Vamos rafa

👑 Rafa 🇪🇦, for the win ✌️

Rafa in 2

Rafa on destructive mode

Win Diego, win.



And just to clarify my comment earlier. The reason I don't think he will necessarily push it this week, is that the AO is literally around the corner, he is feeling his way back from injury, he's late thirties and so will want to protect his stamina, he is an AO genuine contender and the slams in what may be his final year are precious experiences to be fit for.



The risk vs benefit of getting match practice, but not risking minor fatigue or injury is likely to make his team risk adverse this week so he can go full throttle at AO. Each match is nevertheless a confidence boost though that I can understand will help him. I'm just saying don't be surprised if he doesn't win this week.

He got 1 week to rest, and he knew that before entering the tournament @bogbot.tc

I pray by the Name of Lord Jesus Christ, no injuries will plague you again, and you will win 6 more grand slams before your retirement, Amen.

Rafa GOAT

Tough match for Rafa again. He's was not lucky with the draw.

Well in the current form he is in (having not played in over 12 months), any player is tough he can lose any match.

Rafa will walk this easy

He may well duck out here and save himself for AO. I'm not sure he actually has any intention to go all the way this week.

Do you want him to lose @bigbot.tc or what?

So. Does he have a tough draw or not? Lucky draw? And why the hey would he even consider tanking? Hmmmmm? Play. He's gonna play.

Well said, as per usual Chistine.

Let's enjoy tennis and let them play.

he has been away for almost a year, why would he back out after playing just 1 match and save himself for AO when there is nothing wrong apparently 🤔

Does anyone know where it is playing in the usa

vamos Rafa 💓

always..it's so good to see him playing like this again

great performance 👏🏼👏🏼

The 👑 is back, extremely well played Rafa 🇪🇦 👏🏻👏🏻👍

It's not that simple Diego. Often big players enter warm up tournaments simply to get a couple of matches under their belt. At the start of the year they are often also mixing the end of the training block into preparation for the AO. In nadals case he is also factoring in tailing off rehab into his prep. Ultimately a single week is not much time. A few matches and a week and a half gap maybe preferable.



This is also why many big players in the past play some exhibitions before the AO rather than whole tournaments to get the match sharpness up.



Also I'm not saying big players tank matches, its more whether they are prepared to absolutely go full pelt at running down balls and stretching/sliding for shots that they may not want to risk at a small tournament before a slam.



Its risk vs reward....as I say.

I know all that. But rafa also did this at the start of 2022, hw won an atp 250 before AO, also had a 1 week gao between that tournament and AO, and won AO. And he had not played before that 250 for more than 6 months. So, this time is very similar.

Well, if he wins, great, but if he doesn't I'm saying people shouldn't read much into it, simple as that really. Particularly as this time he is returning from surgery and a whole year out give or take.

Oh yeah, i get you and 100% agree with ya.

Nice talk bogbot.tc