AO: A huge fight, but not quite enough
Photo by Quinn Rooney /Getty Images
#1 vs #2 in a slam final. We are spoiled by how often that happens in men’s tennis these days – the chance to see the top 2 players in the world slug it out in a major final should be relished. Unfortunately for Rafa, this match up doesn’t work as well as him as the one against Federer. In fact, last year Rafa fans started to fully realize the pain that FedFans have felt for years. At times, tonight, it looked like we might be forced to deal with more of the same. It was an up and down match that ended with Nole winning despite Rafa having chances. But you know what? Rafa showed a hell of a lot more fight here than he did in Wimbledon and in 3 of the 4 US Open sets. He still has a Nole puzzle to solve, the margins are getting smaller, but Nole will get a huge burst of confidence after gutting out this win. Nole defeats Rafa in the longest slam final in history: 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5.
Summary:
Nole was shaky at the start – not getting any rhythm and sending balls out. Rafa took advantage and broke in the 5th game. Still not playing his best, Nole took advantage of Rafa getting more passive and broke back in the 8th game: 4-4. With aggressive play, Rafa broke in the 11th game and went on to serve out the first set.
Nole broke in a weird 4th game in set two. It took a while and many struggles to hold serve, but aggressive Rafa showed up again when Nole was serving for the set. Nole double faulted and we were back on serve: 5-4, Nole. Sadly, Rafa returned the favor to Nole – double faulting in the next game and giving him the second set.
Nole broke in the 4th game of the third to take a 3-1 lead. He broke again 8th game to take the quickest set of the match.
In the 7th game of the 4th set, Nole had triple break point. If he had broken, he could have served for the match next game. Rafa fought like hell, held serve and gave us a huge lawnmower. Oh, and he did this while it was raining and the roof started to close. They stayed on serve until a tiebreak which Rafa won.
Rafa was playing better in the 5th set. He broke Nole, but was broken back thanks to some rather regretful errors. Nole then broke again and served out the match.
Stats:
| Nadal | Djokovic | |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | ||
| Aces | 10 | 9 |
| Double Faults | 4 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 71% | 69% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 90/137 (66%) | 67/98 (68%) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 30/66 (45%) | 43/68 (63%) |
| Break Points Won | 4/6 (67%) | 7/20 (35%) |
| Statistics on Points | ||
| Total Service Points Won | 120/203 (59%) | 110/166 (66%) |
| Total Return Points Won | 56/166 (34%) | 83/203 (41%) |
| Total Points Won | 176/369 (48%) | 193/369 (52%) |
| Other Stats | ||
| Winners | 44 | 57 |
| Unforced errors | 71 | 69 |
| Net Approaches | 16/19 (84%) | 23/31 (74%) |
| Serve Speeds | ||
| Fastest Serve Speed | 204 KMH | 202 KMH |
| Average 1st Serve Speed | 183 KMH | 190 KMH |
| Average 2nd Serve Speed | 136 KMH | 150 KMH |
As it happened blatherings:
Nervous? Yep. Got my Rafa shirt on, my DC scarf, snacks…okay, let’s do this.
Rafa getting his pre-match warm-up on in the hallway.
Pascal in the chair. Neither guy wants to call the coin toss. Nole final does, wins and elects to serve.
From what they are saying, it’s hot and humid with a chance of rain…and therefore the roof being closed. Please, please don’t let that happen.
Rafa/Nole, never played here, neither has lost a final here, 3 for 3. More humid than it’s been here in 2 weeks
— Steve Tignor (@SteveTignor) January 29, 2012
Game on! Nadal v Djokovic twitter.com/darren_cahill/…
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) January 29, 2012
Rafa sends a forehand long: 15-0. Nole nets a backhand. Nole steps in on a short ball, winds up a forehand and sends it into the net: 15-30. Forehand winner from Nole: 30-30. Rafa sends a forehand long: 40-30. Cahill saying humidity keeping Rafa’s ball from bouncing high. Rafa guesses wrong on a second serve and Nole holds to start the match.
Ace! Nole sends a forehand into the net: 30-0. Nole’s serve return sails long: 40-0. Again and Rafa holds at love: 1-1. Both players running – point ends with Nole netting a ball: 0-15. Beauty of a return gives Rafa control of the point: 0-30. Nole into the net and his deep volley wins the point: 15-30. Ace; Rafa challenges, but it’s good: 30-30. Nole steps into a short 2nd serve return and knocks off a forehand winner: 40-30. Nole holds. Rafa having trouble returning serves out wide to his forehand.
Nole stops play to challenge the call a call and the ball was indeed out by a millimeter: 0-15. Nice serve out wide to Nole’s backhand and into midcourt to hit a forehand winner: 15-15. Rafa works a point well and moves Nole – finishes it with a smash winner: 30-15. Did Nole pull up a bit short there? Service winner: 40-15. Strong hold from Rafa.
Backhand penetration critical for Nadal. Going to have to find a way to do some damage with the shot to break losing pattern #ausopen
— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) January 29, 2012
Ace: 15-0. Rafa sends a backhand down the line wide: 30-0. Nice forehand winner from midcourt for Rafa: 30-15. Nole nets a backhand: 30-30. Ace: 40-30. A scrambling Nole sends a forehand wide: deuce. First crazy point of the match and Rafa has a break point. Fault. Rafa crowds the baseline, Nole backs off the serve motion to start again…and Rafa badly misses the return: deuce. Ace: game point. Fault, Nole challenges, but the call was good. Nole sends a backhand well long: deuce. Nice depth from Rafa draws an error: break point #2. Short angled return to Nole’s backhand – he sends the reply well long and Rafa breaks! He’s up 3-2.
After the break, Nole smacked his racket on the ground and changed shirts. In black now.
