Rafael Nadal Archives

Swiatek, Kyrgios see no issue with Nadal shirt request as Lehecka says it’s ‘kind of weird’

May 1, 2024

It’s not uncommon in football for players to swap shirts at the end of matches, but it’s not seen so much in tennis.

Cachin could be heard saying to Nadal as they shook hands at the net: “You made my dream come true, thank you. It’s not how the protocol is, but can I get your shirt, towel or something?”

Nadal, who was likely playing in Madrid the last time before retiring, obliged and gave Cachin a shirt from his bag.

The moment certainly did not go unnoticed.

Women’s world No. 1 Iga Swiatek was asked after her quarter-final win over Beatriz Haddad Maia whether she had ever experienced anything similar.

Former Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios hit back at the idea that it was wrong for Cachin to ask for Nadal’s shirt.

“NBA players, soccer players do it all the time? It’s a memory, an experience that took a lifetime of work and that less than 1% of humans get to. You wouldn’t understand,” he wrote on X in response to a post by tennis commentator David Law.

The Czech was asked after the win what he thought about the idea of asking Nadal for a souvenir.

“I don’t know, it’s tough for me to say, because I went on the court to win, you know. When you go on the court and you go there for the win, then it’s tough for me to run after him and to ask him for some things, you know, if he can give me something,” said Lehecka.

“Because I don’t really know, I don’t want to sound disrespectful or something, that’s the last thing I would like to, but if you are playing a match and you are thinking about asking the guy to give you something, then, I mean, why you are there? It’s kind of weird, in my opinion.

“I mean, everyone can have his own opinion on this thing. I totally respect what Pedro did. It’s absolutely fine for me. I have zero problem with it. But for me I would not do such a thing.

“I would do this maybe after the whole tournament, after, when I see him somewhere, just asking for a photo like I did after our practice. This is what I did, because of course I didn’t know if I would have a chance to play with him again or if we would play a match together.

“That’s why I asked Rafa to take a picture with me after our practice earlier this week. But if we are speaking about him giving me a T-shirt, I mean, I don’t know, I just don’t go into a match with these kind of intentions, and I just have different approach in this thing.”

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Resurgent Nadal survives three-hour Cachin battle, Norrie crashes out

April 29, 2024

Rafael Nadal’s Madrid Open resurgence continued with a 6-1 6-7(5) 6-3 win over Pedro Cachin on Monday, earning the Spaniard a first Masters 1000 fourth round appearance in two years.

The 37-year-old has now racked up three consecutive wins, his best streak since the US Open in 2022.

He will go on to face No. 30 seed Jiri Lehecka in the last 16 after the 22-year-old edged past Stefanos Tsitsipas’ conqueror, Brazilian Thiago Monteiro.

Nadal came out firing as he broke serve in the opening game of the match.

There was no holding back from the 22-time Grand Slam champion as he ripped his heavy topspin forehand and pulled Cachin around the court.

Cachin fended off two break points in the fifth game with forehand winners, but Nadal was not to be denied and broke to lead 4-1 with a winner down the line.

Nadal closed out an impressive set with another break when Cachin sent a forehand long.

Cachin was in firm control of the second set as Nadal seemed to lose focus, the Spaniard making numerous unforced errors which Cachin quickly capitalised on.

The Argentinian raced to a 4-1 lead in the set, with Nadal growing in frustration as he failed to execute shot after shot.

Cachin caught him off guard several times with some deft drop shots, looking like a completely different player compared to his monotone first set.

But Nadal’s frustration turned to aggression and he upped the ante, turning the 4-1 score to 5-5 and saving two set points.

After a pair of double faults and Nadal missing vital shots, Cachin took his sixth game of the set.

Nadal then raced to 40-0 in the ensuing game and the Argentinian shot wide allowing Nadal to force the tie-break – with the elated Madrid crowd standing and applauding the icon.

Cachin took the first three points in the breaker before a netting allowed Nadal back in with his first point.

The contest was scrappy, with a more confident Rafa putting Cachin on the back foot. But Nadal hit the ball wide for Cachin to take the tie-break and the set, prompting a huge celebration from him.

