RG: 7/11
Photo by PATRICK KOVARIK/ AFP/ GettyImages
Another slam final and it’s Rafa and Nole. This is getting to be a habit. Rafa came out on fire, but that didn’t last too long. What followed was best described by sharlatee on twitter as “all kinds of wow and weird”. Each guy would play amazing points alternating with odd errors and nervous looking shots. One guy would step up and start playing well just as the other would turn into an error making machine. It was not pretty. The court conditions weren’t pretty either – it was drizzly or raining during huge swatches of the match. Play was eventually called for rain (far too late for Rafa’s taste) when the score was 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 1-2 – with Rafa down a break in the 4th. Rafa had lost 8 games in a row before finally holding just before play was called.
Rafa came out swinging Monday. In the 12th game of the 4th set, he earned a break point. Djokovic double faulted and the title was Rafa’s. Horrible way to end the match, but I’m so happy that Rafa will once again nibble on that trophy.
This is Rafa’s 7th Roland Garros and his 11th slam title. Amazing.
| Nadal | Djokovic | |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics | ||
| Aces | 4 | 3 |
| Double Faults | 4 | 4 |
| 1st Serve % | 62% | 59% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 45/73 (62%) | 45/73 (62%) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 24/45 (53%) | 22/50 (44%) |
| Break Points Won | 9/17 (53%) | 7/10 (70%) |
| Points | ||
| Total Service Points Won | 69/118 (58%) | 67/123 (54%) |
| Total Return Points Won | 56/123 (46%) | 49/118 (42%) |
| Total Points Won | 125/241 (52%) | 116/241 (48%) |
| Other Stats | ||
| Winners | 34 | 39 |
| Unforced errors | 29 | 53 |
| Net Approaches | 8/14 (57%) | 22/32 (69%) |
| Serve Speed | ||
| Fastest Serve Speed | 207 KMH | 205 KMH |
| Average 1st Serve Speed | 186 KMH | 187 KMH |
| Average 2nd Serve Speed | 143 KMH | 149 KMH |
As it happened blatherings:
Nice smile from Rafa for the young lady who accompanied him onto the court.
Rafa won the toss…assuming he picked to receive, but couldn’t hear.
Nole serving to start the match. Rafa hugging that baseline! Forehand winner: 0-15. Nole nets a ball: 0-30. Rafa runs Nole, gets him out of court and hits a winner into the empty part: 0-40. Nole pushes Rafa and he nets a ball: 15-40. Nole into the net, Rafa went for a backhand passing shot, but nets it: 30-40. Nice angle from Nole: deuce. Freaking awesome angled backhand from Rafa earns him another BP. Nole sends a shot long and Rafa breaks!
Nice rally ends with Rafa drawing an error: 15-0. Ace: 30-0. nole sends a shot long. Rafa holds for 2-0.
Rafa breaks again! He’s living up to the name of the color of his shirt. Up 3-0.
Nole sends a forehand return long: 15-0. Nole nets a forehand: 30-0. Rafa nets a backhand: 30-15. Lollipop second serve and Nole hits a backhand winner off it: 30-30. Second serve. Nole nets an easy looking forehand: 40-30. Rafa goes for an angled forehand, but hits it a bit wide: deuce. Short hitting from him, deep from Nole, Rafa’s forehand out: break point. Second serve. Rafa’s backhand is out and he’s broken. 3-1.
Dear NBC – I HATE that angle.
Starting to rain. Nole looking much more settled. 30-0. Rafa can’t curl a forehand in: 40-0. Nole sends a shot long: 40-15. Nole nets a ball: 40-30. Weird loopy backhand error from Rafa and Nole holds for 2-3.
It’s raining.
Double fault: 0-15. Nole sends a forehand return long: 15-15. Nole works his way in as Rafa’s shots land short – hits a forehand winner mid-court: 15-30. Nole nets a serve return: 30-30. Better hitting from Rafa. Nole’s down the line is out: 40-30. Nole tees off on a forehand winner from the baseline: deuce. Rafa pushes Nole deep/wide and draws a forehand error: break point. Second serve. Nole powers shots until he gets an error: deuce. Game point, Rafa. Nole again dominates a point, pushing Rafa back. He steps into mid-court and hits a forehand winner: deuce. Second serve. Double fault and Nole has a break point. Rafa sends a backhand well out and is broken. We are on serve 3-3.
Ataraxis: I guess they can’t both blister forehands at the same time. It’s Nole’s turn.
Nice shot from Rafa draws an error: 0-15. Second serve. Nole nets a forehand: 15-30. Second serve. Nole works the backhand until he gets an error: 30-30.
olerafa: Kindly get your famous ass up to the baseline!!!
burtonad: At 30-0, 3-0, seemed like a safe bet. Who knew Fed-Nole RG SF 2012 2nd set was a communicable infection?
