Rafael Nadal

[ponchi101]

From Wimbledon 2008, the greatest match in modern tennis.

In the second picture. Roger's dad is applauding. Mirka, a bit to Rafa's right, seems to be clapping too.
What an era.

[ti-amie]

[ptmcmahon]

There's still time!

[ponchi101]

Not such a short list of players. I can recall Pete, Agassi, Courier, Edberg, Becker, Lendl, Wilander, Connors (that would have been something, playing with the T2000) and certainly many others never doing it.
On the women: Steffi, Monica, Chrissie, Martina (she may have bounced it, though), Venus, Lindsey (I think).

Edit:
OOOps! Thanks for the video below. As much as a punk that he was early, I did not recall that (and did not see it then)

[ptmcmahon]

Not great video but Agassi certainly did

[Oploskoffie]

Incredible player, mindset, champion, walking-and-talking tennis billboard - it all applies. Yet, while I will miss Rafa the competitor on court, I'm already missing the era him and Roger, Andy and Novak represented even more. I find it a tough switch when many of the players you've followed for years either start to fade and/or retire and you have to look at the new crop for players to root for. It's not just quality we're looking for but personalities, of course. That said, this is not the first time I've passed this station on the men's side, so to say, having started watching tennis in the late Lendl, early Becker era. I honestly thought it couldn't get a lot better than the 90's

[Fastbackss]

Incredible player, mindset, champion, walking-and-talking tennis billboard - it all applies. Yet, while I will miss Rafa the competitor on court, I'm already missing the era him and Roger, Andy and Novak represented even more. I find it a tough switch when many of the players you've followed for years either start to fade and/or retire and you have to look at the new crop for players to root for. It's not just quality we're looking for but personalities, of course. That said, this is not the first time I've passed this station on the men's side, so to say, having started watching tennis in the late Lendl, early Becker era. I honestly thought it couldn't get a lot better than the 90's

Novak was quoted this week saying something similar about that era - almost as if a portion of him retires with them. Was actually something I appreciated him saying (for once)

[ti-amie]

[skatingfan]

The big 3 were always more friendly between them than many of their fans would like to admit.

[Oploskoffie]

And just like that, Rafa has played his last match. A DC team win for Spain against the Netherlands may have added another chapter to this story, but I'd like to think it would have been unlikely. In his own words: “If I would be the captain, probably I will change, I don’t put myself the next day”.

I'm not sure how to feel about this ending. Did Ferrer really believe Nadal stood a good chance to beat Van de Zandschulp? Wasn't the little lack of speed, movement and precision evident during training? While no slouch, I feel Van de Zandschulp would have had a harder time against, say, Bautista Agut. So while people now got to see Nadal play one final time, I feel the occasion should have been handled differently. Have him there, a talisman amongst his teammates, but leave nothing to chance in the singles and put someone else out there.

[ponchi101]

Agree. This match was not necessary.
He could have done an exo with Delpo (for example) who is also playing his last match in a few days. An exo vs Djokovic in Buenos Aires.
This was a whimper.
Anyway. The man will not be forgotten any time soon.

[Fastbackss]

Agree. This match was not necessary.
He could have done an exo with Delpo (for example) who is also playing his last match in a few days. An exo vs Djokovic in Buenos Aires.
This was a whimper.
Anyway. The man will not be forgotten any time soon.

Given the importance to him of playing for his country - he earned it one might say.
But yes - it wasn't the best option. I would say doubles made more sense (imagine if it was a live rubber)? But then it's a shared court and he earned his keep as a singular element.


Anywho I posted in the journalism thread but too good to not share here as well
https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/t ... 1732078602

[ponchi101]

Roger posted a great farewell to Rafa. It is on instagram and, since I am not in SM, I cannot find it.
But the article about it is here:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/tennis ... %20Rafa%21

[ashkor87]

Rafa's team is reported to be very unhappy with the retirement 'ceremony' - none of his great rivals was present, even uncle Toni missed it.. evidently, everyone thought Spain would last longer in the tournament.. now the Spanish Federation is planning to hold its own event, possibly in a football stadium!

[Owendonovan]

Incredible player, mindset, champion, walking-and-talking tennis billboard - it all applies. Yet, while I will miss Rafa the competitor on court, I'm already missing the era him and Roger, Andy and Novak represented even more. I find it a tough switch when many of the players you've followed for years either start to fade and/or retire and you have to look at the new crop for players to root for. It's not just quality we're looking for but personalities, of course. That said, this is not the first time I've passed this station on the men's side, so to say, having started watching tennis in the late Lendl, early Becker era. I honestly thought it couldn't get a lot better than the 90's

...and Serena then too. I don't have my ride or die players (serena and roger) replaced yet. Rafa being a lefty made it so much more interesting amongst the 4.