Serve is called out; Rafa challenges and is correct: ace. 15-0. Nole takes advantage of a floaty ball from Rafa: 15-15. Another long ball from Nole: 30-15. Nole drop shots, Rafa gets to it, but Nole flicks a winner off the reply: 30-30. The net cord pops Rafa’s ball out and Nole has a break point. Nice serve out wide and then paints the opposite sideline for a winner: deuce. Fault. Nole sends another ball out: game point. Deep return pushes Rafa back and his reply is short; Nole smothers it: deuce. Fault. Deep return of serve and Rafa frames it: break point. Fault. Nole sends a forehand well out: deuce. Excellent serve, short reply, winner: game point. That short return had a good angle and a lot of work on it: deuce. Service winner: game point. Nole works a point well and ends it with an angled volley winner: deuce.
Aggressive to break and passive to hold.Not how this goes, Rafa.Fix yourself.
— Ataraxis (@Ataraxis00) January 29, 2012
Good serve, forehand winner from midcourt: game point. Finally, Rafa holds! He was a bit more passive there and his serve dropped off, but Nole still hasn’t found his rhythm yet. 4-2, Rafa.
Rafa’s damper goes flying: 15-0. Nice return of serve and Nole’s backhand is wide: 15-15. Nole casuals a forehand winner: 30-15. Fault. Again: 40-15. It’s weird that the more casual Nole looks, the better he hits. Nole holds for 3-4.
I so love that Nadal is pouring every ounce of his being into this match. You can feel it. He’s not hiding from this challenge.
— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) January 29, 2012
Rafa’s forehand is long: 0-15. Excellent forehand from Rafa: 15-15. Fault. Nole frames a return: 30-15. Rafa nets a forehand: 30-30. Fault; Rafa challenges and it’s good: 1st service. Fault – for real this time. Nole nets a forehand return: 40-30. Longish rally with deep hitting from both ends after Nole steps up on a short ball from Rafa and he can’t handle it: deuce. Fault. Rafa sends a backhand long: break point. Nole’s forehand is wide: deuce. Rafa nets a high backhand: break point. Excellent serve out wide to Nole’s backhand and the return floats wide: deuce. Nole talking to himself. Pushed wide, Rafa sends a forehand out: break point #3. Rafa nets a forehand. Back on serve: 4-4.
Rafa suddenly looks lost, like he doesn’t have a target. Like Fed against him, he’s missing routine shots against Nole
— Steve Tignor (@SteveTignor) January 29, 2012
Fierce forehand mid rally gives Rafa control of the point and he finishes it off: 0-30. That point was bonkers – and it ends with a wide forehand from Rafa: 15-30. Long rally ends with Rafa netting a forehand: 30-30. Nole bullies Rafa: 40-30. Nole holds for 5-4. Rafa will serve to stay in the set.
Nice body serve gives Rafa control of the point and he rides it out: 15-0. Seagull flock invades the stadium. Service winner: 30-0. Again: 40-0. Nole wins the battle of the angles: 40-15. Rafa sets up a backhand, but it’s out: 40-30. Nole looking casual again. I don’t like that. With a fierce forehand winner, Rafa holds for 5-5.
Nole sends a forehand long – that was a nice return of serve, Rafa: 0-15. Let. Fault. Nole pushes Rafa deep and then comes into the net to finish him off: 15-15. Rafa floats a backhand long: 15-30. Fault. Blistering backhand crosscourt gives Rafa control of the point and he finishes it off: 30-30. Beauty of forehand down the line and Rafa has a break point. Nole sends a backhand out and Rafa breaks for 6-5. (PLEASE HOLD!)
Service winner into the body: 15-0. Rafa working the body serve against Nole – it helped turn around their match in the Olympics, can it do it here? Rafa sends a ball out: 15-15. Nole’s serve return is out: 30-15. Beautiful angled volley winner from Rafa: 40-15. Fault. Nole hits a backhand return of serve winner: 40-30. Nervous play from Rafa, not from Nole: deuce. That’s better: game/set point. Took him three set points, but Rafa holds to take the first set 7-5.
80 minutes; 76% 1st in; 67% won on 1st; 42% on 2nd; 2 aces; 15 winners; 17 UFEs; 2/3 BPs; 5/6 at net.
In an hour and 20 minutes, Rafael Nadal takes a crucial but excruciating first set 7-5. Asks for “one banana and ice towel.” #AusOpen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 29, 2012
Nole steps into a forehand and smacks a winner: 40-15. Serve and volley, but second volley into the net: 40-30. Nole holds.
STAT MAGIC RT @Infostrada2012 Nadal is 133-1 in #grandslam matches in which he won 1st set, only losing to Ferrer at 2007 US Open #ausopen
— Caroline Cheese (@CarolineCheese) January 29, 2012
Maria gave Rafa soft time warning.
Fault. Let. Fault: 0-15. Rafa nets a forehand: 0-30. Nice serve and Nole misses the reply: 15-30. Rafa misses a forehand down the line and has double break point against. Rafa…what did you say about Murray’s 4th set against Nole? That’s it, more aggressive play: 30-40. Long rally ends with a deep backhand from Rafa that Nole can’t get back over the net: deuce. Ace: game point. Rafa slices a mid-court backhand well wide: deuce. Nice serve down the middle and the reply is long: game point. With an ace, Rafa holds. *whew*
Backhand down the line winner from Nole: 15-0. Rafa nets a return: 30-0. Rafa pushes Nole deep and draws an error: 30-15. Nole sets up a forehand, but nets it. Nice serve, weak return, Nole into the midcourt for a winner: 40-30. Fault. Rafa nets a forehand and Nole holds for 2-1.
These closeups of their faces is nothing but tension.Jaw clenching kinda stuff.
