Here are some highlights from today’s Rafael Nadal vs. Robin Soderling round robin match at the ATP World Tour Finals. Soderling won it 6-4, 6-4.
I don’t think it’s a huge shock that flat-ball-hitter Robin Soderling took out Rafael Nadal on the Swede’s favorite surface. But I do think its surprising that Robin Soderling pulled it off so easily when he wasn’t playing his A+ game.
This match revealed Rafael Nadal’s current lack of confidence. He looked nervous and frustrated in moments that usually don’t bother him. Rafa concurs: “If you are not completely calm and playing very well in that moment, it’s really difficult to win, and today I didn’t play in this way in those moments. . .I need little bit more confidence and more calm in those moments.”
And there’s an extra wrinkle when he plays the sour Swede. Rafa’s fist-pumps and cries of “Vamos!” don’t impress Soderling – they spur him on.
The two exchanged their usual curt handshake after the match (the photographer had to be quick to get this shot). I assume Robin catches Rafa’s eye and hisses “Gotcha!”
This loss, coupled with Federer’s victory over Verdasco yesterday, virtually guarantees that Roger will end the year at No. 1 (quick, someone do the anti-jinx dance!) Even if Rafa roars back to win the tournament, Roger could clinch the top spot by winning just one more round robin match (or going 1-2 in round robin competition and sneaking through to the final.) Finishing No. 1 this year really would be a notable achievement, making Federer only the second player in the history of the ATP rankings to have held, lost and then regained the year ending top ranking (the other guy being Ivan Lendl.)
Here’s the confidence-sapped Rafa on the ranking: “I think the chances I have are not to be No. 1. My level right now I think is not to be No. 1.”
Robin Soderling’s attitude going into the tournament as an alternate? “I like my chances,” he says.
Play on.
Tags: ATP, Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, Federer, Nadal, Soderling, tennis
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I like our chances, too.
In other news, The big news about Jimmy Johnson being 4 time champion on racing, being compared with Sport Illustrated Sportsman of the Year: Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and OOPS, Roger Federer?
IN MY DREAMS, of course…
In Vanity Fair questionnaire to Andre Agassi: Which talent would you like to have? Roger Federer’s????
In Sports Illustrated: Jon Wertheim notes that tennis playing among Americans has increased to almost 30 million and credits amongst other things who else: Roger Federer…
And thank you ATP for removing the jinx banner, thank you so much…
I haven’t seen the match yet (it’s on my DVR), but I’m not all that surprised. Rafa has not looked like the man who won in Oz since he came back in August. He looks thin to me — as though he’s lost a lot of that muscle mass that helped him to spin those forehands at 3200 revolutions per minute. Maybe he took too much time off from the gym last summer. Although I want Roger to stay at #1, I’d like to see Rafa stay near the top, too.
i think all us fedophiles owe robin soderling a fruit basket, flowers, something…who woulda thought after all these years, out of everyone, rafas kryptonite is robin. i knew he would win and i kinda felt rafa would be nervous.
rafa is probably thin and losing muscle because he has had alot of injuries this year and needed to not stress his body out so much with intense workouts. i hope he stays near the top too.
right now tho it’s all about roger winning the murray match. it will be interesting to see who the crowd cheers for.
gooooooooooo roger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah it is kind of a strange phenomenon that of all the players, Robin Soderling would be Rafa’s weakness. But I like it! And Robin’s such a great character to have around. That “guy you love to hate” persona suits him very well. I for one was very happy with this morning’s result.
Nuthin’ gainst Robin … much. No Bjorn, Matts or Stefan, but nice to see Swedish tennis can still deliver a contender.
I’m going rogue on this Fedophile site, and trust me, I adore Rog! But the GOAT has had a great year, professionally and personally. Ending #1 is just a another rosette in his buttonhole.
LillyPop, you out there? I want Rafa to somehow pull this out, to get over his health problems and personal problems and whip everyone’s tushes.
Poor Rafa – how can I help? *hug* *smooch*
Go Rafa. Kill the next RR (though I love Kolya), tough choice.
Not hate Sod — much. He played well – hate to admit. He adds (nasty) colour to this ‘gentlemen’ circuit. So, it’s a keeper.
Hecks yeah I’m here Alice!
I know that it’s tough that Rafa is struggling somewhat, but we just have to try and be positive and have the spirit of Vamos!
He’s going through a lot of changes, but if anyone can overcome them, it’s Rafa, no?
Even though he lost his first RR match, I think that the match was a lot closer than the scoreline indicates. And if Rafa played a tight match against a player who’s favorite surfrace is indoors…then I say that’s a pretty darn good sign! He’s definitely tweaking things in his game (ie his serve) So making mistakes and being a bit erratic is normal. I liked seeing him playing close to the baseline and stepping in and taking on second serves more. Hopefully he’ll improve even more in his next match and score a win vs Davy D. We saw a glimpse of what’s to come in Rafa’s match vs Tsonga. Now all he needs is to execute it more consistently.
So! Positive vibes and support for Rafa! He can do it! He’ll figure things out. <3
Keep smiling girl!
http://www.nadalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/NADAL_585×350_648446a.jpg
http://www.nadalnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/6a00d83451586c69e20120a6c5d323970b-800wi.jpg
*hugs*
VAMOS RAFA!
i actually wanted rafa to win this one and gain some confidence and intensity, which he’s been definitely lacking lately. i don’t even feel as happy as i thought i would that fed’s #1 ranking is looking super safe (although i totally want fed to win WTF and remain #1). it was just hard to see rafa so frustrated, getting outplayed and having negative body language. very unlike him! it was strange to see him standing closer to the baseline to receive and return better. it didn’t quite work that well, but it’s always admirable that he constantly tries to improve and tinker with his game. maybe rog didn’t give him enough tips to help him beat le sod. maybe he kept those to himself for some reason.
still, le sod played a solid match and seems to have rafa’s number.
Jess, is that a new picture of Marat? Sigh….
I am a little worried about Rafa after that match. Every time he rallied and looked ready to take over the match, he deflated. It almost seemed like he didn’t think he could win. If the “evil Roger” was playing Sunday, then the anti-Rafa showed up yesterday.
I would agree that Sod was talkin’ trash under his breath to Rafa, but there’s so much airspace between the two, I’m not sure Rafa could hear him! These guys really don’t like each other, do they?
I thought Sod was very respectful of Rafa in his post-match interview. Rafa is still going thru his issues, mainly personal imo.