Nadal vs. Blanch Madrid 2024 1R | Post-Match
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- Опубликовано: 24 апр 2024
- 37-year old Rafael Nadal drew 16-year old Darwin Blanch in the first round of the Mutua Madrid Open. Gill Gross breakdown and analysis...
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Crazy to think that 21 years ago Nadal was 16 and beating Carlos Moya at Hamburg.
The opponent is too young and weak hence there was nothing special to discuss about this practice match of Rafa.
stay salty bro
@@Bakugo24 are you black?
Yeah yeah yeah
Even Nadal 2008 wouldn't have done better lol😂
Poor Nadal, had to do another practice after match cause his opponent was too shit
Such disrespectful comments towards RAFA❤
AT 16 Rafa❤ beat seeded No 2 player Carlos Moya!! So every player is dangerous as nothing to lose.
Gill, you don't think that Nadal vs Thiem would bring more viewers, hype and excitement? Thiem and Nadal had some great matches, except for their last match this year
That was a high level match, especially in the first set.
From the little I watched of the match, his served looked faster which was encouraging.
Agreed
Exactly best takeaway from the match.. rafa was not just doing slice serves.. he was putting his body into it and followed through!
Yes, he served normal.
Exactly , he hit a 193 km/h serve cross court on the deuce side. He barely got it over the net cross court on that side in Barcelona last week against demon. He’s still not going for it, but now we know he that he still can.
The entire world tuned in to watch the great Rafa Nadal play. He is so loved and admired, they could have put a ball boy in as his opponent. It would not have made a difference.
that was a great talk, Gill. love your channel.
We need to talk about this Michelsen-Fonseca match tho 😉
From a broader perspective... Damn, men's tennis has such future. People claimed Alcaraz will take plenty of slams, now it's Sinner hype
Meanwhile there are so many amazing prospects that already showed some fantastic skills... Mensik, Fonseca come to mind first. And there are next in line too. The future is bright
Yeah it's pretty crazy. And even though Blanch lost he is really good for a 16 year-old and there are more players who are as good.
I know this has never been the case, but wild cards in the future should be based on things like Elo ranking on that surface, national UTR ranking for local players, and career high. Junior ranking and hype should be taken out of it. Juniors have plenty of years ahead of them to make it on merit.
There are 12 juniors with higher UTR rankings than Blanch and most have more experience on clay. They all deserve it more. And then there are Diego Schwartzman and Dominic Thiem that had to go through qualifying despite their career highs and injuries. Both would have gotten more hype and it would have been more respectful.
You see, these other juniors might not be signed with IMG or be one of the top prospects of Ferrero’s academy so look no further as to why Darwin (as talented as he is, he did get to #4 in juniors at age 15-16) got it over someone else. If you check the qualy draw, you’ll see two other juniors which made me scratch my head - Benani and Omerkhanov. These two have never been top 10 in juniors, never made any noise at slams and are UNRANKED. My guess? Most likely just IMG players and/or part of a big academy.
good points.. the young guy was cute and had a social media presence.. also looked like ben shelton..the game was intended for marketing that backfired.
I was watching at the club and after the first 2 sets people quit watching. feeling sorry for both Nadal & the young guy.
Did you not watch Gil's video? IMG manages the youngster so that contributed to the Wild Card
Moutet vs Shang deserved to be talked about..lol
I’ll be honest, I don’t see how wild card favoritism based on one’s agency is any less fair than favoritism based on one’s country.
Blanch's results have been trending very positively, with many early loses early in the year.
Machac in the top three is wild Gill
No one "deserves" a wild card. That's why it's a WILD CARD. So people should stop with all the "deserve" statements.
You can debate about who should get it, and I think there should be and will always be debates about who should get it, because literally ANYONE CAN GET IT. That's why it's called a WILD CARD.
In this case, I think this kid has a good social media presence mostly with younger fans, who might not be exactly tennis players and/or who would probably not tune in to a first round match with Rafa returning from injury. Why not give his fans and the younger audience something to be excited about?
There are 12 juniors with higher UTR rankings than Blanch and most have more experience on clay. They all deserve it more. And then there are Diego Schwartzman and Dominic Thiem that had to go through qualifying despite their career highs and injuries. Both would have gotten more hype and it would have been more respectful.
@@AGAU1022 Dont forget Batista Agut , he also had to play qualies , fortunately he made it to the maind draw and won his 1st round match , it’s embarrassing that an accomplished spaniard like RBA in his home masters has to play qualifiers while an american kid who can barely hold a raquet ranked outside 1000 gets a wc into the main draw !!!
