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The 2009 Australian Open champ Nadal, who was sidelined for much of 2021 with a troublesome foot injury, is clearly enjoying his return to health, once again covering the court like only the Mallorcan can. If you have any doubts, just cue up his first-set tie-break against Adrian Mannarino of France in the fourth round. He simply refused to surrender the punishing, half-hour-long breaker, winning, 16/14.
- Day 9 men’s preview: Nadal, Monfils look to keep youth at bay | Australian Open
Remember the Melbourne Park 2009 champion had five months out with a foot injury before arriving in Australia. His longevity and ability to bounce back is simply staggering.
“Things are going much better than expected, without a doubt,” stated the world No.5.
“But sport changes quick, and you need to be ready.”
Nadal’s title credentials will be truly tested on Day 9, with confidence coursing through the veins of Shapovalov. The Canadian completely dismantled world No.3 Alexander Zverev to match his Grand Slam career-best last-eight berths at US Open 2020 and Wimbledon 2021.
As for Nadal, he has been hugely impressive in getting to the last eight, considering the setbacks of recent months.
It is a reminder that, above all, he is a great tournament player who knows how to approach a big fortnight and handle the pressures you face over that time span — bringing yourself to the boil at the right time. Rafa’s decision to play the relatively small 250-level event in Melbourne at the start of January was a typically smart move.
It got him the matches he needed and showed the others he is back in business, then allowed him to practice the week before the big one.
Following his defeat to Shapovalov, seven-time Grand Slam winner Wilander told the Eurosport Cube that he was surprised that Zverev brought up money.
“I thought it was interesting when you asked him about sacrifices that you make when you’re on tour,” he said.
“I’ve never really heard Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic mention money and Sascha actually mentioned that ‘yeah being away from home blah blah blah, but it’s a good job, I’m gonna make a bunch of money’ and I’m like, whoa, that is interesting.”
He added: “Ranking points, championships, I get it. So I hope Sasha gets it together that he actually just doesn’t want to be No. 1, but actually needs deep in his heart to be the best player that he can be and doesn’t hope that it just comes to him automatically. We’re used to this with Rafa and Roger and Novak. They have set the bar. They set the bar so high, these three, that we come to expect that’s what you have to do. It’s so tough to do. ”
Safi stumbled upon tennis when she was eight years old, watching Rafael Nadal on television with her mother one day.
“In my country, if you ask which sport they like, they’ll say football. I remember the day I was watching television with my mother and we were watching Rafael Nadal, and we were so curious to see if there is any tennis court in Iran that we could go to just try,” she said.
“My family they are in love with sport, especially my father, he was a football player when he was younger and we were really curious: ‘What is tennis? Maybe I could try this?’
VIDEO: Watch Rafa’s Top 5 shots from the fourth round of the Australian Open 2022.
Social media related to Rafa:
Amazing effort by Rafa! Take care, Rafa.❤️
Wow wow wow!! What drama! More like a thriller.
Great that Rafa pulled through in the end. He looks very pleased! I think Rafa needed a match like this to banish the demons from 2021…
Well done champ!!
Best birthday gift ever seeing Rafa win the QF on mybirthday 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁
Happy birthday!🎂🎊
Thank you, what a day
C’mon Rafa, almost there
What a Relief.Congratulations to all of you here. No hiccups this time in quarters. Into the semis two away Rafa
Shapovalov’s first serves in that last game seem to be 100% in. His serve is saving him now.
Rafa needs to be super strong on serve if he’s to close this one out.
Stay with it Champ!!
Our Champ is one game away
🤞🙏
Well done Rafa, congrats👍❤️
A crucial hold in the 3rd game for Rafa! Hopefully it helps with his nerves and he starts to swing free from now on.
Keep it together Rafa!
It’s been a long time since he has won a close match but I think today is the day if he holds his e serve games
He is playing great once again
Come on Rafa
Painkiller kicks in I think. Vamos Rafa💪
Rafa is shell shocked. He really needs to settle his nerves.