— Ataraxis (@Ataraxis00) January 29, 2012
We rarely saw that 1st set level from Djokovic in ’11. If Nadal doesn’t win it, I give him almost no chance. #ausopen
— Douglas Robson (@dougrobson) January 29, 2012
Let. Nole runs Rafa until he can fire a forehand winner: 0-15. Deep shot from Rafa heading out of court draws an error: 15-15. Backhand winner and a huge grunt from Rafa finishes off a long point: 30-15. Rafa sends a forehand into the doubles alley: 30-30. Rafa overhits a forehand: break point. Fault. Rafa challenges but it was long. Feirce return gives Nole control and he breaks for a 3-1 lead.
Forehand winner from Nole: 15-15. Lovely backhand from Rafa: 30-30. Big hitting from Nole: 40-30. Nole consolidates the break to take a 4-1 lead in the 2nd.
Nole smacks the shit out of it until he gets an error: 0-15. Ace. Nole challenges the call: it’s out. Nole nets a forehand: 15-15. Nole approaches on a deep forehand into the corner, but can’t volley Rafa’s reply over the net: 30-15. Service winner and Rafa holds for 2-4.
Fault. Nole challenges. It was just in: 2 serves. Fault. Players running side to side, Rafa hooks a short angle and Nole runs to get it…but the backhand is just out: 0-15. Service winner: 15-15. Rafa slices a backhand into the net: 30-15. Service winner: 40-15. Drop shot winner and Nole holds for 5-2.
Service winner: 15-0. Rafa nets a backhand: 15-15. Beautiful backhand down the line that Rafa follows into the net; he knocks off the floaty reply for a winner: 30-15. Fault. Nole gets the return back at Rafa’s feet and handcuffs him: 30-30. Short slicey ball from Rafa bounces and heads way out into the doubles alley like it was being chased by the cops: 40-30. Let. Nole hits a return of serve winner, but Rafa challenges the serve call. It was, however in: Deuce. Down the middle service winner: game point. Excellent return that Rafa can’t handle: deuce. Break point. Nice forehand from Rafa that Nole can’t do anything with once he chases it out wide: deuce. Nole nets a forehand: game point. Fault. Nole tees off on a second serve return, but nets it and Rafa holds. Barely. Nole can serve out the set now.
#AusOpen final roof update: the roof has been closed slightly. Perhaps anticipating some rain. #nadovic rafole
— Australian Open (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2012
Nole backhand crosscourt winner into the open court: 15-0. Rafa nets a forehand second serve return: 30-0. (That was weak and Rafa shows he knows it by dropping his shoulders.) Nole nets a forehand: 30-15. Fault. Nole into the net, nice passing attempt from Rafa, but Nole sends a volley into the open court: 40-15. Nole’s crosscourt backhand is out: 40-30. Aggressive Rafa! Deuce. Rafa gets away with a bad drop shot: break point. Fault. Nole double faults and we are back on serve. Nole is challenging…but it is out. On serve, 5-4. Rafa will serve to stay in the set.
There’s far too much Roddick against Federer in Nadal’s game against Djokovic. Tepid backhand slices and short returns get devoured.
— Craig Hickman (@CraigHickman) January 29, 2012
You noticed where Rafa was when he was winning points?Inside the court/net … not at the backstop.
— Ataraxis (@Ataraxis00) January 29, 2012
Rafa hesitates mid-point thinking Nole’s ball is long, but the rally continues. Nole nets the ball: 15-0. 15-15. Fault. Amazing return of serve: 15-30. That return sails long: 30-30. Good body serve that Nole can’t return: 40-30. Nole’s return is called out, Maria overrules, Rafa uses his last challenge… and the ball was good. Replay the point. Fault. Deep forehand from Nole draws an error: deuce. Rafa into the net, blistering pass from Nole: break/set point. Fault. Rafa double faults to give the second set to Nole.
66 minutes; 63% 1st servers in; 58% won on 1st; 47% won on 2nd; 3 aces; 2 doubles; 10 UFEs; 9 winners; 1/1 BPs; 4/5 at net.
Pascal warns Nole and Rafa on time between points
— Steve Tignor (@SteveTignor) January 29, 2012
Bad looking drop shot attempt by Rafa: 30-0. Fierce forehand from Nole: 40-0. Casual forehand winner and Nole holds at love to start set 3.
After pulling Rafa wide to the backhand side, Nole goes for a forehand winner but it’s out: 15-0. Ace: 30-0. Angled winner from the net from Nole: 30-15. Nole sends a forehand long: 40-15. Fault. Nole pushes Rafa well wide: 40-30. Deep return from Nole and Rafa back-peddles, but is caught: deuce. Nole sends a return well long: game point. Forehand winner from Nole: deuce. Service winner: game point. Mid-rally and not pushed, Rafa sends a forehand long: deuce. Deep hitting and Rafa draws an error: game point. Rafa holds for 1-1.
Backhand down the line winner from Nole: 15-0. Nole’s shot is long: 15-15. Fault. Fierce forehand from Nole gets Rafa completely out of position: 30-15. Rafa pushes Nole and draws an error: 30-30. Fault. Rafa mistimes a backhand: 40-30. Fault. Fierce forehand and Nole holds for 2-1.
Cracks me up to hear Lleyton and Courier openly talking about what Toni is going to scream at Rafa as though it’s not a rule violation.
— Beyond The Baseline (@SI_BTBaseline) January 29, 2012
Right now, Nole’s regular patterns vs. Rafa’s regular patterns = clear win for Nole. Rafa will have to force himself out of his comfort zone in order to do force Nole to do the same.
Fault. Nole’s return is long: 15-0. Rafa mishits a forehand: 15-15. Fault. Toni’s head is down and he looks nervous. Nole nets a backhand: 30-15. Another forehand mishit from Rafa: 30-30. Nole’s ball is called out, chair overrules, replay the point. Rafa sends a weak slice mid-court and Nole tees off on it: break point. Fault. Rafa picks on Nole’s forehand and then misses the change-up to his backhand. Nole breaks for a 3-1 lead in the 3rd.