@@AGAU1022are you dumb ? Wild cards are wild, they can be handed out at the tournaments discretion . There is absolutely no merit involved. In fact, they could give them to the lowest ranked atp player.
It's true that a Wildcard is rarely ever "deserved" in the first place, but even if it isn't all that deserved, it is still true that some deserve it a lot more than others. So to me, dismissing all of these questionable wildcard choices because "nobody deserves it anyway" doesn't seem like a reasonable argument to me
@Tuzzz94 where did I dismiss them? I only said no one deserves it. We can and should debate about who gets it, like I said above.
But the bitching about who deserves what grinds my ears. Instead, tell me how a particular player would better serve the tournament, or the sport in general by getting a wild card. Either by bringing more views, new eyes to the sport, likely to make a huge upset etc.
Glad Rafa is back on the court! R2 should be more interesting! Thanx Gill! Best, Milan
Great analysis thanks Gill 👏👏👏👍
Nice analysis, thank you so much. 👍
Thank you for the background on all of this. But the match was farcical, full stop. And poor young Blanch was the sacrificial lamb led to the slaughter. The entire spectacle was sad and embarrassing. On another note, it’s hard to believe Fonseca is only one year older than Blanch judging by his level of play. Fonseca will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
We don’t know how Fonseca would’ve fared against Rafa one year ago though. Did you see Alcaraz’s first match against Rafa in Spain, he got absolutely bullied on court. Next year? Becomes number 1 in the world and beats Rafa and Djokovic back to back. At this age they progress daily if not hourly, one year is a huge difference. Look at how much experience Fonseca already has in challengers, and lower level ATPs. It wasnt very smart to throw Blanch at a 1000 MAIN DRAW when he lacks any experience at ATP or even challenger level. Insane. Blanch has better junior results than Fonseca at his age btw. But they should’ve waited until next year and get him to play some challengers first.
Watch Nalad how plade at 16
Enjoy with friends and family 👍🙏☺️
Fair Assessment. Though it’s also worth noting that Alcaraz was not playing the 2024 version of Nadal. He might very well have given him a tougher challenge if the match happened today. If I’m not mistaken Rafa made it to the quarterfinals that year. With all due respect to Rafa, I’m not sure he has the wherewithal to get there this year.@@gabrielametodieva8360 fair a
There is a big difference between 16 and 17 years old.
A year is a lot at those ages
No. Just no. Someone who hasn't even worked their way into the top 1000? I could understand them getting a wildcard into some random 250 event, or into qualifying, but getting placed into the main draw of two Masters level events? It's an absolute travesty that he's getting these spots, as well as articles written about him in major media outlets and a full match broadcast worldwide on TV and streaming, through absolutely no effort of his own. Not to mention getting to play one of the greatest players of all time right off the bat (and winning exactly one more game off of Nadal than I would). And then hearing the connections between his agency and the tournament... something stinks here.
Gillyweed! Hurry up addressing Madrid 2024: Injury Open. The Limping Dead. Janhip, Carlitear, Medvedead, Mensick, Oldal, & now Weary Leheckyeah. Also, a walkover in the doubles men's SF. The calendar is bloated, the season runs the entire year for top players, & having too many mandatory events isn't helping players create schedules that better account for a MUCH more physically demanding game.
I watched about three minutes of this match and I was embarrassed for the game of tennis.
Oh yeah? Wonder how you handle looking in the mirror.
This match was a farce, RBA plays qualies while 16 yo nobody without a win on the atp ranked outtside 1000 gets a wc at a masters 1000 , gtfo!!!!
Or Thiem! Thiem deserved WC more for sure!!
@@Nat-le4um the fact that they had the guts to do it , coincidentally drawing the a 16 yo ranked outside 1000 with Nadal prroves that the sport is corrupt, they wouldn’t dare give an out of shape Nadal someone in the top 100
@@ValentinG23 yep, they wanted to make sure Rafa wins atleast one convincingly against his fanboy, what a shame
@@ValentinG23 sadly i’m beginning to agree with you, i thot tennis was the last pure sport, this was a practice match
Agree
Quite the early GOATcorn match 😂
De Minaur will be the big test though. I think the faster conditions might help Rafa conserve some energy and really blast forehands by ADM
Really this was poor fixed match with 16 years boy who is outside 1000 ranking poor Rafa he need to cheat, poor day for tennis he suppose to go throug qualifications like others.
@@jugoslavnamljidjiu9021I like how your last comment to me was “if you won’t even respect Novak I won’t even answer,” yet all of your comments are disrespectful to Nadal. Do you toxic Novak fans not realize how consistently stupid you sound on the internet? Do you talk like this in real life?
