NADAL’S FAVORITE GROUND SLIPS BENEATH HIM
That was a dazed Rafa Nada at 5:54 Sunday afternoon as he blew a volley after three and a half hours of play and his last chance to stay unbeaten in Paris and win a fifth successive French Open.
The explosion you heard from the direction of Roland Garros was Rafa going up in smoke, a colossal victim. The clay court seemed to shake.
Pink was his dazzling shirt color, with bright yellow headband and wrist bands for the European season, but I doubt he’ll wear them again. Mournful memories of the 6-2, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) blind-siding by Robin Soderling, a stranger to major fourth rounds until this time. It was the first time Rafa had even lost a set in Paris since the 2007 final against Roger Federer. He has never been extended to five sets in his streak of 31 matches here.
Did I see it coming? No, but I thought he might have trouble in the semis with Andy Murray.
Did Soderling see it – The Match of his 24 years – coming? “I expect to win every time I go on the court,” he said, but had no idea Senor No. 1 would be on the blink. Rafa owned Paris but he had to give it back after 4 straight titles and 31 straight match wins. Nobody stays unbeaten in the Parisian dirt. Even Napoleon was run out of town. And so this emperor departs, sorry he won’t celebrate his 23rd birthday (June 3rd) here as he had the last 4. His preparation for Wimbledon? “Three days in my swimming pool.” He hadn’t lost his good sense of humor.
The vast multitude of Federerians rejoiced. Maybe Roger can at last win if he doesn’t have to face up to Nadal again as he did in ’06-’07-’08.
“Rafa makes you run all over,” said Soderling, “but today I kept him on the run.” That with piercing groundies, deep, near the lines – and 61 winners (vs. 33 for Nadal).
Rafa said he couldn’t get calm, and played not his best. After four years of perfection, somebody’s going to nail you. It was Soderling, pleased to be the great god Borg’s body guard. Bjorn Borg won the French 6 times between 1974 and 1981. “Glad to do it for him, I hope he calls me, or at least sends me an instant message,” said Soderling.
All-time upset in Paris? A tennis version of Muhammad Ali knocking out Sonny Liston? One of them, in the male precinct. Perhaps comparable to little Michael Chang coming from 2 sets down to beat 3-time champ Ivan Lendl in the 4th round 20 years ago – and going on to the title.
Almost forgot the gorgeous Ana Ivanovic losing her title, too, beaten by the very loud Victoria Azarenka, 6-2, 6-3. A royal flush: two champions gone the same day. Never happened here before. But Ana has been on the blink practically since she was crowned a year ago.
We’ll miss her smile and Rafa’s pink shirt.
May 31 2009 05:23 pm | French Open
Craig on 31 May 2009 at 6:52 pm #
Bud,
Thanks for the review. I didn’t see the last set nor the handshake after the match. How was that handshake ?
The TV commentators showed a glancing, perfunctory handshake by Soderling and some other irritating things he did to Rafa at Wimbledon in 2007, where he lost in 5 sets. Soderling also never said hi back to Nadal on the tour at least seven times, according to an AP article in 2007.
You mentioned about the handshake/sportsmanship of M. Larcher de Brito earlier. Your article about her was the first I heard about her, so I looked her up on YouTube and it shows her as an up and coming prodigy as you confirm.
Also came across a video on Rafa relaxing by the pool with his girlfriend. Is this his standard way of getting ready for the matches or is this only recently ? Maybe too many tournaments and/or too much girlfriend or Soderling just plain beat him.
Bud Collins on 01 Jun 2009 at 9:01 am #
Hi Craig,
The handclasp was OK (few of their generation really shake hands any more). Soderling won the match. He took advantage of Rafa’s inevitable off-day, and poured on terrific groundies and huge serves. Rafa never did get it together.
the Wimbledon match, over two days, was a situation where Rafa was taking quit a bit of time between points, way over the alloted, so probably Soderling wanted to get back somehow.
Cheers, Bud
Charlie on 03 Jun 2009 at 8:54 pm #
Bud, your coverage on TV is missed. I forget where you said it, but at one point you said you were warming up your voice on declaring Federer the best of all time. Would winning the French warm it up again, or would he have to beat Rafa on the dirt (and more). He did win in Madrid. But I know it’s not the same. I had the pleasure of meeting you briefly at a JP Morgan event at the Open a few years ago. I will be checking this site for your continued wisdom!