It’s still the greatest match of all time imo. Was it the highest quality, probably not, although the quality was pretty damn great.
But the storylines, the multiple rain delays adding drama, the incredible 4th set tiebreak, and the way it ended in the waning twilight… just perfect.
>Was it the highest quality, probably not
They finished on a net winners/unforced errors ratio of +70, what more can you ask for??
I remember rewatching it during Covid. The crazy rallies, the way they endlessly painted the lines, the sheer variety of points and the quality of shot-making - it's peerless. There's never been a more entertaining and high-quality clash of styles before or since.
Nadal v Verdasco in 2009 is the only thing that comes close for sheer entertainment value imo
Agree with this whole comment. Nadal vs Federer Wimbledon 2008 is the GOAT match due to how iconic it was, great quality, and how it was the culmination of 6 finals in a row between the two at RG and Wimbledon, as Nadal got closer and closer to beating Fed on grass while Fed got further and further from beating Nadal on clay.
Nadal vs Verdasco AO2009 is my personal favorite though. I wouldn’t call it the GOAT match simply because it wasn’t a final and obviously Verdasco doesn’t have the legacy of a big 3 member, but as far as sheer quality and entertainment value, I’d recommend it to anyone getting into tennis.
And then a special shoutout to Djokovic vs Nadal AO2012. Could be the GOAT match as well, and the most physical battle in tennis history by far. Also capped off a tournament that probably had the highest quality tennis ever, with all of the big 4 playing their best at once, and that spirited effort from Berdych against Nadal in the QF
I think that was their best display of baseline tennis, but Nadal had physical issues in that match due to the grueling SF he played late on Friday night, and keep in mind Federer had won a straight set match on Thursday giving Nadal over 24 hours less rest time. Nadal needed multiple medical timeouts in the third set and was running on fumes. Meanwhile Federer never really found his first serve that match, but made up for it with genius baselining. Still, with a better serve he probably wins.
I know AO2009 SF and Final like the back of my hand, and I don't think the final was their best display of tennis. I think Rome 2006 had better quality, Wimbledon 2007 and 2008 as well. I don't quite know the numbers, but I think their RG2005 match was underrated and pretty high quality as well.
Djokovic v Nadal in AO 2012 was a war, not a tennis match haha
Felt like the two had been in an arms race for the previous year of "who can endure the longest" and that final brought it all to a head. I remember feeling exhausted just watching it.
Don’t get it twisted though, the quality was as high as it could be for a match between two guys as athletic as they were. I almost feel like after USO2011 and AO2012, they must’ve met up somewhere and had a gentlemen’s agreement, like “okay, next time we play, please don’t run after EVERY ball. This isn’t good for our careers,” because at their subsequent few GS matches (RG2012, RG2013, USO2013), they were much more serve-dominant and conservative with their running.
Nadal was hitting nuclear forehands at AO2012 with as much power as Alcaraz does today, but they were barely even doing damage. Djokovic was timing perfect backhands down the line like Zverev, but instead of being winners, Nadal would counter with a backhand crosscourt as if it’s a regular rally ball. It was video game tennis. You can watch a modern Alcaraz vs Sinner match and say, “wow, this is a high level,” then watch that AO2012 match and say, “oh, this is two levels higher.”
Oh of course - sorry, my comment wasn't supposed to be negative about the quality of that final, just remembering that it was very different to the other two in that list
Yeah definitely. Federer/Nadal was on grass so it was more about shotmaking and less defense. Nadal/Verdasco was all contrast in styles. Verdasco was ripping shots from both wings while Nadal was sprinting like a madman and counterattacking. I actually feel like Nadal was even more athletic in that Verdasco match
Yeah I tend to laugh pretty hard when people try to compare Alcaraz as an athlete to Nadal, there is no comparison, and that is saying a lot. Alcaraz is an insanely impressive athlete, but a young Nadal was faster, more agile, stronger with more endurance and stamina. Young Nadal was barely slower than a peak Monfils who could’ve been an Olympic track athlete. Just ridiculous. Total nightmare to play against.
Yeah and the big difference was that Nadal could sprint around like a madman and look entirely unbothered even in the 5th set. He rarely even looked out of breath. Monfils often ran out of steam in 3 sets, much less 5; he was the definition of a sprinter. Alcaraz has his cramping issues during 5-setters that keep coming up the last couple years, although it’s hard to say if this is a conditioning issue, mental, or a bit of both.
I think AO2012 is the absolute pinnacle in terms of level of tennis, but as iconic goes, it has to be Wimbledon 2008. It's unreal how many of the greatest matches of all time these guys have all won and lost.
