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Oops, did I say "Gnat-al?" Oh well.
Of course, there are those who didn't think he'd beat Nole, we all saw the thread. Someone even mentioned Monte Carlo, as if that match was an indicator and not a mere statistic. I thought the match against Nole was magnificent, a formidable addition to modern day GS classics, although Nadal should have dispatched him in four. But Nole was the man he is and took the chance to force a fifth and almost run away with it.
Hands up anyone who thought the gaff was blown at 3-1? I must admit to a sodden gloom, but holding that game - against the wind, as Rafa had it - meant our hearts could lighten. Still, he had to break. I knew he'd get a chance, but could he take it? He got more than one, and he took one. From 4-4, he was immense. MIGHTY is too PUNY a word for Nadal in that fifth set. He drove Nole to new heights on clay, also, but in the end, Nadal is the most formidable, mentally the toughest, and also the most ruthless.
This isn't 2011, when the best of Nole faced the most hollowed-out, browbeaten Rafa. Nole was under his skin and making hard-earned hay. Let's not keep hearing the nonsense that Nole-2011 is some sort of Better-than-Ralph default setting on clay. A streak is not a standard. Those wrinkles were ironed out last year.
Nadal since his return has been brilliant. His effort has been huge and his determination to succeed has shown a man who could once again scale the peaks. A caveat is his health: he'll go back to the top again by years-end if his knees hold out. If they don't, others of course will keep him down.
Back on topic: this is an incredible moment for Rafa. 8 FO's but also, nine seasons in a row winning slams, something beyond other great players, but also a major stat given how much Rafa has been affected by injury over the years.
Let's hail the Man! All together now: VAMOS!
Of course, there are those who didn't think he'd beat Nole, we all saw the thread. Someone even mentioned Monte Carlo, as if that match was an indicator and not a mere statistic. I thought the match against Nole was magnificent, a formidable addition to modern day GS classics, although Nadal should have dispatched him in four. But Nole was the man he is and took the chance to force a fifth and almost run away with it.
Hands up anyone who thought the gaff was blown at 3-1? I must admit to a sodden gloom, but holding that game - against the wind, as Rafa had it - meant our hearts could lighten. Still, he had to break. I knew he'd get a chance, but could he take it? He got more than one, and he took one. From 4-4, he was immense. MIGHTY is too PUNY a word for Nadal in that fifth set. He drove Nole to new heights on clay, also, but in the end, Nadal is the most formidable, mentally the toughest, and also the most ruthless.
This isn't 2011, when the best of Nole faced the most hollowed-out, browbeaten Rafa. Nole was under his skin and making hard-earned hay. Let's not keep hearing the nonsense that Nole-2011 is some sort of Better-than-Ralph default setting on clay. A streak is not a standard. Those wrinkles were ironed out last year.
Nadal since his return has been brilliant. His effort has been huge and his determination to succeed has shown a man who could once again scale the peaks. A caveat is his health: he'll go back to the top again by years-end if his knees hold out. If they don't, others of course will keep him down.
Back on topic: this is an incredible moment for Rafa. 8 FO's but also, nine seasons in a row winning slams, something beyond other great players, but also a major stat given how much Rafa has been affected by injury over the years.
Let's hail the Man! All together now: VAMOS!
