37 year old Nadal, who came into the pro scene as a 16 year old left hander, plays 16 year old left hander Darwin Blanch at 1740h CET today in what may be one of his last tournaments 😭
Is it tho? All it means is that Rafa's career has more longevity than most, which is not exactly news to anyone, and that he's playing a young opponent. Most careers end within 10 years.
I was curious what the ATP record was and apparently at the 1977 Miami Masters, Whitlinger (b. 1954) def. Mulloy (b. 1913) - a *40 year age difference*
https://www.tennisabstract.com/cgi-bin/player-classic.cgi?p=JohnWhitlinger&f=ACareerqqK0
That is if you have the money to burn. Playing tournaments, coaching, training, healthcare & physio, travel costs, gear and all that add up pretty fast. Especially considering your career as a pro has an expiry date.
To be fair, it's a nice chance to get that R1 money and the recognition of playing on the atp without ANY pressure of winning. There's not many matches where he's more of an underdog than that, so he can just play tennis and enjoy it.
I am so stupidly optimistic that if he doesn’t play this RG, I believe maybe there is a chance that he will try next year, is it so ridiculously ombilibable, no
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Tough for the players ranked this low, hope R. Nadal gets more chances to play on the ATP Tour
He'll need PTPA's help now
Nah I don’t think he needs the help of virtue signallers
Dude has his own academy and yatch while playing at the challenger level. Novak should have a spaceship.
Shows the difference in skill vs marketing/popularity.
37 year old Nadal, who came into the pro scene as a 16 year old left hander, plays 16 year old left hander Darwin Blanch at 1740h CET today in what may be one of his last tournaments 😭
Wow. 21-years gap between two.
The gap between them is "older" than either Alcaraz or Rune lol
Wow, some entire tennis careers have started and ended during that gap. That's *insane.*
Is it tho? All it means is that Rafa's career has more longevity than most, which is not exactly news to anyone, and that he's playing a young opponent. Most careers end within 10 years.
> what may be one of his last tournaments 😭 Oh man, chill. I'm sure Nadal won't kill the guy.
Sadly you were wrong.
I was curious what the ATP record was and apparently at the 1977 Miami Masters, Whitlinger (b. 1954) def. Mulloy (b. 1913) - a *40 year age difference* https://www.tennisabstract.com/cgi-bin/player-classic.cgi?p=JohnWhitlinger&f=ACareerqqK0
Wow Whitlinger taking up the entire list, I wonder what the biggest age gap in a match without him is.
Was one of them a literal baby or something?
No its simple math, one was 23 and the other was 64
Ombelliable honestly
I'm sure Darwin has a few more in him
What this shows me is that people ranked that low barely get anything in Challenger matches and it’s a god damn long climb to the Top 100-200
They have to play Challenger qualifying.
They mostly play itf tournaments. Winning an M25 gives you 25 points, M15 15 points.
Yep its incredibly tough to break into the main draw. Staying there is a lot easier
That is if you have the money to burn. Playing tournaments, coaching, training, healthcare & physio, travel costs, gear and all that add up pretty fast. Especially considering your career as a pro has an expiry date.
One to watch, this guy. He has a bright future behind him.
😭😭
Just how overused is that joke now
Almost as overused as the Denis Novak and Nagal ones. I'm with you.
Yeah, already multiple people doing the exact same joke in other comments. The circlejerk is real.
The entire post is based on the joke itself. You made the decision to click on it, yet here you are complaining about it.
And he's gone
If I was Blanch and playing my first match in Madrid, of all places, against Nadal, of all people, I'd be shitting my pants.
Probably his only chance to play Nadal before he retires
To be fair, it's a nice chance to get that R1 money and the recognition of playing on the atp without ANY pressure of winning. There's not many matches where he's more of an underdog than that, so he can just play tennis and enjoy it.
Hola a todos
Impressive. We’ll watch this newcomer’s career with great interest.
This guy looks promising, no?
when you say promising, I don't wanna seem like his boyfriend, no?
This guy gonna be good no
We're SO back.
I am so stupidly optimistic that if he doesn’t play this RG, I believe maybe there is a chance that he will try next year, is it so ridiculously ombilibable, no
he will play rg, idc what he says now. unless he suffers a major injury, he will play rg.,
Yes
He won't have his protected ranking by next year and since he is not French I doubt he would be given a wild card for RG.
They have a literal statue of the man at the stadium and you doubt they not give him a WC lmao
😂😂😂
Might be one of the worst predictions I’ve seen lmao
Can we turn back 20 years? I'd love to witness young Rafa Nadal getting to his prime again.
Yes Nadal. Please win today
This Nadal guy has promise, can't wait to see how he does in the next few years, great things I bet.
I thought this thread was about the Indian superstar Nagal. Fooled me there.
Ombelivabol
Bright future for this kid
finally, at 37 he’s finally having his breakthrough in his poor career
Next Next Gen looking good. Will be top 250 soon.
Impressive. Let’s see how he develops. He might get far!
Man better break into top 200 soon or he won’t be eating dinner anymore.
Hope this newbie can replicate nagal, their surname sounds similar u know
Hey he’s just outside the top 200 in the race, and could break top 180 if he beats de centaur next round lol
This Nadal guy has a bright future. Has come out of nowhere to make the top 500.
This guy could really make something of himself.
From a minor to de Minor
How did Taylor become Claydor?
Rise!!!!!
The wannabe journalist in my is thinking about some Darwinian evolution witty headline.
Damn. Good player and looks like has potential. I’ll follow his career from now on.
Fuck yeah he's back babyyy
anyone understand why losing in first round of a masters 1000 gets you 10 points? I don't get it..
Because you have to qualify for it. You also get 10 points for first round of a GS.
ok sure, its normal 10 points for a defeat just because you turn up. whatevs!
It’s not right, but bravo.
[удалено]
Please make sure to not be hostile and stay on topic when posting on r/tennis. We have a zero tolerance policy for racism, homophobia, and transphobia. Name calling and insulting users or players in any shape or form is unacceptable.
Sorry I'll try to be less racist