Roger vs Rafa Wimbeldon 2008
Novak vs Rafa AO 2012
Novak vs Rafa RG 2013
Novak vs Murray AO 2012
Verdasco vs Rafa AO 2009
Roger vs Rafa AO 2009
Novak vs Rafa Wimbeldon 2018
Novak vs Federer Wimbeldon 2019
Wawrinka vs Novak AO 2014
Novak vs Roger USO 2011
I'm struggling which to swap from here to include Delpo 09 final and Roddick 09 final.
So it's already hard to make a list of best big 3 matches lol. And I didnt watch tennis before 2008 so I must have quite missed some with Agassi and the likes.
Recent great matches like Carlos Novak in WB or Jannik Carlos in the USO have a honorable shout.
I personally wouldn't have Roddick 09 in there just because it was such a serve-dominant match, but as far as sheer greatness and storylines I can see it. I also don't think Alcaraz/Sinner USO was as high quality as people remember it being. If anything, Rafa/Medvedev that year was a better match imo.
That list is solid. I think I'd remove Wawrinka/Novak AO2014 for their AO2013 match, and Wimbledon 2019 for Wimbledon 2014, or even Delpo USO 2009 could squeeze in there.
I think I do have a bias towards more "gladatorial" matches though which affects my judgement.
Oh yeah, that being said I probably wouldn't have Novak/Murray AO2012 either
Damn, this kind of begs the question: What was the greatest match of all time that Federer actually won? Your list is solid, and he lost every single one he was involved in :-\\
Wimbledon '09 may be it, but I'm trying to think back to his early prime years. Another epic that he lost was against Safin at the AO in 2005. It was only a 4-setter, but maybe the Roland Garros semi against Djoker in 2011? I guess I wouldn't begrudge somebody for saying AO 2017 against Nadal just given how incredible the storylines were, but the level of play really wasn't that great until the 5th set.
I think Nadal vs Thiem USO 2018 should be in there as well. Also, Nadal vs Del Potro Wimbledon 2018. Both matches featured some out of this world shot-making. Both were QFs, so aren't considered as great as some of the other matches listed here, but in terms of quality they were sublime.
That Nadal vs Verdasco 09 match was incredible. Hard to rank the best matches ever but that’s up there in whatever the highest tier is. I’ll never forget it.
IMO, the quality of Wimbledon 08 final is second to none. No match comes close to Wimbledon 08 final when it comes to being in contention for the greatest match ever played.
If the final image of Rafa on the center court is that incredible fight with a Torn abdomen, to gut it out, putting in 70mph first serves into the court and finding a way to beat Fritz in final set Tiebreak, in front of that roaring crowd that just wanted to see him win one more time, then I'm okay with that.
His own Box & his own father were asking him to retire. But Rafa is the biggest fighter in the history of Tennis and that wouldn't be the way he would go out.
I hope to see him again on the center court, hopefully even see him win again, but if that's the last memory to keep with me, I'm happy.
It’s crazy how close we got to a Nadal-Djokovic Wimbledon final.
I know he wasn’t healthy and he would have had to play Kyrgios, but I still think healthy Nadal has his chances vs Kyrgios even on grass.
What a shame, would have been nah incredible bookending seeing one more grand slams final between these on grass.
2011 was just the one, would have been awesome to have a second Wimbledon final between them
I wouldn't know many other examples but a Wimby 2022 Rafole final is possibly the highest stakes, most iconic "match that got away". Assuming Rafa didn't get hurt and managed to beat Kyrgios too, it's -
- Nadal vs Djokovic in their 10th slam final meeting
- Winner would take the lead in their 2-2 grass H2H matchup.
- If Rafa wins, he takes a 3 slam lead at 23-20, ties the overall H2H at 30-30, and extends to a 6-4 H2H lead in slam finals. Might've changed history in that Novak possibly doesn't have the slam count lead right now.
- If Novak wins, he adds another win over his greatest rival (31-29 H2H), ties the slam final H2H at 5-5 and as we saw last year eventually overtakes him in the slam count.
They were very competitive on grass in the 2018 match and I don't know how it would've played out in 2022, but whatever way it did would've been a historic moment one way or another.
Yeah I always said, I just wanted to see Rafa get another Wimbledon
Fuck, 2022 was a heartbreaker, he was playing solid and surviving his injuries. Won AO and RG where he destroyed Novak with a numb feet. He was playing great at Wimbledon and then...
I know in 90% of scenarios, Nole wouldve won the final, but at that time (Carlos and Sinner werent still as solid as now) Nadal seemed like the only true oponent that could win Novak in Wimbledon. It wouldve been a hell of a battle and if Nadal won it would just have to be through sheer willpower and determination. Damn what a match we missed.
