ATP

Rafael Nadal Masters Thiem To Set New Benchmark At The Madrid Open

Published

7 years ago

14/05/2017

Rafael Nadal (zimbio.com)

MADRID: Rafael Nadal has claim a record-equalling 30th Masters 1000 title after overcoming a relentless Dominic Thiem 7-6(8), 6-4, in the final of the Madrid Open.

Exactly two weeks ago the two players clashed in the final at the Barcelona Open. On that occasion Nadal stormed to a straight-sets win with little difficulty. Eyeing a record fifth title in Madrid this time round, the crowd cheered for their home player from the onset in what was a party atmosphere at the Caja Magica. Everything pointed to another dominating Nadal win, but Thiem had other plans.

“I think it was a good fight out there. I was much, much better and much closer than in Barcelona. I think I already had worse weeks in my life than this one.” Said Thiem.

The Austrian carefully devised plan of hitting hit topspin moonballs towards the Nadal forehand, which enabled him to push the Spaniard to his limits. Nadal’s somewhat sluggish start to the match was a sharp contrast to his triumph over Djokovic on Saturday. Contending with some fierce hitting from both the forehand and backhand side of Thiem, the world No.8 broke for a 3-1 lead before the fourth seed battled back. Still, Nadal struggled to exert his dominance throughout the opening set. A trio of Thiem errors elevated the Spaniard to three set points at 5-4, but he failed to capitalize due to his opponents high intensity.

“I think it was a tough match since the beginning, especially here in altitude, which is difficult to make breaks against a player like Thiem. Returning the ball is difficult, especially when he hits it so high.” Nadal admitted.

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The roller coaster encounter continued into a tense tiebreaker with opportunities coming and going for both. Twice Thiem had the chance to close the set out, but he was denied by the more experienced Nadal. Eventually, it was with the help of a Thiem forehand drifting long that secured Nadal the first set. The outcome triggered a huge roar of jubilation inside the packed Manolo Santana stadium.

Surviving the scare, there was no time for complacency in the Nadal camp. A break early in set No.2 eased the apprehension as the spirited Austrian continued to fight. Nadal’s ability to make angle shots look easy was matched by Thiem’s heavy-hitting. Still, the early break was enough to guide the 30-year-old to a record 52nd ATP title on the clay. Failing to convert his first three Championships points, the fourth saw him hit a winning volley at the net at the end of a marathon final game.

“I think I played a good first set. Anything could have happened at the end of the first set. But I think I played well the important points. I saved a few set points playing some good shots with my forehand.” Nadal said during his press conference. “After that I went for it.”

The significance of Madrid title No.5 was evident for Nadal when he collapsed onto his knees in the immediate aftermath of his win. He has now won 15 consecutive matches on the clay.

Roland Garros mission awaits

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Continuing to distance himself from the favourite label for the upcoming French Open, Nadal will next travel to Italy to participate in the Rome Masters. Despite his success in Madrid, the Spaniard believes the upcoming tournament is critical to his preparation for Roland Garros and his goal of lifting a tenth title.

“If I don’t go to Italy, it doesn’t guarantee that I will be better shape in Roland Garros.” He explained.
“I try to go day by day. Last year, perhaps I made a few mistakes. I made a mistake going to Rome. But I think I wasn’t wrong last year because my wrist was injured.” He added.

Nadal will return back into the world’s top-four for the first time since 2016. The progression has enhanced his seeding for the upcoming major, but Nadal himself isn’t concerned about where he will be seeded in the tournament.

“To try to win Roland Garros, you don’t need to be No. 4 or No.1 or No. 5, what you need is to play tennis very well. This is the situation right now.”

The unconcern for his placement in tournaments extends to the world rankings. After this week, Nadal has overtaken Roger Federer to top the race to London. The rise has created excitement over the prospect of his return to the top of the world rankings. A concept he refuses to think about.

“I just play every single tournament without thinking a lot of things. I just try to focus. I’m not thinking about the race or anything like that.” He said.

The nine-time French Open champion now leads the race by 700 points with a total of 4745.

ATP

Rafael Nadal To Play Laver Cup In Berlin

Published

20 hours ago

22/04/2024

Adam Addicott

Rafael Nadal has eased speculation that he might be retiring from the sport soon after signing on to play in the Laver Cup later this year.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion is the latest player to join the line-up for this year’s team competition which features Europe taking on the rest of the world over three days. It will be Nadal’s fourth appearance in the competition and his first since 2022. He competed in the inaugural edition of the event back in 2017 alongside co-founder Roger Federer.

“I am very happy to be playing Laver Cup in Berlin for Team Europe,” Nadal said in a press release. “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.”