Nole nets a backhand: 30-40. Second serve. Rafa’s return is out: deuce. Second serve. Nole nets a backhand: break point. Nole double faults and is broken. Rafa back in the lead 4-3.
So far, I declare this match to be: weird.
15-30. Nole’s backhand goes well out: 40-15. Nole tries an angled backhand, but it’s wide and Rafa holds for 5-3.
Nole drop shots and Rafa can’t get to it before it bounces twice: 15-0. Rafa charges into the net and a beautiful lob winner from Nole: 30-0. Nole nets a backhand: 30-15. Second serve. Rafa nets the forehand return: 40-15. Rafa does not look happy. Second serve. With a backhand winner, Nole holds for 4-5. Rafa serving for the set next…
Nice serve that Nole returns well out: 15-0. Second serve. Overhead smash winner: 30-0. From his back foot, Rafa nets a forehand: 30-15. Rafa takes control of the point by hitting a forehand down the line that draws a short ball from Nole. Rafa hits a lovely drop shot into the opposite side of the court and Nole can’t quite run it down: 40-15. First set to Rafa with a fierce forehand winner: 6-4.
58 minutes; 1 ace; 2 doubles; 61% 1st serves in 61% won on 1st; 53% won on second; 9 winners; 10 UFEs; 2/4 at net. Total points won in first set: 37 Rafa; 30 Nole.
These are two guys who excel at winning when looking out of sorts. Who will win that battle today?
Nole nets a backhand: 0-15. A net cord helps Rafa and there’s a fun net battle that Nole wins when Rafa sends a lob just long: 30-15. Nole tries to power a forehand winner and overcooks it: 30-30. Nole sends a backhand long: 30-40. Second serve. Rafa opens up the court with a backhand angle, but Nole astoundingly gets an even better angle back: deuce. Poor backhand from Nole: break point. Nole double faults on break point. Rafa takes a 1-0 lead in the second set.
Rafa moves Nole further and further out on the backhand until he gets a short ball and can run into the net and knock off a nice volley winner: 15-0. Rafa’s forhand down the line doesn’t quite bend back in enough: 15-15. Good serve, Noles return isn’t: 30-15. Again: 40-15. Double fault: 40-30. Let. Rafa had his forehand all set up, but sends it wide: deuce. Nice serve down the middle and he follows it into the net – lob winner from Nole: break point. Serve into Nole’s backhand and his reply is wide: deuce. Another nice serve into the backhand: game point. Beautiful angled backhand give Nole control of a point and he finishes it off: deuce. Long rally and Rafa steps up the pace with a nice backhand to Nole’s forehand – finishes it off: game point. Second serve. Rafa holds (despite hitting an overhead smash right back at Nole). He’s up 2-0 in the second.
Forehand winner from Nole: 15-0. Another clean winner from Nole – this one from the backhand: 30-0. Nole hits an overhead right at Rafa and Rafa hits a forehand winner: 30-15. Second serve. Nole into the net and hits a lazy looking volley into it: 30-30. Second serve. Rafa hits a shot long: 40-30. Short ball from Nole and Rafa rips a forehand winner from midcourt: deuce. Rafa’s forehand is out: game point. And Nole holds for 1-2.
Second serve. Nole’s backhand is long: 15-0. Second serve. Double fault: 15-15. Nole moves Rafa and draws a backhand error: 15-30. Second serve. Rafa runs around a backhand and pays for it as Nole hits an angle into the open court: 15-40. Let. Second serve. Another lob winner and Nole breaks to put the second set on serve: 2-2.
Raining again.
Double fault: 0-15. Second serve. Nole dominates a point with aggressive hitting: 15-15. Nole gets a short ball in the middle of the court and overcooks the reply: 15-30. Nole tosses his racket. Shockingly, the crowd boos.
burtonad: The crowd is quiet because they don’t much like either player, they were promised a classic, and they’re watching this
Rafa sends a shot out. Make that two: 40-30. Aggressive hitting and Nole holds for 3-2.
Nole sends a shot out, Rafa yells “Vamos!” – 15-0. Second serve. Nole tries to angle Rafa, but sends a ball long – wait, the chair calls it long and says play again…but Rafa hit a winner off the that. Why is it a let? They show an unofficial hawk-eye and it’s out. Nole concedes the point: 30-0. 30-15. Nole’s return of first serve (remember those?) is long: 40-15. Ace and Rafa holds for 3-3.
Rafa nets a backhand and shakes his head: 15-15. Rafa totally mistimes a forehand: 30-15. (It’s raining, by the way.) Nole nets a ball: 30-30. Nole sends a forehand long and Rafa has a break point. Rafa hits deep and breaks. He’s up 4-3.
Nole smashed his racket against his bench and shattered the Perrier sign during the changeover.