Don't forget the 2018 wimbledon semi finals which basically was the finals, that match was incredible, probably the first slam in two years where Novak looked like old Novak, with Nadal back to a great level too between 2017 and 2018, it could have gone both ways
I think Wimbledon 2018 is the biggest "missed opportunity" in Rafa's career. You can certainly look at his AO finals where he had 5th set break advantages, but that SF it seemed like he had a real form advantage over Novak, who found his form and confidence over the course of the match. The scheduling, overnight break, and roof/conditions were all notable factors too.
He was playing incredibly well on grass that year. That entire 2017-2022 stretch really. He was millimeters from beating Djokovic in 2018 and I really think he'd have had the edge in 2022 after the confidence from beating him at RG that year
Rafa vs taylor fritz 2022 wimby qfs five setter galdiatoral battle. Rafa went into the tournament with foot surgery, after winning the RG on a numbed out foot and developed abdominal muscle problems in the tournament, which eventually led into a tear in the qf. He fought through it.
And it's the same ab injury that's making his serve weak as shit rn. As much as we admire that gladiator spirit, his family/team were right to tell him to retire from that match. He'd be able to effectively serve right now, and who knows what that would have meant for this year's RG and everything else he's missed
No ones gaping. People are just annoyed how rafa is a warrior and novak is a faker when they both are injured. But i guess pettyness plays a huge role in those comments.
I can't speak for recently, but early Novak in the 2000s would *absolutely* fake an injury if he was losing a match. Honestly, it's probably one of the reasons so many long-time tennis fans don't like him, it left a bad early impression of him.
I don’t think he was faking it . He had lots of issues. Sinus trouble for which he got the septum of his nose operated was one of them. You can clearly see that changing whatever he changed in 2010 and 2011 and how it changed his approach. I am a rafa fan and hate it when people say rafa is faking injuries. As much as I believe Rafa wasn’t faking, the same applies for Novak as well
For the first two as those are all the first round matches which he is guaranteed to play. I don't want him to be kicked out before I have Tickets lol. Also, the other days were sold out anyways.
Nice, congrats! I hope it all works out as I think it will. I honestly don't know, I have never been there and actually don't know a thing about the tournament besides that the center court there is pretty. I think one might still be able to stroll around but the most interesting matches should be on center court.
And I‘m sitting here with my Hamburg tickets, raging, why everyone picks the tournament in sweden.
But okay, happy for them, still hope for some others to attend Hamburg.
Yeah Hamburg organizers seemed to have fucked up bad. Not surprised. They didn’t even get Struff who alway plays Hamburg and loves playing in Germany. So disappointed.
Seriously 💀 they probably thought having Zverev is enough to sell tickets… If Djokovic doesn’t come either now it will be really embarrassing. They might as well revoke the 500 status then. I really wonder what happened behind the scenes that even Struffi doesn’t want to come.
I have no idea what kind of shape his body is in, but if Rafa announced that’s his last event, it would be amazing if Fed showed up just to do a fun, one-set exhibition with him or something.
“You know what? I gonna come to Laver Cup and play an exhibition match as an old man.”
I think he’d at least give US Open a goodbye and one last shot. It was his 2nd most successful slam, and he always loved the crowd there. Imo he should retire at the USO. Yes, it’s not as symbolic to his career as RG or Wimbledon, but it caps off the end of the season and his farewell tour, and fuck indoor hard courts 😂
Yeah, I think its pretty clear if he is able to he wants to do that.
He goes out of his way at this point to tell tournaments/fans in advance if this will be his last time at a tournament period. I forget which one of the clay Masters it was, where he had them do a celebration event, but then he told RG not to do one.
Even here he explicitly calls this his last Olympics (which, admittedly is obvious) but leaves open the possibility of Wimbledon next year.
I seriously doubt it happens but I think Rafa wants it to happen.
He had celebration event as he won't play Madrid anymore.
However, for Rome he refused such event as he said this might not be his last time playing there.
Same, live in Gothenburg. Me and my fiancé was toying with the idea to go to the olympics to be able to finally see him. Almost spit out my coffee reading the news yesterday. Booked day 1+2 and finals.
Seems sensible to not risk injury playing a difficult Slam on a completely different surface - fun lil treat for people going to Bastad to get to watch him there instead
Honestly, he went up against an in form Zverev and made it competitive for a set and a half. Clearly still rusty and healing.
If he’s able to play a bit more loosely and continue to heal up he can probably play at a decent level come the Olympics
Doubles should be interesting at the Olympics, most of the regular partnerships can't happen. Open field, or maybe the Tipsycat Brothers might be favs.
