Rafa withdraws from the US Open
Photo by Beth Wilson
Per Rafa’s twitter account, he has withdrawn from the US Open. It’s sad news, but I applaud his conviction to not come back until he’s 100%. Let’s just hope he gets there soon.
I am very sad to announce that I am not ready to play the US Open in NY. Thanks to my fans for their support and specially, the new yorkers.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 15, 2012
Tengo que anunciar que aun no me encuentro en condiciones de jugar y debo renunciar al Open USA. Muchas gracias a mis fans por su ánimo.
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) August 15, 2012
It’s official now. Sad news for us but we will be back stronger than ever.
— Benito P-Barbadillo (@benitopb) August 15, 2012
Rafa has informed us that he will not be ready to compete at the US Open this year and has withdrawn from the tournament. (continued)
— USOpen.org (@usopen) August 15, 2012
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If you’ve not seen Tignor’s latest article, here it is. I admire and trust his fair, respectful perspective…he nearly always gets it just right, especially where Rafa is concerned:
http://blogs.tennis.com/thewrap/2012/08/a-little-less-life-and-death.html
Another awesome perspective on Rafa from Steve Tignor. He’s right about the USO not being life or death. And I agree that the USO will be missing the pizazz without Rafa in it. With three great players there is a different dynamic than with two. I think tennis fans have to hope Murray is the X factor given Rafa won’t be there. With Rafa in the fold you were always guaranteed as a fan that there would be three players on their game for two weeks and maybe four. Now you have to hope its three.
what a great piece by Steve. It sums up the situation entirely. There will be players competing at the USO who can play great tennis but the matches will be hum drum, as it was at Wimbledon after Rafa’s exit, well for me it was anyway.
Apart from Rafa’s good looks and muscular physique it’s the aura he brings when he walks on the court, the anticipation,the excitement,the running for every point,never giving up, the fight til the end that makes my heart beat faster and gives me butterflies in my stomach when i watch his matches. Im sure im not alone, Rafa has his own unique style, is awesome and amazing to watch and tennis is not the same without him.
I will watch the USO but life will not revolve around it and i will not be up half the night,but if Rafa was there it would be a different story of course. The spark has gone and i look forward to his return.
Well said, Sharon.
Rafa is like a drug, ( in a good way, of course), and once you are addicted, it´s not easy to live without.
He is an addiction, absolutely, and I’m suffering major withdrawal symptons without him :(
Me to. Ive taken to reading the “50 shades of grey” trilogy to feel the void. (off topic, I know) I would prefer Rafa tennis any day.
How strange! What a coincidence, I’ve just started reading the first one too. But absolutely, I’d much rather be watching Rafa than reading any day.
Glad I’m not the only one who feels that way. It’s been a bit shocking to realize how much I enjoy and look forward to watching Rafa play tennis, and how I coordinate my work/life schedule to see his matches. I enjoy watching others, but it’s completely different. He brings such a powerful, engaging, exciting presence that is unlike any other. It really is like a drug. Should we be worried?? :) I think not…it’s a good thing.
When there’s obviously so many of us who feel the same, I think there’s no need to worry. It’s the Rafa effect, and it has all of us in its power. I too arrange my days/weeks when there is a tournament on so that I can watch his matches. And woe betide anyone in my house who wants to watch something different at the same time, they’ve got no chance! ha ha!
Yes, I like watching other players as well, been a tennisfan my whole life, and I will watch a whole lot of the US as well.
But Rafa just brings that extra, that will make me set my alarmclock ANYTIME in the darkest of nights to watch him play LIVE. And Thank God for multiple tellys in the house!
This year though, there will be no excuses for dark rings under my eyes during the fortnight…
I totally agree. Totally.
I think Rafa is for the men’s tour what Maria Sharapova is to the women’s tour. New York is all about style and without Rafa in the mix, there is little style on the men’s side of the tour. It is no coincidence that tennis ratings went up once Rafa started becoming a great player. I’ll be curious to see what the ratings for the USO are given he’s not there. The players have already said it isn’t the same without Rafa around. I suspect even the ratings for the Olympics and both Masters 1000s were down compared to previous years where the full complement of players participated in both events. Fortunately I have the 2010 Final still on my DVR, so I can still watch the man in black do his thing at the USO.
I have plenty of Rafa’s tennis matches recorded and I watch them many times and they are still as exciting. In fact last night I watched Rafa v Berdych in Rome with intentions to delete it afterwards ,great match and Rafa was sensational so gonna have to keep it. Lol.
Oh if only I’d known, the last match I had recorded was the FO final, which I kept for a short while then deleted as I’d presumed there would be Wimbledon and Olympic matches to watch. The only thing I have is the “Sporting Greats” programme, lost count of how many times I’ve watched that.
me too! ugh! I have zero of Rafa’s great matches to watch. Man oh man, I wish they’d put out a cd or something!!
Hi Folks,
Miri was in Cincy so she might be in-transit or just getting back.
I’m just not interested in tennis right now. Rafa’s absence leaves a huge void for me.
http://t.co/UavwGcX3
Check out this pic of Beth with fellow Rafa fans in Cincy!
Great picture. I recognize several smiling faces but not all. Looks like
you were having fun!
Well, which one is she in the photo? Inquiring minds want to know (lol)!
I’m really getting withdrawl symptoms now. I wish Rafa well and hope to see him again soon. Steve Tignor is right on the button …. something is missing in tennis …….
cant wait to find out the news regarding Rafa’s latest doctors visit. I hope it’s good news.Has anyone heard or read anything yet?
I agree with you all…the USopen seems a bit dead and dreary without Rafa. I agree with you Sharon, you said it so well. Rafa always tries his utmost in every match, whether he is struggling with pain, winning, or losing. That is what makes him so extraordinary…tennis players on the circuit play day in and day out, and quite often you see them a bit switched “off”, which one can’t really blame them for. But not Rafa – he always “brings it”- to every match he plays. Hoping and praying for him to return well and healthy.
I put on the last hour of his FO final win from earlier this year…Rafa jumping into the stands, hugging everyone etc – it was wonderful and cheered me up no end!
You’ve said it!
If we only can hang tight, I’m sure we can make it through these crunch times.