Rafael Nadal: The First Strike (French Open 2005)

[@sLlorcaTV]

Rafael Nadal's story started these 2 weeks. Enjoy this highlight reel of what was the first Grand Slam won by the king of clay! (quality is what it is, I'm sorry) Like & Subscribe for more Tennis content! Twitter: twitter.com/sLlorcaTennis

[@masters.1000]

¿What do you think it would have happened if Federer defeated Nadal that year? ¿It would have been the same in the years to come? To be honest, this was the only time that Federer was the favourite.

[@SJ-di5zu]

@@masters.1000 It’s actually pretty possible Federer could’ve gotten a win or two in the coming years. I think 2005-07 Nadal on clay was beatable since his shots weren’t as heavy and he hadn’t built the aura of invincibility and confidence he’d get later on. It seems Federer never could reach his very best against Nadal in those early years due to nerves and pressure. Remember, Federer really didn’t know how to take a loss at that point in his career because he wasn’t losing to anyone and he was a bit hot-headed at the time. I’m sure being beaten by a teenage prodigy was messing with him. But by 2008 Nadal was just unplayable for Federer. Federer had no belief he could win in 2008. In 2011 and 2019 he gave good fight and a high level but it was too late; Nadal was on a new level.

[@masters.1000]

@@SJ-di5zu The Nadal of that time was sheer athleticism and pure hunger of victory, you had to hit 4 winners in a row to win a point there.

[@SJ-di5zu]

@@masters.1000 Yeah, but the Nadal of 2008-2010 had that same hunger and similar speed but also much better offense. He was the only guy who could really hit through a clay court consistently well. In 2008 Federer didn’t really bring his best, but even if he did it’s quite possible he still wouldn’t have won a set.

[@andyroo9381]

There is nothing wrong with this video which you produced. I enjoyed EVERY minute of it. I am subscribed. Anyone who enjoys tennis will like this video. Anyone who follows Mr. Rafael Nadal will LOVE this video! Great job. It will be a sad day when Nadal retires. He has given so much to this sport. Thank you,.

[@WivoRN]

WTF BRO?? This is insanely rare I have never seen some of these clips anywhere, incredibe work!!

[@kimdye4609]

Watch Rome 2006,1 of my favorite finals! I don't know how he gets to some of those balls she was amazing when he was a teenager nobody else I don't think I've ever been that good that young I mean it's just unbelievable how exciting he is to watch and what he accomplished before 20 years old

[@gregmacfd3]

Calm down champ

[@RogerThatTennis]

Hands down, the best teenager EVER!

[@TennisKingTV]

Rafa was the King of Clay even at that age. He was insane.

[@rajeshgunesh]

I started following Nadal's matches as from Round 3 of Roland Garros 2005. I was like: WTF is this kid who was annihilating everyone on his way?? 😳🤔 He is a real artist on clay ! Today, in 2022, am still watching him 😊 Love you, Rafa, for having brought so much to the tennis world ❤ Thank you for all the beautiful and emotional moments 🙏❤

[@Carloss86py]

You missed out on Nadal vs Coria in Rome Final.. He was a favorite already in RG 2005.

[@rajeshgunesh]

@@Carloss86py indeed, I missed out on that one 😔

[@Carloss86py]

@@rajeshgunesh You can check out the 27 minutes highlights at least.. It was a match of almost 6 hours but half an hour of highlights is pretty good 🙂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGjdm3aAbNyUe6s

[@RincondelTenisYT]

Crazy how his serve wasn´t even 40% of what it is today and he was still so dominant...he already had that magic. Great video bro!!

[@loocas6448]

probably because his mad speed made up for it, but don't get me wrong, he still is fast today on clay, just not as fast

[@rt0935]

@@loocas6448 Exactly. He´s now slower but he serves and volleys much better.