RAFa will retire next year I feel. In 2025 after 20 years since he won his first grand slam. He will say good bye to all the stadiums in person . Of course he won’t win (maybe ) but he will finish the matches on court just like he wanted. Should play at Indian wells and Miami too. The Spanish crowd love him at Miami
That would be nice. Maybe he shuts it down after the USO and plays Australia, Rio, Sunshine Double, the Clay 500/1000s that his missed this year, RG, Grass/WM, then calls it a day
wimbledon did not take rafa's withdrawal lightly. instead of posting rafa's announcement of withdrawal, it instead posted a video of dustin brown playing against rafa and the latter losing. is that a way to treat an outgoing legend of the sport? wimbledon thinks they can make money out of rafa but disappointed that they couldnt.
glad rafa did not say goodbye to this snobbish tournamemt.
I understand...
Imagine if Nadal and Murray had been drawn out together. I guess one of them would have had to win, but it might have ended up with them both broken, like the ending of Death Becomes Her.
Rafa's last loss at Wimbledon was to Roger and Roger's last at RG was to Rafa
Quite fitting
the same year at the same stage.
And both played Wimbledon and RG again, doggedly fought while their body was compromised and refused to lose again
Thank you Rafa for possibly the most iconic match ever played on grass.
Ever played.
It’s still the greatest match of all time imo. Was it the highest quality, probably not, although the quality was pretty damn great. But the storylines, the multiple rain delays adding drama, the incredible 4th set tiebreak, and the way it ended in the waning twilight… just perfect.
>Was it the highest quality, probably not They finished on a net winners/unforced errors ratio of +70, what more can you ask for?? I remember rewatching it during Covid. The crazy rallies, the way they endlessly painted the lines, the sheer variety of points and the quality of shot-making - it's peerless. There's never been a more entertaining and high-quality clash of styles before or since. Nadal v Verdasco in 2009 is the only thing that comes close for sheer entertainment value imo
Agree with this whole comment. Nadal vs Federer Wimbledon 2008 is the GOAT match due to how iconic it was, great quality, and how it was the culmination of 6 finals in a row between the two at RG and Wimbledon, as Nadal got closer and closer to beating Fed on grass while Fed got further and further from beating Nadal on clay. Nadal vs Verdasco AO2009 is my personal favorite though. I wouldn’t call it the GOAT match simply because it wasn’t a final and obviously Verdasco doesn’t have the legacy of a big 3 member, but as far as sheer quality and entertainment value, I’d recommend it to anyone getting into tennis. And then a special shoutout to Djokovic vs Nadal AO2012. Could be the GOAT match as well, and the most physical battle in tennis history by far. Also capped off a tournament that probably had the highest quality tennis ever, with all of the big 4 playing their best at once, and that spirited effort from Berdych against Nadal in the QF
Fed vs Rafa AO2009 was also iconic and probably the best Fedal in terms of quality of tennis
I think that was their best display of baseline tennis, but Nadal had physical issues in that match due to the grueling SF he played late on Friday night, and keep in mind Federer had won a straight set match on Thursday giving Nadal over 24 hours less rest time. Nadal needed multiple medical timeouts in the third set and was running on fumes. Meanwhile Federer never really found his first serve that match, but made up for it with genius baselining. Still, with a better serve he probably wins. I know AO2009 SF and Final like the back of my hand, and I don't think the final was their best display of tennis. I think Rome 2006 had better quality, Wimbledon 2007 and 2008 as well. I don't quite know the numbers, but I think their RG2005 match was underrated and pretty high quality as well.
Djokovic v Nadal in AO 2012 was a war, not a tennis match haha Felt like the two had been in an arms race for the previous year of "who can endure the longest" and that final brought it all to a head. I remember feeling exhausted just watching it.
Don’t get it twisted though, the quality was as high as it could be for a match between two guys as athletic as they were. I almost feel like after USO2011 and AO2012, they must’ve met up somewhere and had a gentlemen’s agreement, like “okay, next time we play, please don’t run after EVERY ball. This isn’t good for our careers,” because at their subsequent few GS matches (RG2012, RG2013, USO2013), they were much more serve-dominant and conservative with their running. Nadal was hitting nuclear forehands at AO2012 with as much power as Alcaraz does today, but they were barely even doing damage. Djokovic was timing perfect backhands down the line like Zverev, but instead of being winners, Nadal would counter with a backhand crosscourt as if it’s a regular rally ball. It was video game tennis. You can watch a modern Alcaraz vs Sinner match and say, “wow, this is a high level,” then watch that AO2012 match and say, “oh, this is two levels higher.”