Beautiful movement from Rafa: 30-0. Second serve. Nole nets a forehand: 30-15. Rafa holds at love (oh my did it feel good to type that). 5-3
Rain delay. Tarp not out yet. Players into small waiting rooms just off court….
Mom called and needed me to take her to the hospital to visit her friend. While I was gone, the rain ended, Rafa took the second set 6-3 and held to start the 3rd.
Triple break point for Rafa. Nole saves one. And Rafa breaks to go up 2-0 in the third.
Nole bosses a point: 0-15. Nole pushes Rafa back and draws an error: 0-30. Nole’s eyes look…empty and tired. Rafa pulls Nole wide and he nets the reply: 15-30. Nole into the net and Rafa’s passing attempt (off a difficult ball) is out: 15-40. Excellent serve return and Nole breaks for 1-2 to put the set back on serve.
SteveTignor: Nadal up first in each set, each time can’t hold it. This time more about Nole letting it fly. We know he’s a tough out. #rg12
Nicely worked point from Rafa and he finishes with a forehand winner from midcourt: 0-15. 0-30. (I just mistyped “forehand” as “firehand” – and it still felt right.) Serve and volley: 15-30. Nice serve: 30-30. Aggressive hitting from Nole: 40-30. Nole nets a shot: deuce. Deep hitting from Nole and Rafa’s forehand is long: game point. Nole angles, Rafa runs, Nole angles all the way into the doubles alley: deuce. Rafa’s shot is out: game point. Rafa nets it and Nole holds for 2-2.
CraigHickman: The rain has drained this final of any electricity it might have had. As well as all the nerves.
Rafa’s forehand lands in the doubles alley: 0-15. Second serve. Rafa looked in control of a point, but then sends one long: 0-30. Beautiful forehand down the line gives Nole triple break point. Rafa drop shot that Nole can’t get to: 15-40. Rafa nets a forehand and is broken. Nole up 3-2 in the third.
Second serve. Nole bosses a point: 15-0. Deep hitting and Rafa can’t do a thing: 30-0. Rafa hits deep and wide and it’s Nole’s turn to look helpless: 30-15. Ace: 40-15. Easy hold: 4-2.
RafaNadalUnoffi: My commies saying that Rafa was talking to the umpire on the change over saying that conditions weren’t fair at the moment
Barry_FlatmanST: I suggest this match wouldn’t be actually on court at the moment if it wasn’t the final & tomorrow’s weather forecast wasn’t so appalling
Ataraxis00: The last thing this needs is for Nole to start believing and coming out of his shoes on every shot.
15-0. Second serve. Nole gets the serve return right at Rafa’s feet and he’s handcuffed: 15-15. Rafa pushes and Nole’s backhand is well wide. Rafa hits a forehand into the net: 30-30. Short and defensive from Rafa, Nole into the net, Rafa passes: 40-30. Deuce. Good hitting from Rafa, but he left Nole off the hook and then sends a backhand wide: break point. Second serve. Rafa sends a back hand out and Nole is up a double break: 5-2.
It would be nice if both of these guys could play well at the same time.
Ace: 15-0. Rafa sends a forehand long: 30-0. Again, running around a backhand gets him too far out of position: 40-0. Second serve. Nole holds at love to take his first set ever off Rafa at Roland Garros. Score now 6-4, 6-3, 2-6.
Weird. Rafa’s 1st serve percentage was highest in set 3.
SteveTignor: Rafa asking umpire, “Do you think the conditions are all all right?”
Backhand whiff by Rafa. 15-15. Very long rally (44 shots) ends with Rafa netting a backhand: 15-30. Rafa moves Nole left and right while keeping him deep…and then hits a lovely little drop shot: 30-30. Second serve. Nole’s shot is out: 40-30. Short ball that Nole stomps on: deuce. Second serve. Rafa sends a backhand wide: break point. Excellent serve pulls Nole out of position, but Rafa lets him off the hook. Nole passes and breaks to go up 2-0 in the 4th.
Rafa needs to stop fretting about court conditions and concentrate on adjusting and playing well.
Nice serve out wide, Rafa nets: 15-0. Another netted backhand: 30-0. 40-0. Nole holds at love for 2-0. That’s 8 straight games for him.
TennisReporters: Nadal saying he can’t see the balls because they are taking on too much clay. Also thinks they r too wet
Second serve. Rafa hits short, Nole smacks it: 0-15. Nole nets a backhand (better hitting from Rafa there) 15-15. Nole nets: 30-15. Ace: 40-15. Second serve. Rafa holds for 1-2.
Tournament director declaring rain delay. Rafa saying you made us play under these conditions for an hour, there’s no change. Why now? Why not then?
Rafa has a very valid point about the conditions, but they were the same for both players – one adjusted/dealt with them better. I have to admit that it’s disheartening to see the conditions affect Rafa’s mental game so much.