Djoko the only player I’ve ever seen who can give Nadal chances & not pay for it. Amazingly, he looks like frontrunner now after iffy play.
— Tom Perrotta (@TomPerrotta) January 29, 2012
15-0. Service winner, but Rafa challenges. It was in by millimeters: 30-0. Service winner out wide: 40-0. Nole holds a love: 4-1.
All I can say is that if Nadal is going to get out of his own way and challenge a fifth set, he better not drop this set on his serve.
— Craig Hickman (@CraigHickman) January 29, 2012
At 4-1 in 3rd, @DjokerNole winning 62% of 2nd srv pts to @RafaelNadal 46% in match. In 13 of past 15 meetings, winner w/higher pct wins.
— Greg Sharko (@SharkoTennis) January 29, 2012
Short ball from Rafa and Nole steps in to smack a winner: 0-15. Service winner: 15-15. Forehand winner from Rafa: 30-15. Nole pushes Rafa back until he draws an error: 30-30. Cheeky drop shot winner from Nole: 30-40. Serve return is long: deuce. Nole nets a forehand: game point. Rafa holds for 2-4.
Again, Nole pushes Rafa deep and he can’t pass: 15-0. Rafa nets a forehand: 30-0. Service winner: 40-0. Nole holds at love.
Nerves can make even the fastest players slow. Nadal’s legs are as heavy as wet hay.
— Craig Hickman (@CraigHickman) January 29, 2012
Rafa nets a backhand: 0-15. Rafa sends a forehand long: 0-30. And that backhand went well wide: 0-40. With a forehand winner, Nole breaks to take the 3rd set: 6-2.
45 minutes; 53% 1st serves in; 50% won on 1st; 43% on 2nd; 1 ace; 10 UFEs; 2 winners
Rafa would have been nice if you’d held so you could start the 4th on serve.
Rafa about as despondent in that game as I’ve seen him (outside of World Tour Finals, of course)
— Steve Tignor (@SteveTignor) January 29, 2012
0-15. Rafa pulls Nole out well wide, but Nole works his way back into the point and wins it: 15-15. Rafa sends a forehand long: 30-15. Ace: 40-15. Fierce forehand from Rafa: deuce. Rafa sends a a forehand well out: game point. Aggressive backhand from Rafa: deuce. Fault. Rafa nets a backhand: game point. Nole holds to start set 4.
That horrible forehand miss by Nadal at deuce will go down as an unforced error. But it wasn’t. Fear of Djokovic forced it.
— Tom Perrotta (@TomPerrotta) January 29, 2012
Backhand down the line winner from Rafa: 15-0. Fault. Deep return from Nole draws an error: 15-15. Nole’s backhand is out: 30-15. Rafa hits behind Nole, but he stays in the point. Rafa works it and sets up a backhand…that he hits way out: 30-30. Nole nets a return. Another deep return draws an error: deuce. Rafa smashes a winner: game point. With an ace and a yell, Rafa holds for 1-1.
Amazing how the stuff that works so well againstFederer doesn’t translate at all against Djokovic..RN doing all the running
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) January 29, 2012
One difference between Nole and Fed is that Nole moves forward and cuts off angle on Rafa’s wide ad-court serve. Point flows from there
— Steve Tignor (@SteveTignor) January 29, 2012
Ace: 30-0. Again: 40-0. Service winner…Nole holds at love.
Rafa, I’m eating my last allotted snack of the day – thus daring you to push this to 5 and making me regret eating so early.
Hey, a stress-free hold from Rafa! Woot!
Rafa paints the line with a forehand down the line winner: 0-15. Short return and Nole knocks it for a winner: 15-15. Beautiful forehand winner from Rafa: 15-30. Rafa nets a slice backhand: 30-30. Excellent serve and the reply is out: 40-30. A slight opening for Rafa in that game, but Nole holds for 3-2. On serve in the 4th.
Good serve down the middle: 15-0. Fault out wide. Nole’s backhand reply is long; Nole challenges and it was good (you could tell Rafa knew it was). Replay the point. Nice forehand that Rafa follows in to the net – Nole’s reply is out: 30-0. Fault. Rafa checks the line but doesn’t challenge. Hawkeye shows it was out. Rafa nets a forehand: 30-30. AggressiveRafa: 40-30. Fault. Serve out wide and winner into the open court. Rafa holds for 3-3.
Nole sends a dropshot into the net: 0-15. Handcuffed, Rafa sends a serve return well out: 15-15. Decent return, but Rafa nets the subsequent backhand – he’s not happy: 30-15. Rafa’s serve return goes into the net: 40-15. Fault. Rafa presses on a forehand return and Nole holds for 4-3.
Deep return gives Nole control again and finishes with a winner: 0-15. Excellent forehand that would have been a winner against 99% of the tour. Nole gets it back and handcuffs Rafa: 0-30. Good return, forehand winner into the open court: 0-40. Two fierce forehands in a row from Rafa: 15-40. Service winner: 30-40. Fault. Rafa hits a backhand down the line winner behind Nole: deuce. It’s raining. Ace. Game point. The roof is moving. Service winner and Rafa holds! He breaks out the lawn mower.
Crowd chanting Rafa. Ball kids drying court as players sit down.
Nadal is a marvel. What a will. And then the rain starts falling. Astounding.
— Tom Perrotta (@TomPerrotta) January 29, 2012
Rafa has left the court; Nole in his chair. I’m tense as hell. Both players eventually leave and seem to come out with fresh clothes one.
Rafa nets a ball: 15-0. Stretched, Rafa sends a forehand long: 30-0. Rafa’s return is out: 40-0. Good return from Rafa, but Nole still manages to take control of the point and fire off a winner. Nole holds at love: 5-4. Rafa will serve to stay in the match.
Rafa goes for a forehand, but he pushes it long: 0-15. Nole sends a ball out: 15-15. Nice serve and the return sails: 30-15. Nole nets a backhand: 40-15. Fault. Nole blasts a second serve return and follows that up: 40-30. Lovely angle and Rafa holds for 5-5.
