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Nadal after final match: 'I'd experience it every day if I could'

  • Posted: Nov 19, 2024

It was not an easy situation to handle, even for Rafael Nadal, who has proven throughout his career that he has an extraordinary ability to manage his emotions. Before taking to the court on Tuesday, the former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings was unable to hold back the tears as he listened to his country’s anthem, knowing that it might be the last time he did so before going to battle on court.

“It’s been an emotional day,” said Nadal later after falling to a straight-sets defeat in his Davis Cup Final 8 clash with Botic van de Zandschulp. “I knew it could be my last match as a professional tennis player. The moments leading up to it were emotional, kind of difficult to handle, in general. So many emotions. I tried to do it as well as possible.”

The Spanish legend’s best effort was unable to see off the Netherlands’ Van de Zandschulp, who earned his country a 1-0 lead in the quarter-final tie with a 6-4, 6-4 win after one hour and 51 minutes. Carlos Alcaraz then downed Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets to force a deciding doubles rubber in Malaga, but Wesley Koolhof and Van de Zandschulp later clinched a 2-1 win that ended Nadal’s career with a straight-sets doubles triumph against Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers.

“I tried to have the best attitude possible, with the necessary energy, whatever the result,” continued Nadal after his singles defeat. “There was a glimmer of hope at the end, but it wasn’t to be. My opponent was better than me today and that’s that.”

Nadal had not competed since bowing out to Novak Djokovic in the second round at the Olympic Games in Paris in July. Since then, he has only been able to train on the practice court. However, he felt ready enough to be available to his captain, David Ferrer, for the tie.

“The decision was made that I would play. We knew it was a slightly risky decision. David had seen us all practising and we all thought I was the right player for the match,” explained the 92-time tour-level champion. “I tried, it wasn’t to be, in the end you can’t control your level, just your attitude, your energy, and your determination. That didn’t let me down. I simply wasn’t able to do what was required to get Spain a point.”

Nadal’s form was always an unknown factor: “I said that if I didn’t feel it, I wouldn’t play,” he reminded journalists. “I think my practice was good enough, but in competition I wasn’t able to perform as I would have liked. But the preparation was good.”

With the end of his career so close, two inevitable questions arose. Firstly, would he ever play a singles match again? The man himself answered: “Hopefully there is another opportunity, and we progress today. I think I would play a different player if I were captain, although I don’t have the power to make that decision now, it’s not up to me.”

Ultimately, however, the Netherlands’ triumph ensured Nadal was not to experience one more match as a pro.

“I would experience it every day if I could,” Nadal had said when Spain remained alive in the tie. “But one thing is that I would like, and another is what’s best for the team. What an individual feels like isn’t necessarily the best for the team.

“It’s not for a lack of desire, of course I have the desire. I’m here because of my desire. Hopefully the situation arises. I’ll keep working to be available in doubles or singles. I’m just saying that having seen my level in competition, I think if I was captain, I wouldn’t select me.”

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With nothing for the Spaniard left to prove and with a legendary career already in the bag, nobody can blame him for today’s result. He battled until the final point. He fought to come back when nothing was going for him: the speed of the court, a lack of match time, and an opponent who was better on the day.

“Even when I’ve won, I’ve always been tough and self-critical of myself,” said the 22-time major champion. “To try and improve, I’ve always looked for the negatives. But today, which may be my last match, I’m not going to be hard on myself. I had nothing more. That’s the reality.”

Editor’s note: This story was translated from ATPTour.com/es

To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal’s historic career at this week’s Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.

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Cincinnati Open hits major milestone in $260 million campus transformation

  • Posted: Nov 19, 2024

CINCINNATI (November 19, 2024) – The Cincinnati Open reached a pivotal moment in its $260 million campus transformation with a topping-out ceremony this week, marking the completion of the structural framework for several major projects. This milestone, which comes just 85 days after the conclusion of the 2024 tournament, was celebrated as one of the final steel beams was signed and installed on the new Clubhouse building, symbolizing progress toward a reimagined venue for one of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournaments.

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“This is an exciting milestone for the Cincinnati Open,” said Beemok Sports & Entertainment President Bob Moran. “We are grateful for the dedication of Barton Malow and all of the contractors on site who are bringing our vision of a world-class, year-round campus to life. As we approach the 2025 tournament, these developments will significantly enhance the experience for players, fans and the local community.”