Players going directly downstairs into the locker room, not the waiting room. Tarps are coming out.
enricomariariva: The funniest thing ever is that the players fight under the rain for hours and then get escorted by umbrellas until the lockers
olerafa: Total points won: Nole — 97. Rafa — 97.
Play suspended.
Monday
As I get to work, radio Roland Garros is saying that Nole’s frustrated and then Rafa breaks. Woot! He then held at love while I was “listening” on a sketchy non-english stream.
Nole then held in a strong game – can’t really do point-by-point while at work, but the game ended when the chair overruled a call.
Rafa holds and then there’s rain and a huge debate over whether they should play or not. Rafa’s upset that the balls keep getting on the tarp at the back of the court and that the tarp is soaked. Soggy balls = no fun.
I see Nole brought his angles today. Dang it. he holds for 5-5.
Rafa got pissed that he was told he challenged a line call too late, but went on to hold at 30 in the next game.
In the last game, Rafa earned championship point on a fierce forehand. True to the matches weirdness, Nole double faulted and Rafa wins a historic 7th Roland Garros title.
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Oh my God I haven’t watched one single minute of his match today! I was driving away from home and my sister was updating me. I haven’t even seen all the hugs and celebration you guys are talking about!
I am so proud of you Rafa, that was a rough one, and you managed to overcome the nerves and take advantage of the rain delay. You are the greatest competitor out there.
I am kind of proud for us fans too, at least the ones here on this site, because we didn’t entirely panic and kept the faith. The hours spent after play was suspended yesterday were really hard. Thank you, Rafa, for making all the waiting worth the while once more.
I don’t know if anyone has posted this but Rafa’s press interview today.
I love to see him sitting there with his shiny trophy.
http://www.rolandgarros.com/en_FR/multimedia/index.html
Great finish to a great tournament. Nerve wracking stuff yesterday during the rain when Rafa’s ball kept falling short and wouldn’t sit up – ruined the straight sets hopes I was hanging on to. Huge sigh of relief when our boy came out today and broke straight away, and the nerves returned with that line call dispute with the chair umpire. I was thinking “Please don’t let this be one of those turning points in a match” but Rafa shook it off and got down to business. Love the emotion at the end! He nearly toppled Uncle Toni with that hug, sweet kiss for his girl ♥, and the tenderness shown by Paul Gosol towards the lad was really touching.
Thanks again to Miri for all of your hard work (especially during a difficult personal time). It is so nice to have a place to come for accurate, professional, and timely Nadal News.
On to the grass! VAMOS!
Mi Campeon, muy muy bien hecho. Te amo por siempre, eres el mejor para mi. Felicidades heptacampeon Roland Garros! To all Rafa fans, it’s been great sharing this joy with you all. Lovely to be among those who love Rafa so much. Vamos!
Not had time to read all the comments as Rafa has held me up with my chores so I’m gonna make my comment and read all yours later.
Well we all hoped he would come out and make a good start and he did.
So happy he won after all the stress more for him but for us watching as well. He came out today with nerves of steel , kind of a statement of ” you are not gonna take this title from me” . He served well, probably the best of the match and he was determined to win no matter what. I think this one especially meant so much to him because of who his opponent was and the history they have had. When he climbed the stands to his family and threw himself at U Toni I did get a bit emotional, it was a great moment.
Nole looked gutted and as much as his antics and his entourage wind me up I did feel sorry for him, well just a bit!
Federer tried it twice and was stopped by Rafa and so has Nole. I bet Mats presented the trophy to Rafa through gritted teeth lol.
So we have 7 th RG, 11th GS and ranking stays at 2 . BLISS!!!!!!
RAFAAAAA!!!! :heart:
Rafa, there are no words to describe someone with such a big heart…the love and the warmth you exude are immeasurable. You never cease to astound us all!
Thank You Rafa!!! that was a tension filled final!! I held my belief that there can be one & only winner of this tournament & that would be Rafa, Coz I couldnt fanthom any other outcome.
Cant hold my tears back now…for all the struggles Rafa faced the last 12+ months, this victory was very fitting & much needed. The whole Nadal family were very emotional, just sums up how much this meant to all of them & to us fans too. Hope Rafa carries the confidence to Wimbledon & gains his 12th slam there.
Vamos Rafa & God Bless our humble Champ!!
I just bought tickets to the 2012 US Open #HIS2ORY in NYC?
Yes all of the above. There’s a smile on my face that will last for days. Kinda cute that he bonked himself in the cheek with the trophy. Of course I don’t wish for Rafa to have injured himself, but on the other hand it would be sort of cool if he had a permanent teeny tiny mark there to always remind him of what he accomplished today.
I was so worried when I checked the score during my lunch break but was so happy when I read Miri’s tweets to see he had won!!! Just as well I was on my own! So happy he did it!! Tears keep appearing whenever I think of it! Cannot wait to watch videos.
