Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem in an epic five-set battle! | US Open 2018 Quarterfinal

If ever two tennis players could be called "gladiators," it was Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem in this 2018 epic. Trading the Colosseum for Arthur Ashe Stadium, both men fired and absorbed blow after blow across five sets and nearly five hours, until only one was left standing at 2:04 a.m.
Playing in his first US Open quarterfinal, Thiem roared out of the gates to take a rare 6-0 set off Nadal. It was no surprise to see Nadal fight back, and he slowly gained control of the match as the night wore on. Then, it was Thiem's turn to battle back.
These gladiators saved the best for last, rewarding the late-night Ashe crowd with a pair of tiebreaks in the fourth and fifth sets.
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[@unowen7591]

One of the best US Open matches ever

[@stuewz]

100% agree with you.

[@richardjochman2411]

What about djokovic vs Nadal 2011 ?

[@jameswalker6864]

@@richardjochman2411 Yes, and Nadal vs Djokovic 2010 and 2013 were good as well. Fantastic trilogy of USO matches between Nadal and Djokovic.

[@stuewz]

Richard Jochman Djokovic vs Nadal USO 2010,2011,2013 were too much one sided to be called the best matches ever... AO 2012 and RG 2013 were their best matches imo.

[@蔣勛鵬]

There are many amazing rallies in 2011 US final.

[@parikshaygoel6073]

one of the most physical match of all time.

[@JuanAMatos-zx4ub]

And just a month earlier than this match, Nadal had in my opinion one of the greatest matches ever against Djokovic at the Wimbledon SF. It's a pattern to see Nadal in these intense matches. So good.

[@JuanAMatos-zx4ub]

@TheScottishBeaver Djokovic vs Nadal Wimbledon SF was in 2018. I think you're referring to 2019

[@jameswalker6864]

@@JuanAMatos-zx4ub And just two days before playing that 5 sets marathon semifinal at Wimbledon 2018 against Djokovic, Nadal had yet another epic 5 sets marathon against an inspired Juan Martín Del Potro in the Wimbleodn 2018 quarterfinals. Yep, it is quite a pattern to see Nadal in those gladiator-like battles/matches!

[@JuanAMatos-zx4ub]

@@jameswalker6864 oh, had forgotten about that match! Nadal has had some great matches against Delpo

[@theobecquet8477]

Rafa also played 4h30 against Khachanov 4 days before that. In fact in the space of 2 months, he played 4 matches that lasted more than 4h30 and unfortunately this caused another injury for Rafa. He was really umbelieavable in 2018 but unfortunately he won only Roland Garros meanwhile playing great in all the slams

[@wahn10]

I watched this live and it was electric. Thiem was a human flame thrower, firing off winner after winner. But Rafa, wise dragon that he is, was not to be vanquished. The way he brushed aside being bageled at a Grand Slam (yikes!) to win sets 2 and 3 -- was beyond impressive. That's why he's a role model for how to deal with adversity. I will never get tired of watching Rafa fight his way back from major setbacks with a combination of belief, tenacity and brilliant problem solving skills.

[@vincelee8876]

Yeah its the problem solving that is so so respectable!

[@jigarrathod7591]

Lovely

[@jigarrathod7591]

Perfectly said...

[@jigarrathod7591]

Whats the price of ticket??

[@eduardomorgado1488]

you sgould be my english teacher, lovely writing

[@margaritasym2096]

When Rafa retires Im gonna be a Thiem fan😊

[@SasiKumar-fe7tb]

I am a huge fan of theim too

[@mrordinary5154]

SAME!

[@bicyclethief]

there's no need to wait :)

[@tennis.with.srijan]

The reason ???

[@tennis.with.srijan]

He's nothing in front of rafa and nole , he can only dominate over the old Federer

[@phil9855]

This was one of the best matches I've ever seen. Both are my favourite players. 🇪🇸Vamos RAFA 🇦🇹 Bamos DOMI 👍

[@humayunkabir5837]

Phillip Spiß check Djokovic vs Nadal 2012 AO final it was the longest and toughest match in the history of tennis. It was a clash of titans.

