and motivated. Win or lose … he has our love and support because he is an awesome human being.
Let’s see if Thiem can performance and play with same determination the next match or if he only gets inspired when is against Nadal! Because playing like he play vs Rafa, almost perfect he can easy win the tournament! Let’s see if the effort will bet the same!
The loss is very disappointing as Rafa should have won tge first set and did’t dictate the match as he us capable of . Nonetheless , kudo’s to Dominic for tge victory .
Rafa did not play erll at the net and was burned by his serve and volley game . I think Rafa made too many unforced errors andcdidn’t consistently serve well enough . Kudo’s to Thiem for outplaying Rafa . But I am exremely disappointed by this outcome .Rafa could have won by working Thiem’s backhand more as the forehand is too strong for Rafa to stay in the points . Anyway Vamos andbmuch hope for the remainder of 2020 !
Rafa has said so many times “If you don’t have doubt, it probably means that you are being arrogant.” Well, Rafa has so much doubt in himself he probably loses matches he could win.
Make no mistake about it that Thiem has improved on hard court but he has been working also on the mental aspect of his game. This mental part of the game may very well have carried him over the finish line.
I am glad I missed this match otherwise I would be a basket case.
I am wishing Rafa a more fruitful rest of the season.
Margo, i agree. Thiem was one dimensional for so long, spraying a lot of balls. Now he has more control of his power more and there is greater variety in his game. His coach, Nicolas Massu has a lot to do with his change in mentality and improved performance. With Rafa much of his problem still lies between the ears. He referred to Thiem’s power and the fact that he is younger. I hope that these two factors are not engraved in his mind.
Yes Lorna, I couldn’t remember Massu’s name. He is being credited with helping Domi in so many ways.
Both you and I have been here for years and gone through discussions about Rafa hiring a sports therapist. I doubt that Rafa would trust anyone outside of his circle. It’s who he is.
Rafa’s mantra about arrogance sounds like something Toni probably kept telling him from a very young age. When I first heard it years ago I was aghast. I still ask myself where Rafa got that notion.
I’m glad he’s healthy, as far as I know, and hope for him to get his FO and possibly another USO. I am not worried about him losing his No. 1 position. He’s still my number one player.
RAFA ROCKS AS ALWAYS
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Nadal played very sluggish made lot of mistakes with his forehand. Also he was very nervous and had problems with the heat and the umpire. Nadal squashed a major opportunity. He was serving for the first set and was up a break in the second. I dont understand why he couldnt served out the first set and consolidate the break in the second.
My feeling is simpley nervous he had a opportunity to equalise federer and that made him nervous. But i think in the end i am happy he lost in the quarterfinal and not in the final
Right now rafa can not compete with novak on hard court so him reaching the final and then get another beatdown from novak is too much for me
I think that the final will be between djokovic and zverev and that novak will win Also i think that halep will win the women tournament she is playing very well.
Nadal 19 titles will stay forever. But it is just too difficult for nadal to win in Australia and Wimbeldon. The only chances for him to win is in Paris and New York.
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WELL DONE RAFA✌, YOU PLAYED AN EXCELLENT MATCH, BUT YES INDEED TODAY DOMINIC PLAYED WELL. WE YOUR FANS WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU. RAFA YOU WILL ALWAYS REMAIN A CHAMPION FOR US🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆. 💜💜💙💖
GOD BLESS YOU. LOADS N LOADS OF GOOD HEALTH, FOR YOU. HAPPY TO SEE YOU INJURY FREE. THATS WHAT MATTERS THE MOST FOR US. 🤗🤗🤗🤗
You hit it on the nail’s head, Positive Thinker-at least Rafa is injury-free at the Oz Open.
There were times in the past when I thought there was a hoodoo, causing Rafa to be injured in Melbourne, once while playing Wawrinka and another one, when he did his back.
Health above all else, I’d say.
There are matches a-plenty, and only one healthy Rafa.
