Has Rafael Nadal Regained His Fighting Spirit?

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: March 18, 2016

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Rafael Nadal got angry this week. Then his game got better.

Perhaps fueled by doping accusations, Nadal appeared to find his fighting spirit in the desert.  

In back-to-back matches at the 2016 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, California, Nadal fought to pull off victories. He saved a match point against Alexander Zverev to win 6-7(8), 6-0, 7-5. He also fought off several set points to close out compatriot Fernando Verdasco 6-0, 7-6(9) in the third round. 

The fist-pumping, roaring Nadal seen at Indian Wells looked nothing like the listless player who fell to Verdasco in the first round of the Australian Open. 

Nadal showed even more resolve against Zverev. Down 2-5 in the third set, Nadal turned up the heat on the teenager, pouncing on everything the kid hit short. He took over rallies that began in Zverev's favor. He kept the scoreboard pressure on until the teen cracked. Nadal won 15 of the last 16 points. 



"For the final dizzying half hour, Nadal reminded all why he's one of the fiercest fighters in the game," wrote Richard Pagliaro for Tennis Now. 

Yes, the feisty, fierce Rafa returned. The Spaniard started strutting around the court like the 14-time Grand Slam winner he is. 

In an interview with the ATP World Tour staff, Nadal acknowledge that he brought a different attitude to the court: "I am especially happy about the mentality on court, the spirit of fight during the whole match, believing that I can win a match during the whole time even in the tougher situations."

During the match, Nadal was warned for using an audible obscenity. As noted by BBC Radio 5 Live commentator David Law (h/t Newsweek reporter Teddy Cutler), Nadal believed it was the first time in his career that he'd receive such a warning.



Who's that? Feisty, fierce and newly foul Nadal, giving attitud...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

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