2022 Australian Open Men’s Final: Rafael Nadal vs. Daniil Medvedev

[the AntiPusher]

You really need to stop beating that dead horse, ; ) no, not all the Rafa fans had given up and others were simply analyzing some of his substandard play. Compared to some other subsets of fans for other players, who even curse out their idols I thought the Rafa fans were a pretty admirable bunch.

The announcers’ job is to stimulate and keep the viewers tuned in, but at the same time it’s a tough row to hoe since their tennis experience also tells them 35 year old , coming back from an injury recovery/surgery hiatus Rafa hadn’t done a 2 love set down comeback in 15 years. The more you look at this comeback the more remarkable it looks, again it was 2 sets to love in a tournament where Nadal confessed being fatigued during several long matches. Medvedev is arguably the best HC player in the last year and let’s face it, Rafa was not looking all that sharp in several aspects of his game. That serve, oy!

PREACH

 

[Moxie]

For those who can read the NYTimes, this is an article by the always excellent Christopher Clarey:

Rafael Nadal Wins the Australian Open, His 21st Grand Slam Title​

For those who can't read it, here are some highlights:

Nadal, a Spaniard seeded sixth here, has proved many times that he does not beat himself. He just won’t. You need to pry a match and trophy from his hands, point by point, game by game, set by set. The second-seeded Medvedev, despite all his power and skills, could not manage it, losing his way midway through the third set and never quite figuring out how to correct course.
--------------------------
This time, he did not blink. Let the record note that he clinched No. 21 by holding at love, winning a baseline rally, hitting a service winner, and then an ace and then a backhand volley winner into an open court that was an apt final touch to one of his masterpieces.

It was not his cleanest or prettiest work of performance art. He had to draw outside the lines and erase some of his game plan to find a way to the finish, but this was definitive, vintage Nadal in that he managed to continue competing in the moment no matter how rocky the previous moment might have been.

 

[Moxie]

You really need to stop beating that dead horse, ; ) no, not all the Rafa fans had given up and others were simply analyzing some of his substandard play. Compared to some other subsets of fans for other players, who even curse out their idols I thought the Rafa fans were a pretty admirable bunch.

Yo, I said it twice, and the 2nd time was to illustrate to AP that it was just P-Mac being prejudiced. And I never said "all" the Rafa fans, and I love my peeps. Just was not into the grave digging after the 2nd set.

The announcers’ job is to stimulate and keep the viewers tuned in, but at the same time it’s a tough row to hoe since their tennis experience also tells them 35 year old , coming back from an injury recovery/surgery hiatus Rafa hadn’t done a 2 love set down comeback in 15 years. The more you look at this comeback the more remarkable it looks, again it was 2 sets to love in a tournament where Nadal confessed being fatigued during several long matches. Medvedev is arguably the best HC player in the last year and let’s face it, Rafa was not looking all that sharp in several aspects of his game. That serve, oy!

Totally agree on this. I did not think that he could win the match serving the way he did. And believe me, I was blowing smoke up my own a$$ trying to convince myself that he could even get it to 5. Different coping skills for each.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Yo, I said it twice, and the 2nd time was to illustrate to AP that it was just P-Mac being prejudiced. And I never said "all" the Rafa fans, and I love my peeps. Just was not into the grave digging after the 2nd set.

Totally agree on this. I did not think that he could win the match serving the way he did. And believe me, I was blowing smoke up my own a$$ trying to convince myself that he could even get it to 5. Different coping skills for each.

Hmmm I don't know. Sis Moxie I think you may be a in the dark PMAC apologist.. However this is the universal day of Nadal and there's no fighting with Rafa's fans. Peace!

 

[Jelenafan]

Talk about attrition, and both players trying to play through their games not quite clicking.

what was frustrating was that even in the 2nd set Meds looked vulnerable and the set was there for the taking. Rafa was tweaking trying to find the right amount of aggression and having to reset over and over. Mentally how exhausting is that?

I do think Meds understandably was on fumes too, the pressure was definitely weighing down on him and both players were trying to compensate in different ways. Rafa needed that slice and I do think overall the BH held up under constant barrage.

