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A conversation with Rafael Nadal’s U.S. Open hitting partner Juan Sebastien Gomez
9 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
On Wednesday, less than 24 hours after defeating Feliciano Lopez in straight sets on Tuesday night on Ashe Stadium, Rafael Nadal, the #1 seed, enjoys a hit with Juan Sebastien Gomez, a junior player from Colombia. I spoke with Gomez moments after he traded shots with the world #1 on court P1 from 2-3 in the afternoon…
Tennis-prose.com: How did you get the opportunity to hit with the great Rafael Nadal?
Juan Sebastien Gomez: “My trainer contacted Carlos Costa (Nadal’s agent) to hit with him. And I start to play with Rafa. That’s why.”
Tennis-prose.com: First time you play with Rafa?
Juan Sebastien Gomez: “This is the third time that I have hit with him during the U.S. Open. Third time. It’s amazing.”
Tennis-prose.com: What have you learned?
Juan Sebastien Gomez: “I learned the acceleration of the ball. The weak shot, when he have it, the ball disappears.”
Tennis-prose.com: What do you mean?
Juan Sebastien Gomez: “When I hit the weak shot, he accelerate so fast and the ball disappears – it’s a winner. My ball so slow, and it’s a winner for him. I learn it and I really like that. It’s amazing.”
Tennis-prose.com: Did you talk with Rafa at all?
Juan Sebastien Gomez: “Yes, I talk with him. He tells me about the physical, that he trains a lot in the court, with the intensity of him – he is very physical. He said I have to move much better, faster. I have to become much more physical, with more intensity.”
Tennis-prose.com: What else has stood out about sharing a court with Rafa Nadal?
Juan Sebastien Gomez: “The experience is amazing to hit with him. It’s unbelievable and I want to hit another time with him.”
Tennis-prose.com: Let me ask you this – who will win the U.S. Open?
Juan Sebastien Gomez: “I think will win…Rafael Nadal will win the tournament. First, because I am training with him [laughs]. And because he’s very gifted and he’s hitting the ball incredible. I think Rafael Nadal will win.”
Tennis-prose.com: You think Nadal will beat Federer?
Juan Sebastien Gomez: “Yes. I think Nadal will beat another time, Federer.”
Tennis-prose.com: And last, what is the most memorable aspect about hitting three times with Rafa Nadal?
Juan Sebastien Gomez: “That it’s a good experience. And he’s friendly. I like the humor of him. I like.”
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Juan Sebastien Gomez was the #1 seed in the U.S. Open boys tournament but lost first round to American Andrea Collarini, 6-4 in the third set, in a match that lasted well over three hours. Gomez won the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, and this year’s Banana Bowl, reached SF at AEGON Junior International at Roehampton, R64 at Roland Garros and R32 at Wimbledon. In the ITF Junior Circuit Media Guide, Gomez says his “Ambition in tennis” is to be “number one in the world.”
NAME · September 9, 2010 at 3:45 am
“Rafael Nadal will win the tournament. ”
I think not.
I also think Federer was helped a lot tonight by the windy conditions. He has played in it on Ashe a lot more than Soderling. In 2004 Fed played Agassi over two days (because of rain). The second day had 35 MPH wind gusts and Fed handled it pretty well.
OK, so Fed’s through Soderling and I don’t see anything in the way of Fed-Nadal final. I’ll pick Fed to win. What about you ?
PS, worst day at the Open this tourney ? I think so. WD to start. Then the Bryans (thoroughly enjoyable). Kids. Djokovic snoozefest. More kids. Eat. Then it got windy and cold. Leave.
I’m starting to miss the heat wave.
Scoop, if you haven’t seen her before it’s worth checking out Esther Vergeer if for no other reason than her insane win streak. Maybe biofile her ?
zoozoo · September 9, 2010 at 6:41 am
Good article Scoop. I enjoyed it. I especially liked this reply ““Yes. I think Nadal will beat another time, Federer.â€Â, especially the ‘another time’. LOL
Scoop Malinowski · September 9, 2010 at 10:05 pm
I did catch some of Vergeer on Armstrong, the amazing Esther Vergeer who won the first set 75 when her opponent double faulted. Very interesting good match.
Juan Sebastien Gomez must have recently converted to becoming a Nadal fan. In the ITF Junior Circuit media guide it says JSG’s favorite player is “Roger Federer.”
Scoop Malinowski · September 9, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Thanks Zoozoo, glad you liked it, wasnt sure how it would come out, talking to Gomez in his second language but he did well and gave some good insights. Very nice young player and friendly too.
Andrew Miller · September 10, 2010 at 1:51 am
Collarini, the U.S. player, is also Argentine and might be the U.S.’ answer to the French Open dilemma.
Andrew Miller · September 10, 2010 at 1:55 am
Collarini in the U.S. seems a little like Rusedski and Canada: he decided to play for the U.S. instead of Argentina. Hope it helps out.
Michelle · September 10, 2010 at 11:31 pm
What a fantastic article! Good luck Juan Gomez! Indeed, it must have been a very very special experience!
VAMOS RAFA! 😀 You are playing FANTASTIC tennis and I believe that you can do it! Keep it up Champion!
Scoop Malinowski · September 11, 2010 at 3:24 am
Andrew, Andrea Collarini was actually born in NYC, then moved to Argentina with his family, then returned to USA earlier this year and receives coaching support from USTA. Maybe the best way to describe him is as Argentinean American or Argentinean American. Very likeable kid and I’m a fan of him now. Also did his Biofile which will appear at this site in the near future.
Scoop Malinowski · September 11, 2010 at 3:26 am
Thanks Michelle, I’m happy you enjoyed it. And totally agree with you, Nadal is going to win the US Open – not only win, he might win it without losing a set. It’s amazing how well he is playing right now. He might be playing the best tennis in the history of the sport. To win Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open – three different surfaces in the span of four months would be historically phenomenal.