ARTICLES:
McEnroe: “All of a sudden things have fallen into place for Rafa who has to be the humblest, classiest champion of almost any athlete I’ve ever seen in any sport. It’s well-deserved for a guy to do this like Rafa Nadal, you can see how much it meant to him to get to the finals again.”
Becker: “What a legend of our sport. Two months ago it was uncertain whether he would be able to continue playing at all after his serious ankle operation – and then he comes to Australia and plays his best tennis. I don’t think Nadal was thinking about his 21st Grand Slam title before the semi-final. He is more relaxed about it than Novak Djokovic.
“He says, I’m happy that I still can play tennis and that I’m in the final in Australia. But that will change now. Rafa has two nights before the final and he will be thinking about the 21. However, Rafa is an absolute superstar and will be able to handle it.”
- Berrettini: ‘I Will Learn From Rafa Defeat’ | ATP Tour
With 20 Grand Slam titles under his belt, Nadal is an obvious role model for Berrettini in his pursuit for further success. “Just look at the numbers,” said 2021 Wimbledon finalist Berrettini. “I don’t know how many semi-finals Rafa has played, but I know that he has more experience in this.
“We chatted a little bit in the locker room. He told me that it was a great run, and I told him again, bravo. It’s just really nice for me to talk to him and have this kind of conversation, because I’m still learning from him, and it’s good.”
VIDEOS:
Rafa was crying in his hand trying to hide it. You could see how much this meant to him. We heard him say: “I wasn’t sure if I was able to play tennis again.” You could see that come pouring out of him. I love the match he played.
Lindsay Davenport
Social media related to Rafa:
What is this match doing to us guys??
Phewwww another break of serve for Rafa. Will he capitalize?
Hahahah! Another Rafa classic! He can give you a nervous breakdown! Medvedev just won’t go away! But don’t forget Rafa has 5 set Stamina in his blood!
I’ll die man ! Pheww
Ziggy and Nav…
I couldn’t see Rafa losing in straight sets and felt he would come back in the 3rd.
Will Med’s legs hold up???
Same old same old. Break and get broken right back.
Increase the intensity Rafa! You can do this!
He catches our breath again and broken come on Rafa you can do it
Well we are going to 4th….come on Rafa I know it’s difficult but we are still having hope
Signs of life my people!
Agree Mac as Rafa saved 3 BP in his first service game and then breaks Medvedev now has to hold
I never comment on here but I’m so sad to see so many negative comments. 2 weeks ago did you imagine Rafa even in the final? I certainly didn’t. Yes he can play better but think of the time he’s had off. Medvedev is playing so well. On other days it will be Rafa playing better. I’m just thankful to still be watching him because for me nobody matches him.
Indeed Sarah. Actually we love him so much that we can’t see him losing…Rafa will be in our hearts no matter if he loses or wins
Never post but absolutely have to He has done great to even be here -please stop the negativity
It does not matter he will win Roland Garros . This was his return to tennis enjoy every minute of what we have left . Rafael Nadal is the greatest ever
Sarah well said. I couldn’t agree more. There are pseudo fans on this site who love to give Rafa a good kicking when he’s down. SHAME ON YOU!!! I remember all the wonderful tennis he played throughout the years and his willpower. I also remember how much mental strength it’s taken him to get this far in the tournament.
Yes, I am critical of his performance in this match, but even if he goes on to lose the match, I will never question his dogged determination.
Aww… I just feel like giving Rafa a big hug right now.
Me too!!!
The fighting spirit of our champion cannot be denied…
The Australian-Open-Winning-Spirit however, is a totally different matter.
Rafa saves 3 break points and holds.
3 break points Medvedev. Here we go…
Wow wow wow. If it ain’t your day, it ain’t your day.
There’s still hope…..
Nadal is not a player who comes back from 2 sets down and win the match. But he is also a player who never backs down. Sending all energy to you our champ. Please work a miracle 🙏
Somebody reply to me that he i gonna do it please🙏
At this rate, Rafa should just try to hold and hope for a tiebreaker where maybe he might get lucky…
Because the tennis is definitely not going his way. Medvedev is all over him.
Finally an ace! Hahaha where was this during that tie-break??
Rafa is fighting and fighting and has exactly nothing to show for it. And he misses another routine forehand…
Also his mental strength is gone his career is finished he will go down in history as the greatest ever on clay but Djokovic is the goat together with Federer that is just the way life is to quote nadal.
Carlos Moya, Francisco Roig and others of his team should absoluty be ashamed of themselves. Moya has been coaching Nadal since 2017 and never realised that without improving his serve and return nadal would be unable to compete against great players. Today is an absolute embarrasement no first serves in at all no free points short balls, bad volleys I can not believe what I am seeing and i am starting to question wheter nadal could ever win a major again. This match is over and its hard for me to swallow this defeat nadal doesnt have the fire anymore to compete you could see it on how he talks on press conference. He sounds satistfied and I am sure he will say after his defeat that is just the way how life works
His career is done and if i would be him he should announce his retirement I am very dissapointed and also very angry I have been supporting this guy since 2005 but age has catch up with him and the fire is gone he should quit.
I dont care if I am getting attacked by people on this forum if you are honest you are feeling it too. He doesnt have the fire inside him anymore to compete and he is satisfied with everything he has achieved. He should have ask big servers to help him with his serve. Moya himself was not a decent server.
He will never win the australian open again or the french open or wimbeldon or the us open. Djokovic and Medvedev wil split the titles.
Everything seems to be going Medvedev’s way. Even when he sends Rafa a nicely wrapped gift, Rafa refuses to accept it.
I don’t know where Rafa’s mental strength has gone. Squandered so many leads. He’s playing worse than at any time in the tournament. I’m already feeling devastated and destroyed.
Could we hope for a comeback?
Didn’t watch the 2nd set until the last but my daughter told me what went on.
VAMOS
On a lighter note, I’ve never seen Rafa eating bananas. To sustain energy, maybe that’s what he should do going forward