Thank you so much Miri for this great website and your tweets!
Rafa congrats!Thank you so much for a most expectant win. Now you’ve got ur seal of authority that allows everyone to see who bears the title ‘The King of Clay’.
I wish after the double fault Rafa went to the net and then just ripped his shirt off and yelled thumping his chest. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PRICELESS…. haha
but humble Rafa would never do that.
Also while I do enjoy the Nole/Rafa rivalry I feel that the quality of Rafa/Roger matches was higher. I feel a lot of Nole/Rafa matches are based on momentum swings. In other words they are not playing at top level at the same time for long periods of time during a match.
2007 & 2008 Wimbledon, 2009 AO and their Rome finals were epics.
Dont get me wrong Rafa and Nole also is very entertaining. But the tennis quality was a little superior during Roger / Rafa.
I think it’s because Roger and Rafa, with their contrasting styles, bring out the best in each other most of the time hence the great tennis. Rafa and Novak, however, have somewhat similar styles (great stamina, baseline game, good returners) such that they negate each other and one of them almost always has to play badly for the other to win otherwise the match, quite frankly, may not end (e.g. AO 2012).
So so so so so so happy and have been all day! I was nervous I have to admit, I thought if this goes to a fifth I’m not doubting Rafa’s compettiveness and fight for one second I just know Djokovic is a BEAST and so would have been a wreck! I couldn’t watch this morning, I do this thing where I try to fool myself that there is no tennis on and if I ‘forget’ it’s happening then good things happen! If I watch = bad things happen! Checked twitter after 15 mins to see he’d broken back and held to love and then switched between tennis and some terrible day time tv til I saw he had won! What emotion. Djokovic went up in my estimation this week with his fantastic attitude, what an amazing era of tennis (poor Murray! but I am SO glad Rafa broke the Djokovic GS final Hex.
What a champ!!
Thank you Miri and everybodyguys for this Rafa community…I have only a few friends who share, let alone understand, my enthusiasm for tennis and following Rafa. They do however, know not to be too disturbed by all the cheering and screaming coming from my house during his matches:) Vamos Rafa!!!! On to the grass…
had to work today so took a late lunch break so i could follow all the live score updates on twitter. Huge thanks to everyone who was tweeting. Was so happy when i read Rafa had won. Think ive watched it about 4 times this evening. My boss shouted on me at end of match and i had to goto his office. Wondered what was up but he had put a live stream on his pc so i could watch Rafa being presented with the trophy. Made my day :D
That is so nice, how thoughtful! Last year I had to work during Rafa’s Wimbledon match against Fish (1/4 final?) I had had a crap day and my boss knowing how down I was brought a potable telly from sonewhere in the building and plonked it practically behind my desk so I could watch Rafa :)) People definitely know how to keep me happy! :))
aw that was good of your boss. Its good when they do things like that to brighten up our day :)
I must say how nice it is to have a site to come to like this! In good times and bad I find comfort and understanding here. Most of my friends and family think a 40 something year old woman shouldn’t be so wrapped up in some young tennis guy, but I am- ever since ’08 Wimby final. He’s the best- humble, well mannered, kind, talented and smoking hot!!! Not just hot physically, but inside,too.
My computer at home is broken so yesterday I was a mess. I didn’t have access to this site until work today. If I could have read your comments yesterday I might have been “colmer”.
I used to visit 4 sites. Now I’m down to Nadal News and Nadie’s Face Book. I can’t seem to get his official site to work; it’s always in Spanish. It’s probably my lack of computer knowledge.
Sorry for droning on, but I simply wanted to say thanks to this site for all it gives me. It’s great to read of others who think so much of this young man, also. The people here write of lots of things I feel, too. So maybe I’m not some crazy 40 something old woman.
Congrats to Rafa for his well deserved 7th Roland Garros and a great two weeks of tennis! Congrats to all of us for riding this roller coaster with him and getting another slam!
A big THANK YOU to everyone!!!!!
No age limit to being a Rafa fan. I’m older than you, my friends and family all know how mad I am on him and for my special birthday last year my family bought me a fabulous canvas picture of Rafa and everyone who comes in always remarks on what a great picture it is.
This is a brilliant site, so needed it on Sunday after rain stopped play, to be able to discuss what you are feeling ,thinking and reading other people’s comments can help put you at ease in tense Rafa times. Lol . We are able to do this because of Miri whose time and effort is very much appreciated. Thank you.
Who Hooooo! Our boy did it! What a tense few games of tennis it was, I am so delighted for Rafa and it was wonderful to see him leap up into the stands and hug all his special family and friends! I read a good article (link below) that Rafa was REALLY nervous before he went on court to finish the job:-
“My feeling was I wasn’t ready for the match one hour, two hours before the match, and I felt ready to go on court (only) three minutes before. That’s the first moment since we stop the match yesterday — the first moment that I really felt that I am here to play and I feel confident,” Nadal said. “Because for the rest of the time I was a little bit too nervous, more nervous than usual probably for the situation.”