As he has done time and again in his career, Nadal found an extra gear in the decider and looked incredibly impressive, opening with a scorching cross-court forehand.

At 4-2 the clash had been going on for three hours and was still as back and forth as ever, with Nadal netting twice to give Cachin an important game to make it 4-3.

But the veteran saved his best for last and won the next two games in quick succession, no longer making the mistakes he had in the previous few hours.

Victoy was sealed as Nadal outfoxed Cachin, whose shot went long after the pair exchanged drop shots.

Ruud comfortably dispatches Norrie

Brit Cameron Norrie was eliminated from Madrid by world No. 6 Casper Ruud 6-2 6-4.

Ruud wrapped up the first set in just 31 minutes, his serve being broken in the final game of the match, only for Norrie to net and hand the first set over.

The second set was much closer, with the Brit managing to hold his own as momentum changed hands.

At 4-4 Norrie threatened to take control of the tie, but two straight games from Ruud, in which Norrie could barely lay a finger on the Norwegian, saw him advance to the next round.

Ruud will advance to play Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last 16. The Canadian was leading Jakub Mensik 6-1 1-0 on Monday when the Czech was forced to retire in the second set due to injury.

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Nadal gets revenge win over De Minaur, Tsitsipas crashes out

April 27, 2024

Rafael Nadal gained revenge over Alex De Minaur and booked his place in the Madrid Open third round with a 7-6(6) 6-3 victory.

Nadal started in ideal fashion after breaking De Minaur in the Australian’s first service game to move 2-0 in front, before the world No. 11 hit back immediately to halve the deficit.

After a further break of serve each for both players in a pulsating opener, the first set went to a tie-break that proved to be just as enthralling.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion delighted the Spanish crowd by moving 6-2 in front to get four set points in the bank, but they all came and went.

However, set point number five came after a stunning two-handed backhand, and Nadal drew first blood as De Minaur hit a long forehand return after an hour and 16 minutes of play.

Nadal took an early break at the start of the second set and moved 3-1 ahead with an emphatic hold to love.

The Spaniard was showing his class and moved daylight between himself at De Minaur at 4-2 with a wonderful backhand.

It was looking much more straightforward for Nadal, with De Minaur having few answers to a devastating array of shots from the former world No. 1.

It was that stunning backhand which came to the fore once again which set up two match points on De Minaur’s serve at 5-3, and the first came and went as a De Minaur double fault sealed the deal.

The 37-year-old can now look forward to a match against Pedro Cachin, after the Argentine overcame Frances Tiafoe earlier on Saturday.

Speaking after the match, Nadal said: I’m super happy to be competitive against a great player like Alex, playing two hours means a lot to me.

“The atmosphere here is a joke, so I can’t thank everybody enough.

“If I am able to play tennis for a few weeks in a row, then I will see how far I can go. It’s just a case of going step by step and seeing how things go.”

Tsitsipas stunned by Monteiro

Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas was stunned with a second-round defeat to Thiago Monteiro.

The Brazilian claimed a 6-4 6-4 win and faces Jiri Lehecka in round three.

Monteiro took an early break to move 2-1 up in the first set and drew first blood on his second set point after 39 minutes of play.

He moved a set and a break ahead at the start of the second, before Tsitsipas fought back and swatted away two match points to take a crucial hold at 5-4.

However, it only prolonged the inevitable, as the world No.118 progressed after a fourth match point to dump out the world No. 7.

Speaking after the match he said: “For sure it’s one of the biggest wins of my career. I knew it would be a tough match. I tried to just believe in myself all the time.

“I was feeling really good on the court and I’ve been playing for three matches already. I had a bit of rhythm and confidence. I just fought until the end and believed.”

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‘I didn’t test my body’ – Nadal still undecided on French Open return

April 26, 2024

Nadal was dominant throughout with seemingly no fitness issues. But after besting Blanch in a match that lasted only a few minutes longer than an hour, perhaps the fact that Nadal doesn’t feel adequately tested isn’t too surprising.

