ARTICLES:
“I’m surprised [by Rafa’s form],” Toni Nadal told Cadena SER.
“Because, I remember when three days before [leaving for Australia], Rafa called my youngest son to hit a few balls after being quarantined due to coronavirus.
“At nine o’clock, we went to train and during training, he said, “I don’t know if I’m going to go or not because at the moment I’m not in condition for the Australian Open. He only had three days to get a flight. The following day, he perked up and said “Okay, come on, I’m going”. I think it was more the excitement of competing and returning to competition than believing in himself.”
Rafael Nadal committed 11 double faults against Denis Shapovalov in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, more than he had in any previous match of his ATP Tour career. But the Spaniard and his team were unperturbed by a stat that they see more as the collateral effect of Rafa’s plan for 2022: to serve faster on his second serve.
“[Rafa] is realising how many free points he’s getting. The other day I was talking to him about it before his match against [Adrian] Mannarino. He served 16 aces and six doubles,” said one of Nadal’s coaches, former World No. 1 Carlos Moya. “I told him that I would far prefer that to three aces and no double faults. Because at the end of the day you want the points to be shorter, you want to be aggressive. And the first opportunity to do that is the serve.”
Just five years ago in Melbourne, Nadal’s goal in his first Grand Slam with Moya as one of his coaches was to go from a 140km/h average to 150km/h for his second serve. The progress since then has been remarkable. “Our first goal was to reach 150km/h in 2017, when he was at 135 to 140. But this tournament has shown that his average is now over 160,” said Moya.
- Rafael Nadal Inching Toward Record Slam at Australian Open, But a New Rival Looms | Sports Illustrated
Jon, I watched Nadal play and have been blown away by his level, especially at 35. How can it be that he has won the Australian only once?
Jon Wertheim: He has won only once (2009), but he’s had plenty of success. And realistically he could have three or four titles. His body gave out against Stan Wawrinka. He lost that absurd final to Novak Djokovic in ’12. He had Federer up a break in the fifth set in ’17. I remember Jim Courier speculating a few years ago that Nadal needed some time to work his way into a season and for all the players who could start the year hot (see: Agassi), Nadal wasn’t necessarily one of them.
“It is strange that he [Shapovalov] says that about Rafa when, for me, he is one of the most respectful players with his rivals, and I think he is also wrong about treatment in his favour,” Corretja told Eurosport Spain.
“With Rafa, they [the umpires] are also always very attentive and alert him that he has to play faster. At the time, at the beginning of the second set, I think Shapovalov was a little tense. He started looking at the clock, and he saw that Rafa was not ready when he was playing very fast, and I think he wanted to speed up his pace. I think that an opportunity has escaped him, and he has also felt that. In my opinion, his frustration later in the press conference came from that.”
Social media related to Rafa:
Again fourth set i am worried
Oops!!!
Come on Rafa no more 5th Rafa
So much hype about Berrettini. Up to now, he has never held a break point against Rafa and is yet to beat a top 10 player.
Even some commentators were giving him the match…he will be finished today by the might Bull of Spain
Well done Rafa.see you in the final
Where is our dear Margo today?
….beat a top 10 player at a grand slam
3 BP for Berretini first time in match
We are going to 4th now as Rafa gets broken
One more set and Rafa is into the final.
This is nail biting time for me, as we know Rafa usually enjoys some drama in the 3rd set of his matches every now and then. Hopefully he shuts down that door this time.
Finish strong champ!!
Yes, 🤞. Vamos Rafa💪💪💪
He will have no drama Mac today… fingers crossed
WOW! Rafa is so solid right now, and we have a double break!
Stay extra crispy champ!
What backhand performance by Rafa so far ..keep up the spirit high ….. you got this
Let’s get the break, Rafa in straight sets!🍀❤️
Rafa in four sets!🍀🙏 Vamos💪
Extra crispy 🤣🤣🤣
Mac always comes up With best words possible…we are 2 set to love up Rafans
Terrific start from Rafa. Glad he served first and exposing B’s weakness on his b/h and volleying. Repeat repeat repeat….