[@agar0285]

Longest was Isner vs Mahut in Wimbledon, 11 h

[@daniel6323]

@@humayunkabir5837 The level at the AO 2012 is vastly exaggerated. Even Wimbledon 2018 and Roland Garros 2013 put on a better show. AO was just long.

[@Fiery309]

I was there in person for this match - just unbelievable!!!!!! As an enormous Rafa fan, I found myself alternately stressed and enthralled! The tenacity, grit, problem solving skills and positive attitude of Rafa make him one of a kind!!

[@vipulyadav8682]

Standing ovation by Rafa's box for Domi ! So heartening to watch.

[@swarnabhdasgupta6572]

Timestamp please bro

[@AnaCeleste88]

@@swarnabhdasgupta6572 4:00:30

[@swarnabhdasgupta6572]

@@AnaCeleste88 thanks Ana

[@huntercook1726]

Thank you US Open!!!!!!!!!❤

[@usopen]

❤️

[@lucagaming6670]

epic pog champ

[@tennisfan599]

@@usopen will you make the courts this speed again?

[@OuchGotHurt]

Thank you US open for uploading this! High quality match from start to finish. As a Domi fan I think it's the only match I can stand to watch even though he didn't win. Btw the chair umpire was amazing, He didn't have it wrong once.

[@ImranSahir1]

Thiem is a beautiful combo of Rafa, Federer and Wawrinka. He is and will be one hell of a player to watch. Love Rafa's spirit to come back after suffering such a monstrous first set defeat.

[@jameswalker6864]

He plays more like Federer to be honest. His ultra-aggresive shot-making and one-handed backhand reminds me more of Federer.

[@michaelfinch2082]

Well said mate i felt the same .

[@mementomori9844]

@@jameswalker6864 his serve and backhands remind me of wawrinka tbh

[@joshuaj.2108]

Let's hope he recovers from the bad luck with injuries.

[@anappropriatehandle]

Could his nickname in the future be dominant Thiem.

[@PinoWilber]

he's called Dominator from press

[@pauljohnson6019]

No, he hasn't won any finals, three times he's choked, he choked here too, could have easily made some of those returns, but dumps it in the net- his future name should be Dolemenic Thiem!

[@jimnosnow4484]

Um... he’s THE DOMINATOR!!!

[@123sin]

Paul Johnson not now he’s goin win the French open no watch my words

[@user-oz2ws8dh9s]

Chooey Sooares you can't either

[@betalpha314]

Thiem's 1st set performance was absolutely outrageous - probably one of the highest levels of tennis ever achieved. But Rafa is Rafa..

[@innosanto]

Rafa is the Greek god of mentality. Zeus would give him that title in Olympus.

[@bettennisland]

YES

[@iselarivas2624]

NO, idiot

[@marclugitsch]

Everyone telling that Rafa played badly the first set has no clue. You can play that level that your opponent allows you to play and Domi just played it perfectly with immense pressure from baseline.

[@__last]

I think Rafa played well but just didnt rly adapt quick enough, around the 4-0 mark i think he was just trying to tire Thiem out and give the first set so that in the 2nd he can take control

[@thesmalllebowski284]

One of the best matches ever played. It's right up there

[@irisce2799]

3:59:09 Respect for Thiem and Nadal. They are the only 2 top players I've ever seen who make eye contact with the umpire and give them a proper handshake.

[@br1729]

Best match I've ever seen live. Expect it will remain so.

[@arvindiyer6012]

Can't thank you enough for this, US Open!! Been waiting for this epic match for SO long!! Any chance of Thiem vs Del Potro 2017 some time in the future?

[@tarasb2946]

The tennis showed by Thiem in the 1st set was something out of this world. I am supporting Nadal and I was sure at that time that Dominic`s level would go down in some time, which actually happened. But man, that first set was the best and the most intense tennis I ever watched I think, and I started watching in 1994.

[@shauryapatel]

The commentary at 1:19:51 seconds shows why playing Nadal is the most difficult and challenging task in Tennis history.

[@lisahazard7423]

One of amazing matches 👍👍 I am so nervous watching this last time, but after Rafa came back.. Everything changed. I am Rafa biggest fan ❤️❤️ And I love Thiem to because he's one of good players in the world.