“Today I played against an opponent with a future in front (of him), but today he’s still making mistakes. So I just tried to be there, be solid all the time without taking a lot of risks and (it) worked well.

“I mean, I didn’t test much my body today. I think I played a decent match doing the things that I had to do to be through, but at the same time, I played against a player that today – I don’t know in a few weeks – he’s not solid enough yet because he’s making more mistakes.”

The 14-time French Open winner has yet to fully commit to playing at Roland-Garros, admitting that he’s yet to feel 100% since recovering from various hip and abdominal injuries since the beginning of 2023.

The 37-year-old cast further doubt on his participation on Wednesday, saying he would not play if he continued in his current state and will only travel to Paris if he feels competitive.

‘Means a lot to me’ – Nadal reacts after beating Blanch in Madrid

When asked how his current condition compares to his top level, Nadal replied: “I try to play at my 100%, but I can’t give my 100% every day. I give my 100% everyday. The thing is before, most of the time, I was able to give my 100% of the 100%.

“Today, I’m able to give my 100% of sometimes 40%, sometimes 60%, sometimes 70%, and if I am able to raise this percentage day after day or week after week, why not in the future, what can happen? If not, it’s impossible.”

Nadal is no stranger to coming back from injury, but as retirement looms, he says this comeback is a “different story”.

“It’s part of my tennis career too. I went through a lot of injuries and I had to be back. And the good is that I was able to be back strong very quick. That’s why I was able to achieve so many records in terms of holding my ranking in a very high position for such a long time and to be competitive.

“Today is a different story. I mean, I never had this super long period of time without playing, and important surgeries, and I’ve never had that in almost 38 (years), I was in a different age.

“I’m trying as always and let’s see. I am not negative, I’m just realistic. I am here to try to explore what can happen in the next couple of weeks.”

The Madrid Open is just his third tournament this year after Brisbane in January and Barcelona earlier this month.

Nadal continues injury comeback with dominant win over Blanch

April 25, 2024

Rafael Nadal continued his comeback from injury with a commanding 6-1 6-0 victory over unseeded 16-year-old Darwin Blanch at the Madrid Open on Thursday.

The test against Blanch was a continuation in Nadal’s clay preparations and served as a good fitness test with the teenager looking to challenge the Spaniard at the back of the court. Nadal responded astutely to dispatch the American within one hour and 52 minutes of play.

After losing the first game to love, Blanch instantly responded with two aces to open his first service game. Despite a positive and aggressive approach, the American could not match Nadal’s return game and was broken to 30, allowing the Spaniard to seize an advantage.

Blanch, who received a wild card to the Madrid tournament and is ranked outside of the top 1000, picked up his first game to make it 3-1, holding Nadal to love.

Nadal continued his clay season and comeback from injury but doubts remain over his participation in the upcoming French Open. A hip issue kept the Spaniard sidelined for most of last season, and the Madrid Open is just his third tournament this year after Brisbane in January and Barcelona earlier this month.

But fitness was not a visible issue on court against Blanch, as Nadal’s years of pedigree culminated in a dominant display which saw the former world No. 1 wrap up the opening set within 28 minutes as he cruised to a 6-1 scoreline.

Blanch, taking part in just his second major ATP event, displayed moments of quality but struggled to cope with the ferocity of Nadal’s display and dropped 15 unforced errors in the opening set.

The 16-year-old threatened a response at the beginning of the second set, taking Nadal to deuce with some even baseline exchanges, but was again made to rue unforced errors as Nadal broke the youngster’s opening service game.

At 2-0 down and 40-40, Blanch hit a stunning cross-court forehand after a well-contested rally to open up advantage. Nadal, though, navigated the situation superbly to overturn the advantage and break the youngster’s serve for the fourth time in the match.

Blanch continued to try to better Nadal from the back of the court but the Spaniard’s class shone through in a dominant second set which saw the 16-year-old fail to pick up a game, despite going to deuce on three occasions.

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Nadal reveals French Open doubts, says he ‘wouldn’t play if it was today’

April 24, 2024

Rafael Nadal has revealed his continuing doubts over his fitness, saying if the French Open started today he wouldn’t play.

