Rafael Nadal Talks To Justin Gimelstob About His Comeback [Video]

by Tom Gainey | March 2nd, 2013, 10:52 am
  • 45 Comments

Former touring pro and current commentator/ATP board member Justin Gimelstob sat down with Rafael Nadal at Vina Del Mar to discusses the Spaniard’s comeback. The two-part interview which also aired on Tennis Channel was offered a lot of insight into Nadal’s state of mind.

Nadal addresses his knee injury, what he did for fun during his recovery and his expectations in this return, plus much more including why he does what he does with those water bottles!

Nadal continues his comeback tonight in the Acapulco final against friend and countryman David Ferrer.


Part 1:

Part 2:


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45 Comments for Rafael Nadal Talks To Justin Gimelstob About His Comeback [Video]

Giles Says:

An extremely mature and sensible young man without the arrogance!
Welcome back Rafa and may you stay healthy, successful and happy. #VamosKing


alison Says:

Great interview from Rafa,nice hes getting to a place where hes really enjoying his tennis again.


The fighter Says:

Rafa is on fire!


nadalista Says:

Bagel.

1st set Rafa 6-0

Vamos!!


nadalista Says:

You want Roland Garros? From my cold, dead hands…..


The fighter Says:

He just served a bagel to David


nadalista Says:

Rafa’s is NOT of this planet………..he is not. Clearly his lay-off has brought a different dynamic, he is even better now on clay.


jane Says:

Clearly Rafa has found his form, ha ha.

Isner just lost to Roger-Vaesselin, who will face Gulbis in the Delray final.


The fighter Says:

Rafa missed you so much. Tennis was so boring without you


nadalista Says:

Ferrer gets a game, yes, THAT is worth reporting tonight.


nadalista Says:

And it’s not as if Ferru’s is playing too badly….he is stringing together some great points


The fighter Says:

ferrer is showing a little more fight in this set


jane Says:

The crowd are kind of getting behind Ferrer now, trying to will him to break and get into this match.


jane Says:

Rafa is all over Ferrer’s second serve; he’s won ONE of 12. Meanwhile Rafa is winning over 50% of his second serves. That’s one of the key stats, imo. I thought that perhaps Rafa would revamp his serve while he was away/practicing. Perhaps he has? His fans would know better than me.


The fighter Says:

I love Rafa’s dress btw. He looks gorgeous


nadalista Says:

Defence to offence, Rafa’s on fireeee!!!!


jane Says:

Rafa is playing great! But Ferrer is making some bad errors, too, like that last forehand straight into the net on bp.


The fighter Says:

broken again!


jane Says:

Okay, I am going back to hockey, but enjoy Rafa fans; it looks like Rafa is back, and with an improved serve too.


nadalista Says:

Rafa’s making him make all those errors…..


jane Says:

To some degree, I’d agree. But I think Daveed is not at his best, just my opinion. Maybe he’s in a bit of awe? :)


The fighter Says:

Win it already Rafa!


nadalista Says:

But that’s part of the package, no? It’s not just points played on court that subdue your opponent, it’s also how you assert yourself on THEM mentally…..


nadalista Says:

GSM, Rafa!!!


nadalista Says:

Rafa’s crying into his towel…..


The fighter Says:

Congrats Rafa! You made my day. waking up on a Sunday morning was worth it. A masterclass performance.

Enjoy all rafa fans


the DA Says:

Nadal is back! I agree with Jane that Ferrer was a little off but Rafa didn’t give him an inch. Hope that he decides to play IW.


The fighter Says:

Aww Rafa..don’t be so emotional..you make me cry too


nadalista Says:

Are we watching the greatest come-back in tennis history?

Now please Rafa, temper your schedule carefully, don’t be greedy. Hell, I would not even mind if you miss Indian Wells.


The fighter Says:

@Nadalista

I agree. Mental strength is an integral part of any sportsperson


the DA Says:

It’s a rare sight to see Rafa cry. I wonder if these 2 titles will be enough to get him back to No.4 sooner than expected?


Brando Says:

VAMOSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VAMOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT A BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE RAFA!

WOW!

Did not expect that even in the slightest- a BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE BY A LEGENDARY PLAYER!

Too tired, it’s early here in the UK and i must go to bed now.

Yet, i am thoroughly pleased and elated for rafa.

The TEARS at the end by him clearly showed how much this win meant to him!

WELL DONE RAFA!

And also to my fellow rafa fans- our champ is slowly coming back to his old self! :-)


nadalista Says:

Here is why Ferru was awful tonight:

He tried to implement the Novak Djokovic playbook against Rafa i.e. hit BH DTL, hoping to extract short BH from Rafa, instead of going with his bread and butter inside-out FH. He failed miserably because Rafa’s backhand was firing tonight, he was not dropping it short.

He only started making headway when he reverted to his OWN gameplan, but it was too late…..


jane Says:

“But that’s part of the package, no? It’s not just points played on court that subdue your opponent, it’s also how you assert yourself on THEM mentally…..”

Yes, I fully agree with here nadalista – no doubt about it!


the DA Says:

Not sure about the sombrero look.


nadalista Says:

Enjoy Rafa while you can, folks. He IS the greatest clay courter of all time,


Steve 27 Says:

Majestic, Nadal. Life is made up of seemingly small emotions.


Giles Says:

V A M O S C H A M P!
K I N G I S B A C K!!
Never doubted you, you are the best! Enjoy your win.
Congrats to all Rafans.


queen Says:

YAY!!!


nadalista Says:

With that win, Rafa will be just 90 points below Federer in the Race to London when the updates are done tomorrow………….


Giles Says:

Just read a tweet : “Rafa says he is going to IW after seeing how well the knee has responded”.


nadalista Says:

^^^yes, heard the commies say Rafa confirmed he will play IW and skip Miami.


nadalista Says:

The Changeovertennis is slowly becoming the best match commentary provider in the business:

http://www.changeovertennis.com/liveanalysis-david-ferrer-vs-rafael-nadal-in-the-acapulco-final/

Their conclusion:

“There were all sorts of questions about Nadal heading into the Almagro match. All of them were answered. There were more questions about Nadal heading into this match, the first time the King of Clay would play a top 5 opponent, on said opponent’s favorite surface. And they were all answered in the most emphatic of ways. Rafael Nadal Parera was extremely impressive today – there wasn’t a facet of his game that didn’t stand out, really. He served well, returned well, blasted his FH well, hit his BH EXTREMELY well, and didn’t let Ferrer off the hook for one second. It was a ruthless performance by someone who wasn’t sure himself if he could reach these heights so soon after a 7 month absence.

In other words, Rafael Nadal is back, ladies and gentlemen.”

Ole, ole, ole………


nadalista Says:

Is this woman for real? She went and got Ferru to sign her protruding belly as well!

Who put her up to this?

http://instagram.com/p/WXqhW8PrGZ/


alison Says:

Nadalista yeah shameless hussy,some women will do anything to get an autograph from the top tennis players,and like Rafa Daveed is also too much of a gentleman to say no,right Courbon ha ha.

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