[@Aman-nk5uq]

crazy how his speed sucks ass now and has only good serve. 2005-2008 was God Nadal on clay, the real Nadal, the feared Nadal

[@Nickthegamingnerd]

@@Aman-nk5uq as opposed to the nadal in 2020 who won the French open without losing a set??

[@Aman-nk5uq]

@UCtDpoqPIoijJM7iT70JN8iA yes, Against the pussy ass generation doesn't mean anything. Stats don't always tell the whole story. 2005 to 2008 was the real God Nadal on clay. 81 match win streak from 2005 to 2007

[@Bollerich95]

So much rare footage, amazing!

[@MrJohnnyblazed]

not really that rare.... it was a final of Roland Garros, national broadcast

[@stefanosalariace]

And tennis fans though that alcaraz started a new trend with the drop shot on clay..... Nadal in 2005 with drop shot was crazy. Nadal as a youngster was crazy

[@mysticnomad89]

and 1:35 is the proof that comment is true

[@Atlargein]

Here after Rafa winning 14th FO and 22nd GS overall. “Out of this World”😲💪🏆

[@glory2christcmj702]

It's also amazing how Puerta had set points in the 4th and Nadal slammed the door shut in his face, most clutch player ever in my opinion

[@glory2christcmj702]

Not to mention it was Puerta's service game too!!!!

[@Aman-nk5uq]

And nobody came this close to stretch Nadal to 5 sets in Roland Garros final. What a piece of history.

[@erichuang2310]

Obviously the best mover on clay, ever. Surprised how effective he was with the drop shot in this tournament!

[@juanv5375]

Same drop shot than the one used against Medvedev last AO!

[@irinbree895]

He is shining so bright with awe and wonder. I don't think they'll ever be anyone with such presence and strength and appeal.

[@andyroo9381]

Nadal was amazing then and he is just as amazing now. Nadal Is My Champion!

[@nirmalakavade9392]

Very sweet boy. Very much focused and hard working in this field. I have watching his matches since he was seventeen.

[@juanmaderacid9934]

Casi imposible que surja un tenista tan bueno en arcilla, nadie como Nadal. Que súper tenista, para mí el mejor de todos los tiempo

[@gouthamsrinivas8190]

First match of tennis I ever saw as a 12 year old was Nadal vs burgsmuller. :). That running forehand made me go wow . 15 years later ,it still does. Vamos Rafa.

[@oncall21]

And so the Federer/Nadal rivalry began. Watching Nadal here reminds me very much of watching a young Muhammad Ali! Vamos Rafa. Sixteen years later and 13 French Open titles later and you are still playing for the title again as I type. Unbelievable!

[@sheppard3167]

probably one of your best videos ever ! Nice work it is insane !

[@sLlorcaTV]

Thanks mate!

[@afola7518]

Thanks for this @SLlorca! Looking back on this almost 16yrs later and I can't believe we were literallywatching the evolution of a childhood prodigy. The humility and level headedness to not allow this victory get to his head at that age is really something to admire. Vamos to the god of clay and wishing for more RG trophies to add to the museum!

[@martinhall932]

God, what a great piece of tennis history. Thank you for posting!

When you see Carlitos nowadays you forget how fast Rafa was and how talented. This point is one of my favorites of the clip, but it is so full of wonderful highlights: 03:26.

[@Andrea-us2ge]

Thank you for uploading this great compilation! Just beautiful to watch the rising star Rafael Nadal❣️

[@masters.1000]

Nadal drove Federer crazy that day, he was so angry. Little he knew then...

[@krafthund]

Federer has always been very salty towards Nadal, having a losing H2H against him. Never been a gracious loser, whenever he lost. Always been a sore one. Nowadays, Federer plays "best friends" with Nadal, just to hide his even bigger saltiness towards Djokovic, against whom he also has a losing H2H. This is Federer. Even if very few people, incredibly, open their eyes. It's in front of you.

