Rafael Nadal sealed a record-extending 10th title at the Rome Masters after defeating his great rival Novak Djokovic in three sets in Sunday’s final.
“I was lucky in some moments, especially against [Denis] Shapovalov,” Rafa said, referring to the last-16 match he won in a tiebreak in the decider.
“And then I think I played a good tournament, I have been playing better and better, finding my rhythm on clay. I had a very positive week and I’m very happy.
“It’s amazing to have this trophy in my hands for the 10th time. It’s something impossible to imagine but it happened so I’m super happy and can’t thank my team enough.”
Ouch. Shapovalov tripped on line in Geneva. Not hurt. This is happening too often.
What’s up with all these lines being tacked down instead of painted on. Wimbledon is always dangerous in the beginning when the grass is very new and slippery.I always thought that the lines were painted on. That’s crazy dangerous! Rafa was really angry & I don’t blame him! One fall could be career ending!
What’s going on with Dominic Thiem? Another early loss – this time falling 3-6 2-6 to Cameron Norrie. I didn’t see any of the match, but it must be a real cause for concern leading into RG.
Glad I saw your post before commenting, Laura. I haven’t been watching tennis since Rafa returned home but am trying to keep up with what the “other” guys are doing and I am with you on this one.
I actually thought Thiem would win the tournament. He said he is fit. He said he is re-energized. I thought he got past his negative outlook about being on Tour during a continuing pandemic. I just hope he’s not injured. If you find anything please post. I will also look.
👍🏼
Geez Lorna, apologize about Laura. Don’t know where that came from.
Hello everyone. can someone please explain why Rafa remains at No. 3 despite winning Rome? thank you!
Benjamin, Rafa did not gain points in the overall ranking because he won Rome in 2019. This is a per the rules in place because of the pandemic. However Rafa did add points towards the ATP Finals. Confusing enough?
The point system will go back to the normal rules at the beginning of 2022. At that
time a players point total will be those points earned in calendar year 2021.
Did anyone see Iga’s final Rome match? Her style of play and many of her shots remind me of Rafa’s. I understand that she purs spin on the ball just like Rafa.
puts spin on the ball, not purs on the ball. sorry
Hi David,
I did, and it went so fast.😳 Not surprised as Rafa is her idol growing up, she probably watch Rafa’s matches quite often and “copy” his style?
Rafa saved two match points against Shapo in the third round, and I didn’t know Iga did the same in her third round as well, what a coincidence! Congratulations to both for winning the 🏆, still so thrilled for Rafa’s La Decima in Rome!👏😉
I guess if you take a potty break you have to take a tinkle…
Vanni Gibertini
@vgibertini
· 17h
So, Jannik #Sinner was given a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct (which costs a pretty penny) during his match vs Karatsev because after losing the first set by 6-0 he took a toilet break and didn’t pee. “I didn’t know this rule, I will never do it again” said Sinner #ATPLyon
“Seven wildcards for the French Open were awarded to French players. The eighth, not yet named, will go to an Australian player as part of the reciprocal agreement between the two Slams.”
Gregoire Barrere [123]
Benjamin Bonzi [115]
Mathias Bourgue
Arthur Cazaux [517]
Enzo Couacaud
Hugo Gaston
Arthur Rinderknech
[Source: ATP TOUR NEWS]
Sports Illustrated [SI] Mailbag questions to Wertheim
We all know Rafa is the overwhelming favorite for his 14th title at Roland Garros but who are the next four and what is the order? Djokovic, Tsitsipas, Thiem, Rublev? Or would you put Thiem at No. 2, then Djokovic, Tsitsipas and Rublev? Would you slot in Aslan at No. 6? And on Roger Federer—what is the over/under on him making the QF? Thank you!
—VK
• Interesting question. After Nadal, I still put Djokovic ahead of the field. I trust him most, best-of-five, against anyone not named Rafa.
2. Djokovic
3. Thiem…I guess. He has retreated since winning the 2020 U.S. Open. But he is a two-time finalist in Paris.
4. Tsitsipas
5. Zverev
Next? Rublev, though we need best-of-five results from him. After he made his displeasure with clay so clear—and backed it up accordingly with results—Medvedev will be lucky to survive week one. Schwartzman was a semifinalist in 2020, but is a bit beaten up. Karatsev is a top 10 candidate. Shapovalov took a brutal loss to Nadal, but did have him reeling.
