Tennis 2024
- Thread starter Jippy
- Start date
Definitely competitive, but he's certainly lost a lot of velocity on his looping shots.
Feel like he needs to just flatten out and go for it.
He's not beating Zverev in a grind game.
Feel like he needs to just flatten out and go for it.
He's not beating Zverev in a grind game.
Gives the break right back
A break really means nothing for Rafa unless he breaks to win a set because he's just not good enough right now to actually consolidate and hold all set.
Call me crazy, given he's hit some crazy shots, but Rafa looks to be struggling with the weight behind Zverev's groundstrokes.
It's indoors as well, so the ball will be heavier.
It's indoors as well, so the ball will be heavier.
Honestly Zverev has been going great this clay court season. Never seen him look so good. Definitely one of the favourites, if not the favourite to win.
Old man Nadal has made Zverev look brutally ordinary despite the likely 3-0 scoreline.
This is an incredible game
What a fecking shot!
Likely to lose in straight sets but if he can stay fit, Nadal might be in contention for a medal at the Olympics this summer. It will obviously be draw dependent but given how he was in Rome, this is a really positive performance, indoors too.
This is a really terrible draw for him. Would have beaten most other players today. I think he should see how he goes next few months before deciding to hang it up this year.
Obviously depends on his body holding up.
Obviously depends on his body holding up.
That's the last few games of Rafas career here coming up. It's going to be emotional.
Being indoors also didn't help but yep, this was pretty much the worst draw he could have possibly gotten right now.
What a fighter this man is. Never say die no matter the occasion.
Feck me Nadal has two break points now He's bloody incredible
He's bloody incredible*at Roland Garros...even then, I would expect him to play in Paris at the Olympics if he's still fit.
Shite. Couldn't break in the end..
Have to give Zverev credit today too. He's played well in difficult conditions. An impressive first serve percentage of 77% too
Nadal's little boy with his little tennis racket... so sweet
Absolutely! He's been great. Hope he keeps his level up for this tournament because he can win it this year for sure.
It's over..... don't retire Rafa
Ah this is sad
They need to interview Rafa as well hopefully
I hope this isn't another fake out retirement for applause like Murray's mastered
Looks like they will be. Mauresmo was speaking to Rafa and he's remained seated when usually they would go off court.
Feels strangely poetic that Rafa's weakest point was his undoing this match.
His serve.
His serve.
He still doesn’t speak French?!!! Unbelievable!
Adieu, Rafa!
Adieu, Rafa!
Ah great words from Rafa
Little Rafa wondering what's going on. So cute
I do wonder if he'll play Wimbledon. He's got a lot of time to prep for it, but that serve needs work.
Maybe he can play Wimbledon just for fun or to say goodbye to the fans, but he hasn’t be a factor there for a while.
The alternative would be to just try to get ready for the hard court swing in the U.S.
Isn't the Hard Court swing after the Olympics? In which case, he still needs court time.
You just know Rafa isn't coming back to RG. You could tell the way he spoke. Quite heartbreaking to see him go out in Round 1 on his last ever Tournament here.
It is.
But there are few hard court tournaments before the U.S. Open, and that’s good enough for him to prepare for Flushing Meadows.
The last time three times he's played there, he's made the SF. There is also a bit of a lack of depth on the grass too, that I think he probably should give the grass a go.
He's said how the hard courts aren't great on the body so wouldn't expect him to play too much more on there.
If he's fit I think he should do the following schedule for the rest of the season/career.
ATP 250/500 - grass leadup
Wimbledon
ATP 250 - clay lead up to the Olympics
Olympics
US Open
Laver Cup
I suspect he might scrap the grass and finish officially at the Olympics before making a Laver Cup appearance too
Feck that scumbag
Rafa deserved better than to lose to that in his last game at RG
Rafa deserved better than to lose to that in his last game at RG
It's clear as day he'll be back next year, his interview more or less confirmed it. Unless he gets ahead of himself and goes for too much in his schedule.
Rafa's said he's unlikely to play Wimbledon given the demands on his body to shift from clay to grass and then back to clay for the Olympics.
Yeah just read the press conference. It makes sense, given the Olympics begins in early August. Must admit, I thought it started a little later.
Alcaraz still seems very tentative hitting through his shots.
Commentary for his match is unbearable to listen to.
Commentary for his match is unbearable to listen to.