[@masters.1000]

@@krafthund Everyone with some brains knows it. He despises Đoković. With Nadal there was some contempt towards him, given that he was his direct competition, but never the hatred like with Novak. Don't forget that he always had to carry the title of being "the best" and defend it everytime, so for me it's normal to distance yourself from your rival or even being salty when you lose. Nowadays, as he grew older he doesn't care much for anything and appreciates more Nadal, as the two shared the past 15 years together. Neither Nadal can stand Đoković, the guy is a faker.

[@commondirtbagz7130]

@@krafthund who are you guys again?

[@RobSinox]

@@krafthund actually never thought that way...but right when I looked closer...

[@魚-c3d]

@@krafthund lol Federer doesn't care about h2h and records, he just loves winning like everyone. When he gets angry, it's not towards his opponent but towards him. THIS is Federer, not the horrendous monster your trying to depict 😂 go take a nap bro

[@jaimeG4LV3Z]

incredible that you got all these videos in such quality

[@julietmarais5972]

So good to re-watch those moments ....still the best for a long time,+1 with rajeshgunesh,Nadal really brought something new to the tennis world,nobody was playing like him before and it's still true today....Thanks Nadal!

[@bjorncedervall5291]

Thank You for posting this!

[@Aksriv100]

Players will come and go in Tennis but there will be never be anyone like Rafael Nadal ever again

[@miguelengroba]

Ganar Roland Garros la primera vez que lo pisas... es gigante. Ahora ya tiene 14! Leyenda.

[@nachocroes8075]

BORN TO BE THE BEST ,VAMOS RAFA 👏😁👏🥺👏😭👏🥲👏

[@martinhall932]

Professional commentator commentating on Nadal's shot: "Oh no. Oh no! Oh my!!"

[@Aman-nk5uq]

That really and winner is literally jaw dropping. ClayGod truly arrived in quarters against Ferrer

[@gotimlol5318]

Mary Carillo is laughing hysterically cuz she couldn't believe what her eyes was seeing

[@Luiz-nb3uz]

Amazing job, please do it for every nadal major

[@andyroo9381]

I just watched this video clip for the second time. I just can't get enough of Nadal. Goran Ivanisevic said "FO21 will have a different outcome than last year". Apparently Novak's Serbian coach did not learn his lesson, yet. Let there be a 14th French Open Championship for Mr. Rafael Nadal. Nadal Is My Champion!

[@writer684]

He is Croatian

[@HBK492]

Not sure about Goran, but Djokovic certainly learned his lesson

[@ugljesanikolic9708]

Nadal lost amigo...

[@irinbree895]

So much fun watching again, he's definitely a killing machine 😱

[@cristinalavall3774]

Su primera copa, vi el partido, emocionante hasta el final 👍 luchando cada bola, gran partido por parte de los dos, y hoy a sus 36 años sigue siendo igual, ya no quedan calificativos, bravo Rafael Nadal Parera 🥇🥇💪🏆🏆💯

[@minyrar7107]

It would be nice to see the after match press conference with Rafa’s opponent, just to see what they thought about him as a player back then. Wondering if any of them predicted the future just like Almagro did in 2008.

[@Aman-nk5uq]

Hewitt said after their 2005 AO encouter that he will be a great clay court player

[@jayap3557]

It is there in an nbc/abc telecast video... the opponent Puerta said he lost to the best player of the tournament... he was full of praise/good words for Rafa...

[@Zirluck]

What a rare moments seeing Nadal playing on courts with not biggest capacity :D

[@foolmetwice374]

15:11 Can you believe Nadal wins the point from this position? Insane!!

[@andrewromero5008]

The best. The King Of Clay!

[@vjr6939]

when people these days talk next gen stars to replace refa and the fed, these are the runs they need to remember: in our life time, we will not see another rafa...

[@fastacelzapacescu5445]

Thank you!

[@Tony-es6em]

From the Jungle Book to the 1. French Open win. Rafa the King❤

[@pastora7651]

Increíble Rafa 😍😍😍

[@devvaswani7909]

At that age, He doesn't afraid againts the great roger federer, a champion mentality.

