‘Scared’ Rafael Nadal Retires at Hot and Humid Miami Open; Young Guns Power Through

by Staff | March 26th, 2016, 11:13 pm
  • 45 Comments

Four retirements, including former No. 1 Rafael Nadal, encapsulated a crazy day of second-round results on Saturday at the sweltering Miami Open.
ADHEREL
It was a rare retirement for Nadal, who after two medical timeouts called it quits, feeling dizzy trailing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Damir Dzumhur 2-6, 6-4, 3-0.

“Hopefully it’s nothing, it’s just the extreme conditions,” said Nadal, who pulled the ripcord in the hot and humid Miami conditions. “I called the doctor a couple of times but I felt I was not safe there, so I decided to go. Everything was fine until the end of the first set. I started to feel not very good, it was getting worse and worse and worse. In the second set I realized that I was not able to keep playing. I tried to resist but I got a little bit scared to be too dizzy. I wanted to finish the match but I seriously couldn’t.”

It was the first time that Nadal retired from a match in more than six years.


Nadal was only one of a rash of retirements on the day, joining No. 30 seed Thomaz Bellucci who retired after two sets against Mikhail Kukushkin, Sergiy Stakhovsky who retired in the second set against No. 22 Jack Sock, and Aljaz Bedene who retired in the second set against No. 17 Roberto Bautista Agut.

The third quarter of the draw opens up without Nadal as Dzumhur will next face Kukushkin.

Top 10-seeded winners on Saturday were No. 2 Andy Murray defeating Denis Istomin 6-3, 7-5, No. 6 Kei Nishikori defeating Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-2, 7-6(4), and No. 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga easing past Colombia’s Santiago Giraldo 6-3, 6-1.

“That second set was tight but I managed to get through it,” Murray said.

Murray will next meet No. 26 Grigor Dimitrov, who was a three-set winner over Federico Delbonis. No. 9 Tsonga will next face No. 17 Bautista Agut, and Nishikori will next meet Russian Andrey Kuznetsov, who stunned No. 4 Stanislas Wawrinka 6-4, 6-3.

“Today was very tough to play with this weather and these conditions,” Kuznetsov said. “I think it helped me today because I saw that Stan was struggling with moving, and it was also very hot for him as well.”

Also on the upset tip were American Tim Smyczek ousting countryman and No. 13 seed John Isner 6-2, 2-6, 7-6(5), and France’s Adrian Mannarino coming from a set down to beat No. 29 Sam Querrey 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4.

Other seeded winners were No. 12 Milos Raonic over American Denis Kudla 7-6(4), 6-4; No. 16 Gael Monfils topping Japan’s Tatsuma Ito 6-3, 6-2; No. 23 Pablo Cuevas defeating Aussie John Millman 7-5, 6-4; No. 24 Nick Kyrgios overpowering veteran Marcos Baghdatis 6-2, 6-1; and No. 27 Alexandr Dolgopolov beating Italian Andreas Seppi 6-4, 6-4.

No. 12 Raonic will next meet No. 22 Sock in a serving slug-fest.

Matches to look for on a tame Sunday include (1) Novak Djokovic vs. (33) Joao Sousa, an all-French in (10) Richard Gasquet vs. (20) Benoit Paire, and (11) Marin Cilic vs. (18) Gilles Simon.


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45 Comments for ‘Scared’ Rafael Nadal Retires at Hot and Humid Miami Open; Young Guns Power Through

Humble Rafa Says:

Just morning sickness and other general pregnancy symptoms. No cause for worry.


AndyMira Says:

@Humble Rafa..he!he!even when you’re in sarcastic mood can make me laugh..what is it with you and novak?obssessed with female hormon?


chrisford1 Says:

Rafa cannot be the Feminist male tennis star. That honor has been claimed by Andy Murray. And poor Nole spoke in what he thought was polite terms about women’s monthly hormonal cycle which is openly talked about as impacting athletic play in a bunch of sports. The faux “Shock! Horror! Offended beyond belief” reaction of the media and professional victim activists was as if he substituted “Those poor b______s play can really change for some that have a hard time with all sorts of female weaknesses when those b_____ are on the rag” for ‘hormonal things’.