Congrats to Dominic! I always recognized he is also a class act and great player. Rafa fought hard. I am always proud to support Rafa in victory and also loss.
One champion can’t always be expected to carry the entire sport of tennis. Again, I agree so happy he is healthy and injury free. He did play more tennis than usual before this grand-slam. But you can’t win every match. I am grateful for such incredible competition and intensity. I am grateful the air quality was acceptable for the tournament to go on and happy no player has suffered from playing there. Always a pleasure to watch Rafa compete.
Thank you for the opportunity to watch three of your matches Rafa, two of them were competitive, you won one and lost one. I think you and Dominic played a great match for tennis fans in general, over four hours with tiebreak in three of the four sets but unfortunately it went Dominic’s way because he played better and deserved it more.
I purchased my tickets in May of last year just to watch you, it will be different the rest of the tournament because you are out but I will still try to enjoy myself, be thankful and grateful of all the good things happen to you in your already amazing career……
Vamos Rafa💪❤️ Love and respect you the same win or lose!
When will we learn? The AO is not a happy hunting ground for Rafa. Every year since 2009 we repeat this same pattern… Why does Rafa not win in AUSTRALIA? He may not win it again. Let’s make peace with that.
Same thing with Federer fans I guess, at the FO every year since 2009…why can’t Federer win another FO? He will not win that again. I’m sure his fans have accepted that.
Same with Wimbledon for Rafa. He will give us some great matches and battles… But falls short somehow. The reasons will vary but the result every year is the same.
So let’s take the positives. Rafa is injury free. We saw his fighting spirit against Thiem. Our champ still has what it takes to make 2020 a great year. Let’s believe in our boy.
Thank you for the memories of AO 2020 champ!
I don’t believe Rafa was nervous. His fighting spirit was not wanting.
But Dominic Thiem played very well.
Yes there is one blip – the Rafa I know would normally shrug off the chair umpire’s lack of discernment of the physicality of the consecutive two points, the time violation warning called against Rafa did not allow latitude for the specific moment in the match.
But Rafa showed his displeasure; the Rafa I know would perhaps frown etc, but move on….
Extreme concentration is required when playing tennis, let alone grand slams. They say concentration is the absence of irrelevant thoughts……
The chair umpire, the non-working air-conditioning on court…..
Next time let’s not deviate nor allow people and situations from the reason we’re here: to win.
It’s only the beginning of the season–time is on our side.
Hey Guys, you win some, you lose some. No sportsman/sportswoman on the face of the earth, has a monopoly on winning. That would be boring.
Besides the wins are sweeter, because of the losses. Far as I am concerned, Rafa’s tennis balance sheet shows a very healthy Equity indeed! NINETEEN and counting….
I have always admired Rafa’s response to his losses. It’s easy to be nice when you’ve won; the measure of the man however is how he takes his loss.
So “NEXT”!
Personally, I think Rafa just got outplayed today…pure and simple…
As I was watching Dominicks whipping backhand that had such power and strength, I’m thinking …uh oh…. this guy’s been practicing…and practicing alot! From the first set, Rafa fell behind… He’s down a set …then he’s down 2 sets… that’s alot to make up against a player who is just exploding with every hit of the ball…
Rafa’s forehand down the line shots failed him over and over again…
It is true…Luck was on Thiem’s side today… He caught the tape of the net 4 times and each time the point went to him,,, and of course he always put his hand up as if to say, sorry… but it seemed like he was doing that so often throughout the match so “luck” was there….
I did not see a “nervous” Rafa…. He might have gotten momentarily annoyed with the umpire over a time warning or a potential challenge that she refused… He showed his frustration when seated after losing an important point by banging his fist… A natural reaction when a player loses a crucial point or set…
Hey…Roger got fined today for cursing on the court during yesterdays match…. it happens….
Bottom line is I saw a different Thiem today…one that was not only determined in his manner but backed it up by making incredible shots… He was a force and the only way Rafa could beat him would be if he
played a spectacular match and as we witnessed, he did not….