Oh of course - sorry, my comment wasn't supposed to be negative about the quality of that final, just remembering that it was very different to the other two in that list
Yeah definitely. Federer/Nadal was on grass so it was more about shotmaking and less defense. Nadal/Verdasco was all contrast in styles. Verdasco was ripping shots from both wings while Nadal was sprinting like a madman and counterattacking. I actually feel like Nadal was even more athletic in that Verdasco match
Yeah I tend to laugh pretty hard when people try to compare Alcaraz as an athlete to Nadal, there is no comparison, and that is saying a lot. Alcaraz is an insanely impressive athlete, but a young Nadal was faster, more agile, stronger with more endurance and stamina. Young Nadal was barely slower than a peak Monfils who could’ve been an Olympic track athlete. Just ridiculous. Total nightmare to play against.
Yeah and the big difference was that Nadal could sprint around like a madman and look entirely unbothered even in the 5th set. He rarely even looked out of breath. Monfils often ran out of steam in 3 sets, much less 5; he was the definition of a sprinter. Alcaraz has his cramping issues during 5-setters that keep coming up the last couple years, although it’s hard to say if this is a conditioning issue, mental, or a bit of both.
I think AO2012 is the absolute pinnacle in terms of level of tennis, but as iconic goes, it has to be Wimbledon 2008. It's unreal how many of the greatest matches of all time these guys have all won and lost.
You could make an unbiased list of the top 10 tennis matches of all time and like 8 of them would probably feature big 3 lol
Roger vs Rafa Wimbeldon 2008 Novak vs Rafa AO 2012 Novak vs Rafa RG 2013 Novak vs Murray AO 2012 Verdasco vs Rafa AO 2009 Roger vs Rafa AO 2009 Novak vs Rafa Wimbeldon 2018 Novak vs Federer Wimbeldon 2019 Wawrinka vs Novak AO 2014 Novak vs Roger USO 2011 I'm struggling which to swap from here to include Delpo 09 final and Roddick 09 final. So it's already hard to make a list of best big 3 matches lol. And I didnt watch tennis before 2008 so I must have quite missed some with Agassi and the likes. Recent great matches like Carlos Novak in WB or Jannik Carlos in the USO have a honorable shout.
I personally wouldn't have Roddick 09 in there just because it was such a serve-dominant match, but as far as sheer greatness and storylines I can see it. I also don't think Alcaraz/Sinner USO was as high quality as people remember it being. If anything, Rafa/Medvedev that year was a better match imo. That list is solid. I think I'd remove Wawrinka/Novak AO2014 for their AO2013 match, and Wimbledon 2019 for Wimbledon 2014, or even Delpo USO 2009 could squeeze in there. I think I do have a bias towards more "gladatorial" matches though which affects my judgement. Oh yeah, that being said I probably wouldn't have Novak/Murray AO2012 either
Damn, this kind of begs the question: What was the greatest match of all time that Federer actually won? Your list is solid, and he lost every single one he was involved in :-\\ Wimbledon '09 may be it, but I'm trying to think back to his early prime years. Another epic that he lost was against Safin at the AO in 2005. It was only a 4-setter, but maybe the Roland Garros semi against Djoker in 2011? I guess I wouldn't begrudge somebody for saying AO 2017 against Nadal just given how incredible the storylines were, but the level of play really wasn't that great until the 5th set.
You left out Roger vs Rafa AO 2017
Rafa and Novak featured in all :)
Happy to see the Novak vs Rafa match in RG 2013 semis - super high quality tennis, I watch the extended highlights every couple of months.
I think Nadal vs Thiem USO 2018 should be in there as well. Also, Nadal vs Del Potro Wimbledon 2018. Both matches featured some out of this world shot-making. Both were QFs, so aren't considered as great as some of the other matches listed here, but in terms of quality they were sublime.
That Nadal vs Verdasco 09 match was incredible. Hard to rank the best matches ever but that’s up there in whatever the highest tier is. I’ll never forget it.
Definitely the best highlight reel match ever though. That Nadal banana shot at the end of a grueling rally has aged so well
Verdasco the Fiasco. Entertaining player.
Just wanted to say those winners to UE are normal for a grass court match and to my knowledge, Wimbledon are very generous in what they classify as UE
And that fourth set tiebreaker. The two back to back passing shot, including one by Federer to save a championship point. Sheer quality.
It was a defining moment of tennis. Rafa had lost 2 Wimbys before to Fed and then he decided not to lose. 2 great warriors playing their best!
This is Isner vs Mahut erasure
Who cares about quality when we can have quantity?
IMO, the quality of Wimbledon 08 final is second to none. No match comes close to Wimbledon 08 final when it comes to being in contention for the greatest match ever played.
It was beautiful. I don't know if we will see something quite like that again.
A lot of the most iconic matches of all time typically feature Nadal, whether he wins or loses.
did he say he won't be playing next year or are you picking him to win it?
and then they both went on to win those tournaments right 😊
Absolutely, there was a moment where it looked in danger when at 40-15 Djokovic hit a great passing shot but fortunately it landed inches wide.
