Rafael Nadal has announced his retirement from tennis

[MargaretMcAleer]

I have said this before but my favorite Rafael Nadal stat ever, in my opinion:

14-0 in Roland Garros finals and not a single one of them went to a 5th set!

7 straight set matches
7 four set matches
Perfectly balance

In fact, since 2017 RG (31 years old), he was 15-1 in set wins and losses in RG Finals. That's actually pretty remarkable to think about

Another amazing RG stat: He won 90.7% of the sets he played at RG! (116 matches total).

Thanks Rafanoy,
Just an Incredible stat for Rafa, and I dont think we will 'ever see' another player with those kind of stats, let alone winning 14 RG finals, well not in my life time

 

[Moxie]

Why should they play the French Open in autumn? It’s summer in Paris when it’s played, better chance of better weather…

Well, technically it's still Spring until mid-June, but, not only is the weather better, there are 4+ more hours of available daylight available in Paris at that time of year, even compared to the end of Sept.

Going back to the point of this thread, and reminded of the 2020 autumn French Open, I wanted to cite that final as another favorite of mine. Not just because he beat Novak, or the bagel he served him, but because of all the seeming obstacles Rafa had to negotiate to win that title: colder, heavier weather, which has never been best for him at RG, and add to the fun, the tournament changed to an even heavier Wilson ball that year. He had barely played any tennis in 6 months, due to the pandemic, and he was 35 years old. Add to that his greatest nemesis, particularly at the French, in the final. AND, on that particular day, they had closed the roof due to rain for the women's doubles final, and decided not to reopen it, despite better weather and forecast. So, with the odds stacked against him, at least to the extent that they could be at Roland Garros, Nadal still won, and in straights. I thought that was a great job of battling a lot of obstacles.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well, technically it's still Spring until mid-June, but, not only is the weather better, there are 4+ more hours of available daylight available in Paris at that time of year, even compared to the end of Sept.

Going back to the point of this thread, and reminded of the 2020 autumn French Open, I wanted to cite that final as another favorite of mine. Not just because he beat Novak, or the bagel he served him, but because of all the seeming obstacles Rafa had to negotiate to win that title: colder, heavier weather, which has never been best for him at RG, and add to the fun, the tournament changed to an even heavier Wilson ball that year. He had barely played any tennis in 6 months, due to the pandemic, and he was 35 years old. Add to that his greatest nemesis, particularly at the French, in the final. AND, on that particular day, they had closed the roof due to rain for the women's doubles final, and decided not to reopen it, despite better weather and forecast. So, with the odds stacked against him, at least to the extent that they could be at Roland Garros, Nadal still won, and in straights. I thought that was a great job of battling a lot of obstacles.

Moxie,
I was live at the RG final in 2012 which was the coldest rainy weather I have suffered in the many times I have been at RG, the match between Rafa and Djokovic had to finish on the Monday, due to the rain. It was the most miserable time, expect I loved the final outcome
Pairs is Spring can be a mixture, of sun, wind and rain.I always take my wet weather gear, and heavy jacket just in case, as I have been caught out in the past, also in Rome as well.

 

[Moxie]

Moxie,
I was live at the RG final in 2012 which was the coldest rainy weather I have suffered in the many times I have been at RG, the match between Rafa and Djokovic had to finish on the Monday, due to the rain. It was the most miserable time, expect I loved the final outcome
Pairs is Spring can be a mixture, of sun, wind and rain.I always take my wet weather gear, and heavy jacket just in case, as I have been caught out in the past, also in Rome as well.

Yes, and some years are hot and dry. Or a mixed bag, but I stand by the point that you have 4 hours more daylight in Paris at that time of year, than in the fall. And a better chance of better weather.

Here are average temps for Paris in May/June, vs. Oct., and days of rain. RG is 25 May thru 8 June next year, so take into account June on this chart. Also, a LOT more daylight hours is a significant benefit, IMO.