[@antonypreciado497]

EL GLADIADOR, de 14 finales ganar las 14!!

[@s.a4254]

amazing vid ...pls do his other slams too

[@josequintero8615]

What a tournament ❤

[@xtATiiKo]

Poor Ferrer, he played well but in front was the GOAT

[@MariaElenaFortaleza]

there would never be the greatest athlete of all time if they can't beat Nadal's record here! and no one can not Djokovic not Alcaraz not Sinner - no one ! for this court is the hardest court and he dominated it injured or not!

[@alejandraturbi5593]

My warrior!!! 🙌🙌🙌👑🏆💞

[@maria6864]

Mi campeón rey de reyes único Bravo Bravo Bravo

[@MariaElenaFortaleza]

the King of Kings ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@gustavoberino1614]

Bravo muchacho! Felicitaciones Rafa!!

[@ashishranjanlenka1268]

Great athlete nadal thanks for the video bro👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️

[@truther11seeker63]

Good documentation here. Thank you.

[@musicandmentalhealth]

This guy was so fearless in the big moments!!

[@StewNWT]

That point at 8:13 is just mind blowing. Reminds me of that insane series of gets from Clijsters vs. Venus 2005 USO

[@mariarosalagrana6341]

Cuánto te voy a extrañar.Rafa querido. Que sigan tus exitos junto a tu hermosa familia.😢

[@КостадинБ.Ролев]

The Best!!!☝️✊💪🦵👌

[@proenzaschouler4165]

And probably the same commentators saying today Alcaraz is stronger and better than Rafa at the same age. I mean how can you say that after seeing this for years, are you all high? In almost 18yrs I think every player got bagelled here by Rafa.

[@anthonydecastro6938]

well, at this grand slam tournament, he was, for a moment in time, the greatest of all time, bar none. if one tournament were to define the GOAT, then Nadal at Roland Garros in 2005 would seem to clinch it for him...

[@mysticnomad89]

Nadal at RG 2008 would make him clay goat and his 2008 entire season would make him the Goat. He defeated the best hard court and clay court players at their prime. The competition was way difficult in 2008 than 2015-2021

[@zechsmerquise3132]

Nadal looks so fast in 2005. It only takes him a moment to sprint from baseline to the net. I'm wondering what his sprint speed was during his prime?

[@davidkosiba624]

His top speed might not be that fast (for an athlete like Ronaldo) but his acceleration was probably the best ever in tennis and honestly he is still fast as hell

[@gotimlol5318]

Agreed those who think Nadal was like this post 2010 suck ass really. There was nothing like Nadal on clay from 2005 to 2008. Stats mean shit. Eye tesy

[@MauroGuerreiro]

Simply amazing.

[@comangeorge8808]

Maybe you can you do it as a series for every year he won. Very nice job btw

[@sLlorcaTV]

Kinda, not for every year tho I think. Thanks!

[@dis_is_sid]

3:29 amazing

[@rafakhan1764]

Absolutely

[@johnwalker-fj5gy]

fantastic video

[@Leeniebean]

It's a beautiful sport!

[@SuperCarcher]

When Nadal showed up the clay court scene was dominated by Argentinian players. Since Nadal I can’t think of one Argentinian playing today.

[@josefonseca2661]

I wanted so much the matches against Malisse and Gasquet..... These are the only matches lacking on KZbin.....

[@sLlorcaTV]

Gasquet's in here, but Malisse's full match is impossible to find :S

[@josefonseca2661]

@@sLlorcaTV can you upload Nadal Gasquet match??

[@mustafamelihkadioglu8107]

This Nadal can easily win today’s Nadal..Seriously!😂

[@joycesmeltzer1705]

I love watching your videos. Did you make Strike Two or Three or Four? 😉 THIS is one of my all time favorites. I never saw any of his matches in his first 12 years. When you put something together like this that’s a brief “history” of an entire Tournament it’s thrilling. Especially so if you’ve never seen a minute of these matches before. Watching him move in the early days is absolutely thrilling. Thanks again for all your work. I always “like” !