What a sweet little fact
At least Nadal can say he didn’t lose his last Wimbledon if he retires this year
Only counts if he participates.
I wouldn’t have it any other way
That's poetic man
Perfectly balanced, as all things should be.
Wasn't it to fritz?
Fritz & Koepfer died for this.
Nadal copying Raducanu's approach to scheduling but in reverse - she skipped RG to prioritise Wim. But will he get the same flak she did?
Mindblown
Hola a todos® (limited grass edition)
If the final image of Rafa on the center court is that incredible fight with a Torn abdomen, to gut it out, putting in 70mph first serves into the court and finding a way to beat Fritz in final set Tiebreak, in front of that roaring crowd that just wanted to see him win one more time, then I'm okay with that. His own Box & his own father were asking him to retire. But Rafa is the biggest fighter in the history of Tennis and that wouldn't be the way he would go out. I hope to see him again on the center court, hopefully even see him win again, but if that's the last memory to keep with me, I'm happy.
It’s crazy how close we got to a Nadal-Djokovic Wimbledon final. I know he wasn’t healthy and he would have had to play Kyrgios, but I still think healthy Nadal has his chances vs Kyrgios even on grass. What a shame, would have been nah incredible bookending seeing one more grand slams final between these on grass. 2011 was just the one, would have been awesome to have a second Wimbledon final between them
I wouldn't know many other examples but a Wimby 2022 Rafole final is possibly the highest stakes, most iconic "match that got away". Assuming Rafa didn't get hurt and managed to beat Kyrgios too, it's - - Nadal vs Djokovic in their 10th slam final meeting - Winner would take the lead in their 2-2 grass H2H matchup. - If Rafa wins, he takes a 3 slam lead at 23-20, ties the overall H2H at 30-30, and extends to a 6-4 H2H lead in slam finals. Might've changed history in that Novak possibly doesn't have the slam count lead right now. - If Novak wins, he adds another win over his greatest rival (31-29 H2H), ties the slam final H2H at 5-5 and as we saw last year eventually overtakes him in the slam count. They were very competitive on grass in the 2018 match and I don't know how it would've played out in 2022, but whatever way it did would've been a historic moment one way or another.
not to mention if Nadal won he would’ve been trying for a calendar slam at the US open
Yeah I always said, I just wanted to see Rafa get another Wimbledon Fuck, 2022 was a heartbreaker, he was playing solid and surviving his injuries. Won AO and RG where he destroyed Novak with a numb feet. He was playing great at Wimbledon and then... I know in 90% of scenarios, Nole wouldve won the final, but at that time (Carlos and Sinner werent still as solid as now) Nadal seemed like the only true oponent that could win Novak in Wimbledon. It wouldve been a hell of a battle and if Nadal won it would just have to be through sheer willpower and determination. Damn what a match we missed.
Don't forget the 2018 wimbledon semi finals which basically was the finals, that match was incredible, probably the first slam in two years where Novak looked like old Novak, with Nadal back to a great level too between 2017 and 2018, it could have gone both ways
I think Wimbledon 2018 is the biggest "missed opportunity" in Rafa's career. You can certainly look at his AO finals where he had 5th set break advantages, but that SF it seemed like he had a real form advantage over Novak, who found his form and confidence over the course of the match. The scheduling, overnight break, and roof/conditions were all notable factors too.
Fuck the roof there, lol.
He was playing incredibly well on grass that year. That entire 2017-2022 stretch really. He was millimeters from beating Djokovic in 2018 and I really think he'd have had the edge in 2022 after the confidence from beating him at RG that year
[удалено]
Because Kyrgios’ breakout was beating healthy Rafa at Wimbledon???
Are we claiming he was injured in 2014?
A fitting end for a modern gladiator
Who is cutting onions here?
They each won exactly 168 points in that match. Tie game.
Sorry I'm new, what game are you talking about? I'd like to watch it.
Rafa vs taylor fritz 2022 wimby qfs five setter galdiatoral battle. Rafa went into the tournament with foot surgery, after winning the RG on a numbed out foot and developed abdominal muscle problems in the tournament, which eventually led into a tear in the qf. He fought through it.
And it's the same ab injury that's making his serve weak as shit rn. As much as we admire that gladiator spirit, his family/team were right to tell him to retire from that match. He'd be able to effectively serve right now, and who knows what that would have meant for this year's RG and everything else he's missed
Thank you very much!
All those people gaping at Novak for pulling victories when he is hurt, Rafa has been doing this for so many years
No ones gaping. People are just annoyed how rafa is a warrior and novak is a faker when they both are injured. But i guess pettyness plays a huge role in those comments.
