Il Concorrente ... the competitor. Despite the outcome of today's match, the biggest plus I took from it was that Rafa was competitive. Shame that after breaking the PoD back in the second set that he didn't hold on to his own. And bigger shame when he broke to level at 3-3 in the third with Rafa really lifting his play at that point, he couldn't hang on again. He spoke in his presser of needing a little bit more energy at times, and after three long and tough matches this week, he didn't have it. But as good as Djokovic was today, he had to play that well to beat him.
A week ago I was stunned watching that Madrid final because I found it hard to recall when I'd seen Rafa play so poorly. And at times this week against Simon and Youzhny my heart was in my mouth as I was worried that was going to out early. We had the ultimate rollercoaster on Friday night, a super display last night and today, this. So if I hark back to a week ago and was told that he'd win in an epic against Murray, reach the Rome final, play Djokovic - lost - but still remained competitive .... I would have taken it. I can only speculate but not point the finger as to what has exactly dropped with Rafa's game this clay court season. Or before even that, if truth be told. We'll never know the devastating impact that the Australian Open loss may have had on him. We don't know of the struggles to get fit again after the back injury, it's impact on his serve, his apparent loss of timing on that magical forehand of his. I believe that Toni's methods at times are questionable at different parts of Rafa's career, but I'm glad he's had the Murray and PoD matches and that Dimitrov was thrown in to boot because I think he's had a taster of what it's "feeling" like to play them on clay. He can take that knowledge, go away and think about it, work on it ... and try again.
Of course with Djokovic's victory it's going to set the hares racing again with the elusive question of will he finally win the French Open and that he has to be the favourite going into it. The de-throning of Rafa has long been a media sport and as I've said a hundred times before ... it's always the negative of someone beating Rafa that dominates, not the celebration of just how many titles can this giant of the game win, and let's roar him on to break records and do so. Let's hope for a defeat, not a win ... isn't that the story?
Year after year it gets tougher, and I don't believe that I'm being disingenuous to Rafa to say that this may be his toughest yet. He may not do it. There is nothing truer in tennis in that time doesn't stand still for any player. Not one. And another thing that I've said a hundred times before is that this is his tenth season at the top of the game. Has there ever been the hype and speculation over one player being able to repeat success season after season in a row?? I don't think so.
Rafa's breakthrough year was 2005 and he's been #1 or #2 (with the odd injury blip) ever since. In 2006, Novak Djokovic broke through, started to get to Slam semi-finals and became the #3. Also in 2006 he rather cockily stated (after losing in the semi-final of the French Open) that Nadal was beatable on clay.
It took him five years to do it.
Three years after Rafa's breakthrough year he was No. 1 in the World. Five years after the PoD's breakthrough year, he was No. 1. Rafa experienced so much in his career at a young age that at some point, at some time ... things will start to change. Shit happens. At 27 years old, maybe this is the second surge of the PoD's career - his prime - 3 years after his good year in 2011. Maybe Rafa's prime was in 2010 , and 3 years later he had his second surge. So who knows? And in a week's time ... time will start to tell.
But it's now eight years later since the cocky young Djokovic's Holy Grail prophecy. Eight years. I know Rafa likes to keep us waiting but he's never had to wait eight years for anything. And with the marked improvements he's eked out in Rome, with the ultimate test of best-of-five tennis that the Slams bring, with having to win seven consecutive matches in order to be crowned champion, with the fact that literally anything can happen in a 2-week tournament ... I don't know. But I hope by the end of it there's one song that Djokovic has playing on his i-Pod. Diana Ross ... I'm still waiting ...
After each defeat, more than after the winnings, I realize that I am much less depends on the order of the ranking and the number of titles after all, what he did. Every time I realize that I love him more and more and I can not stop . I will love him even though he will play with the kids on the sand and will them teach respect, manners, diligence, determination, humility… and that everything he taught himself. And it will also teach them to applaud it all in others. I have no doubt that it will be so.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I realize, whether he is for his lost sad or not, that far and wide and probably nowhere is not human like him.
As long as he is happy for the game, to be playing. It may be the fifteenth, thirtieth, maybe a hundred and fifty. It still will Rafa and I will love him and admire him. Maybe someday someone will overcome his records for the number of won matches and tournaments, and many other of his records can be overcome, but no one beats him as a person. I will not certainly live to see it, and I believe he so unique will remain forever .
The truth is that I feeling of absolute joy and happiness when He win the tournament (any ) because he is always so happy and it is most important to me - his health, his happiness and his smile.
Yeah, I'm sad when he loses, but nothing, absolutely nothing can change my admiration and love for him.
I dread the day when he wants to go and wants to live his own life without all the hype that is around him. He will also see some tournaments in the audience, sometimes maybe to someone passes trophy, you might manage some of his own tournament , who knows . But I would be terribly, terribly missed him. I do not want to even think about it now .
Enjoy Rafa and Rafael, until here is, until he share with us all of himself in defeat, in victory, in pain, sorrow, joy and happiness. Because it's all part of life, and he gives us a part of his life with all-in .
I will not repeat all the words, he is. Just say *Rafael Nadal* .
Who him knows and loves, knows what I mean. Who knows and does not like him, do not understand and will not recognize it. Who knows not him and has a heart in the right place, whether him while watching , whether him while watching - as is, how he talks, what he says, how to behave, how to play, how to win , how to lose ... and it must begin to love him. And it needs to enrich themself and will want to become better .
Despite my age or just for the fact that I'm not the youngest, I appreciate what he have in his youth a true and good human . Praise to all who raised him , praise him he know you can listen to those who mean well with him .
I love you Rafael, more and more. In my heart is not only my love for you, but also the pride for you.
¡Vamos Rafa!
In everything you 'll ever do.
But now, here he is in full force, is hungry, he wants to win and that's good. I hope he will be hungry and full of desire to win for many years and gives us a lot of wonderful experiences.
Forward Rafa!
The next step is RG and we will be there with you. Our hearts, our minds, our support, our love.
VAMOS SIEMPRE
Lenka Rafanynka
@LenkaKlementov