by ponchi101 There can be a discussion about Clay GOAT, because Borg retired so early. But even so, I would say Rafa was the GOAT on clay.
The GOAT discussion is over, to me. But #2 is something that can also be debated. Sure, he has two more than Roger, but zero YEC's. Anybody making the claim for Roger has enough arguments.
One of a few players that never gave up, not even in a single point. Him, Roger, Ferrer, Sampras, Edberg, Borg come to mind. That is an accomplishment.
One of the real gentlemen on court.
I gather he will never be replaced.
by ashkor87 A giant, no question
by patrick Winning 14 French Open is a record that will be very difficult to break.
by ponchi101 That one is set in stone. In fact, all his records on clay are set in stone. Good quality granite.
(But that's what I said about Borg's 6 RG's)
by ashkor87 His utter total dominance on clay! When he played, whomever, the idea of anyone being better than he was, was simply absurd.
That cannot be said of any other player, on any surface
by MJ2004 Mil gracias Rafa. It's been a long time coming, he deserves a very well earned rest. (He'll always be #1 in my heart).
by ti-amie As some of you here know I started stanning Rafa before he became "Rafa", back on the old ESPN tennis board. He was 18 or 19 at the time. He's now 38 so I've been a fan for 20 years and never regretted it one bit.
Even though I knew it was coming, it was obvious to anyone but Rafa that his body couldn't take it any more, I am still devastated. Now that he has accepted that it's over, I think he will be fine. He has always had great family and friends around him, and gave the sport of tennis all that he could.
I am still a tennis fan but I don't see anyone getting my complete focus like this man did.
Thank you Rafel Nadal-Parera.
by ponchi101 Same feelings I have for Sampras. Was a fan of Roger and Rafa, but never like Pete.
And I am still looking for that special player to root for.
by JTContinental Congrats on a stellar career. He had the most appealing personality to me of the big 3, but even so, I’m not sure I’ve ever watched a complete Nadal match.
by Owendonovan Glad I got to see it all!
by ti-amie From Wimbledon 2008, the greatest match in modern tennis.
by ti-amie
by ti-amie
by ti-amie
by ponchi101
ti-amie wrote: ↑Fri Oct 11, 2024 11:02 pm
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.
by ti-amie
by ptmcmahon There's still time!
by 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)
by ptmcmahon Not great video but Agassi certainly did
by 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
by Fastbackss
Oploskoffie wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2024 5:08 pm
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)
by ti-amie
by skatingfan The big 3 were always more friendly between them than many of their fans would like to admit.
by 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.
by 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.
by Fastbackss
ponchi101 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 1:53 pm
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.
by 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!
by Owendonovan
Oploskoffie wrote: ↑Sun Oct 13, 2024 5:08 pm
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.
by ti-amie
by ponchi101 He can now go and have all the tapas he wants.