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Rafael+Nadal+captures+record+seventh+French+Open+title/6762684/story.html
But he did it! Congratulations and Vamos as always Rafa!
I can understand why! There was so much to handle, the historic element, the bad weather not “energising the balls ” at all, an opponent who has troubled him so much and all the pressure all that meant! He had to finish it before Djokovic woke up to take it to a fifth set. It was easier said than done but he did it.
Sharon/London – just wondering re your comment about Mats – excuse my ignorance – is he not much of a fan of Rafa’s?
Mats is human. The King of Clay before Rafa was a Swede and the only person to beat Rafa at RG is a Swede. I think Mats can be forgiven if he likes to talk up his countrymen’s accomplishments. His slight Swedish bias aside, he’s always very complimentary of Rafa.
Matts is a massive Roger fan
Have you seen the video where he talks about Roger not having balls when he plays Rafa?
That was a few years ago. He was mad and frustrated because his boy Federer couldn’t solve the problem of Nadal. They’ve since kissed and made up and Mats has been back on the Federer bandwagon for quite some time.
That said, he admires Rafa too and while he doesn’t get all gushy-gooey over Rafa the way he does over Federer, he’s usually fairly supportive.
Well, somehow I don’t get that negative vibe from Mats like some people point out. Maybe it’s just me, but he always seems objective in his comments about Rafa. Oh well, different strokes for different folks. =)
It’s actually in Borg that I’m a bit baffled about. Before 2011, he’s been in the RG Finals regularly. Last year and this year, he didn’t show up. Makes me wonder if it’s because he can’t accept anybody equalling, let alone surpassing his record, just like when he packed up at 26 because he can’t cope with McEnroe winning against him? Well, that’s just my evil mind working… Haha
Johnnie Mac had said earlier in the French Open that Borg had chosen this year to “save his energy for Wimbledon.” The implication was that Borg is not exactly at full strength and wants to attend those festivities because they are in some way less demanding. I think it was Carillo that suggested, too, that he didn’t want to draw attention away from Wilander’s anniversary celebration.
Borg has always had only the kindest things to say about Rafa and has said many times that he would welcome Rafa’s passing him, that he knew it would happen. I take him at his word. However, all I know is what I see and hear in the media …
Borg had a lot of kind words to say about Rafa’s victory at Roland Garros. I’ve just read an article from a Swedish newspaper where Borg amongst other things says “a massive congratulations” to Rafa, that “records are there to be broken”, that Rafa played “fantastic tennis” during the two weeks and that he thinks Rafa can win RG a few more times. I can provide link, should anyone not believe me.
This is not towards you in particular Rafraf, but to people on here in general: I’m massively fed up with the way a lot of comments here nowadays pick at various people for, in their opinion, not praising Rafa enough etc. etc. I have listened to various commentators throughout RG and not heard anyone say anything about Rafa that was disrespectful or particularly wrong. Quite the opposite, I think they are all in awe of what he AND his fellow tennis player colleagues (no, really, Rafa is not the only amazing player out there) are capable of nowadays. Yes, they occasionally bring up the fact that Rafa takes too long between points…because he does. Yes, they may have said that Rafa moaned about the weather conditions…because he did and it annoyed me too.
What’s the point in having people on telly that are so one-dimensional in their opinions that they can’t even criticise players when it’s clear that the player is in the wrong? In fact, what’s the point in being that one-dimensional as a fan of Rafa’s that you can’t handle somebody criticising him? It baffles me and makes me want to vomit with boredom when I read the comments on here.
Rant over. I will now hopefully be able to focus on what this site is about, Rafa and tennis.
For me personally I prefer not to hear him speak regarding Rafa. IMO he will praise Rafa but then have a dig and he does it all the time, even after they suspended the match after Nole’s come back on eurosport ‘s show called ‘games set and Mats’ he had to ave a dig about Rafa moaning about conditions etc…
That is just how I feel, he irritates the hell out of me.
*vomits*
A few digs here and there don’t matter to any of us, but in the UK the incessant negativity begins to grate after a while, just like your abrasive comments!
Both of you back off. This is a celebration thread. I have to say, I side with CC here. Why? I see Fed fans saying “why is X commentator so mean to Fed and love Rafa/Nole?” Nole fans? “Why does X hate Nole and love Fed/Nole?” Rafa fans? “Why does X hate Rafa?” And they are all talking about the same commentator. It’s like draw talk – everyone thinks their favorite player has the worse draw and is always screwed. Does bias exist in commentary? Yes. But it’s nowhere near as rampant as the amount of bias that exists in fan perception of said commentating.