The Highly Offended and Self Righteous, and American Experts on Serbian and East European Cultural Backwardness (which if they said Muslim or African cultural backwardness would now get Chrissie, et., al. fired) I guess underneath their faux outrage – want to pretend that menstruation doesn’t exist. Or pretend menstruation is no issue when PC liberals and feminists want females on every SAS, Navy SEAL, and Spetsnaz unit and will tolerate no Denialists of that looming military social justice reality they have created.

But back to Rafa. He said he was dizzy and scared he could hurt himself (Like menstruation, athletes are hindered by other politically inconvenient biological facts. Things like knee injury, back and shoulder problems, that could happen or be aggravated in a bad fall.) So why the f-ing “QUOTE” sarcasm about Nadal being “Scared” of that?? I don’t remember any “Said he injured it in the bathroom” quote marks for a certain other star player….

I hope personally that we will see one more big comeback from Rafa


danica Says:

This was really tough to watch. Rafa was obviously not in a good place :(. What’s up with those doctors?! He calls them, they gather around him doing nothing, it is Rafa who has to tell them to take his blood pressure. Give a guy some electrolytes, do something, don’t just stand around.


Ahfi Says:

Men ‘hormonal’ issues. Over to you Dr. Djokovic. Where were you when Rafa needed you?


Green Lady Says:

^What the hell are you talking about ? ^….


Wog Boy Says:

GL,

Don’t bother, that is our friend Sienna;)


Ahfi Says:

Oh, please! Djoker was talking about women’s hormones last week. I was just joking that this could be due to men’s hormonal issues. Just thinking ‘Doctor Djoker’ might know more. That’s all.

This whole thing does not require too much discussion. People have ups and downs. Rafa will be fine. Just a matter of time!


J-Kath Says:

Yes, where is that sweet Sienna – missing her honeyed tongue…


Giles Says:

The dumbass from Bosnia celebrating Rafa’s retirement before shaking hands? Alsolutely classless.
What else do you expect from people from these parts.


Giles Says:

J-K. Shhhh. Don’t tempt fate. Lol


Giles Says:

4 retirements yesterday – Stakhovsky, Bellucci. Bedene and Rafa.


Van Persie Says:

Giles, you are really mean now…Rafa was not much different in the final from Madrid 2014, when Kei dominated the match before he got injured… Get well soon, Rafa!


Giles Says:

VP. Did you see Rafa celebrate Kei’s retirement? Of course not, Rafa is too classy for that. So don’t call me mean when it’s completely unwarranted.


Dave Says:

Also, Nadal absolutely went off in celebration before shaking hands with Zverev, who was almost crying after he choked a very easy volley on match point away. This was nothing. And Rafa wasn’t offended either. All non issues


Giles Says:

Rafa won the match against Zverev fair and square. Zverev wasn’t ill, Zverev didn’t have to retire, so what exactly are you on about Dave? Two different scenarios.
If Zverev wanted to cry, well, what can I say?


Van Persie Says:

Yep Giles, Rafa celebrated like a child, who had beaten a disabled guy. (Madrid 2014). He did it after many points from 3 set….and it was obviosly Kei barely moved on court. Was pathetic. See the highlights


Van Persie Says:

When I think about that, 2014 was a pretty bad year for Rafa…I guess he was also surprised, that he won FO that year.
Madrid was the only master on clay, which he had won…His decline has began in 2014, much before the FO


jalep Says:

Thiem just demolished Nishioka. 62 62. In barely an hour.

Nishikori LIVE Practice on…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJqtRBoEcWQ

He has a tall hitting partner


Giles Says:

VP. Are you from Bosnia?
Just asking.


Van Persie Says:

Giles,

No, I am not a Bosnian :)…but what you said was unfair, and a bit rasist
I think, I said already on this site, where I come from ;)


Giles Says:

VP. I don’t follow you so I am hardly likely to know where you come from.
Anyway, don’t bother answering, not really interested.


RZ Says:

Murray finally gets the #1 ranking! Jamie Murray, that is. With Melo-Dodig losing in dubs today, Jamie will be the #1 ranked mens doubles player on Monday. First British player to rank #1 since Virginia Wade in 1973.


