Rafa and Murray played a remarkable, competitive first set with great rallies and remarkable shots, but in the beginning of the second set Rafa injured his right knee while hitting a backhand. He gave a barely perceptible wince and moved his right leg awkwardly before putting both his hands on his waist and looking down on the court. It was almost as if he expected this to happen. 2-1 up on the second set Rafa called the trainer to come during the changeover. He took a medical time out and in the end decided to play without the requisite tape on his right knee. Then they kept breaking each other for the remainder of games on the set and somehow Rafa emerged the winner of it. Andy just couldn't seem to focus.
On the third, however, Rafa could barely move. It was as if he had played his best and grabbed a set off Murray, and he didn't wanna do more damage than what's already done, eventhough you can see it burns him to be reduced to that, literally limping around the court. 5-0 down on the last set, he sat on the bench and put his chin on both his fists. He looked so disappointed. It was an empty victory for Andy.
In his after match speech Rafa did not mention his leg whatsoever. Andy did. He said it shows how great Rafa is, beating him on the set with one leg. Aww. He thanked everyone, from the event organizers, the ball boys, to the catering people. Lub.
Anyhoo. Disappointed I am, as the match could've been a great one. Shame it had to go like that, and ended with me wondering like mad if the injury is a serious one. I guess we'll have to wait for some kind of announcement. Or not. Rafa and his team is very closemouthed about his physique. I understand the need to be, but sometimes as a fan you really want answers. Oh well.
Congrats to The Ginge. You go, boy. Your tenth ATP title.
And Rafa? Get well soon.
This is gutting, both the loss and the injury. I didn't get to see the match, but did watch the scores live.
ReplyDeleteJust dammit.
oh no!
ReplyDeleteso sad...
his knee was injured once again
hope that he's gonna be alright
There's a Eurosport article on the match somewhere that's quoting Rafa as saying that the injury isn't new, it's nowhere near as bad as the end of last year, and he'll see us in Dubai.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, given what he's achieved in the last few weeks (last 2 AO matches and making the Rotterdam final), I'm surprised he can walk, let alone take a set of Murray.
In any case, he didn't seem too worried in the trophy ceremony.
Rafaaa...nooo...
ReplyDeleteI've never really seen him like that in a match before, he looked so GUTTED! Aw...just wanted to sit him on my lap and kiss that knee of his better.
On a lighter note, am I the only one that got really excited about watching that "naked knee" on court? Yum... (o:
Aw, poor Rafa. :(
ReplyDeleteI think he will get better soon though. And the Rafandy moments were priceless again.
Yeah the naked knee was hott... plus, watching all that thigh massaging.... oy..... :o
Yes the knee is beautiful, in it's untaped glory. And I hear you on the thigh massaging. There was a similar incident at the Paris Master's, last autumn, that while concerning, was also tres beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAh, that Xisca is a lucky girl.