End of discussion. Go and look at the happy hug-orgy pictures. Then consider how much the yammering of paid talking heads really matters in the big picture.
I concur. who gives a shit if Borg was there to acknowledge the record being broken or not. who cares a damn if mats wilander likes rafa or not.
all that matters is that he won! he beat a player that has had his number for almost over 18 months! he won and now has 11 slams. he won and all the fans are elated.
i do get the feeling that commentators these days want nole to win – its just a perception. He is a new story so everyone is admiring him. I know John Mac could not admire Rafa more. But I got a feeling (and could be totally wrong) he was hoping for Novak to win simply because Nole was going after such a historic accomplishment. he is a tennis legend and knew what that would mean for the sport winning 4 in a row. But does that mean he is anti-Rafa? Nope! And again even if that meant yes he is anti-Rafa so be it. Who needs John Mac to like Rafa?
Their opinions matter not a jot in the grand scheme of things. I don’t have a problem with what CC said; that is her opinion, some of which I agree with. The only thing that I found objectionable was the “vomits” bit which, in my opinion, was offensive and unnecessary. Maybe it is me being hypersensitive…it has been an emotional couple of day “sniffs”!
Wendy the thing is perhaps if someone has a problem with what the commentator has to say they should send their feelings to them and have a discussion with that particular person. It is kind of boring to hear someone complain about what they feel to be “negative” when it’s such a GRAND week for Rafa and all of his fans. That’s how I feel anyway.
Wendy
Do what I do switch channels . There are plenty of commentators who have praise for all players but also do not make digging remarks about any Fleming, petchy rude ski, Cowan to name but a few. This is good commentating and presenting IMO.
Virginia wade made a comment about andy Murray being a drama queen and it caused a stir, Is she entitled to say what she thinks? Of course she is , but not while she is a guest in the studio on national tv IMO.
And i was not aware that Mentioning I didn’t like Mats Wilander was such a big deal!
To quote myself: “End of discussion.” Was that not clear?
Does anyone have a link to the video of the match? I missed the key game at 2-1 4th set. Thanks.
There’s rafapedia.com
Thanks.
says in that vancouver article that he felt like he had to win this one. So glad he did!!!!!!!!!
Random thoughts: Like many, I always hate to see an important match between fierce competitors end on a double fault, but this one needs to be put in perspective. Novak has gotten to where he is by being insanely aggressive at important moments, break point, set point and especially match point. Both serves on the last point were near misses; he was clearly going for it. That he felt like he needed to put so much on his second serve speaks to the quality of his opponent. It’s one of those UFEs that’s not really unforced and it’s as much a representation of Djokovic’s fearlessness as the match point return against Federer at the USO.
It would have been nice if conditions had allowed both players to play their best over longer stretches and at the same time. But, it’s easy to understand if these young men were nervous given the stakes and the conditions. I thought the match should have been stopped earlier last night, but in the end, it may have been better that they stopped after Nadal won a game. I think the decision to stop completely on Sunday rather than continue to struggle with the uncertainty of the weather and approaching darkness was the right one.
Djokovic, as usual was gracious in defeat. He conceded that even if Rafa benefited from the second rain delay, Novak probably benefited from the first.
Despite the unevenness of the play, there were incredible moments. The 44 shot point was spectacular.
Even before this win, Rafa seemed to be so much happier this year, enjoying the sport again. I’m really looking forward to Wimbledon and the Olympics. Vamos Rafa!
It makes me laugh how short Nadal looks next to Pau.
All true. Thanks for saying it.
Pau engulfed Rafa, but such an affectionate display sums up how so many of us feel about him. You are right, it was gracious of Novak to put the rain delays into perspective and not to use them in any way to diminish Rafa’s achievement. He said recently that he has learned a lot from Rafa and Roger, evidently that’s more than just winning matches…
It’s so true, it does sum up how his fans often feel about him.
Nole’s roaring and chest pumping annoys me but he plays great tennis , gutsy, thrilling to watch but I knew one day when he swung at a crucial point of the match ,with all the luck he has had in the past the ball would be out and that happened on Monday. I hope this doesn’t stop him from going for it in future.
I am sooooo happy Rafa won the contest!’cause he is such a wholesome person and much more decent of the two. He showed the world the decency and high moral do finally prevail,and gave us courage to continue our endevour.
You are such a wonderful aspiring rolemodel for us young and old all over the world. Keep on your track and take us to Wimbledon!!
Love you always Rafa
Congratulations Rafa!!!!!!!!!
Just how amazing is this?. I almost cannot believe it.
Had to work today so couldn’t see the match, couldn’t even know how it was going or what had happened while there. I was so nervous after it was suspended yesterday. So, so nervous. I was so happy and relieved to see he had won when I got home. Haven’t even watched it yet. I must admit I was glad I had to work today since I didn’t feel capable of watching. I’m just awful with this kind of thing: didn’t watch the fifth set of Wimbledon 2008, nor the end of the fourth and fifth of the AO this year. He proved me wrong each time as he never fails to give his all. I feel ashamed of my lack of confidence in him, when will I learn?.