Obviously Nadal wouldn’t go through qualifying, he’s the greatest Spanish athlete of all time and playing in Spain, a 5x champion here and everyone wants to see him. The same way Thiem and Murray got protected rankings, and the same way Novak probably will too when he’s in the same position. I’m sure you won’t be whining then will you?
Hey Gill, the thing with Blanch is kind of like what you sometimes see in F1. For example, right now Lance Stroll is currently driving for his father's team. So you have nepotism out in the open there.
Darwin played like a junior against a pro. He was going for the killer shot very early in the rally, like on the 3rd, 4th or 5th shot. He wasn’t patient enough to try to trouble Nadal.
I feel like the second half of the video was a direct rebuttal to the first half of the video… not sure if that was just steel manning both sides of the argument or not.
But good job as always Gill!
I honestly think Rafa should try to make next year his last on tour - this rush to get fit is too much pressure for his body. He should build up his fitness and conditioning this year, and go all out next year ..
this is the biggest non story.. i just can’t..
I think nadal vs de minaur would draw more interest r1 than nadal vs blanch. I think nadal and the rarity of his matches is the main factor here. I think people prefer a more competitive match but I could be wrong.
I think you hit the nail on the head.👍Nadal and the rarity of his matches IS the main factor. He could have literally played anybody including a ball boy.
Waiting for IMG to announce next wildcards like Cina, dhamne or rottgering 😏
Explains the endless Raducanu wildcards!
Madrid gave him a gift so that he can play more than one match
IMG owns the tournament ...IMG gave the wild cards .. not madrid
madrid almost gave him the double bagel against the sacrificial lamb who was just happy to be on the same court with Nadal.
@@oswjimlocation, location, location .. when in Rome..do as the Romans like.. you are young.
I'm noticing Carlos appears smaller. Less muscular ? Is he on the Nadal diet ? Thoughts behind this ?
Youngster offered at the end of the match questionably cold , rude in my opinion, handshake. Let’s hope it was only momentary lapse of manners.
if there was any hope of this being anything other than a practice set for Nadal. they would have put him up against someone who could have played drop shots at the net to wear Nadal down. but No.. he seemed to hit the
ball to wherever Nadal happened to be standing.
Easiest opponent in the draw. I wonder if Madrid helped a little bit...
Why is a player that is ranked outside of the top 1,000 playing a former world #1?
I think this is not only about IMG but it is also about Tennis higher ups’ desperation to create a male tennis star from USA. With every new American kid, people creates this fanfare like they will be the next big star! Tiafoe, Shelton, now this kid… Because of course the "savior" of tennis should come out of USA and save everyone. But here comes a Spaniard and an Italian now a Brazilian or Czech kid arrive at the scene instead. Before them, the big 3 are also from Europe… USA is a HUGE market and tennis "establishment" need a hero to make a poster kid for marketing, investment etc. But to their unluck, none of them are that interesting or generational talent like Sampras or Agassi, they were the last true stars from USA. Why? One reason might be their tennis education system who creates physically big and strong, monster serve, carefully curated and shaped (and arrogant imo) players but no more than that. Now we will see the marketing of this new kid, we will see how he will develop and maybe prove me wrong ;)
It would have been much more fair if he lets him him 6-1 6-1 openly.he would have win the fair play prize.That would have been news forever,but to overkill with mean face at 5-0??????why?????
The whole thing was annoying for him
Gill, Blanch vs Nadal on paper did bring extra excitement but you don't put a WC into a draw in the random chance they might draw Rafa Nadal. .
Also, if you know the guy's level is so far off and that he'll get crushed, you're just opening yourself up to a whole load of criticism. .
Karue Sell, mentioned a 20yr French player that just came off winning a challenger. Maybe let another youngster have a chance to excel.
How about Dino Prizmic, that is a name wel all know and relishes the big stage.
Gill doesn't seem to think that Rafa will take his revenge on De Minaur this time ! Really ? Rafa will blew him outta the court like he did with this junior !
Even though the result was a blowout, great performance by the young N
waiting for MMA gil
the reason Blanch got a wild card was also to make Nadal look good.
Now, how about challengers the movie review.
Please no
Rafa still doesn't have his serve. that is a factor.
My Nadal is back.
FO 15 loading.....
Hope his body endures in FO.
😂😅😅😂😂
I wouldn't be surprised one bit if that happens ! Rafa playing low key giving an impression like he's the biggest underdog and in Paris he comes swinging for the fences !
@@gabrielagent20 I hope thats the case and that he continues to get better but it is the draw that may kill him, he could get zverev, tsitsipas, sinner or alcaraz in like the 2nd round
@@realtd8666 So what, the more seeds getting knock out early, the better for Rafa's confidence going into second week !
