ARTICLES:
Nadal is a win away from becoming the fourth man in the Open Era to reach 500 career tour-level wins on hard courts, after Roger Federer (783-155), Novak Djokovic (634-118) and Andre Agassi (592-158).
The Spaniard is also through to the 36th Major semifinal of his career, which is third-most for a man all-time after Federer (46) and Djokovic (42).
Broken down, his 36 career Major semifinals include 7 at the Australian Open, 14 at Roland Garros, 7 at Wimbledon and 8 at the US Open.
- I don’t mind if Djokovic or Federer win more Slams than me, says Nadal | tennismajors.com
“I am super satisfied and feel very lucky person in general for all the things that happen to me in this life. I have a way to approach life. You can’t be always frustrated if the neighbour has a bigger house than you or a better phone or a better thing. I’m not going to be frustrated if Novak or Roger finishes the career with more Grand Slams than me.
“I mean, let’s enjoy the situation that we did, every one of us, we did very special things in our sport. Let’s enjoy that. Doesn’t matter the other thing.”
- Carlos Moyà: “Nadal perdió cuatro kilos durante el partido” | Diario de Mallorca
(Carlos Moya told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope that Rafa lost 4 kg of weight in sweat during the quarterfinal match against Denis Shapovalov. He believes Rafa will be ready for semis.)
“Después del partido vimos que Nadal había perdido cuatro kilos, la deshidratación fue muy grande”, desveló Moyà en declaraciones a ‘El Partidazo’ de la Cadena Cope. “El día extra le va a venir de perlas. Confío en que esté recuperado al 100% para las semifinales”, añadió su técnico.
- Rafael Nadal ‘very proud’ to have inspired Meshkatolzahra Safi’s Australian Open journey | The National
“I was in the corridor and somebody from the tournament just introduced me to her and explained to me a little bit the history. For me it was a pleasure to know more about her, I think it’s amazing, her story; super special to see players from different parts of the world, especially parts of the world that historically we never had players on the tour,” Nadal told The National in a voice message on Tuesday, after he booked himself a spot in the Australian Open semi-finals.
“I think it’s fantastic to see a player from Iran that now is in the juniors and she already won a match. It’s a great story and it really was a pleasure to meet her.
“In this particular case, if that helped her to try to play tennis and now she is where she is, it’s a big honour for me and I’m super happy for that.”
VIDEOS:
Watch Rafa’s Top 5 shots from the quarterfinals of the Australian Open 2022.
Social media related to Rafa:
Four kilos is a considerable loss. Hope you are recovering well. Felix Auger Aliassime made DM
work for that win. Such maturity and class on and off court. Canada has a winner here!🇨🇦
A very mature, honest and positive post match presser from Felix. Take note Denis!!! Toni Nadal definitely knew what he was doing when he agreed to work with Felix.
I’ve got my alarm clock set for 03.30am when it’s Rafa Time for me. Good luck champ. Hope you emerge victorious.
There was such a sweet photo on Aus Open Twitter of Papa Nadal giving Rafa a big hug before he walked out onto RLA before the match with D.S. It was touching to see the love between father and son.
I do admire Sr. Nadal’s class and discretion especially in comparison to some of the other fathers.
Point to note, in the bottom half highest seeds have made it to the semis. In Rafas half both Djoker and Zverev were taken out before they could reach him.
Hope he makes the most of it. No1 left has a positive head to head or any chance against him if he is at his best. Not even Daanil.
All needed now is to stay fit and finish them. Take the semi in straight sets. Do not lost your serve champ, Matteo will fold somewhere. Take it in straight, finish asap and take an ice bath and rest so youll be fresh and ready for anything in the final.
If its Daanil, itll be a baseliners contest and winners will be needed else hell hang in and try to tire you out. Tsitsi will be easier. Whoever it is, hope to see Rafa lifting it on Sunday.
GO FOR IT CHAMP, you got this one.
Rafa love watching you play and rooting for you in the OZ semis. Cannot wait for the game.. Great to see you back. You dont go arouind smashing racquets like other players yey. See you in the semis xxx
Carlos Moyá’s interview with El Partidazo de COPA is on Instagram, with subtitles. Carlos expects Rafa to be ready for his match on Friday.
Rafa will be doing some bicycle exercises only enjoy to cause him to sweat, according to Carlos, and hot and cold treatments. He said Rafa doesn’t do well in high temperatures plus high humidity.