His mental strength was amazing, after the way the match was going for him, after the recent history in the match up. I also think he would have probably done the same thing and managed to win had the match not been delayed.
Haven’t seen the rest of the match yet, but saw his celebration with his family and friends and it was just beautiful. He was so emotional, and so were his family and friends, they looked so proud and happy and exited. He is really lucky to have those people around him.
Again: Congratulations Rafa. You are the best sportsman I’ve seen, in and outside the court. Proud to be a fan.
I took away many impressions from the deeply moving love-fest in the family box, not least of which was the strong desire of everyone to just touch him. It was wonderful to see the uncle-nephew hug, but two others were to me also of special note.
The tender embrace and kiss by Gasol, who then turned away to cry as Rafa left, bespoke the relations between two Catalan athletes, about his understanding of Rafa’s challenge and fears this season encompassed. I feel these two must have talked long and hard.
Also the heartfelt weeping by Benito, who put his head against Tuts’ chest and just bawled for a bit. Clearly, Rafa is as special a person as we thought him — even his employees are genuinely involved with him on a deep emotional level. As he’s always insisted, his team is more than a group of professional reps and contacts, they are a second family.
All true, Melissa. Rafa is so very special indeed. The way the team celebrated shows just how special Rafa is to them but it also shows how close they are. They are so special to him too. Reading Rafa’s book, in which he talks about how important his team is to him and how well they get along made me think, how can they all be so perfect? But looking at this video I’m thinking it’s probably all true. They are one, through thick and thin.
It was beautiful to see the reaction of his friends (including team) and family. You put it perfectly really. Rafa clearly produces this kind of tenderness in the people who know him.
Also, Rafa had tried not to put too much pressure on himself when talking before the match, but we can see from his reaction and that of his family, team and friends, just how much it meant to him. Just how important this match was for him.
Really Mel, I did not get to see these scenes shown very well as the camera did not linger on them during the live streams. Where did you see these details? Is it in the match videos (haven’t had time to watch yet)?
Zibah, I have watched the original NBC feed and then the re-broadcast last night, and slowed it down a bit so I could see details. I also caught some online excerpts, the best I think (seen so many, it’s hard to recall) is the RG one and one I caught on a Spanish (or was it Catalan?) channel. Then there are the many short clips and photos of the Gasol moments and the group hug (Benito turns and sobs against Tuts as Rafa moves out of shot). Sorry, wish I could be of more help; I don’t normally take notes when I’m absorbing video.
I loved his father’s hyperemotional reactions — he couldn’t wait to get Rafa in his arms and wouldn’t let go — but the Gasol embrace broke me down. Only primo athletes understand fully Rafa’s life these past 18 months, I’m sure; that’s what I took from it, anyway.
Rafa looked like a child in Pau Gasol’s arms…he definitely makes a lot of women want to mother him, amongst other things ;)
Zibah, I re-viewed the RG clip that miri posted at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KILU3oV39uw&feature=player_embedded
The latter half of this clip repeats the family scenes and some of it at slow motiion — you can see wha I’m talking about in these scenes.
Felicidades Rafa!!!VAMOS for HIS7ORY!!!Ur 7th RG and ur 11th GS..no-one deserves it more than you do for your hard work and sheer will and determination. A most humble and gorgeous champion there never was and will be.
You were awesome today when it mattered the most.
You’ve made me so happy, you made me cry along with you..
truly a CHAMPION!!
HAIL THE KING OF CLAY!!!
All the best for the grass season. Love you.
This was such a wonderful and happy day for Rafa, his family & friends, and for all the great Rafa fans who gather here to celebrate his victories-and this was a really big victory. I have spent the day watching and re-watching this historic match and have finally come here,as always,to celebrate with his true fans.
I especially enjoyed seeing Rafa climb into the stands and watching frame by frame all the joy and love that poured out of him and his family and team. Seeing Papa cry as they hugged, the joyous leap into Toni’s arms, the huge bear hug for Mama and his sister, loving the kiss from a tearful Maria for her man, the huge hug from Pau, and most everyone in the family and on his team tousling his hair, made for very emotional moments for me. I know all who love him felt the same way.
We all gather here to laugh and celebrate with Rafa in happy times, to frazzle and to cry and commiserate with each other in sad times. Because no one else understands the depth of our emotional tie to him. So here we find fans and friends and we are all indebted to you, Miri, for your hard work and dedication to this site and to Rafa. Sorry to be mushy, but I hope you realize how much it means to all of us.I am sure you do because we all tell you!
So, everybodyguys, on to Halle and Wimbledon and Vamos Rafa por siempre.