AO Tennis 2014

[boomy]

What a match! Stan plays with a lot of confidence.
Rafa sweats too much so early in the game, hope he is OK.

 

[nlagalle]

My seat for tonight's game! Helping one of the photographers file..

 

[drron]

Never really taken to Rafa so I was with Stan.
However developed a respect for Rafa when he kept playing despite injury.
nothing though takes it away from Stan-he outplayed Rafa in the match up until the injury.he then went on a mental holiday before finally refocussing.

 

[kpc]

99% of players would have thrown in the towel but great courage by Nadal to play on and win a set. .lost a bit if respect for his opponent by the way he carried on when Nadal had a medical timeout....denanding the trainer come out and tell him what was wrong with Nadal. Give me a break!!

 

[suze2000]

I like Stan, so was happy to see him win - though I don't think he helped himself by making such a fuss during the medical time out. (though I also think he was right in what he was saying)

Much props to Rafa though for playing it out and taking a set despite it. I hope Bern Bern learnt a lesson on persistence and toughing it out when he watched it.

 

[nlagalle]

Much props to Rafa though for playing it out and taking a set despite it. I hope Bern Bern learnt a lesson on persistence and toughing it out when he watched it.

I'm not convinced on this.. Should a player continue on while clearly injured, just to appear "tough" and risk further injury and a longer period out. Noting that Tomic (who i am not a great fan of) required surgery and will be out for several months?

I also think the crowd booing Nadal was in poor taste.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I also think the crowd booing Nadal was in poor taste.

Was way worse than ugly - was downright DISGRACEFUL - on Australia day it made my skin crawl - here we are the great sport loving nation of Australia booing a true ornament to the game of tennis because we was injured - I was so ashamed of the crowds behaviour - and it was on show to the whole world - DISGRACEFUL.

As for playing on with the injury - there is no greater professional sportsman in all aspects than Rafa - he is the one person who knows whether he should play through or pull out - he well knows he still has 5 yrs or so at best in front of him and he did come back last year after a prolonged injury layoff last year.

We actually sat only 5mtrs from Rafa's box - right through the whole sage there appeared to be less than serious concern / disappointment on their faces - I really think he went into the match with a minor injury and exacerbated it early in 1st set. At change of ends after 3rd game 2nd set as Rafa was walking to baseline he clearly gave a simple slow sad shake of his head to the box which clearly indicated he was severely restricted and things were only going to get worse - Rafa serving at sub 140kmh on 1st serve unheard of - but that is competitive sport - you win or lose a match on the day.

Having said all that - great victory for the Stanimal - another 1st time Grand Slam winner to joining Li Na - great for tennis - my god just look out next year for the Chinese contingent who will flock here in droves to watch Li Na try to defend her title - the revenue stream to Crown will dwarf what Jamie is paying his 'Ambassador' Li Na.