Hold Rafa!
We are going to 5th
Rafa needs to win this set
Oh boy… Deja Vu from last year all over again!
Shapovalov is full of belief now and Rafa seems to be retreating into his shell.
Wake up champ!
From 🙂 to 😭 ~ plz start to feel better Rafa!
Yes, please!🙏 Rafa always gives his all, but nothing is more important than his well being.❤️
Rafa needs to consolidate
Come on don’t get broken back
Yes and that’s killing me now
Rafa please break back
Yes Rafa has two Break points 😳😳
And shapo saved with such determined look
Good start by Rafa
He has consolidated after saving 2 Break points
Down want a repeat of last 2 years…come on Rafa take the match in 4th
OK, we have drama! Drama is not good for our champ…
4th set. Stay sharp and get it done this set champ!
Its not looking good for Rafa…QF Witch is coming back
Please Rafa. Unleash the BEAST! Vamos.
Boom! Seconds set is in the bag.
Solid showing from Rafa so far.
Keep it up champ!
We are going to 4th
Come on Rafa
Vamos Rafa💪💪💪
So sad That this sport is only for money for people like zverev… Passion is beyond money for Rafa
Hahaha yea that money comment was from Zverev was really strange!
3 set points down rafa
Anyone watching this? Coz I am!
Second Set Tussle is currently ongoing.
Break point Rafa!
And BOOM! There’s the break!
Watching Mac… Great level from the onset today..no break point for shapo
Rafa 2/2
Oh no! The heat is getting to Rafa and stomach issues 😫 Hope he works through it.
Yey Rafa 2sets to love up against shapo..his level is insane
There’s the cutest video on YouTube: Shapovalov mascots for Nadal at 2008 Rogers Cup. Perfect lead-in for tonight!
@Eurosport_UK has tweeted a video of Rafa’s best celebrations, through the years, at the AO.
❤️ it, just finished watching.😉
Mimi, Margo, Marilene, Pauline and Mac my tribute to Rafa will be……
I’m going to tell my kids one day that Rafael Nadal won 20 majors with 20 injuries. Most talented player to ever pick up a racket. Your fave could never touch these numbers with his injuries.
Rafa cheering for you already my Champion. Buena Suerte y Denis Shapovalov on Tuesday in the Australian Open Grand Slam. Vamos Rafa.🇪🇦🇪🇦🇪🇦☘☘☘💟💟
All the best for the match tomorrow. Go for it champ👏
Hey Betty Ward-totally agree👍Beautiful Indian Wells, Rafael Nadal on court-a perfect experience
which needs repeating. You are so wise, BW; it begins with the family🙏
Even watching his match live in some of the stadiums/arenas would mean so much to me.
Welcome to the club. I’ve been following Rafa (not literally) and his career for almost 20 years and started playing tennis in my 70’s. I’m now an 89 year young great-grandmother and still love to watch him and follow his career. He’s such an inspiration as a tennis genius, son, politeness, behavior on court, generosity and example of honesty and hard work and humanity besides . (And he’s not bad looking either😃💪👏). It’s very exciting when he comes to our community in Indian Wells. Congratulations to the Nadal family who have demonstrated why Rafa is the person he is.
If you are lucky enough to meet Fed or Rafa, you will understand why they are in a class by themselves. They are the sport’s finest ambassadors; far beyond “a bunch of money”. AZ may never comprehend this-he seems totally in love with himself. Stay healthy, Rafa-just fierce belief👏💪🍀🎾❤️🔥
I totally agree that money is never spoken about. It’s all about the passion for tennis and the winning.
Rafa good luck you got this is time to shine again vamosssssss all the way 👍👍👍💪💪💪🔥🔥🔥❤️🎾💯
Rafa good luck you got this is time to shine again vamosssssss we are with you all the way 👍❤️💪🎾👏🥰🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥💯