Here’s how Rafa inspired Simona Halep

On August 15, 2018 By Rafael Nadal FansIn Articles28 Comments

Simona Halep’s coach Darren Cahill said Rafael Nadal has been a big motivator in the work ethic for the Romanian player:

Rafa has inspired her with what he’s been able to do, with the way he trains, with his work ethic, the way he fights for every single match no matter what the score is. He can be down 6-Love, 5-Love, 40-Love. You wouldn’t even be able to tell with him.

That, to me, is what she’s modeled the last year and a half on. No one’s going to be like Rafa. But you see a little bit of the old Simona compared to the new Simona, and she’s more like that, because she’s always had a great work ethic.

I have never had to push her on the practice court. She always gives 100%. She’s like a little Rafa on the practice court. We need to make her a little Rafa on the match court, as well.

It’s nice that her two victories, the one she had in Paris and the one she had last week [in Montreal], both coincided — we spoke about this after the match — coincided with Nadal doing exactly the same. It’s been pretty cool, actually.

Source: WTA

ATP Rankings: Rafael Nadal increases lead over Roger Federer

On August 13, 2018 By Rafael Nadal FansIn Rankings17 Comments

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has increased his lead over No. 2 Roger Federer to almost 4,000 points after winning the Rogers Cup title in Canada.

On Sunday, our champ claimed his 33rd ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, earning a total of 80 career titles, after his victory in Toronto 6-2, 7-6(4) against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, who jumped 12 spots to world No. 15 for being a runner-up at the tournament.

The current ATP rankings and point scores are as follows:

#	Name	Nationality	Points	Tournaments
1.	Nadal Rafael	Spain	10220	14
2.	Federer Roger	Switzerland	6480	17
3.	Del Potro Juan Martin	Argentina	5410	20
4.	Zverev Alexander	Germany	4845	22
5.	Dimitrov Grigor	Bulgaria	4700	21
6.	Anderson Kevin	South Africa	4535	20
7.	Cilic Marin	Croatia	4085	19
8.	Thiem Dominic	Austria	3665	26
9.	Isner John	USA	3570	23
10.	Djokovic Novak	Serbia	3445	17

Race to London: In the 52 week rankings, the year to date rankings, Rafa is also No. 1.

Sources: ATP World Tour, EFE

Stefanos Tsitsipas praises unbelievable Rafael Nadal after Rogers Cup final

On August 13, 2018August 13, 2018 By Rafael Nadal FansIn Articles21 Comments

Stefanos Tsitsipas was full of praise for Rafael Nadal after his defeat in the Rogers Cup final.

Stefanos on playing Rafa:

The patience that Rafa has is amazing. He never cracks. He will always grab you like a bulldog and always will have you – he will always make you suffer on the court.

And it is amazing what he has built as a player. I mean, he was, like, you know, normal like all of us, and he managed to become this beast, this monster that he is today.

It is true. It is true. It’s not that I’m saying something that — that’s how you feel when you play against him. So I need to work much more, as I said, and hopefully I can reach his level one day.

Source: ASAP Sports

Rogers Cup 2018: Post-final presser transcript

On August 13, 2018 By Rafael Nadal FansIn Interviews16 Comments

Transcript of Rafael Nadal’s presser after he won 80th ATP World Tour title in Toronto.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. First of all, Rafa, welcome back to Toronto. Great to have you again. Four night matches in a row. You got off the court last night after midnight. 4:00 p.m. match today. What was your recovery process and how did you turn it around so quickly?
RAFAEL NADAL: Well, no recovery process, no? Was another match yesterday, and the only thing that I slept less hours than normally. But nothing new, no?

And, no, have been very positive first set for me today. I think I played well. Probably the best first set or best set on the whole event for me.

And then in the second, the match became a little bit more maybe boring. You know, we were not winning a lot of points on the opponent’s serve. And then arrived the moment that I had to close the match, and I played a horrible game, no?

So, yeah, after that, he started to play better. I got a little bit tight and nervous, and then he had a set point in that second set.

So, yeah, very happy to have this trophy with me again. It means a lot. Have been, yeah, a fantastic week, very positive one.

Q. You mentioned how you were cruising along through the first set into the second set. It was 5-3, I think, and your opponent was serving 30-15, and then a fan called out and interrupted his serve. He went to the umpire and looked for a let. You kindly, graciously I believe, said take a first serve?
RAFAEL NADAL: Yeah.

Q. Yes, which is incredible. At that point, momentum started to shift. In what way did this interruption shun affect your level of play?
RAFAEL NADAL: No, that didn’t — yeah, no. I don’t know. That’s what I felt at that moment. Maybe I was too nice in that moment (smiling). Continue reading “Rogers Cup 2018: Post-final presser transcript” →

Rafael Nadal announces withdrawal from Cincinnati

On August 13, 2018 By Rafael Nadal FansIn Articles47 Comments

Just hours after winning his fourth Rogers Cup title, Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the Cincinnati event which began today.

The world No. 1 had been handed a bye for the first round of the Cincinnati tournament but announced on his social media accounts that he would not be competing in the event.

Rafa’s statement:

I am very sorry to announce that I won’t be playing in Cincinnati this year. No other reason than personally taking care of my body and trying to keep as healthy as I feel now.

I am very thankful to my friend Andre Silva, Tournament Director of the Cincinnati tournament, who after speaking to him on the phone understood what I said and understands the situation.

I am sure the tournament will be a success and I wish him and his team all the best.

I am also sad for those amazing fans in Cincy and around who always gave me great support. I am sure I’ll see them next year and I am sorry I won’t be with them this year.

Thanks for all the support as always.

We’re glad Rafa decided to skip it as he must ensure he’s in good health for both the US Open and the indoor swing afterwards. We’re sorry for the fans who have bought tickets but our champ has to put himself first here and focus on the remainder of the season.

What do you think? Comment below.

Rogers Cup Final: Nadal beats Tsitsipas – hot shot, highlights [VIDEO]

On August 13, 2018August 13, 2018 By Rafael Nadal FansIn Video6 Comments

Watch World No. 1 Rafael Nadal hit a powerful crosscourt backhand passing shot for a winner against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final of the 2018 Rogers Cup.

Match point:

Highlights:

PHOTOS: Rafael Nadal wins fourth Rogers Cup title

On August 12, 2018August 13, 2018 By Rafael Nadal FansIn Photos57 Comments

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-2, 7-6(4) to be crowned 2018 Rogers Cup champion in Toronto.

Following a week of frustrating rain delays in Toronto, Sunday final was played under clear skies.

Rafa overcame a late service break and fought off a set point at Aviva Centre. He converted his first match point of the tiebreaker to end it.

Our champ was the top seed in the tourney and the win constitutes his 33rd ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title and the 80th trophy of his career.

If you told me this two weeks ago I would not have believed it. It’s a great way to start the hard-court season. Winning in Toronto is so important. You don’t win Masters 1000s very often. It’s a very important victory for me and I’m very happy.

The birthday boy Stefanos beat Damir Dzumhur, Dominic Thiem, Novak Djokovic, and Kevin Anderson en route to the final, but found the Spaniard to be a bridge too far.

Congratulations, Rafa!