Nadal missed almost all of last season after undergoing hip surgery and has only played two tournaments this year due to injury issues – Brisbane in January and Barcelona earlier this month.

“It’s difficult right now to say what’s ideal and what’s not,” he said.

“The ideal would be being able to play without many limitations, and whatever happens I don’t really care. If I were able to play with some limitations and I’d lose tomorrow, it would be good for me. But it’s tough.

“The sensations this week haven’t been perfect. With my mindset, if I had to play tomorrow, maybe I wouldn’t play. But as I said before, with Madrid there are many emotional factors coming together, and I feel compelled to go and play for personal motives.

“This doesn’t mean that I would be giving up anything in the coming weeks. But this isn’t an upwards process, in a straight line. I don’t know what could happen.

“I will try, as I always say, without trying to confuse anybody. I don’t know what will happen in the next three weeks. I will be fighting and doing the things I deem necessary, so I can play in Paris. And if I can, then I will. And if I can’t, then I won’t.

“I won’t be playing in Paris if by then I feel the way I feel right now. If I was in Paris today, I wouldn’t go out to play. This is the reality.

“We’ll see what happens. The world does not end with Roland-Garros, although it has been the most important tournament of my career. If I don’t play Paris, there are other tournaments there; there is an Olympics soon and other events. I am not going to do more than I feel capable of doing or have the desire to do.”

Nadal will play his opening match in Madrid on Thursday.

He is a five-time champion at the tournament and this could be his final appearance as 2024 is expected to be his last year on tour.

“The goal is be on court. Enjoy as long as possible,” he said.

‘Honestly was so scared’ – Alcaraz on meeting Nadal for first time

“I mean, that’s the thing, try to finish the tournament alive in terms of body issues, and enjoy the fact that I will be able to compete one more time in the professional tour and here at home in Madrid, a place that give me everything, no, in terms of support.”

Nadal added that he is giving himself “a chance” and hopes to “find better feelings” going forward.

“I don’t lose hope. I just accept the situation that I have today. I mean, I am not playing bad. It’s about more body limitations.”

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Alcaraz admits he was ‘so scared’ when he first played Nadal

April 24, 2024

Carlos Alcaraz admits he was “so scared” to play Rafael Nadal when the pair first went head-to-head in 2021.

The 20-year-old spoke to the press ahead of the Madrid Masters, with the Spaniard set to play for the first time since Miami after being sidelined with a forearm injury.

While he gets set to finally get his clay court season under way, Alcaraz also wanted to turn back the clock on a tournament where he has an eventful history.

It was here in Madrid that the generations first clashed, Alcaraz playing his hero and fellow countryman Nadal on the clay three years ago. Nadal emerged a fairly comprehensive 6-1 6-2 winner, with the moment getting to his opponent – who was celebrating his 18th birthday that very day.

“It’s difficult, honestly it’s so difficult to face him. The first time in 2021 I honestly was so scared, I’m not going to lie,” Alcaraz recalled.

“I couldn’t play – his presence, that atmosphere, you feel it’s unbelievable, it’s difficult.”

The two met again the following year in Indian Wells, with that match going to three sets before Alcaraz finally tasted victory against the King of Clay back in Madrid the following year, grinding out a famous win in three sets.

“The next time we learned a lot just how to deal with that situation, we are tennis players, we learned a lot and you want to be the best you know,” Alcaraz continued.

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal attend The Netflix Slam at Michelob ULTRA Arena on March 03, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada

Image credit: Getty Images

“The next time I faced him I didn’t feel as scared, I just wanted to beat him and just wanted to go for it and that’s all you have to think about it but I’m not going to lie, it is difficult.”

Alcaraz returns to Madrid this week as a two-time winner and where he really announced himself to the world as a future Grand Slam champion when he beat Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev in consecutive matches in 2022 – all three ranked in the top four of the world at the time.

Since then, the Spaniard has gone on to lift two Grand Slam trophies at the US Open and Wimbledon, but whether he can make a tilt at a third at Roland-Garros next month remains to be seen.

Factor in Zverev, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, not to mention Nadal himself, and it looks like being one of the most open Roland-Garros fields in recent memory.