<img alt=”As a part of Cincinnati Open’s 2025 extension plans, a 19,000-square-foot Pavilion is designed as a central fan gathering space at the tournament. ” style=”width:100%;’;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/11/20/20/30/the-pavilion-cincinnati-open.jpg?w=100%25″ />
Photo Credit: Cincinnati Open

Over the past 12 weeks, crews have already worked more than 130,000 hours, placing more than 260 tons of steel and pouring 2,000 cubic yards of concrete. When completed, the renovation will nearly double the campus size to 40.5 acres, adding key features such as a 55,000-square-foot Clubhouse with a year-round restaurant, a six-court indoor tennis facility, and a 19,000-square-foot Pavilion designed as a central fan gathering space.

<img alt=”Posing with the signed beam are (L to R) State Representative Adam Mathews, Mason Vice Mayor Ashley Chance, Warren County Commissioner Dave Young, Beemok Sports & Entertainment President Bob Moran, Cincinnati Open Capital Projects Director Jansen Dell and Barton Malow Senior Vice President Sean Hollister.” style=”width:100%;” src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/11/20/20/17/cincinnati-open-topping-out-group-shot.jpg” />
Posing with the signed beam are (L to R) State Representative Adam Mathews, Mason Vice Mayor Ashley Chance, Warren County Commissioner Dave Young, Beemok Sports & Entertainment President Bob Moran, Cincinnati Open Capital Projects Director Jansen Dell and Barton Malow Senior Vice President Sean Hollister. Photo Credit: Cincinnati Open.

The transformation is part of a collaboration between tournament owner Beemok Capital, the City of Mason, Warren County, and the State of Ohio. The project is set to create more than 800 jobs and is on track for completion by August 2025, in time for the tournament’s expansion to 14 days and a 96-player draw for both men’s and women’s singles.

Founded in 1899, the Cincinnati Open is one of five events in the world to feature concurrent, top-tier ATP and WTA 1000-level tournaments, joining Madrid, Miami, Rome and Indian Wells, Calif. The 2024 Cincinnati Open attracted more than 200,000 spectators and crowned the eventual year-end No. 1 players – Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner – as its singles champions. The 2025 tournament will take place 5-18 August. 

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Alcaraz keeps Spain & Nadal alive in Malaga

  • Posted: Nov 19, 2024

When the pressure peaks and the moment demands brilliance, Carlos Alcaraz almost never falters.

The 21-year-old powered past Tallon Griekspoor 7-6(0), 6-3 on Tuesday evening to level Spain’s Davis Cup quarter-final tie with the Netherlands at 1-1. After Rafael Nadal, competing in his final tour-level event, had fallen to Botic van de Zandschulp in straight-sets, it was down to Alcaraz to prolong his idol’s career.

Trailing 2-4 in the first set, Alcaraz turned the match on its head with some typically scintillating tennis. The flawless end to the first set was the second time that Alcaraz won a tie-break 7/0 against Griekspoor in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series, which the Spaniard now leads 5-0.

Alcaraz will return to the court alongside Marcel Granollers for the deciding doubles rubber. They will take on Wesley Koolhof, who is also retiring at the end of the event, and Van de Zandschulp.

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Journey To Jeddah: Tall order Michelsen returns as second seed

  • Posted: Nov 19, 2024

Alex Michelsen is set to return to the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF armed with an extra year of experience, another inch of height and 20 more pounds of muscle. Having entered Jeddah shortly after his Top 100 breakthrough in the PIF ATP Rankings last year, the American has been in the Top 50 since August.

Not bad for a young man who thought professional tennis was a pipe dream until he recently burst onto the scene.

“Two years ago this time I never thought I would be a professional tennis player,” said the 20-year-old. “I was always solid. I was never too good. I wasn’t like a Carlos [Alcaraz] or a Holger [Rune], who everyone knew was good. I was good, but I wasn’t great.”

Following a breakout run to the Newport final last season, Michelsen was seeded fourth in Jeddah, where he lost two fifth-set tie-breaks and missed out on the knockout rounds. After reaching the Newport final again this season — making him the youngest player since Alcaraz to reach consecutive finals at an ATP Tour event — he returns this year as the second seed. Facing the 6-foot-5 Michelsen will be a tall task for any opponent.

“It’s a big stage. The top eight 20-and-under players in the world,” Michelsen previewed. “It’s tough, but I think I’ll know to handle it a little better this year.”