I agree with all of you…..it’s early in the season … There’s a lot more tennis to come…
VAMOS RAFA!!!
I happen to disagree with you. Rafa to me was nervous from the get go. If he’s not nervous, he won’t be losing his serve while serving for the set. Do note that Rafa has developed such a bad habit of losing his serve while serving for the set or even the match (the Kyrgios match wasn’t the first).
Rafa wasn’t playing badly but neither was he at his best, yet despite Thiem’s overpowering groundstrokes, speed around the court and his incredible retrieving, Rafa was still a break ahead in the first set and serving for the set. After losing the first set TB, Rafa was still able to break serve in the second set to lead 4-2, but unfortunately he had to lose serve and then played poorly in the TB to lose again.
It seemed to me when Rafa was ahead, he just got nervous as if eager to hold on to the lead and then became tense and started playing more conservatively; had he carried on being more aggressive, I felt he could have won the second set.
The third set somehow had proven what I felt to be correct; Rafa didn’t break Thiem’s serve and so all were good with each holding serve until 5-4 Rafa serving first, then in the last game of the set, Rafa broke Thiem and so won the set. Had Rafa broken serve early in the set, I bet he would soon lose the advantage again.
In all three sets, Rafa was ahead but he was nervous and couldn’t serve well to hold on to the advantage in the first two sets; it’s when Thiem was serving to stay in the set, got a bit nervous, and Rafa was about to lose the match, that Rafa managed to play well enough to break serve to win the set.
For Rafa, it seemed that when his back was against the wall then he could play his best tennis; but when he’s ahead he played too tentatively as if he was afraid to lose the advantage.
I don’t know since when Rafa developed such a mentality, I hope Moya could help Rafa overcome such a problem in his game. He obviously has the game to beat Thiem (note that Rafa won most of the short points and Thiem the longer ones), and he’s only five points short of Thiem’s 148. To me Thiem had played his best tennis but Rafa hadn’t so I expect a Rafa who could play his best tennis to beat Thiem when they meet in the future.
Sports players aren’t machines. We all have off days, physically or mentally. I’m very disappointed, but it’s the way it goes.
It seemed as though your razor sharp focus was not there today. I am sure the NK win was exhausting due to the unpredictable opponent and off court events. But, no excuses. DT deserved
and earned the win. Recover and stay healthy👏💪👍🤛🙏❤️You know how we hate to see you
lose😠but thank you for a tremendous AO effort.
I’m just putting it down to The Thiem Factor.
Good game. That third game in the 4th? set is where things might have gone Rafa’s way. He didn’t hold serve; and his volley at net should have been a drop volley, imho. Of course, he would have had to make the shot. I also think that Rafa was intimidated by Thiem’s power, speed, and determination. I also wonder if his grip should be different, if that’s possible…..just wondering.
Looking forward to the French…..number 13! Vamos Rafa!!!!!!
If Rafa improves his service… couple of aces would have got him to a 2 set lead… I hope he gives this a thought because Thiem could be a real threat at the French open this summer.
I’m really depressed. I’m glad I didn’t watch the match. I don’t know why Rafa can’t say he didn’t play so well when he doesn’t. Only when he plays really badly does he mention it. No doubt thiem played well but Rafa just doesn’t pounce on his chances. As some fan said he was really nervous and yes Margo your comments about Rafa doubting himself because of his comments that it would be arrogant not to is also right. I’ve always said he acts too humble and gives too too much respect to the opponent. Believing in oneself and just admitting that one is good, very good is not arrogant. It’s the way one behaves that is important. One can have great humility and unassuming even if one believes in oneself.
Cmon Rafa please start changing some of your ideas and get a mental coach.
Best of luck!!
We may throw criticisms Rafa’s way, but at least he is honest and gracious enough to admit that Dominic was the more powerful player who was better on the day and deserved to win. Dominic has been knocking on the door for a while and has come very close on more than one occasion, so it’s no huge surprise that he won.