Rafa survived 3rd set like this at US Open, before Nole rolled in the fourth. But 5th set is a different story mentally. Might be tougher.
— Steve Tignor (@SteveTignor) January 29, 2012
Excellent serve down the middle and Rafa’s reply is out: 15-0. Nole sends a forehand out: 15-15. Rafa stands on the baseline, but can’t make his shot: 30-15. Rafa pains the line with a forehand and Nole’s reply is out: 30-30. Nole hits behind Rafa: 40-30. Rafa nets a backhand and Nole holds for 6-5.
Serve that Nole can’t get back over: 15-0. Nole sends a forehand long: 30-0. Nole doesn’t move his feet and sends a ball into the net: 40-0. Rafa holds at love. Tiebreak time.
Serve out wide and Rafa nets the reply: 0-1. Amazing point! I thought it was done a few times. 1-1. Rafa smashes a winner: 2-1. Fault from Nole. Rafa’s backhand is just long…it was playable: 2-2. Nole sends a forehand out and it’s mini-break to Rafa: 3-2. The net cord pops Rafa’s ball out of court – back on serve: 3-3. He was really going for that flat forehand. *sigh* Short ball from Rafa, Nole pounces, Rafa’s reply is out. He challenges, but: 3-4,mini-break Nole. Pure offense from Nole: 3-5. Fault. Long rally ends with Nole sending a forehand just out: 4-5 on serve. Nole runs Rafa, but nets a forehand when he had an open court: 5-5. Service winner: 6-5. Set point for Rafa on Nole’s serve. Set 4 to Rafa! We are going to a 5th!!!
How the hell did that happen? No, I don’t want to know. I’m just happy it did happen. First 5 setter between these 2 in a slam. My heart is beating a mile a minute.
88 minutes; 72% 1st serves in; 74% won on 1st; 58% won on 2nd; 2 aces; 1 DF; 11 winners; 18 UFEs; 5/5 at net.
Inspiring from Rafa. Nole couldn’t get over last nerve; also could have finished a couple of those points at the net, if that was his game.
— Steve Tignor (@SteveTignor) January 29, 2012
Where the hell did that shot come from, Rafa? Nole had pushed him back with a lob and Rafa slaps a winner from eye level: 30-15. Nole’s serve is out: 40-15. Fault. Make that a double: 40-30. Ace and Rafa holds.
Sitting on my couch at home in Sydney loving every second!!! @RafaelNadal u r a god! No matter what happens!
— rennae stubbs (@rennaestubbs) January 29, 2012
Ace: 40-0. Nole’s shot is out: 40-15. Strong hold for Nole: 1-1.
Fault. Nole’s shot is called out, he challenges and is correct. Replay the point. Nole’s shot is out for real this time: 15-0. Nole’s return goes into the net: 30-0. I swear Rafa’s got the look of a wide-eyed mad-man as he waits for a ball to serve with. Another serve winner: 40-0. Rafa holds at love.
0-15. Nole casuals a forehand winner: 15-15. I always get nervous when he starts that casual stuff. Nole sends a backhand out: 15-30. Ace: 30-30. Rafa had a forehand lined up, but sends it into the net: 40-30. Nole holds.
This is the longest Grand Slam final in the Open Era – it used to be the 1998 US Open final at 4:54 (Wilander vs Lendl)
— dannykendall (@dannykendall) January 29, 2012
My guy won in that one…can the same happen today?
15-0. Nole staggers and nets a return: 30-0. Ace: 40-0. Nole’s return is out and Rafa holds at love.
Rafa popped a pill on that changeover? Or am I on crack? I’m surprised they both don’t need a full medicine cabinet at this point.
Rafa goes after a shot, but no go: 15-0. Nole nets a backhand: 15-15. Backhand winner from Nole: 30-15. Nole’s shot is out: 30-30. Again: break point…his first since the 3rd set, I think. Nole’s shot is out. Rafa breaks to take a 4-2 lead in the 5th.
Forehand winner from Rafa: 15-0. Fault. Nole return of serve winner: 15-15. Nole’s return lands in the net: 30-15. Rafa had an open court, goes for a backhand. It’s called out and the replay shows it was: 30-30. Nole hits a deep forehand that Rafa can do nothing with: 30-40. Rafa sends a shot long and he’s broken. Back on serve.
BTW, it’s time for the replay of the match to start on ESPN2. Oh.
Nole’s backhand is wide: 0-15. Fault. Long rally ends with Nole pushing Rafa wide and back, coming into the net and knocking off a winner: 15-15. Rafa nets a second serve return: 30-15. Fault. Rafa hits a slice backhand into the net: 40-15. Nole holds: 4-4.
Running, running, running…point still going on…finally ends on an error from Nole. He falls to the court exhausted. 15-0. (Rafa refused to look at the other end of the court while Nole laid there.)
OH MY GOD. That point gave me the church vapors.
— James LaRosa (@JamesLaRosa) January 29, 2012
Tired drop shot into the net from Nole: 30-0. Nole’s ball called out, but it was good per challenge: replay the point. Second serve and Nole’s deep return catches Rafa off guard: 30-15. Good return and bad forehand error from Rafa – he was hitting behind Nole and it could have been a winner: 30-30. Service winner: 40-30. Fault. Return of serve winner: deuce. Rafa’s backhand is out and Nole has a break point. Service winner: deuce. How did Nole get that serve back? Rafa handles it though: game point. Fault. *whew* Rafa holds for 5-4.
Tough hold. Nadal shold be running to the sidelines right now looking pumped up. Fake it till you make it.
— Craig Hickman (@CraigHickman) January 29, 2012
Long rally ends with Nole into the net to knock off a floater from Rafa: 15-0. Rafa nets a forehand: 30-0. Rafa’s return is out: 40-0.Double fault: 40-15. Strong hold for Nole for 5-5.