[@z1az285]

Irresistible force vs immovable object. You can decide who is who. The more I watch this match the more I want to see it again. Stunning. Come back Dominic and Rafa, the game needs you 🙏

[@animelover1904]

Both r my favourite Tennis players

[@zlatanthegod3525]

best matches in history means nadal's matches

[@p911c32]

Dominics career was great, but too short. I will miss him, great guy.

[@jj6392]

Amazing how Rafa was able to bounce back from the mental devastation of being bageld. Mental Giant. compare that to how Joker never recovered from the bagel rafa gave him at the French.

[@ehrro]

Ahah he recovered by destroying Nadal at the French open 2021

[@minyrar7107]

@@ehrro let me rephrased this for you. He “recovered” by playing an injured Nadal in RG 2021”. I know it hurts to know the truth and I know Djokovic fans will never accept it.

[@swarnabhdasgupta6572]

@@minyrar7107 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣thats a tight slap

[@NamTran-xc2ip]

@@minyrar7107as always, whenever Nadal lose, it’s injuries

[@e.c.bogers-prins6464]

Well, matches Like this helps me to corona crisis. Thank You.

[@arlenemoya99]

This match led to retiring of Rafa at semis against Delpo. Dominic tires him so much and no energy left on the next match. I like Dominic so much to be the heir of my idol Rafa once he retires. Keep on fighting Dominic you get there sooner than you think.

[@jameswalker6864]

It has nothing to do with "energy", Nadal wasn't tired at all against Delpo, he was running before his knee injury. He suffered a KNEE INJURY in that match against Delpo that costed him the rest of 2018. In fact, Nadal played no more matches the rest of 2018. So no, he wasn't tired, he was injured, which is completely different.

[@mariegracesumbrado300]

@@jameswalker6864 youre right

[@theobecquet8477]

@@jameswalker6864 The thing is, It's tough to imagine that this match didn't cause the injury. Look at that intensity and for 5h, It was insane ! In comparison the Djokovic/Federer Wimbledon 2019 final was a training session in terms of intensity. On top of that Rafa played 4h30 against Khachanov 4 days before. He was dead

[@vasylshcherban4825]

It was 5h hell of the fight. Just incredible match! Kudos to Thiem and Vamooooos Rafa!

[@dominiquefride572]

I've been waiting for this one since day one of quanrantine !!! Thank youuuuuuu !!! 😍😍😍😍

[@azbreed]

A great match. Thiem is becoming one of my new favs behind Nadal of course. I would love to see a match between Edberg and Becker. They had some awesome matches in their time.

[@vasylshcherban4825]

It was not a match... it was the battle!

[@PiyushSharma12479]

3:53:32 i love everything Rafa do Even a simple ball toss 😍

[@shortlife7458]

3:43:10 THE BEST POINT EVER!!! Wow!!

[@k_evralo23]

Yes, it really is!!! Mamma mia... Domi is so great!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@aldiyarmasimkhanov2344]

yep

[@swarnabhdasgupta6572]

I am a diehard Rafa fan and I really miss Thiem on tour he is such a nice and humble guy and no doubt a great player

[@ashrafsahli2869]

I enjoyed each single moment in this match, both of players kept surprising me until the last second.

[@-theislander-5888]

after that first set i knew rafa would win. even sent a friend a text, who i previously told to bet on rafa, not to worry.

[@Xevoro]

Let alone the rest of the match which was just superb, can we just marvel at the fact that Thiem beat Nadal in a set in only 24 minutes?! That's the most impressive thing about this entire match to me. Don't get me wrong, the entire match was extraordinarily impressive, but Thiem really won a set over Nadal in just 24 minutes. Mind-boggling.

[@kundakaps]

Kohlschreiber begeled him in 2017 in Miami in the first set. Berdych also demolished him in the 2015 AO QF 6-2 6-0 7-6 Even more impressive to me was his ass-whooping at the hands of Dustin Brown at the 2015 Wimbledon. Of course he wasn't begeled but still.

[@aleksamilosevic8792]

@@kundakaps 2 of them are from 2015.

