"Clearly, I haven't learned from last 17 years, never count out Rafael Nadal" - Tennis fans in awe after Spaniard's incredible comeback against Sebastian Korda at Indian Wells
Rafael Nadal pulled off an incredible comeback in his opener at the 2022 Indian Wells Masters, rallying from 5-2 down against Sebastian Korda in the deciding set to oust the American.
After comfortably taking the first set 6-2, the Spaniard lost his touch in the second and had his serve broken multiple times en route to losing it 6-1.
Staring down the barrel in the third set, the Mallorcan showed why he is the greatest fighter in the game. Korda twice had the opportunity to serve out the match but the 21-time Grand Slam champion hung on relentlessly to take the set to a tie-break.
The World No. 38's nerves got the better of him in the final game as the former World No. 1 secured a gritty 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(3) win that sent his fans on social media into a happy frenzy.
The term "GOAT" was repeatedly brought up by several fans, who saw the Spaniard's determined fightback as yet another reason why he deserves the tag over anyone else.
"I prepared a 'Korda beats his hero' tweet when he led 5-2 in the decider. I tweaked it at 5-3 and again at 5-4. Clearly, I have not learned from the Australian Open final/the last 17 years. Never count out Nadal. Extraordinary comeback," one user quipped.
I prepared a 'Korda beats his hero' tweet when he led 5-2 in the decider.
I tweaked it at 5-3 and again at 5-4.
Clearly, I have not learned from the Australian Open final/the last 17 years.
Never count out Nadal. Extraordinary comeback.
This is Great Rafael Nadal guys.
The greatest athlete in the history of sports!
Rafael Nadal is the greatest athlete planet earth has EVER witnessed.
"Rafael Nadal - down 2-5 in the third set vs. Sebastian Korda - *somehow* finds a way back, winning 62 16 76(3) against the young American in a thriller. Nearly a career moment for Korda, but [Rafa] shows again why he's truly one of the greatest of all time," another fan wrote. "16-0 in 2022."
Rafael Nadal - down 2-5 in the third set vs. Sebastian Korda - *somehow* finds a way back, winning 62 16 76(3) against the young American in a thriller.
Nearly a career moment for Korda, but Nadal shows again why he's truly one of the greatest of all time.
16-0 in 2022
If you think Rafael Nadal Parera isn’t the Greatest of all time than you need serious help. https://t.co/eHzTQf1ybo
Almost everyone agreed that Sebastian Korda played one of the matches of his lifetime but was simply unlucky to face off against someone who has made a habit of "not going away."
"All the props to Korda, who played more than well enough to win that. Nadal hit some exceptional backhand passes on the road back from 2-5 down. Perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay him is that this doesn’t feel like a surprise because I’m so used to him not going away."
All the props to Korda, who played more than well enough to win that.
Nadal hit some exceptional backhand passes on the road back from 2-5 down. Perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay him is that this doesn’t feel like a surprise because I’m so used to him not going away.
I don't think Korda will be able to play this way in the decider, but if he does and he wins, fair play, he beat a 100%, in-form Nadal the only way you can if you're not Fedole.
If Nadal fans give you excuses of bad form, don't listen to them.
They're liars.
"The “every point matters” mentality is really good for Nadal, because even if he’s down, all pressure falls on the other side," a fan tweeted. "They have to win this, because he isn’t just going to beat himself."
@tennisnation The “every point matters” mentality is really good for Nadal, because even if he’s down, all pressure falls on the other side. They have to win this, because Nadal isn’t just going to beat himself.
The 35-year-old produced a comeback for the ages in the final of the Australian Open just over a month ago. Having lost the first two sets, the World No. 4 pulled off a miracle against Daniil Medvedev to take the final three sets and win his 21st Grand Slam title.
With his most recent win against Korda, the former World No. 1's fans did not shy away from declaring that 2022 was the "Year of Rafael Nadal comebacks."
"2022 IS THE YEAR OF RAFAEL NADAL COMEBACKS!! Sebastian Korda was serving out the match up 5-2 in the third set but he said, "not today, young one. Not today!" [Rafa] remains undefeated in 2022!" the fan wrote.
#IndianWells
2022 IS THE YEAR OF RAFAEL NADAL COMEBACKS!!
Sebastian Korda was serving out the match up 5-2 in the third set and Nadal said, "not today, young one. Not today!"
Nadal remains undefeated in 2022 😤 #IndianWells https://t.co/AqmUtgeUkV
Another incredible comeback from Rafa Nadal. Down and out at 2-5, comes through to beat Sebastian Korda in the third set tiebreak. Still unbeaten in 2022. #IndianWells #tennis
Rafael Nadal will take on Dan Evans in the 3rd round at Indian Wells
Rafael Nadal's victory against Sebastian Korda sealed his spot in the third round of the 2022 Indian Wells Masters, where he will take on 27th seed Dan Evans. The Brit scored an emphatic straight-sets victory over Federico Coria in his opener.
Rafael Nadal comes back from a double break down in the third to overcome Sebastian Korda 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(3) in 2hr 28min.
Faces Dan Evans in round three. https://t.co/gq3rVLazJ1
The Mallorcan has a 2-0 lead in the head-to-head against Evans coming into the contest, having won both their previous encounters on hardcourt without dropping a set. A win for the Spaniard would pit him against either the 13th seed Denis Shapovalov or 17th seed Reilly Opelka.