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Michelsen said he feels stronger and fitter than ever after dedicating himself to fitness work since late 2023. He has put in the hard hours with fitness coach Rodney Harrison, who trained Robby Ginepri — Michelsen’s current coach — when he was on the ATP Tour.

“I think that the gym work is just as important, if not more important than the tennis stuff now, at least for me,” said Michelsen, noting that coordination is key for success in his tall and lanky frame.

While Michelsen’s fitness continues to improve, Ginepri calls his tennis IQ his best asset.

“He loves the game,” said Ginepri. “If he’s not playing, he’s watching it. If he’s not watching it, he’s thinking about it. He’s a student of the game, which is great to see at his age.”

Before his instant success on the ATP Tour, Michelsen was considering becoming a student of a different kind and seeking a business degree in college. Instead, his stock is rising on the pro level.

“Being on the Tour is a lot more fun,” he said. “I’m super happy with the decision I made.”

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Federer pens letter to Nadal: Toy soldiers, game changers & shared tears

  • Posted: Nov 19, 2024

Millions of tennis fans will this week say goodbye to Rafael Nadal as a professional tennis player. One of them is Roger Federer.

The Swiss great on Tuesday published an emotional tribute ahead of the final event of Nadal’s historic career, the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga. Federer, whose Lexus ATP Head2Head rivalry with Nadal lit up tennis’ biggest stages for nearly two decades, took to social media to salute both the Spaniard’s on-court achievements and his work as one of the game’s great off-court ambassadors.

Nadal’s fellow former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings Federer wrote:

Vamos, @RafaelNadal!

As you get ready to graduate from tennis, I’ve got a few things to share before I maybe get emotional.

Let’s start with the obvious: you beat me—a lot. More than I managed to beat you. You challenged me in ways no one else could. On clay, it felt like I was stepping into your backyard, and you made me work harder than I ever thought I could just to hold my ground. You made me reimagine my game—even going so far as to change the size of my racquet head, hoping for any edge.

I’m not a very superstitious person, but you took it to the next level. Your whole process. All those rituals. Assembling your water bottles like toy soldiers in formation, fixing your hair, adjusting your underwear… All of it with the highest intensity. Secretly, I kind of loved the whole thing. Because it was so unique—it was so you.

And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.

OK, maybe not at first. After the 2004 Australian Open, I achieved the #1 ranking for the first time. I thought I was on top of the world. And I was—until two months later, when you walked on the court in Miami in your red sleeveless shirt, showing off those biceps, and you beat me convincingly. All that buzz I’d been hearing about you—about this amazing young player from Mallorca, a generational talent, probably going to win a major someday—it wasn’t just hype.

We were both at the start of our journey and it’s one we ended up taking together. Twenty years later, Rafa, I have to say: What an incredible run you’ve had. Including 14 French Opens—historic! You made Spain proud… you made the whole tennis world proud.

I keep thinking about the memories we’ve shared. Promoting the sport together. Playing that match on half-grass, half-clay. Breaking the all-time attendance record by playing in front of more than 50,000 fans in Cape Town, South Africa. Always cracking each other up. Wearing each other out on the court and then, sometimes, almost literally having to hold each other up during trophy ceremonies.

I’m still grateful you invited me to Mallorca to help launch the Rafa Nadal Academy in 2016. Actually, I kind of invited myself. I knew you were too polite to insist on me being there, but I didn’t want to miss it. You have always been a role model for kids around the world, and Mirka and I are so glad that our children have all trained at your academies. They had a blast and learned so much—like thousands of other young players. Although I always worried my kids would come home playing tennis as lefties.

And then there was London—the Laver Cup in 2022. My final match. It meant everything to me that you were there by my side—not as my rival but as my doubles partner. Sharing the court with you that night, and sharing those tears, will forever be one of the most special moments of my career.

Rafa, I know you’re focused on the last stretch of your epic career. We will talk when it’s done. For now, I just want to congratulate your family and team, who all played a massive role in your success. And I want you to know that your old friend is always cheering for you, and will be cheering just as loud for everything you do next.

Rafa that!

Best always, your fan,

Roger

To celebrate the end of Rafael Nadal’s historic career at this week’s Davis Cup Final 8, ATPTour.com is publishing a series of articles paying tribute to the Spaniard. View our #RafaSiempre series.

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