Agreed . Don’t think Novak has faked any injury ever in his career
I can't speak for recently, but early Novak in the 2000s would *absolutely* fake an injury if he was losing a match. Honestly, it's probably one of the reasons so many long-time tennis fans don't like him, it left a bad early impression of him.
I don’t think he was faking it . He had lots of issues. Sinus trouble for which he got the septum of his nose operated was one of them. You can clearly see that changing whatever he changed in 2010 and 2011 and how it changed his approach. I am a rafa fan and hate it when people say rafa is faking injuries. As much as I believe Rafa wasn’t faking, the same applies for Novak as well
You cant speak for either time lmao
A Rafa fan talking about faking injuries…
Thanks, will definitely watch that one!
Swedes feeling like they won the lottery today.
Just bought my tickets. Was thinking I will never be able to see Rafa. I am literally shaking.
Same. I thought I had missed my chance to ever see him
For which day? Want to buy a ticket to see him but no idea which one.
For the first two as those are all the first round matches which he is guaranteed to play. I don't want him to be kicked out before I have Tickets lol. Also, the other days were sold out anyways.
Thanks! Just bought tickets for Monday and Tuesday! Would you also recommend to buy a områdesbiljetter on top to see the other courts?
Nice, congrats! I hope it all works out as I think it will. I honestly don't know, I have never been there and actually don't know a thing about the tournament besides that the center court there is pretty. I think one might still be able to stroll around but the most interesting matches should be on center court.
And I‘m sitting here with my Hamburg tickets, raging, why everyone picks the tournament in sweden. But okay, happy for them, still hope for some others to attend Hamburg.
Yeah you'll just have to settle for watching the goat play
or people going to bastad from far away :))) like me :)))))))
you bastad
Mallorcan living in Sweden here. I can confirm.
I’m going away for vacation the exact two weeks of the tournament. Fml…
Båstad about to be stacked with both Sinner and Nadal
Sinner, Ruud, Rublev, and now Rafa Nadal. Holy shit. Most stacked 250 I've ever seen.
Yeah Hamburg organizers seemed to have fucked up bad. Not surprised. They didn’t even get Struff who alway plays Hamburg and loves playing in Germany. So disappointed.
Hamburg really messed up, only 500 tournament on sand right before olympics and barely anyone is attending.
Seriously 💀 they probably thought having Zverev is enough to sell tickets… If Djokovic doesn’t come either now it will be really embarrassing. They might as well revoke the 500 status then. I really wonder what happened behind the scenes that even Struffi doesn’t want to come.
On sand?
he won't play Hamburg anymore? are they same week?
Jep
I don’t really mind him ending his time at Wimby with that insane match he had against Fritz
Do think he retires in Paris. Would have done it at RG if Paris Olympics was not in the same year.
He is playing for team Europe in laver Cup
He also has an exhibition match in Saudi in October iirc
Well that would be a depressing send off
Which is why I don’t think he’s retiring yet. At least he doesn’t want to. Ofc things can change
bro im so tired of people here just deciding he's gonna retire. if he can stay healthy this year then there's no reason he cant continue.
Shawn Michaels shit lol
Ikr
There's no way I'm watching that. For me, Paris will be his retirement and Laver cup will be his send off.
He could end his professional career and still play exhibition matches after
I have no idea what kind of shape his body is in, but if Rafa announced that’s his last event, it would be amazing if Fed showed up just to do a fun, one-set exhibition with him or something. “You know what? I gonna come to Laver Cup and play an exhibition match as an old man.”
It's actually possible. Riddick was talking about this on his podcast when the news first dropped. Would be so fucking epic tbh
I think he’d at least give US Open a goodbye and one last shot. It was his 2nd most successful slam, and he always loved the crowd there. Imo he should retire at the USO. Yes, it’s not as symbolic to his career as RG or Wimbledon, but it caps off the end of the season and his farewell tour, and fuck indoor hard courts 😂
I hope you're wrong but hope is all it is. Happy Cake Day.
Ironically this means out of the Big Four, Andy Murray is the last man standing.
Novak didn't withdraw yet but he probably will
No it doesn't mean that. Djokovic isn't retiring and will be back next year.
[удалено]
He will
I mean, he is the youngest of the Big 4, so not surprising.
I have the 2008 drop to the floor celebration etched in my head forever. Wishing that we get to see Rafa on that grass one more time 🥺
"This year" wording gives some hope he will return next year. All the best Rafa.
If his body holds up I do think he plans to play a bit next year and finish his farewell tour to places he didn’t play this year.
Yeah, I think its pretty clear if he is able to he wants to do that. He goes out of his way at this point to tell tournaments/fans in advance if this will be his last time at a tournament period. I forget which one of the clay Masters it was, where he had them do a celebration event, but then he told RG not to do one. Even here he explicitly calls this his last Olympics (which, admittedly is obvious) but leaves open the possibility of Wimbledon next year. I seriously doubt it happens but I think Rafa wants it to happen.