[@kundakaps]

@@aleksamilosevic8792 So what? The first was in 2017. Giving Nadal a bagel isn't that extraordinary.

[@kundakaps]

@@juansalvadorgarcinifernnde8657 Dude try to read from the beginning. Thiem also lost the match! Nadal won. I am responding to the thought that bageling Nadal is extraordinary when it has happened several times.

[@kundakaps]

@Funnyduck Doesn't matter what happened in 2015 and 2016. He entered and played tournaments. He even won some of them or went deep in the QF or SF. Outside of the 2016 RG and Wimbledon when he had a wrist injury, he was fit to play.

[@johannesmergarten]

wow. that was one of the most entertaining, if not the most entertaining match i've seen

[@rodidevolder3358]

2019 quarter final us open federen vs dimitrov

[@youshenglv5616]

Ya. Thats an good match

[@オラフ僕-s7j]

2014 Nishikori vs raonic

[@thedayisnigh5886]

One of the greatest matched of all time

[@varunshahvo-tv9854]

So usta losing ton of money and uploading full matches during lockdown.. Loving it

[@pd3924]

Thiem is so very handsome.

[@katsudonisyummy4240]

I love both players tennis😍 Nadals tenacity and his superb forehand is so entertaining and thiems powerful backhand is just divine☺

[@maxmaker76]

That match should have been the FINAL!

[@mytennisjourney4949]

I became fan of Thiem after this great match.

[@filliusawusi6174]

By the time season begins, Dominic will be 27.. Talented but needs to win A Slam by 2022.. Big 2 can possibly win next 6 - 8 Slams.. Rafael and Novak have Won the last 8 Slams.. French Open 2018 - AO 2020.. Bravo..

[@zautun5116]

Amazing players thanks for uploading

[@ml6829]

Rafa is the king of comeback...

[@riccardochifari9289]

Nadal is one of the best sportman of our time.

[@yayachacha4210]

Thank you for all of these videos! Before I played not that well but thanks to all your videos I improved a lot!

[@babyblu5590]

What a monster 1st set! Geez! Thiem is throwing them heavy balls around like no tomorrow. It's making Rafa make unforced errors.

[@ashleewoods9205]

Nothing like staying up for this entire match in a college dorm and trying not to scream in relief when Nadal won.

[@horsepower523]

Yeah, but sadly the next match against Delpo was such a disappointment.

[@antheiheiant]

Why?

[@klaraliontheroad]

2 years later Domi won the trophy and is world number 3...hard work really does pay off.

[@davidluck1678]

19:50 ...."in your life have you ever seen anything like it?" Nope, amazing.

[@davidluck1678]

going to re-view first 22 minutes again before watching the rest of this match....just to make sure that 1st set Austrian blitzkrieg actually happened. Dustin Brown beat up Nadal @ Wimbolden, but that was by charging the net.....Thiem did it all from the baseline. Can Nadal come back from this massacre?

[@johannesmergarten]

thanks for the upload!!! what a treat

[@charis5258]

wish the changeovers weren’t cut. raw match

[@teddym.7981]

Rafa dug deep on this one. It was very obvious he wasn't feeling 100%, but he fought through it!

[@lunsas]

Yeah because he withdrew after this match 😢😢😢😢

[@swarnabhdasgupta6572]

Iam a die hard Rafa fan but must commend Thiem for bageling rafa its no easy job even for the greats

[@abelmourino5454]

3:59:33 and 4:00:28 Nadal applauding Thiem on his way out of the court. What a legend

[@mbar349]

Nadal es un gran deportista y una gran persona

[@k_evralo23]

That's pure respect... 😊

[@rajaajay8446]

Whenever the opponent leaves the court..he often used to do that... respect = NADAL

[@viccelito]

Someone needs to practise overheads, thank you US Open for bringing one of the matches I've ever seen.

[@odonski9611]

someone needs to practice spelling

[@angelatanurdzic7508]

Incredibly game by Rafa 😍

[@alancosta4760]

I'm in 2045 and Thiem is injured yet

[@nightboy4855]

Just unbelievable 👏👏👏

[@tidekeltlight938]

Thank you us open i love you

[@daniellecozzetto5802]

these announcers are probably my favourite, they’re great

[@Rohit-yb5nf]

Best match in 2018

[@Mzee1084]

Love Thiem. Really hope he starts to win some slams. My favorite of the next gen.