Nadal’s decision to play comes amid questions about his future in the sport. The former world No.1 has previously indicated that this year could be his last on the Tour but he has stated that no decision has been made. In recent months he has been sidelined from action due to injury setbacks and has only been able to play in two tournaments so far this year.

“At this stage in my career I really want to go out there and make the most of every opportunity I am given,” he explains.
“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.”

Other European players confirmed to be playing are Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev. Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul have agreed to play for Team World. This year’s event will be held in Belin at the Uber Arena between September 20-22.

The Laver Cup was inspired by golf’s Ryder Cup. It was co-founded by Federer’s Team8 management company (which he formed with agent Tony Godsick), businessman Jorge Paulo Lemann and Tennis Australia. In 2019 it became an official ATP sanction event and now has a place on the official calendar.

Nadal is set to return to competitive action at the Madrid Masters which he has won on five previous occasions. He has been drawn to play teenage wild card Darwin Blanch in the first round. If he wins, Nadal will then play Alex de Minaur who knocked him out of the Barcelona Open last week.

ATP

Carlos Alcaraz In Doubt For Madrid Open Title Defence

Published

7 days ago

16/04/2024

Adam Addicott

Carlos Alcaraz admits that he is not certain if he will be ready in time to play at next week’s Madrid Masters.

The 20-year-old is yet to play a clay tournament in Europe due to a forearm injury which ruled him out of both Monte Carlo and Barcelona. He hurt his right arm whilst training shortly before the Monte Carlo event began.

It is the latest in a series of injury issues that has affected Alcaraz throughout his young career. Since the start of 2023, he has also been derailed by issues with his abdominal, hamstring, post-traumatic arthritis in his left hand and muscular discomfort in his spine.

“My feeling isn’t right, but it is what it is. Now I’m fully focused on recovery and I have a little more time,” Alcaraz told reporters in Barcelona on Monday.
“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.
“I can’t say I’ll be 100% in Madrid, but that’s my intention. We’ll train and do everything we can so that the feelings improve so I can play a match … It’s also a very special tournament for me.”

Alcaraz has won the past two editions of the Madrid Open, which is classed as a Masters 1000 event. In 2022 he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final and then 12 months later he beat Jan-Lennard Struff in the title match.

The setback comes after what has been a steady start to the year for Alcaraz who has reached the quarter-finals or better in four out of five tournaments played. He successfully defended his title in Indian Wells and then reached the semi-finals in Miami.

Should he not play in Madrid, it is likely that the Spaniard will lose his No.2 spot to Jannik Sinner who is just over 100 points behind him in the standings. He will still have the chance to play a clay-court event before the French Open with Rome taking place early next month.

ATP

Olympic Qualification Is Not the Only Goal For French Veteran Gael Monfils

Published

2 weeks ago

10/04/2024

Adam Addicott

Gael Monfils (image via https://twitter.com/atptour)

Gael Monfils admits he doesn’t have too many years left on the Tour but this doesn’t mean his targets are any less ambitious.

The 37-year-old has enjoyed a rapid rise up the rankings over the past 12 months following battles with injury. At his lowest, he was ranked 394th last May but is now in 40th position. As a result, he is closing on securing a place in the Olympic Games which is being held in his home country of France for the first time since 1924. The tennis event will be staged at Roland Garros.

“When I was 400, I was thinking the Olympics would be great, but it’s going to be tough,” Monfils told reporters on Tuesday.
“There are younger players playing well. If I don’t qualify, I don’t mind. It will just mean I’m very close to the ranking I want to be. That ranking will allow me to find another goal.”

Monfils is already a three-time Olympian but has never won a medal at the event. He reached the quarter-finals of the singles tournament twice in 2008 and 2016.

Another goal of Frenchmen is the Wimbledon championships which concludes just three weeks before the Olympics begin. The proximity of these tournaments will be a challenge to all players who will be going from playing on clay to grass and then back to clay again.

“I really want to go and play Wimbledon. I don’t have so many Wimbledons to play in the future. The Olympics is one goal, not the only goal.” Monfils states.
“My dream is of course to be part of the Olympics. I played three times at the Olympics. I’d like to be there again. But I also really want to do well in Wimbledon this year. To reach my goal, it has to be including Wimbledon.” He added.

Monfils is currently playing at the Monte Carlo Masters where he beat Aleksandar Vukic in his opening match. In the next round, he will take on Daniil Medvedev in what will be their first meeting since 2022. He leads their head-to-head 2-1.

Medvedev has openly spoken about his roller-coaster relationship with playing on the clay. He admits it is not his favourite surface but how much of a factor could this be in his upcoming clash with Monfils?

“Of course, it’s not his favourite one, but he’s still Daniil Medvedev, and whatever the surface, it’s always very complicated to play him,” Monfils concludes.