Yes Lorna first set In the bag although everyone was saying that Berretini has advantage in closed roof ..I am seeing completely different Rafa
Rafa again broke him in first game…woww
Welcome to the watch party Lorna:)
Our champ is looking great so far. Let’s hope the Berrettini backhand doesn’t suddenly improve:):)
A set and a break up. Rafa firing on all cylinders.
2 breaks up now…Mac and Lorna this is wonderful play by Rafa…he is the best returner with Djokovic
Yes Kawartaimoor. It’s ironic. I think the closed roof might just be a blessing in disguise for Rafa.
Yes Lorna as Rafa Lost 4kg due to heat in last match…But he has played best so far on his backhand
Just woke up leading with break consolidatie it focuss on your service games
Boom! The early break! Off to a good start already, our champ!
Now consolidate and let’s get this show on the road!
He has Consolidated Mac…come on Rafa be strong on your Rafa
Great Great!
Rafa needs a stay away from the forehand and keep feeding balls to the weak backhand:)
And our champ needs to continue being strong on serve.
No drama!
Who’s here with me? Here we go!
Closed roof, and it’s raining. Yea, whatever, no problem. Let’s do it champ!
I am here Mac… Excellent Start for Rafa
3/0 up in first..old formula of Rafa to weak backhand of Berretini
“A new technology, called Action Audio, is being tested on a large scale for the first time at this year’s Australian Open, where every match in the Rod Laver Arena is available on a livestream with this accessibility feature.”
The above is from The NYTimes. Blind or vision impaired tennis fans will be able to follow a tennis match through sound. Please spread the word.
Thanks Margo 👍🏼
We believe in you Rafa!
I’m sensing a changed Rafa, a man who is genuinely just grateful to still be able to play and trying to make the best of every moment. There is a different feel to his interviews and press conferences – honesty is the wrong word but I can’t think of a better one. It’s as if the layer of gloss that top players have is gone, and he’s just the guy who made it to the third round once in his life and is enjoying the ride while it lasts. I hope it lasts a while longer, because the sheer tenacity and passion he has shown to return to the sport deserves every reward. I think this is the first time I’ve had literally no expectations for Rafa in a slam. I haven’t felt nervous (apart from the medical problem in the Shapo match) and it’s actually rather nice to simply watch him play, a genius of the sport.
I don’t know if even an extra day off will allow him to recover enough to win the semi-final, but I wish him all the luck in the world. Vamos Rafa!!
Good luck for tomorrow. Vamos Rafa❤️
Vamos Rafa we wish you all the luck in the world.
Rafa good luck on Friday you go this is time to shine to the finals vamosssssss champ you can do it 👍💪🎾🔥👍💪🎾🔥🥰🏆🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🔥🔥🔥🔥
Stay on course no matter which way the wind blows you can find a way to use it to your advantage tactfully and get around the last bouy. Vamos good soul!!!!
Iga is just like many of us, a super fan of Rafa.😁 D. Collins played so well👏 hope Iga will win her second GS soon.🍀 I am dreaming that I will see both Rafa and Iga lifting the RG 🏆 together once more. Hope it’s safe to travel by then.🙏
I can’t wait for Rafa’s match tonight…all the best v M. Berrettini, Rafa. Vamos💪❤️
This is an unusual tournament in a totally unprecedented time. You have been amazing, more than “a
bit of a miracle”, surprising even yourself, perhaps. But the fire is blazing, hotter than that Aussie sun.
So, rage on Rafa-we are right there, fighting with you❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥👏💪👍🤛🍀🎾
Should we be worried about the roof? Me, I don’t know. Hopefully it won’t be a distraction for Rafa.
So much hype about Berrettini. Up to now, he has never had a break point against Rafa and is yet to beat a top 10 player in a grand slam.
Rafa with my Very Best Wishes for your encounter with Matteo. Buena Suerte my Champion 😍😍☘☘🇪🇦🇪🇦🇪🇦🇪🇦🇪🇦