SI Mailbag Questions Continued
I wonder what Rafa thinks of this questionable behavior.
Q. I know it is permitted for players when serving to rough up the balls (much like a baseball pitcher does) to remove fluff but I noticed in Madrid every time Sascha Zverev was serving he was putting the ball he was to serve under his sweaty shirt, presumably adding more moisture to the ball as well as “roughing it up.” Is that OK according to tennis rules? (I find it unethical even if legal.)
—Warren of Montreal
Wertheim: Someone else noted this as well. A player in the ’90s—I’m drawing a blank; otherwise, I’d happily try to find the forensic evidence and name him—was notorious for wiping his brow with the ball, presumably for the same reason. Ah, the moral gray area, the Medvedev-thin line between gamesmanship and outright cheating. If nothing else, we shall be on the lookout for this Gaylord Perry-ing.
That’s very interesting, Margo. For me, tampering with the ball in that manner is cheating. Ball tampering isn’t allowed in cricket, baseball and some other sports and it shouldn’t be allowed to happen across the board in tennis.The ball change rule is there to replace worn out or fluffed up balls during the normal course of a match and players shouldn’t be helping that process along.
In his match against Roger Federer, John Millman was accused of rubbing the ball against his sweaty shirt in an “apparent ploy” to speed up the ball on serve after it hit the ground. Balls put in wet pockets -even though inadvertently – also have the same effect.
The action is banned by USTA rules which states a player “May not take any action that materially changes the condition of the ball…..Therefore a player may not use a ball to wipe off perspiration.”
However, the ITF, which lays down the rules for the Australian Open, doesn’t have any such clause.
There’s divided opinion out there on this issue, but i think that deliberately interfering with the ball to gain an unfair advantage should be penalised, like any other offence in tennis.
I didn’t know that ball tampering was a thing in tennis. Not too long ago an American football 🏈 player was accused of tampering with the amount of air in the ball. Why can’t people just play fair.
Margo, intersting comment by Wertheim about Theim. Did you see that Norrie beat Dominic in round 16 at Lyons? I hope he starts playing better but ends up on the Djokovic side of the Paris draw!
Yes, I did David. I checked early this morning before I left home and couldn’t believe Thiem had lost. I don’t know what to think. I sure hope he gets it together.
I saw the full body shot on Iga’s Instagram – latest photo. Sorry for the repetition, but I think my original reply got buried amongst earlier posts. You have an interesting take on it, Margo 😀
LOL Maybe your reply is keeping company with posts I’ve lost. I still don’t like this program. We used to be able to “respond” to a fan’s post multiple times without it getting lost/misplaced/sent overseas. 😂
Regarding Rafa’s picture, it brought to mind the time fans of opposing teams created a kerfuffle because Rafa decided to wear a team scarf —or was it a sweater—of another team. I can’t recall the details but I was glad Rafa diffused that nonsense right away.
I think Roger will play the French Open, not because he hopes to win but because it may be his last French Open. At 39 I suspect he is contemplating retirement after the US Open, or the Tour Finals, if he qualifies for them.
FYI- He has confirmed his participation in Halle 2022.
Interesting Pauline. I was only speculating of course. Perhaps Roger would like his final tournament to be his ‘home’ tournament. That would be fitting. Halle 2022 is a long way off though. Let’s see if his body and performances can hold up until then. A player as great as Roger has been will not want to be beaten by lower ranked players on a regular basis.
Ginagigi: Exactly. Nothing is written in stone. Roger had said if he starts losing in first rounds it will be time to retire. As Rafa always says let’s see what will happen.
Ginagigi, Re the FO, yes a good possibility it will be his last. He has previously questioned himself about even playing the FO; now he needs what it may have to offer —match value—.
How much longer he plays may depend on his ability to withstand crushing defeats and loses in early rounds. He’s not accustomed to that.
He realizes coming back won’t be easy but will he be patient or just say the heck with that.
And although he said he feels great, he voiced concern for the health of his knee.
Mimi, I saw the full body pic on Twitter @iga_swiatek.