 

[Moxie]

I have said this before but my favorite Rafael Nadal stat ever, in my opinion:

14-0 in Roland Garros finals and not a single one of them went to a 5th set!

7 straight set matches
7 four set matches
Perfectly balance

In fact, since 2017 RG (31 years old), he was 15-1 in set wins and losses in RG Finals. That's actually pretty remarkable to think about

Another amazing RG stat: He won 90.7% of the sets he played at RG! (116 matches total).

I think it is stunning that he only ever went 5 sets at RG 2 times. Once was v. Isner in 2011, which was first round, and Nadal's confidence was low. Isner only got him to 5 based on serve. (I'm sure Isner is relishing his footnote in history.) The other was v. Novak in 2013, which was an epic SF. That one Nadal should have closed out in 4, too, but credit to Novak for making a barn-burner out of it. However, in finals, and even though Rafa faced Roger and Novak in a total of 7 finals, they never took him to more than 4 sets. And neither one of them ever beat him in a final. Roger, of course, never beat Rafa at Roland Garros.

And this: Nadal is 137–4 in best of five matches on clay (a win percentage of 97.2%). This includes Davis Cup, and MS 1000s, when the finals were played best 3 of 5.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I think it is stunning that he only ever went 5 sets at RG 2 times. Once was v. Isner in 2011, which was first round, and Nadal's confidence was low. Isner only got him to 5 based on serve. (I'm sure Isner is relishing his footnote in history.) The other was v. Novak in 2013, which was an epic SF. That one Nadal should have closed out in 4, too, but credit to Novak for making a barn-burner out of it. However, in finals, and even though Rafa faced Roger and Novak in a total of 7 finals, they never took him to more than 4 sets. And neither one of them ever beat him in a final. Roger, of course, never beat Rafa at Roland Garros.

And this: Nadal is 137–4 in best of five matches on clay (a win percentage of 97.2%). This includes Davis Cup, and MS 1000s, when the finals were played best 3 of 5.

Moxie, quick correction: Nadal has played three 5-setters at RG, the last one was against FAA in 2022.

In fact, both Federer and Djokovic never had a set point against Nadal in the 4th set in any of those finals.

Puerta was the closest one with three set points on his own serve and Nadal won five straight points to break back and the rest was history!

 

[Moxie]

Moxie, quick correction: Nadal has played three 5-setters at RG, the last one was against FAA in 2022.

In fact, both Federer and Djokovic never had a set point against Nadal in the 4th set in any of those finals.

Puerta was the closest one with three set points on his own serve and Nadal won five straight points to break back and the rest was history!

Good point! I forgot the FAA one.

 

[tented]

 

[rafanoy1992]

I think it is stunning that he only ever went 5 sets at RG 2 times. Once was v. Isner in 2011, which was first round, and Nadal's confidence was low. Isner only got him to 5 based on serve. (I'm sure Isner is relishing his footnote in history.) The other was v. Novak in 2013, which was an epic SF. That one Nadal should have closed out in 4, too, but credit to Novak for making a barn-burner out of it. However, in finals, and even though Rafa faced Roger and Novak in a total of 7 finals, they never took him to more than 4 sets. And neither one of them ever beat him in a final. Roger, of course, never beat Rafa at Roland Garros.

And this: Nadal is 137–4 in best of five matches on clay (a win percentage of 97.2%). This includes Davis Cup, and MS 1000s, when the finals were played best 3 of 5.

Another mind-boggling stat regarding about the 137-4 in best of five matches on Clay percentage: He ONLY played 5 matches in which it went to a 5th set and he was 5-0 in those matches! Obviously, there’s a little bit of caveat in which he did lose either in straight sets or in 4 tight sets, but it is still a remarkable stat!

 

[the AntiPusher]

Good point! I forgot the FAA one.