Forehand down the line winner from Rafa: 15-0. That one, however, went out: 15-15. Fault. Nole handcuff’s Rafa: 15-30. Nole’s lob is out: 30-30. Rafa on defense the whole point until he dumps a shot into the net: break point. Fault. Serve out wide, winner into open court: deuce. Rafa’s forehand is out: break point. Rafa saying he heard an out call during the point. Rafa sends a slice backhand into the net and is broken. Nole can serve it out next.
Rafa tried to play aggressive, but ends up netting a backhand: 15-0. Service winner: 30-0. Nole’s forehand is out: 30-15. He challenges, but the call was correct. Nole sends a smash into the net – he had the open court: 30-30. Fault. How the hell are they still doing this? Break point for Rafa. Fault. Nole pushes Rafa well wide: deuce. The net cord pops Rafa’s ball out: championship point. Nole wins.
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Hope it’s okay to post this here, this is the poem that Rafa mentioned in the Q&A that he read for Wimbledon. I don’t know why, but reading it makes me feel better.
If—
BY RUDYARD KIPLING
(‘Brother Square-Toes’—Rewards and Fairies)
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
I have always loved this poem. Perfect for Rafa and so true.
Very apt Dianne. Rafa embodies the spirit of this poem and really we get to see more of his grace and champion mindset in his defeats than in his victories – he is an example to us all and I really do marvel at the fact he is still only 25. It’s been said before but he’s wise beyond his years… Tennis will struggle to find a champion like him again – someone who is so passionate about the spirit of sport, who will fight to his limit, will leave it all out on the court but then after it all realise it’s only a game and the important thing is not always the winning or the losing, but how you win or lose. The determination, will, attitude he displayed today was phenomenal.
Can’t think of any other sportsman like him and really irks me at times that footballers (soccer players) are such idols in the UK & Europe in general when very few of them should be any kind of role model to young kids. They usually play one 90 minute game a week with 10 other teammates, sometimes not even the whole 90 minutes, and there are concerns about them being tired if they play more than one game a week – compare that to the brutal 6 hours today and it really is a joke. Hope some kids watched this match today and felt inspired to persevere in whatever they do – never ever ever give up.
I’ve told myself to be a strong girl for most of the afternoon/evening/night after the match, but after reading this at 1:15 AM, I’m finally ready to release the tension, let it all go, and drop the tears I’ve been holding for so many hours. Thanks for posting this, this is so relevant. And yes, it actually helps feeling better.
That is a beautiful poem. It actually made me feel better. Thanks very much for sharing with us.
Ash86, great post. I agree so much with you. Rafa has to be the best sportsman there is, and indeed a great example, without ever acting like he knows he’s one. The poem is really very adept to him. The will and work ethic and sportsmanship he puts in what he does. His graciousness and calmness when he loses. And I will add the way he is when he wins, always so empathetic to the another player. I’ve never seen another player behave quite that way when winning.
I really hope he can manage to get the edge he needs (I think he’s going in the right direction, to say the least). And that he perseveres. I trust he will. He really deserves more triumphs in his career. I can’t think of anyone who’d deserve it more than him.
I’d like to say I’m thankful for this site and all the hard work that goes into it. It’s comforting to come to and read when Rafa’s had a hard time; it’s fun to read all the happy comments when he does well. I’ve been following your site since Rafa revamped his site in Feb. of 2010. I’ve been glad today for it when I’ve checked it numerous times- it’s great to have a community of Rafa supporters that understand how you’re feeling. I felt much better today after his loss to read some of the upbeat and kind comments. He is only human and we humans can make mistakes. I felt he fought hard and gave it everything he had! God Bless you Rafa for a great 2012 season and for being the humble person you are.
Very sad Rafa lost; and it is true he made some errors. On the other hand he came close to winning and showed he has been working to better his tactics. It is important to remember that no one else has stopped The Joker either or put him under any real pressure. Nole seems to combine the skills of Berdych and Davydenko namely taking the ball very early and hitting clean winners too fast to allow any reaction from opponents. But he is faster and more flexible both physically and mentally than they are so harder to counter. Rafa needs to improve his serve; he did hit aces and service winners during the match but he was not consistent enough and was vulnerable to those fast accurate returns from Nole. Especially on second serves. So it is not only a mentality problem. It is a hard challenge to deal with these problems. It induces errors. So I think we should forgive him. I much prefer Rafa as a personality and I hope he will find a series of methods to beat Nole on a regular basis. Loved to see his fighting spirit like in the past keep it up champion.
Thanks for the posts, Rafacat and Keith. It’s easy to be negative when you are denied something you want very much, but I’m looking for colm and illusion right now. Trying to find it in Rafa-centric sites from his fellow fans, but with mixed results. You both (and most others here) helped a lot.
Rafa is an extraordinary man, and I’m in awe of his mentality.
I am so gutted right now :(. It was just so, so close. It’s painful to see him walk away with nothing after that effort (and the effort of the last two weeks as well).
There is absolutely nothing to reproach him, I think, as far as the heart and guts he put into the match. Nothing at all. His mentality was fine. I am glad to see the changes he’s made and they are working I think. People say that Novak didn’t play at his best, and maybe he can play better than that, but then so can Rafa, who is forcing of himself a change in his game that cannot be easy, and in such a short period of time. I think he can manage to improve the regularity of his serve, his second serve, his UE count, and at least this last thing should come with him playing aggressively more often.
Very, very, very proud of him. And he completely managed to hold it together for the ceremony also.
So sad for Rafa but he fought so valiantly. I really thought if it got as far as a 5th set then he would win with his stamina and courage, but Nole really stepped up also. I totally agree with your comments Rafacat, love this site and great to have a community of Rafafans out there who can support each other as well as Rafa! I thought Rafa was so brave at the end when he did his speech, so gracious, said all the right things…- having invested so much blood sweat and tears into the match and come second, must have been SO hard. Well done Rafa, his character and strength is awesome, I will always support him no matter what.