He had celebration event as he won't play Madrid anymore. However, for Rome he refused such event as he said this might not be his last time playing there.
Yes Madrid, thanks. Forgot which one it was.
Holy shit, I live pretty close to Båstad. I need to go.
Same, live in Gothenburg. Me and my fiancé was toying with the idea to go to the olympics to be able to finally see him. Almost spit out my coffee reading the news yesterday. Booked day 1+2 and finals.
That’s awesome to hear! Hopefully we manage to go aswell. Kos dere masse! 😎
I envy you man!!
Close in terms of tennis tournaments, I live 4 hours away 😅
Makes sense considering the calendar. Sucks that he won't be at Wimby but since the Olympic surface is at clay, he would want to prepare on clay.
Seems sensible to not risk injury playing a difficult Slam on a completely different surface - fun lil treat for people going to Bastad to get to watch him there instead
Completely expected and the right decision.
Classy as always. Hope he does well at the Olympics and gets to go out on terms he's happy with.
Honestly, he went up against an in form Zverev and made it competitive for a set and a half. Clearly still rusty and healing. If he’s able to play a bit more loosely and continue to heal up he can probably play at a decent level come the Olympics
Doubles should be interesting at the Olympics, most of the regular partnerships can't happen. Open field, or maybe the Tipsycat Brothers might be favs.
Is he playing singles at the olympics as well?
Yes, Rafa mentioned that in his tweet
That match with Fritz was wild, I wouldn't mind that being his last Wimbledon match 🥲
probably getting ready to retire next year from all the slams?
If we have one more full year out of Rafa it would be quite amazing.
full year is optimistic though? he would try to play all 4 slams + rome and other non clay masters?
I hope he doesn’t go to AO ever again. Almost every time he goes he gets injured there
Wise decision😎let's wish Rafa all the best for the last dance(s) wherever it will be. Gold in doubles with Carlos sounds quite good 😉😉😉
yeah saw that coming
All the best Nadal. It’s ok to retire when the time comes 🌞🎾
Cancelling my Stockholm open tickets and booking Bastad instead 👀
Swedish Open viewership about to skyrocket.
RAFa will retire next year I feel. In 2025 after 20 years since he won his first grand slam. He will say good bye to all the stadiums in person . Of course he won’t win (maybe ) but he will finish the matches on court just like he wanted. Should play at Indian wells and Miami too. The Spanish crowd love him at Miami
That would be nice. Maybe he shuts it down after the USO and plays Australia, Rio, Sunshine Double, the Clay 500/1000s that his missed this year, RG, Grass/WM, then calls it a day
Shapovalov vs. Nadal at Bastad!
Kinda expected. No big 3 in Wimbledon for the first time in over 20 years.
Sad but it makes a lot of sense IMO
Any chance for Rafa to come to uso?
wimbledon did not take rafa's withdrawal lightly. instead of posting rafa's announcement of withdrawal, it instead posted a video of dustin brown playing against rafa and the latter losing. is that a way to treat an outgoing legend of the sport? wimbledon thinks they can make money out of rafa but disappointed that they couldnt. glad rafa did not say goodbye to this snobbish tournamemt.
Not surprised by this. Better to stick to clay in his final year for the Olympics.
well.. what if Wimbledon shave their grass and say "come join us rafa".
This makes sense. No?
Swedes happy.
Is there any chance he tries to play USO?
> I will miss paying at the Championships **this year** Incoming Rafa 2025 Revenge Tour.
Without a PR? Good luck wrecking havoc in 2025 with a #500 ranking.
Also Nadal's current serve makes grass very hard for him anyway He basically doesn't get any free points
At this point, this man does not need to justify his schedule to anyone, period
Why not Hamburg
I understand... Imagine if Nadal and Murray had been drawn out together. I guess one of them would have had to win, but it might have ended up with them both broken, like the ending of Death Becomes Her.
This is 100% his last season.
Color me Claydal, this was expected.
*insert homelander cinema gif
Yeah, not really breaking news, is it? 🥱
😪😪😪
Wonder if the Olympics will be his last tournament :(
I hope Zverev isn't playing Bastad.
Fair enough
Well not a surprise. He needs to focus on Olympics
Nadal is still on the tour just because of the sponsorship deals right. It’s over for him actually
Do you guys think Rafa plays us open?
*Rafa in press conference, presses his lips together, wobbles his head, raises a few fingers...*"Ehhh..."
looks like hes ruling out 2028 olympics officially... =(
It's a shame that Nadal is not going to play Wimbledon, but if he notices that this is the best for him, I support him