Rafa Nadal calls it a career

[SBR Andy]

Nadal played his final match in Davis Cup yesterday in front of the home crowd in Spain.

What's your favorite Nadal moment? I think mine was the wild 2008 Wimbledon final against Federer.

6–4, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 6–7(8–10), 9–7

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Hi, Andy. Great player, great pro. Props to you, RAFA.

I'll go with my first memory of Rafa. I'll go to the 2005 French Open. I kept seeing this name NADAL showing up on the Clay results. He was rolling on Clay.

At the time Federer was a monster and on top of his game. I go to this bracket:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_French_Open_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_singles

Nadal was actually a Dog in this semifinal versus Federer. Something like +130.

I didn't get it. Nadal was establishing his Clay dominance. Brad Gilbert would peruse the French bracket and see as many as six Spaniards in the Round of 16. He called it "going thru the Spanish Armada."

History would prove that Nadal should not have been a Dog on that day. It's truly rare to find a player dominate his venue over that stretch of time. You have to think about the likes of Edwin Moses in the Hurdles.

[johnnyvegas13]

Just saw this he was a living legend

news will go under the radar cus u know tennis

[stevenash]

IMO Rafa is the GOAT.

[Otters27]

Ya that 2008 wimby final was great even though I was going for fed

[Optional]

One year at the Aussie Open he played an epic match against Verdasco that I could not look away from. That's what I think about when I think Rafa.

[ChuckyTheGoat]

One year at the Aussie Open he played an epic match against Verdasco that I could not look away from. That's what I think about when I think Rafa.

Good one, Opti. As far as being a competitor who gave it his all, what more could a fan ask for?

I was surprised he lasted as long as he did. Figured that he'd wear out sooner.

[Optional]

Good one, Opti. As far as being a competitor who gave it his all, what more could a fan ask for?

I was surprised he lasted as long as he did. Figured that he'd wear out sooner.

Same

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Good one, Opti. As far as being a competitor who gave it his all, what more could a fan ask for?

I was surprised he lasted as long as he did. Figured that he'd wear out sooner.

Absolutely, he was one of the fiercest competitors in any sport in my lifetime...always gave 110% and never gave up an inch without resistance.

[DonnieBrasco23]

Paging homie1975

[delpiero10]

For me too.that was a crazy match

[delpiero10]

Absolutely, he was one of the fiercest competitors in any sport in my lifetime...always gave 110% and never gave up an inch without resistance.

He was a Terminator

[stevenash]

^
And unlike Fed Nadal was personable.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

^
And unlike Fed Nadal was personable.

I'd argue that Fed was personable as well...

[stevenash]

I'd argue that Fed was personable as well...

Well, personable is a subjective word.

[Optional]

Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga are the only four players to have beaten all three of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in Grand Slam matches.


Good article here about who they pick as the GOAT out of them.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Well, personable is a subjective word.

He was always very gracious and accommodating with the media from what I remember.

[stevenash]

He was always very gracious and accommodating with the media from what I remember.

I'm not saying Fed is a dick head by any means, but he comes across as calculating, whereas I think Rafa comes across friendlier.

[Otters27]

I'm not saying Fed is a dick head by any means, but he comes across as calculating, whereas I think Rafa comes across friendlier.

Fed has been known for being nice to ball boys girls and other staff

[Optional]

Fed probably just coming across as "Swiss" for Nasher.

Polite but careful.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

I'm not saying Fed is a dick head by any means, but he comes across as calculating, whereas I think Rafa comes across friendlier.

nasher, I can buy that assessment.


One other thing to note is that most Swiss people are more reserved and Spaniards are usually more lively and eccentric.

[Stefan]

Nadal and Federer are two great tennis players, but they didn't find the right time to end their careers. Sampras is one of only a few top players who had the right timing. Not only he was winning the US Open with his last match, he ended his career on a top level. It was sad to see Nadal and Federer play their last matches because they were so far from the level they had played in previous years.

[Paddy K]

One year at the Aussie Open he played an epic match against Verdasco that I could not look away from. That's what I think about when I think Rafa.

This. Sorry, lil late, and Verdasco threw the kitchen sink in that match! The few matches I've downloaded!

[dhristov211]

Maybe he can coach Djokovic, too?