Thank you for posting Kipling’s “IF” for us, Dianne. It IS Rafa, isn’t it?
It really is Rafa. Amazing :).
The game is over and took a long time. Rafa was amazing but I cant stop asking this question from Nadal’s photo on my desktop monitor!
WHY DID YOU LOSE???? I have to say he is always number one but why did u let him to win the game!!!!
This is the worst loss Rafa had against Nole I suppose. I couldn’t hold my tears and I cried freely just because Rafa deserved to win soo badly.. Vamos champion, you’re the best.
I was also gutted by that loss, but more by how he played the 2nd and 3rd sets. Had almost given up hope when he came back strong in the 4th set. Sadly, the miracle we waited for didn’t happen.
I am not much of an expert, but I thought he could have been more colm in the 2nd set. Seeing the first set, I really thought there was no way Rafa was gonna lose since the attitude and the game were there. Of course, after that, errors crept into Rafa’s game and you could see the frustration in some of his shots.
I just hope this final would be like the wimbledon final he lost to Roger and really motivate him to not allow anybody to deny him any grandslam. But really proud of Rafa for reaching the final and fighting so hard despite not many giving him a chance before this tournament started.
Hats off to his attitude. There are very few ‘good’ role-models out there. Rafa is ‘good’ in so many ways, not just for his game. I can’t imagine being so gracious in defeat or so cautious in celebrating so as not to hurt your opponent. Who will remember all this in the heat of the moment? But he does and he has been doing that consistently for so many years. What I am glad of, at the end of this tournament, is that Rafa is back to becoming the old Rafa. Yesterday, it was not to be, but that day is not so far away. Congrats to Nole also for keeping his cool and fighting it out till the end.
reading the comments and tweets still crushes my heart. its been 24hrs but the heartache is just as strong, if not, even stronger.
im happy how rafa fought… he didnt choke. but he had his chances in the 5th set.. thats what kills me… he could have been the winner.
still. much love for rafa and much respect. :)
Huh. I’m a bit late. I only watched the first two sets and a half, then had to go somewhere. I was seething with anger that Rafa was such a coward and didn’t do anything he’d promised me to do (step in to return serve and stop hiding behind the baseline during rallies, serving like a man with balls etc.). Pleasantly surprised that he fought back and at least showed he has a bit of schlong. I feel positive that he will beat Novak sooner rather than later.
Did anyone else hear Rafa order a banana and a steak sandwich in the change over after the first set? Sounded hilarious. :)
Aaawww CC, he tried, he really tried…. but it ‘ll take time before he’s got this in his system completely. And yes, he will get there!
Our hungry boy … that’s hilarious.
I don’t know how anyone in their right mind can call Rafa a coward. Maybe I saw a different match, maybe the amazing athlete and electrifying competitor that I know and love is different from the one you saw. Sorry if I’m taking this too seriously but calling someone a coward is quite a slur on someone’s character and it’s totally undeserved here.
Yes that’s too harsh.
Anyone who can stare down 6 previous defeats and continue to fight as valiently as he did in the 7th encounter runs contrary to every definition of coward
Yes, sorry! Don’t take my comments too seriously. Rafa is of course not a coward.
I missed the paRt where he ordered steak sandwich…. he did????? I suppose he only got the banana? Oh, Rafa is so cute! And totally adorkable!!
A letter to Rafa…
Dear Rafa,
I shed tears for you in my living room in Brooklyn on Sunday morning, but I shouldn’t have. You are magnificent, as a player and person, and should know, but I know you don’t, that you are as great a player as Djokovic or Federer. That is no exaggeration and no mistake. Your uncle may not think so, and I often get the impression that your “stubborn” refusal to play from the baseline (instead of 10 meters behind it) has to do with a fear of losing. When you do step up further in the court to receive, you are as technically proficient as Djokovic, Murray, Fed, and the others who receive serve from there.
In any case, everyone knows you are closer than ever in conquering Djokovic. Remember 2006 and 2007 at Wimbledon? I saw you play Bagdhatis in 2006 – you were more than amazing. But it took you a another year or so to beat Federer there. Same thing now with Novak. You know that, right?
Did you know Jim Courier said this of you?: “He reminds me of some other players in the past like myself and Roddick that believed more in the work, than he does in his talent. As good as he is, he should never question that.”
FROM: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/jon_wertheim/01/29/australian-open-50-thoughts/index.html#ixzz1kxyRxixV
Listen to Tio Toni – he makes you fierce. Listen to Jim Courier and others – they can make you fearless.
No matter what, you bring great joy to millions of fans and great respect to the sport of tennis.
Admiringly, always,
Bookshere
[Thanks, Miri, for the absolutely wonderful resource you provide.]
Thats a really sweet letter! It should reach him somehow…..
We know Benito sometimes reads here, lets hope he does now and reads it our loud for Rafa!
Really? Benito sometimes come in here? That’s cool! And great! So Rafa and team knows that there’s a lot of support for them worldwide!
I know he did once – ages ago. If he still does, I doubt he has a lot of time to do so often.
Its just nice to know, at least for me, that they are aware of the existence of this site, if nothing else :)
How did you know, miri? Did he send a comment? That’s cool. =)
I cried too and my husband told me no one will cry over a game- its just a game!!
I know it was just a game and he is still number one for all of us here, isn’t he :) I guess nothing happened-did it?
Its okay to have cried! I did too…
Cry over the fact that after such a devastating match Rafa stood there empty handed, or just having a plate where he wanted so much that trophy. Cry over the fact that after fighting so hard he just lost for the 7th time in a row to Nole where he wanted to win so much.
Cry out of pure disappointment for Rafa, for how he must have felt deep down inside.
