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Nadal in Ectsasy after surviving Zverev at Indian Wells
64 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Bios
Rafael Nadal needed every trick in his book and then a few new ones to finally thwart the formidable challenge of eighteen year old Alexander Zverev in the fourth round at Indian Wells 75 in the third set. It was a fascinatingly arresting slugfest to witness – the young tiger vs the aging legend. The teenager had the upper hand at the end serving for the match enjoying an early break lead and then serving for the win at 54. All through the battle Zverev kept his cool and acted like the more confident man in charge while struggling Nadal exuded desperation and panic and fury – as if his life and career were at stake. Nadal grunted and screamed while Zverev played with a remarkable cool and confidence. While Nadal went through all his rituals and sweated profusely like a nervous wreck Zverev was a stark contrast. The kid would just walk up to the line cool as Borg and started the point like it was any old match at the park. The ferocious Nadal also resorted to some new trickery – in the form of the dead ball stall (showing ump the dead ball to stall for extra time) and he used the Ivanovic squeaky feet for some of his returns on key points during the third set – surely a calculated ploy to try to distract Zverev. But it didn’t work as Zverev earned a match point at 54 in the third but netted the forehand volley. From there it was suddenly over quickly as Nadal seized the opportunity and turned the tables on the dazed and confused Zverev who despite the failure at the end proved yesterday he has all the qualities and weapons to be a future grand slam and ATP world number one calibre player once he gains more experience against top players like Nadal in these big moments. Also Nadal’s reaction after the win was as emotional and celebratory as any we have ever seen from him. The joy and thrill Rafa showed looked like he had just beaten Djokovic 76 in the fifth set in the final of 2016 Roland Garros. This win meant an awful lot for Rafa and it could spark the return of his long lost confidence and aura of invincibility. All in all it was an unforgettable match that surely will be talked about for years to come. (Artwork by Andres Bella)
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« Previous 1 2Harold · March 19, 2016 at 1:34 pm
You can call the chair umpire a M***** F*****, but dont squeeze the ball to see if it’s dead, in Scoop’s world
Scoop Malinowski · March 19, 2016 at 2:12 pm
I did not say it was right by Zverev to do that Harold – and I did not say it was wrong for Rafa to stall the match with the old dead ball trick or the slow step to change racquets when the opponent is about to serve – the point was that I thought Rafa was playing stall mind games on Zverev who perhaps provoked Rafa to do that with his own stall tactics involving complaining about being distracted by spider cam – I wrote a book about Facing Nadal and several players made pointed mentions about Rafa’s extreme use of stall tactics which begin before either Rafa or his opponent leaves the locker room to play the match – Ljubicic and Russell both shared memorable insights into Rafa’s stalling methods and their effects –
Andrew Miller · March 19, 2016 at 2:41 pm
This is about Zverev berating umps, not Nadal’s belief in playing at his versus server pace. No one likes that either, but this is about a different player.
Point is this, Zverev could become the best whatever, but right now his debating line calls as if it is the end of the world is bad behavior at any age. Anyone who does it gets called out and Zverev does it all the time. I’m sure this is how he handled it in juniors, futures, challengers, probably even when playing his big brother Mischa, who I don’t remember doing this either.
Maybe he will wisen up. Until that point though he gets the not above the law treatment. Same standard is applied to all players. Welcome to the pro tour. Ump abuse is wrong
Scoop Malinowski · March 19, 2016 at 2:52 pm
Rafa got called for an audible obscenity vs Zverev – but I don’t know what he said exactly – why are you guys berating Zverev over an outburst from over a month ago but are mum on Rafa’s audible obscenity just this week?
Harold · March 19, 2016 at 3:40 pm
Because it was Nadal’s FIRST audible obscenity warning after 12 years, not 12 minutes like Zverev.
Everett Frank · March 19, 2016 at 4:30 pm
The bottom line is Zverev is literally growing up in the public eye. Who didn’t have something to learn when they were 18? It’s certainly appropriate to condem bad behavior, but at 18 condemning the person goes too far. We should hope and cheer for the very best from him and all the other up and coming young men and women.
Harold · March 19, 2016 at 6:15 pm
Lets not use the 18 year old excuse here. Kid grew up around the tour with his brother, should know the deal.
I dont mind the kid venting, or anyone ventung, gamesmanship annoys me more. But unlike some people, I dont think everything is gamesmanship. From squeaking sneakers, to dead balls, to changing rackets
Scoop Malinowski · March 19, 2016 at 7:11 pm
Well said Everett. I have watched a lot of Zverev matches on TV and live at US Open and Washington DC and also Sarasota Challenger last year and the previous year, and I’ve actually been impressed with his maturity, poise and composure. Sure, he’s had a few flare ups but nothing outrageous like a young McEnroe, Connors or Agassi. I did a Biofile with the kid and he’s very nice and respectful. I see big time champion qualities in him and am quite sure he will fulfill his potential as a champion but also as a positive example.
Andrew Miller · March 19, 2016 at 7:41 pm
There’s a real difference between giving an interview and playing a match, sorry. I certainly hope no player turns an interview into a rant about line calls.
I’m sure it happens, but these are different contexts. And no one is condemning the player but the behavior. Yeah he will have to grow up in the public eye, it comes with the territory! Even at 18. No other prodigy escapes scrutiny, that’s the way it is and always will be.
Like I said, nice looking game. Certainly seems like a young Berdych etc or even Michael Stich or a Rick Krajicek, giants with mobility and sweet groundies. But he also has some of the Johhlnny Mac you can’t be serious! element going on, ref you are blind etc. Roddick did it, there is a precedent for it in tennis and Zverev already has shown it is a part of his game right now.
In the future who knows. But giving an interview and showing a fine temperment off court, really isn’t the same as on court whining about bad calls. Do players so it? Sure. When they do it does anyone like it? Not so much.
So maybe Zverev and his sponsors will google themselves and he will find a way to channel the negativity, use it like Djokovic to win the tough matches. Or he will be defeated by the unfairness of a line call mere games into his match. Who knows.
Scoop Malinowski · March 19, 2016 at 10:02 pm
Watch Fed hit a ball kid with a ball – is this worse than what Zverev did? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mc5qeMB4PJ0
Moskova Moskova · March 20, 2016 at 6:59 am
AZ is a colorful character not a class-act….so don’t paint him as such..
sharoten · March 20, 2016 at 7:52 am
“Rafa got called for an audible obscenity vs Zverev – but I don’t know what he said exactly”
He said “Puta” which in Spanish isn’t even as bad as the F word. It translates roughly to ‘whore’ or maybe ‘son of a bitch’. First audible obscenity he’s let loose with on the court during his whole long career. You’ll notice that he also handled it with dignity and class, expressing his astonishment briefly at being called on it but then accepting it and going back to work without having a fit or throwing a tantrum. THAT is how all of them should behave and respect the game of tennis.
Scoop Malinowski · March 20, 2016 at 8:42 am
I see a lot of class in young Zverev for an eighteen year old – a LOT of CLASS – not perfect of course – but a model sportsman for the most part –
Scoop Malinowski · March 20, 2016 at 8:48 am
Rafa yelling “PUTA” is a no no but it’s not a big deal even if actual “PUTAs” were deeply offended by the insult by Rafa – life goes on the match goes on – tensions boil over during a hard fought tennis match sometimes – okay if you want to watch ballet or golf because you don’t want to see fiery emotions or passion or tempers flaring on a tennis court go ahead – but good luck trying to not fall asleep 🙂