Rafael Nadal: The First Strike (French Open 2005) 

¿What do you think it would have happened if Federer defeated Nadal that year? ¿It would have been the same in the years to come? To be honest, this was the only time that Federer was the favourite.

@@masters.1000 It’s actually pretty possible Federer could’ve gotten a win or two in the coming years. I think 2005-07 Nadal on clay was beatable since his shots weren’t as heavy and he hadn’t built the aura of invincibility and confidence he’d get later on. It seems Federer never could reach his very best against Nadal in those early years due to nerves and pressure. Remember, Federer really didn’t know how to take a loss at that point in his career because he wasn’t losing to anyone and he was a bit hot-headed at the time. I’m sure being beaten by a teenage prodigy was messing with him. But by 2008 Nadal was just unplayable for Federer. Federer had no belief he could win in 2008. In 2011 and 2019 he gave good fight and a high level but it was too late; Nadal was on a new level.

@@SJ-di5zu The Nadal of that time was sheer athleticism and pure hunger of victory, you had to hit 4 winners in a row to win a point there.

@@masters.1000 Yeah, but the Nadal of 2008-2010 had that same hunger and similar speed but also much better offense. He was the only guy who could really hit through a clay court consistently well. In 2008 Federer didn’t really bring his best, but even if he did it’s quite possible he still wouldn’t have won a set.

There is nothing wrong with this video which you produced. I enjoyed EVERY minute of it. I am subscribed. Anyone who enjoys tennis will like this video. Anyone who follows Mr. Rafael Nadal will LOVE this video! Great job. It will be a sad day when Nadal retires. He has given so much to this sport. Thank you,.

Watch Rome 2006,1 of my favorite finals! I don't know how he gets to some of those balls she was amazing when he was a teenager nobody else I don't think I've ever been that good that young I mean it's just unbelievable how exciting he is to watch and what he accomplished before 20 years old

Calm down champ

You missed out on Nadal vs Coria in Rome Final.. He was a favorite already in RG 2005.

@@Carloss86py indeed, I missed out on that one 😔

@@rajeshgunesh You can check out the 27 minutes highlights at least.. It was a match of almost 6 hours but half an hour of highlights is pretty good 🙂 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-R7zjCJ7waEI.html

and 1:35 is the proof that comment is true

probably because his mad speed made up for it, but don't get me wrong, he still is fast today on clay, just not as fast

@@loocas6448 Exactly. He´s now slower but he serves and volleys much better.

crazy how his speed sucks ass now and has only good serve. 2005-2008 was God Nadal on clay, the real Nadal, the feared Nadal

@@Aman-nk5uq as opposed to the nadal in 2020 who won the French open without losing a set??

@UCtDpoqPIoijJM7iT70JN8iA yes, Against the pussy ass generation doesn't mean anything. Stats don't always tell the whole story. 2005 to 2008 was the real God Nadal on clay. 81 match win streak from 2005 to 2007

Not to mention it was Puerta's service game too!!!!

And nobody came this close to stretch Nadal to 5 sets in Roland Garros final. What a piece of history.

Same drop shot than the one used against Medvedev last AO!

Great physical abilities along with great tennis awareness, and of course the motivation and the will to win every single point. That is Rafa.

not really that rare.... it was a final of Roland Garros, national broadcast

Federer has always been very salty towards Nadal, having a losing H2H against him. Never been a gracious loser, whenever he lost. Always been a sore one. Nowadays, Federer plays "best friends" with Nadal, just to hide his even bigger saltiness towards Djokovic, against whom he also has a losing H2H. This is Federer. Even if very few people, incredibly, open their eyes. It's in front of you.

@@krafthund Everyone with some brains knows it. He despises Đoković. With Nadal there was some contempt towards him, given that he was his direct competition, but never the hatred like with Novak. Don't forget that he always had to carry the title of being "the best" and defend it everytime, so for me it's normal to distance yourself from your rival or even being salty when you lose. Nowadays, as he grew older he doesn't care much for anything and appreciates more Nadal, as the two shared the past 15 years together. Neither Nadal can stand Đoković, the guy is a faker.

@@krafthund who are you guys again?

@@krafthund actually never thought that way...but right when I looked closer...

@@krafthund lol Federer doesn't care about h2h and records, he just loves winning like everyone. When he gets angry, it's not towards his opponent but towards him. THIS is Federer, not the horrendous monster your trying to depict 😂 go take a nap bro

..then positive for substance..

In fact Puerta played an amazing match

What's more, he beat doped Puerta

He had 3 set points in fact

Thanks mate!

That really and winner is literally jaw dropping. ClayGod truly arrived in quarters against Ferrer

Mary Carillo is laughing hysterically cuz she couldn't believe what her eyes was seeing

Hewitt said after their 2005 AO encouter that he will be a great clay court player

It is there in an nbc/abc telecast video... the opponent Puerta said he lost to the best player of the tournament... he was full of praise/good words for Rafa...

He is Croatian

Not sure about Goran, but Djokovic certainly learned his lesson

Nadal lost amigo...

Mi campeón rey de reyes único Bravo Bravo Bravo

His top speed might not be that fast (for an athlete like Ronaldo) but his acceleration was probably the best ever in tennis and honestly he is still fast as hell

Agreed those who think Nadal was like this post 2010 suck ass really. There was nothing like Nadal on clay from 2005 to 2008. Stats mean shit. Eye tesy

Absolutely

Kinda, not for every year tho I think. Thanks!

Gasquet's in here, but Malisse's full match is impossible to find :S

@@sLlorcaTV can you upload Nadal Gasquet match??

Agreed. Ferrer was red hot in that match. Sad he ran into a rampaging kid who knew no fear

Its 16 years ago. What were you expecting?

Y el revés! Un martillo también!

One of the most important ones for Rafa yes! I'll work on it

@@sLlorcaTV ok

@@sLlorcaTV Thank you so so much, any video you upload, i truly appreciate it and always stay tuned for it. I bring my entire family to watch it.

Spent much of his career banned for doping. That's not good for your reputation either

Nadal at RG 2008 would make him clay goat and his 2008 entire season would make him the Goat. He defeated the best hard court and clay court players at their prime. The competition was way difficult in 2008 than 2015-2021

What do u mean? He was seeded 4th.