I asked because I first saw a head shot somewhere else. When I saw the full body pic I said OMG social media is going to make a horror story out of this because of the placement of Rafa’s left hand. I kept staring at the pic and noticed there was a mirror behind Rafa and Iga. I breathed a sigh of relief. I was glad most were concentrating on Rafa’s quads 😂 Ya can’t make this stuff up LOL
Thanks Margo🙏
It’s great to see that Juan Martin Del Potro is off crutches and now doing gentle exercise in the gym. He’s targeting the Olympics for a comeback and I hope this happens. Wishing him all the very best.
I appreciate the news on DelPo.
Federer’s post-match comment : “My goal is the grass-court season, not Roland Garros.” After his defeat today, this would strongly suggest that he won’t be competing at the French Open.
Lorna, yes, Wimbledon has always been his goal but he said a few days ago that he needs to play at least six or seven matches to assess where he is and doesn’t expect to win the FO. He also explained that it wouldn’t be a problem for him to play clay and then switch to grass. I expect he will play the FO.
I can’t see him winning anything unless he gets some competitive matches under his belt. He has been steadfast about his practices going well adding that “competition is a different animal.” His desire to play is there but I think he’s not being realistic about the time it may take him to get to the level he will be happy with. Injury is relatively new to Roger and by some of his comments I feel he is being hard on himself.
Ummh. Yes, let’s see. He obviously didn’t reckon being knocked out of his home tournament so early.
Exactly Lorna. He said he was feeling good in the third set “since he had turned it [the match] around but then in ten minutes it was over.” He was probably in shock.
I was laughing about some of his comments [not his loss] after he lost “….now I have to explain how I feel after losing and it doesn’t feel good.”
He seemed to say he didn’t know what to do. As if he had forgotten how to play. Maybe this is the longest he’s been away? I don’t know.
He commented that he won’t be playing on the level of Rafa or ND so I don’t know what his expectations are for Wimbledon. Cannot see him as a threat at the FO and hope my words don’t come back to bite me.😬
Rafa has turned the corner and playing well with confidence will win Roland Garros for a 14th time !
.
Did anyone see the photo of Iga and Rafa? It was taken hours before they both won their 🏆. I thought it’s so cute, beautiful smile from the two of them!😍
Yes, i did. It was so lovely. Both champions together.
Yes yes Lorna.😊
Mimi and Lorna, did you see a head shot or full body shot?
I saw the head shot. Where can I find the full body shot? I would love to see it too. Thanks Margo.🙏
Full body shot
Yes Mimi…I did watch a bit of it. I thought Roger played very well .I was surprised that he lost. Don’t forget he is 39 years old. Same with Serena, she can’t seem to win anything either. I was so hoping Serena could get her 24th GS but it may be difficult. Seems as though the late 30s is about it for tennis players! Thankfully Roger, Serena and Rafa all have a wonderful life waiting for them after tennis! I’m not a huge Roger fan… Always thought he took the glory away from Rafa. However that is only my opinion. Roger has a Bajillion fans & my opinion probably doesn’t it matter to them, but that’s how I feel! On the other side of the spectrum Rafa is still going strong…Still breaking records still winning! So proud and so happy for “our” Rafa!
Hi Ziggy,
Match could have gone either way, it was close. I am not a Roger fan, but my family members including my husband, daughter, and one sister as well as her family are normal Roger fans. I am a “crazy” Rafa fan!
I don’t like Serena. I like Venus.
Ziggy, before we only had to deal with Roger. Then Djokovic. Now we’ve had to add the Next Gen and it’s exhausting to me as a Rafa fan. And they are all trying to STOP Rafa except Roger who isn’t currently in that position. Zverev just came out and said what other players have probably thought, “We have to stop Rafa.” So I want to know what they are all up to. 😤
And about Roger, he is always trying to steal someone’s thunder, not just Rafa’s. Sometimes he says the strangest things like after this latest loss but I think it comes more from his self-centeredness than from meanness.
