All posts tagged: Rafa Nadal

‘I can definitely picture him there’

‘I can definitely picture him there’

Published by Webster

22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal retired from professional tennis in November 2024 after representing Spain in the Davis Cup Finals, bringing the curtains down on an incredible career with several highs and lows. More than a year since leaving the sport, the 39-year-old has not embarked on a new journey, neither in administration nor in coaching, nor even becoming Spain’s non-playing Davis Cup captain. Marc Lopez, who partnered Nadal to an Olympic doubles gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, recently said that it would be ‘incredible’ to have the 39-year-old on board as the Davis Cup captain of Spain in the future. “I don’t really see him as a full-time tennis coach, to be honest, mainly because of all the travel. But as a Davis Cup captain, absolutely – I can definitely picture him there.” “It would be incredible for the players to have him as captain – to have him courtside, sharing practices, would be an amazing experience for any of them. But traveling, even if it’s just 15 weeks a year, I …

Tennis-Sabalenka sets the stage as French Open honours King of Clay Nadal | Tennis News

Tennis-Sabalenka sets the stage as French Open honours King of Clay Nadal | Tennis News

Published by Parlour News

By Shrivathsa Sridhar HT Image PARIS -World number one Aryna Sabalenka sounded an early warning siren to her French Open rivals when she dismantled Kamilla Rakhimova in the opening round, while Parisian fans gave Rafa Nadal a special salute as the claycourt major got underway on Sunday. China’s Zheng Qinwen followed Sabalenka into the second round, returning to the venue of her Olympic gold last year and thumping 2021 runner-up Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova before Lorenzo Musetti eased past Yannick Hanfmann in the afternoon sun. With the day session on Court Philippe Chatrier wrapped up, Roland Garros hummed with anticipation as fans who braved spells of morning rain gathered for the showpiece to celebrate Spanish great Nadal at the site of his 14 French Open triumphs. A classy tribute unfolded as the 22-times major winner received a permanent plaque with his footprint on the same clay that witnessed his greatness for two decades. The 38-year-old was joined by his friends and great rivals Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, as the ‘Big Four’ reunited to applause …

Rafael Nadal makes a French Open comeback… but only for trailer of Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal makes a French Open comeback… but only for trailer of Roland Garros

Published by Webster

The King of Clay Rafael Nadal won’t be playing at Roland Garros this year, but his voice is the star of the tournament’s official teaser trailer. Nadal is also set to be felicitated during the tournament that it’s director Amélie Mauresmo has promised will be “exceptional”. But first, his voice is being heard. In the 45-second clip, that ends with a tight close-up of him, posted to Roland Garros’ social media channels two weeks ahead of the start of the main draw, Nadal reads a poem to go with dreamy visuals from the tournament. These are the words said by Rafa. Story continues below this ad “Only where love is written in capital letters, only the clay where champions fight, only the glide, the power, only the endurance until the night, only where tennis and everyone rhyme, only where hats fit all heads, only where the clay marks passion in red, only where rituals leave a trace, only a stage for courage and fire, only here where all dreams transpire, only at Roland-Garros,” Nadal says …

Tim Henman explains why he felt Rafael Nadal would not make it after playing Spaniard early in his career

Tim Henman explains why he felt Rafael Nadal would not make it after playing Spaniard early in his career

Published by Webster

While 22-time grand slam winner Rafael Nadal became the latest one among the ‘Big three’ in tennis to retire with his retirement from tennis last year, it was the Spaniard who had impressed former British player Tim Henman the least in his early playing days. Henman, who retired in 2007, played against Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in his career, shared how Nadal would make mistakes early in his career and he did not see him going far. “I practised with Nadal, and I’d never seen anyone hit the ball that hard. But every third shot was in the back fence, and I just didn’t honestly believe that you could play like that because you’d make mistakes. He didn’t hit the ball quite as hard in matches, but after I’d lost the practice set 6-1, I thought maybe it would work,” former world number one Tim Henman told Mirror Sport. Henman had faced Nadal twice in his professional career and had lost both the matches. The six-time Grand Slam semi-finalist lost against Djokovic twice …

When Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic battled and bantered on court for the last time | Tennis News

When Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic battled and bantered on court for the last time | Tennis News

Published by Webster

Rafael Nadal played what may potentially be the final singles match of his career late on Friday, perhaps fittingly, against the player with whom he formed the most formidable rivalry of the decade gone by, and perhaps the greatest in men’s tennis. Nadal went down 2-6, 6-7 (5) to Novak Djokovic at the Six Kings exhibition tournament in Riyadh. The Spaniard had earlier announced that he will retire from professional tennis after playing for Spain at the Davis Cup finals next month. Following their final clash, the duo shared a warm embrace at the net and some graceful pleasantries in stark opposition to the fiery battles they have had on tennis courts for nearly 20 years. “Thank you Novak for everything, for all the moments we shared on court during our careers. It’s been an amazing rivalry,” Nadal said, per Reuters. “In a personal way, you helped me go over my limits during almost 15 years. Without that, I wouldn’t be the player I am today. Congratulations for all the titles and amazing career to …