[@orecalle]

Ahí empezó su reinado de 14 títulos de RG.

[@Sacana1977]

you have to feel sorry for Ferrer on that match. Nadal is and will be the best ever

[@gotimlol5318]

Agreed. Ferrer was red hot in that match. Sad he ran into a rampaging kid who knew no fear

[@raulgarcia2796]

Tramquilo Rafael Nadal., Descansar.No te Jubiles nunca Chatin.., Espero que sea tu Relevo Buenas Maneras Tiene

[@ranawaleed9716]

Teenager Nadal was amazing 🔥

[@ksymoops]

Looks like this kid might have a future on clay... time will tell 🫠

[@roter13]

Does anyone have the full Grosjean match? I've been wanting to watch that one for so long.

[@kofiofosu9051]

That’s a Phenom

[@JoTokutora]

What a mad man

[@HarriKitaunz]

🔥🔥✊🔥🔥

[@glory2christcmj702]

The backhand passing shot against Puerta at 13:20 is ridiculous smh

[@benjaminvega9523]

incroyable NADAL

[@cluekid8887]

If god was a tennis player, it be close to that 😮‍💨🔥💯

[@adithyanaren519]

1:39 is the reason Rafa is a rare breed

[@mhadi5220]

Next Gen....

[@chastis]

Muy duro rival Puerta con esa derecha

[@juanv5375]

Y el revés! Un martillo también!

[@trisha7014]

God of clay Rafael Nadal

[@shobhitsrivastava6497]

@14:32 the closest Rafa has ever been to playing a fifth set in RG final. Never happened again.

[@rt0935]

Djokovic took him to the fifth in the final of RG 2013 (Nadal won 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7, 9-7).

[@RaphaelBas1995]

@@rt0935 That was the semi-final.

[@SJ-di5zu]

Didn’t he win a 4th set tiebreak in one of the Federer finals? And also in 2012 Djokovic had a lot of momentum in that 4th set before he double faulted on break point. Those were the only times he really got close to a 5th set

[@S1rWakka]

Tomic took him to 5 sets and almost bageled him. He was about to smash match point... but then he woke up

[@futarydary]

Vs Isner RG 2011

[@sadikmuktar9961]

What about the second strike? When will you upload it?

[@sLlorcaTV]

One of the most important ones for Rafa yes! I'll work on it

[@sadikmuktar9961]

@@sLlorcaTV ok

[@adammashoon4665]

@@sLlorcaTV Thank you so so much, any video you upload, i truly appreciate it and always stay tuned for it. I bring my entire family to watch it.

[@edmurray5896]

3:26ff - all that's missing is the pirouette and the jete ;-)

[@michelez715]

What a shame the clarity was so poor for a lot of this, it's historic stuff.

[@Romans8-9]

Its 16 years ago. What were you expecting?

[@mysticnomad89]

Anyone wants to combine this 2005 defensive Nadal with the 2017 aggressive Nadal and imagine what would be the outcome? 😮😂

[@tabletennis9968]

Où est le premier coup du coup ?

[@raulgarcia2796]

Copa Devis .Carlos Alcaraz buen Sitio aprender.

[@synhet84]

Never heard of that Puerta guy before.... howcome?

[@S1rWakka]

Spent much of his career banned for doping. That's not good for your reputation either

[@betpow]

was Puerta doping here?

[@jlbuenomeandro]

Brutal

[@mariajoy9918]

Cheetah on clay ❤️

[@blancaandrovic6406]

I started following 16 old Rafa.. since Umag Open - Croatia

[@russian2k]

He took his opponents souls as sole would say

[@nnavaltaqc]

Who designed his half leg tennis pants? Hehe

[@emiliasoria8918]

Quién le iba a decir ese día , que levantaría otros 12 trofeos más como ese hasta la fecha.