Rafael Nadal: Just Because Roger Lost Doesn’t Mean We Can’t Play At The US Open In The Future

by Tom Gainey | September 3rd, 2013, 12:37 am
  • 13 Comments

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer won’t meet at the US Open this year. Nadal won his match Monday in four sets over Philipp Kohlschreiber but Federer wasn’t so fortunate getting shocked by Rafa’s countryman Tommy Robredo who shocked the Swiss 76, 63, 64.

Nadal, though, still holds some hope that he may meet Federer at some point in the future in New York. But he realizes they are both getting older.

“To be honest, going to be great if we were able to play that final, because I felt that our rivalry for so many years we were able to play in all the best scenarios, stadiums, around the world,” Federer said. “Played the rest. Three finals of the Grand Slams. So probably that deserves to have that match here in the US Open, too, the biggest court of the world. But didn’t happen. That doesn’t mean cannot happen in the future. We’ll see. Hopefully. But is true that we are getting older, so the chances are less today than five years ago.”


Even without Federer, Nadal will have plenty of company in the quarters. No fewer than two other of his countrymen – Robredo and David Ferrer – are in the final eight with a chance of Marcel Granollers to join them.

“I think it’s great,” Nadal said about the Spanish success. “Is great that we were able today to win very hard matches, all of us, in a very tough conditions. That’s because we really were ready for the fight. David is always a fighter. Tommy is always the same. It’s unbelievable what he’s doing after a year without having the chance to play tennis.

“Surgery, you know. He’s not younger anymore,” Nadal said of Robredo. “To be back at the level he’s playing, you feel the passion and the love for the sport. That’s always a great example for the rest of the players and a great example for the kids. What he’s doing is great. I hope he stop here. But is great. I am happy for him because he deserve. He wanted a lot to be back.”

So far this year Rafa’s won 19 straight matches on hardcourts.


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13 Comments for Rafael Nadal: Just Because Roger Lost Doesn’t Mean We Can’t Play At The US Open In The Future

nadalista Says:

Vamos Rafa!

Next, T-Rob………

#Armada

September 3rd, 2013 at 2:34 am


nadalista Says:

Tiggy, right on the money, as usual:

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/09/owning-night/49024/#.UiWGXT9RCDd

“Rafael Nadal has said many times that he wishes he had Roger Federer’s gifts, his easy way of gliding around a court and flicking winners seemingly at his leisure. But on Monday at the U.S. Open, when Federer started his match in the late afternoon and Nadal followed him a couple of hours later, Rafa was probably happy to play exactly the way he does. Both players faced the same heavy, humid conditions, which made hitting through the court difficult. Both faced inspired opponents who were moving and smacking the ball about as well as they can. And both, at first, couldn’t find the solution to their nerves—or whatever it was that ailed them—on break points. But it was Nadal whose grinding, physical game allowed him to win anyway, while on this day Federer never found the key to unlock his fabled talent.”

” But that’s the thing that Rafa can do that Roger can’t, or at least that Roger can’t do at this stage: If Nadal is not playing his best, he can grind more, hit with more depth or topspin, wear the other guy down with the heaviness and accuracy of his shots, as well as his relentless mindset. Especially his relentless mindset. Maybe it was the night session, maybe it was knowing that his draw is wide-open to the final, but Nadal was keyed up for this one and wasn’t going to let it go, no matter how well his opponent played.

Nadal lost the first set; the turnaround came early in the second. Down 40-15 on Kohlschreiber’s serve, he came back and reached break point with a terrific touch lob off a dumb drop volley from Kohlschreiber. On the next point, Nadal got a mid-court forehand, and this time he made no mistake with it. After losing two games when he was up 0-40 on Kohlschreiber’s serve, Nadal finally broke after being down 40-15. That’s not winning big points; it’s creating them. Some nights it’s good to be the earth-bound grinder rather than the soaring genius. Some nights it’s good to be 27 rather than 32.”

Preach, Mr. Tignor……….

September 3rd, 2013 at 3:04 am


Michael Says:

Well in all probability they will not play against each other at the US Open. Roger is at the evening of his career and the way things are going for him at this stage, he might have to hang his boots sooner than later unless there is an miraculous upturn which might stretch his career. Sorry to say this, but we need to live with reality. Losing to Robredo in such a pathetic fashion is the last straw in the wind. Even a five set loss would have been excusable, but certainly not in straight sets.

September 3rd, 2013 at 3:18 am


Giles Says:

Vamos Rafa!!
Stay healthy!!

September 3rd, 2013 at 4:22 am


Heman Lee Says:

nadalista, you are a keen observer. Well said.

September 3rd, 2013 at 5:03 am


tennisfan Says:

Gutted at Federer’s loss. Rafa will reach the finals for sure now, no drama left on his half. Lot a drama still to unfold on Djokovic’s half though

September 3rd, 2013 at 6:27 am


Teeg Says:

Rafa had arguably the trickiest section of the draw to navigate of all the “Big 4” (on paper at least), with the possibility of playing the rising Canadian Pospisil in R2, Davydenko/Verdasco/Dodig R3, Isner/Kohlschreiber R4, all before a potential quarterfinal with Roger.

Now that he’s come through all that unscathed, you can almost pencil him in the finals. A second US Open title is looking very good for Rafa at this point.

September 3rd, 2013 at 8:14 am


Humble Rafa Says:

Rafael Nadal: Just Because Roger Lost Doesn’t Mean We Can’t Play At The US Open In The Future
—

We can always play in the first or second round given the Arrogant One’s slide. I am always interested in the “rivalry”, whatever the stage of the tournament it is.

September 3rd, 2013 at 10:16 am


Pitchaboy Says:

Nadal has his sights on 17. He will be at 13 next week. Nobody can stop him this time in NY.
As for Federer it is time to call it quits.

September 3rd, 2013 at 11:43 am


rafaeli Says:

Nadal wants the Fed Slam. Only the USO is missing.

September 3rd, 2013 at 12:06 pm


Steve 27 Says:

Rafa , three more steps and the US Open will be yours again. Vamos!

September 3rd, 2013 at 7:19 pm


Rick Says:

Rafa is right, probably in second or third round next year! Fed is simply being greedy to play on the tour nowadays!

September 4th, 2013 at 1:17 pm

Top story: Rafael Nadal At Least Happy He Can Say Goodbye On Court