But first up for Alcaraz will be to find his feet on the clay courts of Madrid, as he begins to try and defend his title here, before turning his attention to Rome and then the French Open. He has a first round bye, and will play either Alexander Shevchenko or Arthur Rinderknech in the second round.

As for another potential match up against Nadal, that would have to wait until the final with the duo drawn on opposite sides of the draw.

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Nadal to face 16-year-old in Madrid opener – when is the match and what’s his draw?

April 22, 2024

Rafael Nadal continues his clay comeback at the Madrid Open this week.

That was his first clay event since winning the 2022 French Open and he will look for further steps forward in Madrid.

What is Nadal’s draw in Madrid? Who will he play and when will he play? We run through everything you need to know…

When is Nadal playing in Madrid?

The ATP main draw at the Madrid Open starts on Wednesday, April 24.

Nadal will play his first match on either April 24 or April 25.

Who is Nadal playing in Madrid?

Nadal is using his protected ranking to enter the Madrid Open so is unseeded.

He will face 16-year-old American Darwin Blanch in the first round of the tournament.

If Nadal gets past wildcard Blanch he will face a rematch against Alex de Minaur in the second round.

Frances Tiafoe could await in the third round and then Monte Carlo champion Stefanos Tsitsipas is a potential fourth-round opponent.

Are Djokovic and Alcaraz playing in Madrid?

Those hoping for another Nadal v Novak Djokovic clash in Madrid were disappointed as the world No. 1 pulled out of the tournament.

Djokovic, who watched El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona in Madrid on Sunday, has not given an official reason for his withdrawal.

Carlos Alcaraz is in the draw as he looks to overcome an arm injury and win his third Madrid Open in a row.

The world No. 3 hasn’t played since losing in the Miami Open quarter-finals due to injury, missing both Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion in Madrid

Image credit: Getty Images

He has a first-round bye as the second seed and will open against either Alexander Shevchenko or Arthur Rinderknech.

Lorenzo Musetti could await in the third round, while Holger Rune is seeded to be a quarter-final opponent.

World No. 2 Jannik Sinner will be the top seed at the Madrid Open and could face fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego in his first match.

Nadal aiming to build momentum

After several false starts, Nadal’s comeback got up and running in Barcelona.

The main focus remains building up fitness and getting match practice ahead of the French Open, which starts on May 26.

“I have to behave in Madrid according to how I feel,” said Nadal.

“If I can do a week of practice sessions in Madrid with quality players, if I can play sets every day, if my body gets used to that level of competition and I feel I’m ready, then I’ll be able to progress.

“If my body can cope with the progressive load, it’ll help me week after week to be able to try and demand more. I hope so. But that’s the reality. The logical thing would be to take it progressively, to try and take one more step in Madrid. Not in terms of matches, because that depends on the competition. I’ve played very little. But in terms of being able to fight for it a little more in Madrid, then more still in Rome.

“In Paris, then it’s in the lap of the gods. If I’m going to give it a shot, that would be the time to do it. Whatever happens, that is the place.”

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Nadal confirmed for Team Europe at Laver Cup – ‘An incredible experience’

April 22, 2024

Rafael Nadal will make what is likely to be his final Laver Cup appearance for Team Europe in September.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who indicated last year that this would be his final season on the circuit, joins a star-studded line up for the three-day event against Team World in Berlin.

Nadal recently made his latest comeback from injury at the Barcelona Open last week and will take on Darwin Blanch in the first round of the Madrid Open next as he continues his build-up to Roland Garros.

Although the former world No. 1 has hinted he could play on past this year, it is expected that the 37-year-old will retire at the end of the campaign.

Nadal last played at the Laver Cup in 2022, Roger Federer’s farewell tournament, when he partnered his long-time rival in the doubles. Both men were famously in tears afterwards.

“I have some really special memories from my Laver Cup experiences, including all the emotions from London two years ago playing alongside Roger for the last time,” said Nadal in a statement, who has played the event three times.