Giles Says:

Well done Jamie.


jane Says:

can you be a “single” #1 ranked doubles player? it seems so strange


jane Says:

^ that was a sincere question! i have no idea how doubles rankings work. but congrats to jamie.


RZ Says:

@Jane – yes the 52-week doubles rankings list the players individually, whereas the race lists the teams. Considering how often the doubles specialists (with the exception of the Bryan bros) have been switching partners the last few years, individual doubles rankings makes sense.


jane Says:

thanks rz! yeah it does. thinking of nestor, for example, he’s switched partners a lot. well that’s nice news for jamie for sure. he’s also been successful in mixed doubles. how many slam titles does he have? 2 for sure right? (mixed at wimbledon, and dubs at AO?)


J-Kath Says:

Oh, great Jamie did it. Andy (and Margot) will be delighted…not to mention JUDY …oh yes. Also Jamie’s wife…the most important.


RZ Says:

@Jane I think the 2 you mention are correct, plus 2 more final appearances (2015 Wimbledon and US Open). Plus Davis Cup. :-) Assuming he and Andy both keep their hogh rankings, the Murray Brothers could have the number one seed at the Olympics.


J-Kath Says:

RZ – Are you indicating the Murray Bros. will be playing doubles at Rio? Never heard about that. Personally hope they don’t.


chrisford1 Says:

Andy and Jamie Murray confirm they will compete for Olympic
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk › Sport › Tennis › Andy MurrayDaily Record
Mar 6, 2016 – ANDY and Jamie Murray last night declared themselves ready for a third crack at Olympic doubles glory after flopping at the first two times.
=============
J-Kath – Why not? Andy has a singles gold, and a silver with the almost dear departed Laura Robson. I think both bros want that 3rd shot and this time they have a good chance, IMO.


Wog Boy Says:

Today’s conditions are worse that yesterday ones, humidity is bit higher, 84%!


Wog Boy Says:

I read few posts yesterday how it is not interesting to watch Miami anymore since few (formerly best) players dropped out. I wonder why so? Two best players in the world are still in, before today’s matches seven out of top10 players were still in and fourteen out of top20, that’s not so bad?


RZ Says:

@J-Kath – in addition to the link that Chris Ford posted, I saw something that says they are planning to play and targeting and medal ( )although that part goes without saying).


chrisford1 Says:

Woggie – People cling to their Fedal dream.

Meanwhile, I gott find out when Thiem and Djokovic play I want to watch that one.


Wog Boy Says:

CF1,

This court suits Thiem and he is playing good tennis, it is going to be close match.


RZ Says:

@Wog Boy – I hope it’s close. Djokovic is the present but Thiem is the future. #TeamThiem


Wog Boy Says:

RZ,

Their match in Shanghai in 2014 was close, and Thiem is better player now, it will be close, Thiem has a power shots and can play long relies.


Van Persie Says:

Nole and Thiem should play tomorrow…wow, what the match for the 4-th round.
Have watched both of Thiem matches, and he played really good, but Nole is also in great shape


jane Says:

oh wow, i thought novak and thiem had never played before. thanks for the info… i hope i can catch that match.


Pauly Says:

GILES

Do you recall the idiot almagro in Barcelona if I recall celebrating beating Nadal … He forgot to initially shake hands
I think players just overawed so much at winning match against Nadal they forget to show respect
When these journeymen win matches they just forget everything


Pauly Says:

The decline happened Australian open vs Wawrinka
Nadal hurt his back badly
That’s where his decline started


Giles Says:

Journeymen are Indeed journeymen. A win against Rafael Nadal shapes their careers to a certain extent IMO. They can tell their grandchildren ” I beat the Great Rafael Nadal, what do you think about that?” One or two of them, if they are honest, can also say “I beat the Great Rafael Nadal when he was injured/sick”.
Do they feel good about themselves? That’s the question they need to ask.
Vamos Rafa!


J-Kath Says:

ChrisFord 1

Re. Andy + Jamie for Olympic doubles. It is simply that Andy always over-does his scheduling. Jamie could win for the UK with another player…Andy needs to concentrate on singles..plus a mixed doubles with Konta would be a better choice…less tiring. Many will disagree…

@ RZ…What do you think?

Top story: Sinner Swallows Up Zverev For Second Straight Australian Open, 3rd Slam