Interviewer: "One player to win a set to save your life?"
Dominic Thiem: "Rafa."
Grigor Dimitrov: "Rafa."
Alex de Minaur: "Rafa."
Felix Auger Aliassime: "Nadal."
Borna Coric: "Nadal."
Novak Djokovic: "Nadal."
The Earth is 4.6 billion years old, travels at 30 kms per second and only supports life due to a ball of hot gas that reaches 15 million degrees Celsius.
But we still somehow managed to exist at the same time as Rafael Nadal. 🐐
🎙️ Jannik Sinner:
"My idol is Rafael Nadal. I am quite nervous every time I see him. It is the same with Roger Federer; it is always special to meet them."
When your idol is Rafael Nadal, you're destined for greatness.
An 18 year-old Rafael Nadal was getting booed and whistled by 15,000 people at his very first French Open.
How did he respond? He went on to win the match, the tournament, came back next year, won it again, and did so for a total of 14 times.
🎙 Rafael Nadal:
"I will try to take another step in Madrid, then in Rome and if, in a tournament, it is worth going out to give everything and die, it is in Paris."
Rafael Nadal has missed atleast one major per season more times (11) in his career than he has not (10).
He was won 22 majors despite this. 🐐
The greatest ever and a 'what if' at the same time.
Rafael Nadal:
- 2x Australia Open
- 14x Roland-Garros
- 2x Wimbledon
- 4x US Open
- 2x Olympic 🥇
- the only man in history to win the 5 biggest tennis events atleast twice.
- Greatest of all time.
Rafael Nadal has missed more majors due to injuries (15) than he has major losses against Djokovic, Federer, Murray, Wawrinka and Alcaraz COMBINED (14).
The greatest ever and a 'what if' at the same time.
Rafael Nadal just straight setted a Grand Slam champion in his first match back after a year. He turns 38 in a few months.
Appreciate greatness while it lasts.
The 1960s will remember Laver.
The 1970s will remember Borg.
The 1980s will remember McEnroe.
The 1990s will remember Sampras.
The 2000s will remember Federer.
The 2010s will remember Djokovic.
And tennis history will always remember Rafael Nadal. 🐐
🎙 Iga Swiatek:
"Nadal has always been my idol. He is the greatest of all time in tennis. He has some superpowers, just never gives up. He is the perfect role model."
When you idolize Rafael Nadal, you are destined for greatness.
Day before yesterday, Djokovic played his 7th major final in a row against someone who has never won a major.
Federer won most of his majors before the Big 3 was a thing.
Then there's Nadal, who dominated the sport, when the tour was the most competitive it has ever been.
What's the most underrated tennis match of all time?
For me, I'd go with the AO09 final. Everyone knows how great it was, but it's often overshadowed by WB08 and AO12.
In terms of overall quality, I'd say it was just as good, if not better.
Rafael Nadal:
“I’m still not sure about Roland-Garros. I was able to play four matches here. I leave Madrid with a much better feeling compared to when I arrived. It’s tough to imagine doing big things with the level I’m playing, but in sports all change very fast.
I’m going…
Rafael Nadal has now won a match for 𝟐𝟑 straight seasons.
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
Eternal. 🐐
2008 Wimbledon final, 2nd rain delay, 5th set, tied at 2 all
Rafael Nadal to his coach (Toni):
“I won't fail.
Federer could win, but I wasn’t going to lose. If he wins, so be it, but I won’t lose.”
🎙️ Jannik Sinner:
"My idol is Rafael Nadal. I am quite nervous every time I see him. It is the same with Roger Federer; it is always special to meet them."
When your idol is Rafael Nadal, you're destined for greatness.
When the greatest grass court player was at the peak of his powers, Nadal was the one challenging him year after year, in a trilogy of matches, which culminated in the greatest tennis match of all time.
That's all I'm saying.
In the 2020s, despite all the injury setbacks, Nadal has played 3 slam finals with 2 of them being against slam winners. He won all 3.
During the same period, Djokovic has played 10 slam finals but only 2/10 were against slam winners. He lost both.
Uncomfortable conversations.
Crazy how Nadal playing a R1 of an ATP 250 brought real attention and hype back to the sport which was missing in the past year.
He'll always be tennis' franchise player.
Crazy how a 36 year-old Rafael Nadal dropped one of the clutchest tiebreak performances of all time in a Grand Slam semi-final and we all thought it was normal
🎙 Casper Ruud on winning his first ATP 500 in Barcelona:
"This one has been a long time coming and super happy to do it in front of a packed stadium and on the Rafael Nadal court so it's special as I looked up to him ever since I was a a kid."
Congratulations
@CasperRuud98
!
Rafael Nadal x Real Madrid
14 French Opens 🤝 14 Champions Leagues
36 Masters 🤝 36 LaLigas
5 Davis Cups 🤝 5 Club World Cups
2 Olympic Golds 🤝 2 Europa Leagues
GOAT tennis player 🤝 GOAT football club