And as I have been saying, Rafa is not finished yet and I truly believe that he will win more Slams and stop ND in his tracks. And if Rafa doesn’t do it the Next Gen better step up😂
Mimi and Margo, the fully body shot is on Iga’s Instagram – the latest photo.
full body shot
Margo.. I have always thought Roger was very arrogant and self-centered, Where as Rafa has remained humble an grounded. I have the same situation as Mimi… My family and friends (the ones that like tennis) are Fed fans. Yes I believe that Rafa will definitely out surpass Roger…not sure yet about ND …to me he doesn’t look as strong as Rafa. Regarding the next-gen they have all beat Rafa but so far Rafa has gotten revenge on all of them. I hope Rafa continues his dominance on clay but honestly if he would retire tomorrow I would be okay with that. He has caved out quite a few pages in tennis history and we have been through all of it with him( have to admit it’s been exhausting at times) It’s crazy how we all feel the same way about Rafa… but I totally get it! Iga gets it too…She is smitten by Rafa just like all of us! I didn’t see their picture together yet but I’m going to look for it. She definitely has a crush on Rafa!
Thanks Lorna.🙏
Anyone watching Roger? Playing 3rd set now vs Andujar.
Congrats to Rafa’s friend Pablo on his defeat of Roger in Geneva. At 35 and 39 years old It was their first meeting ever. He said before the match that he would be excited to tell his grandkids that he played Federer. Now he can tell them he won. Terrific.
The seniors didn’t fare so well today as Serena also lost and apparently played very poorly.
Pauline, someone on the Internet posted that there were a combined 74 years between these two players in their match. I thought it was a joke. After checking Pablo’s age, I said WOW!
Margo: Imagine if Roger plays Ivo Karlovic then their combined ages will be 81 years! Teehee.
81 😳
Dallas in USA, I started watching middle of first set. TC showed Roger and Serena lost the first set within a few minutes……
Pauline, so happy for Andujar, maybe it was the first and last time they play each other?
I didn’t see Roger’s match, but I can understand him losing, as it’s only his second tournament since the AO in 2020. On the other hand, I watched Serena in her match against Siniakova, who has been struggling for form herself, and she looked slow and not dialled in.
Serena has to commit to more tournaments for match practice and get into better physical and mental shape if she’s to seriously contend for the one elusive 24th GS she’s searching for. Mother time is fast running out and her chances are becoming increasingly remote.
I missed seeing Roger. Maybe later on TC.
Its sad that Serena and Roger are both “suffering,” as Rafa might say.
I’m not giving up on them but I wonder if we will ever see Rafa v. Roger again at a real tournament?
You are right about Serena, Lorna. So tough now that she is 39 and has a daughter.
David, TC showed Roger vs Pablo match, Serena’s match was on TC Plus. I am sure you can watch replay of Roger’s match on TC.
Congratulations to both!👶
Congratulations to Kei Nishikori and wife, Mai Yamauchi, who are expecting their first child later this year. [Source: ATP Tour News]
Sorry Margo, I selected the wrong button re my 6:56am.
Got it😀
Maybe he’s been working less on his tennis? 😂
Yes, maybe….probably the pandemic too?
LOL, Mimi
I meant he was working more on procreation than on tennis😂
Yes, I got it Margo.😂 I meant they spent more time together due to the pandemic as well.
Mimi
AAAhah…. you threw me off. You usually speak Emoji but there wasn’t one in your response. It looks like a very serious and well thought out reply bordering on innocence. NOT
About Rafa… he is going to have to be CONSISTENT and stay FOCUSED. A lot of competition out there.
Hahaha my bad, yes, I should have included an Emoji.
A baby on the way. That’s good news for them. I only just learned that Kei got married in December 🤔
Nor did I know. He’s a pretty low key kind of guy.
bravo mon rafa felicitations a toute ta famille et tes entraineurs
You are an amazing champion. Never miss your matches. Vamos into Rolland Garros.
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#IBI21
2:02 PM · May 16, 2021
Thanks Margo!!! Will try that.
Have a great day!
You’re welcome RafaFan1
Fantastic Rafa! So so happy, as always, that you won.
Really pray that your winning ways continue at the French Open and onwards!!!
The win made my night and day (today).
Take care, look after yourself and return for the FO full of confidence, energy, fit and perfect tennis! 🍀🍀🤞🤞😘😘
Fans, I missed the interview. I wonder if I could watch it again. Looked on CBS but not there. 😔
RafaFan1 Google “Rafael Nadal on his island home” and that will bring up the interview [13:29 minutes].