[@GhostRider-ex6qb]

the 1 Set was crazy from Thiem, out of this world

[@akankshguptagamer]

cannot believe last set did not have super tiebreak...crazy to have match point at 6-5 in the fifth

[@JohnjOcampo]

Thiem is a firecracker but Nadal is too complete.

[@souvikjha8242]

that is what u expect from a 20 time grand slam champion.......

[@ramon8351]

Legendary match

[@huntercook1726]

Love this match I wish thiem won it tho

[@trevisrobotie924]

i wish Nadal won it again(today).lol

[@rusdayatiidrus5401]

Having played Rafa several times, Thiem gets fatigued to the deepest part of his bones n then start to steadily decline n collapse. Zeverez has just experienced even the worse end results.

[@2142cristiano]

Thiem has already been on Grand Slams' final for a few times, he has already proven to be the best player beyond big four. Can't blame him much, the big four are even recognized as the top ones in history.

[@robinsoncruise2228]

Wawrinka won 3 grand slams so obviously better

[@swarnabhdasgupta6572]

He has played to RG finals vs Rafa

[@juanrasalazarduarte9425]

And two years later he is in the final agains Zverev woow

[@candy0079]

U have no work to do...😭 Me toooo

[@TrollMagic1987]

Thanks US Open Tennis Championships!

[@erickalava6325]

Amainzg match

[@maxponsetis1948]

que pierde o que gana pa mi es el mejor nunca vammooooooos

[@antoinegonnet7639]

As a thiem fan, I've seen this match and i was so frustrated. Thiem has done so many unforced errors in the last tie break... He could have won this match, even if he lost it is still one of my fav match to watch

[@flaviencrozier]

Il love Rafa's outfit 😍😍

[@muhammadawaludin1122]

One of the best game Tennis ever

[@purwantiallan5089]

Here after Nadal won the 2020 Roland Garros...

[@dexxxy89]

Here after Novak won the Australian Open 2021. In one year we will witness Novaks 21th grand slam title.

[@carlosandrescastromedina3100]

@@dexxxy89 maybe even this year, wow

[@RobertKangchristianunix]

The boys are destroying the ball~~

[@kouki.tennisplayer_Sinner_fan]

Thiem is the best tennis player now. I am sad. I am Japanese. English is difficult. I love Thiem.

[@CameronIsNotFunny]

1:54 is one of the best backhands I have ever seen.

[@quynhvu7902]

Thanks ad❤️

[@gokulnallusamy4135]

Best USO match ever

[@eduardoantoniodicavalcanti]

Fantástico! 🇧🇷

[@andy8511]

Incredible match, i will never forget it!!!

[@rupinjeremiah9589]

"Nadal's banana. He curled it!"

[@yanko1631]

Épico partidazo por parte de estos 2 monstruos del tennis, ver cómo Nadal se levanta de ese 6-0 en el primer set y cerrar de una forma magistral vs un Thiem aguerrido que siempre da batalla hasta el final, bien por Nadal 💪 vamos Rafa 💪

[@miltonng4116]

Just wanted to watch a thiem match as warmup for his final against Zverev today at USO20, little did I know 4 hours flew by

[@yussepig6629]

One of the greatest matches

[@apexshorts3047]

To be very true with you guys when commentators say how hard that shot is and trust me if these shots were hard for them they wouldn’t be there as world top players

[@lvlup3173]

You are facing a player and that player is playing at highest level possible... Normal player will drop his Weapons and Surrender.. Rafa nadal will match that level and beat That guy and made that guy Surrender his weapons....

[@manjunathd]

Not a mussle power this is will power of Nadaal..

[@focusproductionarts]

3:43:05 Some another planet game.

[@An7on1o]

RAFA A TRUE LEGEND

[@helgageraldine513]

I'm so happy I didn't watch this match live.. Or I could have died! Huge Rafa fan but Thiem comes close as my third favorite. (Federer is second 😉)

[@the_fitness_doc]

Still an awesome battle 3 years on!