‘That’s brilliant!’ – Nadal flashes stunning winner as Federer celebrates

“At this stage in my career I really want to go out there and make the most of every opportunity I am given. Teaming up is always an incredible experience and I have always enjoyed it, the competition is different and exciting.

“I’m looking forward to going to Berlin and helping Team Europe win back the Laver Cup.”

Nadal joins a Team Europe squad which includes Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, with more to be announced.

“Rafa is an absolute legend in our sport, a true champion in every sense of the word,” said Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg.

“It’s my last year as Captain. Having him on Team Europe this year was a goal of mine and I’m thrilled he has accepted my invitation and will be with us in Berlin. ”

Team World thumped Team Europe 13-2 during last year’s edition in Vancouver, though Borg was only able to count on two top-10 players: Andrey Rublev and Casper Ruud.

John McEnroe named the first three players for his Team World squad earlier this month, naming Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul as his first picks.

The 2024 Laver Cup will take place on September 20-22, with coverage on Eurosport and discovery+.

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Madrid Open: Are Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz and Raducanu playing?

April 20, 2024

The Madrid Open will feature the top stars from the ATP and WTA tours.

Carlos Alcaraz has won the men’s title the last two successive years and is bidding to become the first player to win three in a row.

The women’s trophy was won by Aryna Sabalenka as she beat Iga Swiatek in the final.

Who’s playing the Madrid Open this season? Are Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz, Swiatek and Sabalenka playing? When is the draw?

When is the Madrid Open?

The WTA main draw at the Madrid Open starts on Tuesday, April 23 and the ATP main draw starts on Wednesday, April 24.

Play starts at 10am UK time every day until midway through the second week. From May 1 to May 3, play begins at midday UK time, and on finals weekend play starts at 2.30pm.

There are also night sessions running from April 26 to May 3 which start at 7pm.

The women’s final will be held on Saturday, May 4 and the men’s final will be on Sunday, May 5.

When is the Madrid Open draw?

The women’s singles draw will be held on Sunday, April 21 at 5pm UK time and the men’s draw will be on Monday, April 22.

Who is playing the Madrid Open?

The Madrid Open was set to be the first clay event that both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have played since the 2022 French Open – until Djokovic pulled out.

Djokovic has not given a reason for his withdrawal, but his absence means world No. 2 Jannik Sinner will be the top seed.

Nadal will be unseeded as he continues his comeback using a protected ranking.

Carlos Alcaraz’s status is unknown after he missed Monte Carlo and Barcelona due to an arm injury.

The world No. 3 is in Madrid ahead of the tournament, but said last week in Barcelona: “My goal is to try and go to the Madrid Open, but at the moment nothing is certain.

“I was given specific recovery times and I’ve respected them, but I haven’t felt good. I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”

Alcaraz hasn’t played since losing in the Miami Open quarter-finals.

Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka will headline the women’s draw.

The pair contested the final in Madrid last year and as the top two seeds could meet again with the trophy on the line.

Aryna Sabalenka won Madrid in 2023

Image credit: Getty Images

Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina will be among those looking to challenge for the title, while two-time champion Simona Halep and former runner-up Caroline Wozniacki have both got wildcards.

This will be Halep’s second tournament since returning to the tour after her doping ban was reduced from four years to nine months.

Naomi Osaka is also on the entry list but Emma Raducanu isn’t currently in the draw.

However, as she is not ranked high enough for entry, unless she gets a late wildcard she looks set to miss Madrid.

Djokovic set for Rome return

This is only the third time since 2015 that Djokovic has not won a title by this stage of the season.

The other two times were in 2022, when he was unable to play in Australia or the United States due to being unvaccinated for Covid-19, and 2018, when he had elbow surgery early in the year.

This season he had only played three tournaments before Monte Carlo, losing to Alex de Minaur at the United Cup, Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semis, and then the upset in the third round at Indian Wells against lucky loser Luca Nardi.

It looks like he is next going to play the Italian Open, which starts on May 8, as he builds up for the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympics.

“I want to reach my peak for Paris – that’s where I want to play my best tennis,” said Djokovic in Monte Carlo.

“Anything else is a bonus, so let’s see what happens.”

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