As always I love Rafa’s fighting spirit and the positive spin he puts on things (no pun intended 😀). I’m no longer thinking of what could have been in the match today, because that won’t change anything.
Unlike Mjus, i believe that Rafa WILL get more grand slams before he’s done. He’s fit, healthy and still fast around the court. It’s early days as far as the year goes and there are other grand slam rewards to come for him. Our great champ will keep working to find solutions and keep fighting to make it happen.
Lorna. Well said. We need to rejoice that our Champ is healthy and motivated. Win or lose … he has our love and support because he is an awesome human being.
Rafa lost the Match in the first set. He had to serve it out. Great fight, as always nur Rafa was not at his best today.
Take rest and some days offs. Vamos Rafa ❤️
Let’s see if Thiem can performance and play with same determination the next match or if he only gets inspired when is against Nadal! Because playing like he play vs Rafa, almost perfect he can easy win the tournament! Let’s see if the effort will bet the same!
The loss is very disappointing as Rafa should have won tge first set and did’t dictate the match as he us capable of . Nonetheless , kudo’s to Dominic for tge victory .
Rafa did not play erll at the net and was burned by his serve and volley game . I think Rafa made too many unforced errors andcdidn’t consistently serve well enough . Kudo’s to Thiem for outplaying Rafa . But I am exremely disappointed by this outcome .Rafa could have won by working Thiem’s backhand more as the forehand is too strong for Rafa to stay in the points . Anyway Vamos andbmuch hope for the remainder of 2020 !
Rafa has said so many times “If you don’t have doubt, it probably means that you are being arrogant.” Well, Rafa has so much doubt in himself he probably loses matches he could win.
Make no mistake about it that Thiem has improved on hard court but he has been working also on the mental aspect of his game. This mental part of the game may very well have carried him over the finish line.
I am glad I missed this match otherwise I would be a basket case.
I am wishing Rafa a more fruitful rest of the season.
Margo, i agree. Thiem was one dimensional for so long, spraying a lot of balls. Now he has more control of his power more and there is greater variety in his game. His coach, Nicolas Massu has a lot to do with his change in mentality and improved performance. With Rafa much of his problem still lies between the ears. He referred to Thiem’s power and the fact that he is younger. I hope that these two factors are not engraved in his mind.
Yes Lorna, I couldn’t remember Massu’s name. He is being credited with helping Domi in so many ways.
Both you and I have been here for years and gone through discussions about Rafa hiring a sports therapist. I doubt that Rafa would trust anyone outside of his circle. It’s who he is.
Rafa’s mantra about arrogance sounds like something Toni probably kept telling him from a very young age. When I first heard it years ago I was aghast. I still ask myself where Rafa got that notion.
I’m glad he’s healthy, as far as I know, and hope for him to get his FO and possibly another USO. I am not worried about him losing his No. 1 position. He’s still my number one player.
RAFA ROCKS AS ALWAYS
Nadal played very sluggish made lot of mistakes with his forehand. Also he was very nervous and had problems with the heat and the umpire. Nadal squashed a major opportunity. He was serving for the first set and was up a break in the second. I dont understand why he couldnt served out the first set and consolidate the break in the second.
My feeling is simpley nervous he had a opportunity to equalise federer and that made him nervous. But i think in the end i am happy he lost in the quarterfinal and not in the final
Right now rafa can not compete with novak on hard court so him reaching the final and then get another beatdown from novak is too much for me
I think that the final will be between djokovic and zverev and that novak will win Also i think that halep will win the women tournament she is playing very well.
Nadal 19 titles will stay forever. But it is just too difficult for nadal to win in Australia and Wimbeldon. The only chances for him to win is in Paris and New York.
Rafa you have your chance is ok you play very good it was so close we love you next time champ 🎾👍❤️😘🇺🇸🎾👍❤️😘🌎