Good For The Sport

Now that's how you respect not only your opponent, but also your sport.

Never just quit unless there is no other question.

It was a little sad to watch an obviously ailing Rafael Nadal's dream of a Rafa-Slam go out the window at the Australian Open in a one-sided loss to his countryman, David Ferrer, but Nadal managed to do it in a way that should be respected.

He played it out until the end, knowing full well for the final two sets that because of the combination of a lingering illness and some kind of leg injury (hamstring?) he had essentially little or no chance to defeat the hustling, tireless Ferrer.

In other words, Nadal didn't do what Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic did last week Down Under in a match against Fernando Verdasco, which was essentially wave the white flag and surrender for the final portion of their match.

Nadal and Ferrer are friends, and it was clear there was no way Nadal was going to rob his friend of the acclaim such a high-profile victory would produce by retiring in the way Justin Henin took away from Amelie Mauresmo's 2006 Aussie Open win by quitting in the final while down 6-1, 2-0 because of "stomach pains."

As well, Nadal had been forced out of the tournament Down Under last year by injury, and there was no way he wanted to have that happen again or become the first No. 1 seed in modern Grand Slam history to retire because of injury partway through a match.

That means that while Nadal's defeat is the headline, anybody who watched the match could tell you that Ferrer not only played outstanding tennis, he was able to battle through the tricky distraction many tennis players feel when competing against an obviously injured opponent.

Canada's Milos Raonic, who lost to Ferrer a round earlier, might justifiably be wondering what might have been after seeing Nadal come up lame. But Ferrer made it happen, heading to the semifinals against Andy Murray.

Nadal indicated before the tournament that this might be his only chance to win all four tennis majors in a row - not in a single year, which is why the Rafa-Slam - and he's probably right. Rod Laver was the last man to win a Grand Slam in tennis, and given the punishing nature of of the modern men's game, it might be a mark that starts to rival Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak as a record that won't be touched, perhaps ever.

Nadal would have like to have gone down swinging on all cylinders, but at least he went down swinging, making sure his opponent got the satisfaction of victory and that his sport got the respect it deserved.

 

 

 

Comments

[Geoff Read]

Agreed. With Nadal and Federer tennis is lucky to have two classy and (relatively) articulate ambassadors for the sport.

[Andrew]

What was the score when he retired with injury at the AO last year?

[Eric Wilson]

Nadal's performance may be "good for the sport", but it was also possibly quite foolish. If Nadal was injured, he was risking further injury in a match which he had no chance of winning by playing so hard. If he wants to do that, fine...but don't bad mouth the other players who "quit" because this is their livelihood.

[Braco]

Nadal lost.Period.That is it.Two weeks ago he lost against Davydenko,he was injured,today he lost he was injured,in London he lost, he was tired from the match before.WHAT BUNCH OF BS.HE LOST.WHO CARES WHY AND HOW!

[Barb Scaife]

Thank you Mr. Cox for a very insightful column about Rafa. I am a solid Rafa fan and admire not only his skill, but also the way he conducts himself on and off the court. A tribute to you for pointing out his first class behaviour, where others would just indicate he is a moaner.

[Jaime Perea]

Totally disagree, Nadal has become famous for quiting when he is losing, last year playing Murray in quarterfinals he retired because of a "leg injury", in 2007 he was losing big with Fernando Gonzalez and the same thing happened, the same year he lost with Federer in wimbledon but complanined of stomach pain.

something tells me that Nadal cannot take losing so he makes up injuries so it will look like "he lost but because he was injured , otherwise he is unbeatable".

[prize maple]

Hard not to agree Damien, but remember Nadal is a special athlete, even among gifted tennis players. Part of what makes him great is his extraordinary mental toughness. Not all tennis pros share this quality and I wouldn't think less of them for it.

[Barb Scaife]

Thanks to Mr. Cox for writing a very insightful column. Rafa Nadal is a first class player on and off the court. He is a wonderful role model and represents the sport of tennis with high honour. I am sure if he read your column, he would be very happy that someone would recognize his high respect for the game, and the players he plays against.

[Stan Schurman]

There's no doubt that Rafa is a class act. Of course everyone always looks forward to a Nadal - Federer final which is not to be, at least in the 1st major of the season. A Federer - Ferrer final will be something to behold if it comes to that.

[geoffrey blaine phipps johnson]

brava rafa...
brava frankie...
brava alex...
the current group of espn talkaholics, have given hubris a new twist...
the never ending banter, over talk, over comment, repeat
themes and constant match predictions are embarrasing...
please, comment as the match progresses...only..
when a broadcaster becomes the game, put a raquet in your hand....espn, where is john mac when you need him ?

[Rosach]

I agree with many that Nadal (and Fed) are class acts. However, this column by Cox is definitely not a demonstration of a class act. Cox has obviously never played competitive tennis and does not realize that this is their livelihood and that an average tennis player will play only till their mid 30s. Therefore, to suggest that other players who have to withdraw mid match due injuries are do not respect the sport is completely absurd.

[Penguin]

Could post this column in the Chicago Bears' locker room next year?

[dario]

what are you talking about? Why should someone stay in a matich and further their injuries? how do you know the extent of the injury in each individual case? What do you know about the severity Henin's stomach pains?

this, my friend, is a poorly writtena rticle based on weak assumptions.

[Bah-jorn Borg]

Hey, have they started calling Tipsarevic "Tank-o" yet?

[80s Leafs]

Mr. Cox,
Along the same lines, and speaking of someone you mentioned above, what say you about Justine Henin now announcing her retirement (for the Brett Favre-ish second time) just as the Aussie Open (from which she was bounced in the 3rd round) is nearing its climax for the women still actually in contention? Could this announcement not have waited til after it was over?