Admirably, Rafa also never stopped trying to be aggressive with his serve, and I swear he lost some points when the first serve did go in because it was such a shock, LOL,

 

[the AntiPusher]

I'm glad that he is healthy and able to compete with discomfort from his foot surgery procedure. I think he is going to extremely extraordinary cautious about his schedule and try to give himself a legitimate opportunity to be available and very competitive at all of the slams this Year.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I'm glad that he is healthy and able to compete with discomfort from his foot surgery procedure. I think he is going to extremely extraordinary cautious about his schedule and try to give himself a legitimate opportunity to be available and very competitive at all of the slams this Year.

He should, AP. But watch him still play Madrid because he feels “bad” for the people in Madrid and the tournament director.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

I didn't watch 5th set (I had to hit the bed at midnight) so I woke up to the news that it's indeed Rafa who made history, despite earlier odds, in accordance with my wishes congrats
I'm not sure if you guys discussed it above, but I wanted to point a little detail reinforcing my opinion I stated elsewhere that Med does not deserve to be a goat. Trophy ceremony. When TA chief was speaking, congratulating him his performance, he blew his lips and said "boring" to the side. Check it out: 10:40 on official UT video. Of course the mics were not there to pick it up, but lip reading people picked it up and confirmed. Also, apparently Med said "other unpleasant words" during the ceremony. How disrespectful... With such attitude, Med is losing support of tennis fans, including myself, even though I Iiked him at the start 2 weeks ago

 

[tossip]

I didn't watch 5th set (I had to hit the bed at midnight) so I woke up to the news that it's indeed Rafa who made history, despite earlier odds, in accordance with my wishes congrats
I'm not sure if you guys discussed it above, but I wanted to point a little detail reinforcing my opinion I stated elsewhere that Med does not deserve to be a goat. Trophy ceremony. When TA chief was speaking, congratulating him his performance, he blew his lips and said "boring" to the side. Check it out: 10:40 on official UT video. Of course the mics were not there to pick it up, but lip reading people picked it up and confirmed: apparently he said "other unpleasant words" during the ceremony. How disrespectful... With such attitude, Med is losing support of tennis fans, including myself, even though I Iiked him at the start 2 weeks ago

He is determined to be the tennis badboy with boring game and persona.

 

[Carol]

I have not words!!!!!!

 

[Carol]

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I'm glad that he is healthy and able to compete with discomfort from his foot surgery procedure. I think he is going to extremely extraordinary cautious about his schedule and try to give himself a legitimate opportunity to be available and very competitive at all of the slams this Year.

AP Rafa did not have foot surgery...even that Medicated Matts Wilander kept going on it after the match.If it was surgery on his foot the bone would have been taken out and Rafa could not run for starters.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

He is determined to be the tennis badboy with boring game and persona.

You misread my comment: I didn't say anything about Med's game: in fact I think his game is not "boring" but efficient and good. I commented on his disrespect towards an official speaking at the postmatch ceremony. Med's utterance of the word "boring" refered to the speech, and obviously not to the match itself.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

You misread my comment: I didn't say anything about Med's game: in fact I think his game is not "boring" but efficient and good. I commented on his disrespect towards an official speaking at the postmatch ceremony. Med's utterance of the word "boring" refered to the speech, and obviously not to the match itself.

Chris it was not the first time that Med said 'boring'...btw. in the tournament

 

[Carol]

For months ego....and today he won his second AO title and the #21 GS

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

For months ego....and today he won his second AO title and the #21 GS

Still cant believe he has won Carol I will rewatch the mater later...

 

[Carol]

M

Still cant believe he has won Carol I will rewatch the mater later...

Me either, I'm in shock!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

M

Me either, I'm in shock!

LOL in a good way!

 

[the AntiPusher]

He should, AP. But watch him still play Madrid because he feels “bad” for the people in Madrid and the tournament director.

I know Right!

 

[the AntiPusher]

LOL in a good way!

I think Rafa is too..he said it in his pressors..you expect to make a comeback from behind when you are young but it's very different and difficult when you are Older. Remember what I have been saying the past few years and weeks, if all conditions are the same and they are healthy, Rafa, Roger and Novak has another level.Rafa learned from Roger and Novak learned from both. Rafa and Novak made Roger tweaks parts of his game to match and hold off the younger two. Again, there's no TRUE GOAT. It's a three headed GOAT that I acknowledge years ago but El Dude gets the acclaim because of his statistics and much easier to deal with than my cantor which can be offensive. It is what it is.