Good to know that from his coach. Thanks, Margo.🙏
Vamos Rafa💪❤️
You’re so welcome, Mimi. I was happy to hear that from coach Moyá.
CORRECTION: ..only enough NOT only enjoy
I’m gutted for Felix. Such a strong performance and a shame that he just came up short at the end. It’s a painful loss, but he can take a lot of positives from the match moving forward.
Yes Lorna, For him to be able to go toe to toe with the #1 seed into a 5th set was a nice step forward. He’s still only 21 years old so he can build on that. He made 🇨🇦 proud. Now let him please go have a chat with Denis.
Your favourite doubles team, the K’s, are getting to play on Laver. They will be facing Rafa’s good amigo Marcel Granollers and his partner. I saw a report that attendance will be allowed to increase from 50% to 65%. It will no doubt be raucous but I hope you enjoy it.
What a match. I think Felix ran out of steam and Daniil picked up the momentum. Well done to both for a great battle.
Medvedev showed what a fighter he is.
Felix can hold his head up high… If he keeps up this level, great things will come his way.
Hopefully Rafa is recovering nicely and getting ready for Friday.
Rafa need to play at night good luck champ we are with you vamosssssss 🔥👍🎾💪🇺🇸👏❤️🥰🏆
Rafa is scheduled to play his SF at 2.30pm local time. Looking at the weather forecast for the day, Rafa’s match is sandwiched in between scattered showers. I just hope that the roof will be open when he plays.
If that is the case then bad news it will be repeat of semifinal wimbeldon 2018 djokovic nadal
Also we should only focus on Rafa because Matteo isn’t easy opponent and Rafa needs to be healthy and fit to beat him as well. And even if Felix wins, it doesn’t mean he is peace of cake for Rafa or any other player. All those player who are in the second week of Grand Slam are there because they played a quality tennis, cause you can’t be lucky in all five matches to sail through just liek that.
I noticed that Rafa looked quite gaunt and drained in his QF match, so I’m not surprised that he lost so much weight. Thank goodness he got through, even though he said the match “destroyed” him physically.
Going back to Denis Shapovalov, sadly the petulant brat in him has reared its ugly head again. His unnecessary ranting and accusations on court followed by the post match presser were disgraceful. – a case of him blaming everything and everyone except himself. I hope Denis reflects on his behaviour after watching the videos and realises that the problem lies him and how he handles disappointment.
Denis would do well to study the conduct of his good friend and peer Felix AA. Come on Felix! Finish off Medvedev in 4.
After the match with Shapovalov, Rafa talked with press and said in Spanish that he knows he will probably play during the day since it wouldn’t make sense that his match is scheduled for night session.
No matter how much we want him to get more rest it wouldn’t be fair that Medvedev or Felix play during the day after they had one day less to rest and then play even before Rafa.
To be honest, here I don’t understand why both matches are scheduled during the night. But then Aussie fans who payed tickets and TV viewers would also suffer in some way cause they would offer them some doubles. The thing is money obviously runs the world. Does it make sense? Or you think both matches will be during night?
There can’t be two semi finals at night because there is only one Rod Laver court. Each pair deserves to be on Rod Laver.
I think it is high humidity that really bothers Rafa. Usually outdoor courts in the afternoon favor Rafa. I’m counting on his team to help Rafa be in the best possible physical condition.
WOW!
FAA is crushing Medvedev right now! 2 sets to love. What a solid display… I hope he can keep it up and set up a date with Tsitsipas.
You too, Mac! I can’t believe what I’m seeing. I had planned to watch his match but had no idea I would be seeing FAA beating Medvedev. Just WOW!
Daniil’s just won the 3rd set 🙁 . Come on Felix!!
4kg😳😳 i really hope Rafa is ready for the SF on friday.
I wish I could!!
4 Kilos during a tennis match! I can hardly lose 1 kilo a month with a lot of jump roping and eating once a day!!! Not fair!
But Rafa can do the impossible:)
Meanwhile I have my eye on the entertaining QF between Auger-Aliassime and Medvedev. I’m rooting for FAA, he looks solid so far.
I agree with you Mac. 😀 Last 10 days I gave up eating sweets and I will be more than happy if I manage to lose 3 kg in two weeks.
I hope he will get a night match
I hope they will give nadal a night match instead of day match. So far only one night match against kachanov