Rafa needs few wins under his belt to clear his mental doubts. That's the only issue apparently.
No. Rafa's in an impossible situation. He can't move the way he used to in his heyday so he needs to serve and hit bigger. But he CAN'T serve bigger without ripping up his abs. But he's Rafa so he can't just retire without a "farewell tour" and giving himself a few last chances.
Just another american SERVEBOT XD
This guy disappeared all tournament
Poor kid…I don’t know what organizers did Blanch wild card…There is many players who played the qualis way better than this guy
I was born in 2015.
I can beat gill 6 0.
I also won a school tournament.
How can I get wild card for this year's Cincinnati.
I will sure beat Novak his game suits me
Rafa is unable to reach the second round of any tournament, so they had to make it happen somehow... We want to watch Rafa so bad we don't even care it's all a setup!
The draw is random.
I really wanna believe that
@@Meko2019maybe in your dreams Thiem have to go through qualification also much better tennis player this is a farse
Source? Otherwise don't spread lies.
@@Uff1234 go to atp tour on google evrything even Swarcman go trough quallie
The next match, it will be all over again. Im a Rafa fan but time to retire. I know its hard to stop doing what you love but its painful to watch. Players aren't afraid of him anymore and a win over a 16 yr old is not a test. If he wins (unlikely imo) against De Minaur - I will admit maybe there's still some fire. But from what i see, slow serve, overall court coverage is slow. I dunno. Id need to see more matches. Not trying to knock him down but just trying to be realistic (as a Nadal fan).
True, it is painful to watch. He seems slow, unmotivated, low on confidence and the only thing that remains are his shots, but if he cannot cover the court, it does not matter.
But he intends to retire so why shouldn't he play these tournaments. He has more than earned the right to go out on his own terms as far as his body will allow.
This match is sad i lost deep respect to Rafa once i was saying he is ultimate fighter now just sad.
@@jugoslavnamljidjiu9021 how can you lose respect for a great champion like Nadal who is still fighting...fighting to be competitive in his last year on tour. Time and age and wear and tear on the body will get everyone in the end. It's not because he's lost his will to fight.
I can't wait to see your reactions after Nadal proves all yall wrong and teaches De Minaur a lesson that you don't mess with the rejuvenated king of clay !
Do you think the draw was rigged to setup blanch vs nadal?
It should not he allowed to play ATP under 17.
Tell that to Nadal who beat Moya in 2003. Don't be stupid
@@user-iy8tp7vw3xwash your mouth out with soap when u talk to me.This is my opinion.he will lose tomorrow.write me after!
'The Rafael Nadal Farewell Tour'
Embarrassing now.
Darwin Wanch is a horrendous player at the moment, tbh Swiatek would have crushed him too, he is at a Badosa level...
This is my view: Nadal is from Madrid, he is loved there, and they put a WC to that kid to be destroyed by Nadal, is like if they put a random kid from the streets to get crushed by Rafa.
That being said, in Madrid they cant fix all of the matches, so he will get destroyed again by the Minaur, in this case 6-2-6-1. Nadal cant win more than 3 games vs the Demon.
Hehehe
i’m only on here for the comments.. Gil is diminishing his gravitas by devoting so much time to this. while I type this I’m having to ignore him to maintain my respect.
Dear Gill, I felt very strange yesterday after the Rafa match, I am a Novak fan but I had a sincere deep respect for the ultimate warrior Rafa, I'm really not a crazy fan, first of all I love tennis, it's clear to me that Rafa is a legend of this sport, but if Bautista Agut went through the qualifications, how come Rafa played on the center court with a 16-year-old player who is outside the atp ranking top 1000 and then Rafa celebrates and jumps around the court as if he won a grand slam final he played against boy 16 years old yesterday tennis seems like a joke to me where everything can be rigged and cheated if you are Rafael Nadal sad day for tennis and I lost a lot of respect I had in Rafa
lol you think they rigged it so Rafa would play Blanch? Rafa definitely wanted to play someone more challenging so he could test his level. And celebrating is not strange considering every win can actually be his last.
@@tijgertjekonijnwordopgegeten Thiem must go through qualification so Swarchman so Batista Agut all with higher ranking than Rafa, read this and come again with the comment.
Bunch of whiny losers in the comments😂😂😂
Grabbing popcorn and Enjoying with friends and family 👍🙏☺️
Rafa is finished.This victory is just delaying inevitable...
Djokovic is the greatest tennis of all time(outside clay) 🧱
Nadal is greatest on clay.