I didnt forget about the match vs FAA..I thought it was a masterpiece. FAA had 4 UFEs in the final set and still lost the match. Rafa had I think 11-14 winners the last set. I have seen Rafa only on two other occasions take it to that level. The Fall RG match vs Novak and 2009 RG match vs Roger. God has not EVER created a human that could defeat Rafa in those three matches.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I didnt forget about the match vs FAA..I thought it was a masterpiece. FAA had 4 UFEs in the final set and still lost the match. Rafa had I think 11-14 winners the last set. I have seen Rafa only on two other occasions take it to that level. The Fall RG match vs Novak and 2009 RG match vs Roger. God has not EVER created a human that could defeat Rafa in those three matches.

Toni was FAA coach at that match wasnt he? from memory FAA played very well

 

[the AntiPusher]

Toni was FAA coach at that match wasnt he? from memory FAA played very well

yes, Toni was there!

 

[tented]

yes, Toni was there!

He was in Paris, but he wasn’t at the match — he had made a statement that if they played he wouldn’t be there to cheer on FAA in front of Rafa. In fact, I remember someone interviewing Toni before the match. He was asked who he wanted to win, and without hesitation, he said Rafa.

 

[Moxie]

He was in Paris, but he wasn’t at the match — he had made a statement that if they played he wouldn’t be there to cheer on FAA in front of Rafa. In fact, I remember someone interviewing Toni before the match. He was asked who he wanted to win, and without hesitation, he said Rafa.

I believe he also said he would never root against his own nephew.

 

[Moxie]

I didnt forget about the match vs FAA..I thought it was a masterpiece. FAA had 4 UFEs in the final set and still lost the match. Rafa had I think 11-14 winners the last set. I have seen Rafa only on two other occasions take it to that level. The Fall RG match vs Novak and 2009 RG match vs Roger. God has not EVER created a human that could defeat Rafa in those three matches.

I should revisit that match v. Felix.

Also, I know you meant the 2008 final match v. Roger at RG. That one has always been so one-sided that it seemed impolite ever to mention it, but now that Rafa is retiring, it IS well-worth noting. He was playing clay tennis from another stratosphere in 2008. Folks in general don't seem to mention 2008 as one of Rafa's best years, preferring 2010, but he was playing at a level for a good portion of that year that looked like he'd invented a new game, and failed to tell anyone else the rules.

I'm not sure those would be my 3, if I were picking, but they'll do.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I should revisit that match v. Felix.

Also, I know you meant the 2008 final match v. Roger at RG. That one has always been so one-sided that it seemed impolite ever to mention it, but now that Rafa is retiring, it IS well-worth noting. He was playing clay tennis from another stratosphere in 2008. Folks in general don't seem to mention 2008 as one of Rafa's best years, preferring 2010, but he was playing at a level for a good portion of that year that looked like he'd invented a new game, and failed to tell anyone else the rules.

I'm not sure those would be my 3, if I were picking, but they'll do.

Moxie,

As far as I am concerned Rafa took his game clay game to another level at RG 2008, he was just 'unplayable' I was soo lucky to be there live

 

[Moxie]

Moxie,

As far as I am concerned Rafa took his game clay game to another level at RG 2008, he was just 'unplayable' I was soo lucky to be there live

I think the entirety of that clay season was another level. Nice for you you got to see him at that Roland Garros, though.

 

[tented]

I think the entirety of that clay season was another level. Nice for you you got to see him at that Roland Garros, though.

Except remember in Rome he lost to JCF because his feet had terrible blisters. For a minute, I was worried he wouldn’t be able to play RG.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I think the entirety of that clay season was another level. Nice for you you got to see him at that Roland Garros, though.

Yes it was 'special' out of all the RG tournaments I went to, that one in 2008 remains on the top of my list for Rafa

 

[tented]

Yes it was 'special' out of all the RG tournaments I went to, that one in 2008 remains on the top of my list for Rafa

First time he didn’t lose a set at RG, if I recall correctly.