But today is a new day a day to realize he came oh so close, a day to realize that its just one match lost, a day to realize that it is the start for Rafa to start working even harder and a day to realize that he is one day closer to eventually win against Nole!
I cried a lot too and had felt down and out physically/mentally until today. Very well said, An.
It’s a new day and another new beginning for Rafa. I’m very hopeful that from March onwards we’ll witness a very invigorated Rafa who is ready to take on anyone, including his arch rival. I’ll be eagerly looking forward to that.
Hi folks,
Hard court is not Rafa’s forte. I never expected him to win US or AO like Borg. Borg reached 5 US open finals and lost all of them.
In that regard, Rafa has done much better. Remember few years ago Tsonga beat him comprehensively in Semi finals. Rafa has improved so much since and adapted his game for the hard courts.
This time he lost to a very good hard court player. Even then he managed to come close to victory and in fact only lost it by making some unncharacterstic mistakes like missing a crucial backhand volley.
I belive he will be back to his winning ways soon.
No worries.
regards,
ken
What do you mean “he will get there”? He was there and still is. Let me remind you that Rafa’s head-to-head with Djoko is still ahead. In sports, there is a such thing called “Zone” and an athlete is in zone, he/she will achieve extra ordinary feats like when Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers scored 81 in one game a few years ago, he was in zone and he later said that he felt he would not miss a basket. Djoko has been “in his zone” since last year and has said the similar thing. Rafa is getting close to breaking that “zone”. He plays well in even years and in 2010 he did not win AO but after that he was phenomenal. And taking February off is a good thing. I expect Rafa to come back strong in March.
I am not being pessimistic here, but I just hope he crosses Sampras 13, though it seems very non-realistic. He just cannot break Joker. Losing GS in final set ( last time he lost was on 2007 wimby to GOAT),
this will blow his confidence.Just hope he gets atleast 1 ( FO or Wimby) this year, and Joker doesnt sweep everything.
What an irony.. Federer needs Joker to beat Rafa, Rafa needs Federer to beat Joker , but Joker can beat both Rafa and Federer on his own :)
So its gonna be always Joker, unless he dips a bit or 2,3,4 seed play out of their mind :)
I haven’t slept well since the final as I felt so gutted. The feelings/thoughts like “Rafa should/could/would have won. Only if…..” kept coming back and it’s so hard to let things go.
Coming here, reading all your guys’s comments and some uplifting articles, plus knowing that Rafa is very positive about the match definitely make me feel much better.
Like all of his true fans, I believe in Rafa and trust he will bounce back. Come what may. I will be one of his fans always and forever. Vamos Rafa!
Yes Rahul I agree it is an irony. But when Feds is on his game he can beat Joker. It is like a triangle, Feds is the only one who can beat Joker but can’t beat Rafa, Rafa can beat Feds but not Joker, and Joker can beat Rafa but sometimes not Feds! Before the AO draw came out I was hoping that Joker and Feds (as No 1 and 3) would be in the same side of the draw – which I think is usual isn’t it? and then Feds who was playing really well going into the tournament, could maybe beat Joker in the semi-final, Rafa could play and beat Murray in his SF, and then Rafa would meet Feds in the final and beat him! I had it all worked out! Alas the AO seemed to mix up the draw and put Feds and Rafa in the same half of the draw.
Enough has been said about the final but being a huge Rafa fan I must admit that I do not enjoy watching his games anymore especially against Nole. Davydenko like Nole have always done well against Rafa on hard courts which is not really Rafa’s surface. Rafa gets his confidence for the season by doing well in the clay court season. Rafa lost Wimbledon,in my opinion, because he lost badly in Rome and Madrid to Nole. How well Rafa fares at Roland Garros this year against Nole in the semis or final will depend upon how he fares in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid and Rome. Should Rafa lose at the above Masters to Nole then going by how Rafa has been playing the key points against Nole recently it will not be a surprise if Rafa hands the Djoker the Nole Slam. Should that happen then it wouldn’t surprise me if Nole goes on to win the Calender Slam that no one has achieved since Laver since the form that Nole is in only Rafa can stop him.
First of all Peterpan Rafa can only meet Djoker in the finals at this point in time. I can’ see between now and Paris that Rafa will lose no 2 position. Yes Rafa is all about confidence – and hence I really thought he would win the final but that key point 30 15 to go up 40 15 and make it 5 2 would have done it. But Rafa gets tight, and the older he gets the more it happens. I don’t know how many times in his presser he says he is nevrous and its getting worse – but he will find a way through being more and more aggressive me thinks and I think he feels the way he fought back , the passion makes him feel things will get better and who are we to disbelieve. I really think that each tourney is a new beginning and there is no way he wil give Djoke the Noel slam no way! This is only the beginning – Rafa had a shoulder, knee etc. (no excuses) but he said himself he didn’t consider himself winning the tourney. Let the shackles come off him and he will make sure he has a few wins under his belt. Djoker will be feeling the pressure more and more to keep in front and if you remember tht Aussie final went to 5 sets no?
4-2. For days I repeat it loudly to myself, 4-2. He was up 4-2 in the fifth. Everyone knew that the seventh game in the fifth was the most important one. He should have played that game more aggresively, differently. I am with CC on this one, maybe he is not coward but his play was.
Once he was 5-2, it was more likely the set would end 6-2. It came to his hands which he refused to take, instead Nole did with pleasure.
Reminded me, of course, of the semifinal between Roger and Novak at the US Open. Which I was sure was in Roger’s hands until that unbelievable turnaround in the last set. I was praying it wouldn’t happen, and it did. Once again. I try not to think what could have been if Roger had won the semifinal and it was Roger and Rafa in the US Open final. Same thing here, try not to depress myself with the “what if’s” It happened with Novak and Andy in this AO semifinal, he’s really good at it now and they can’t let their guard down for one second even when ahead.