The night Rafa Nadal and Dominic Thiem reached their PHYSICAL LIMITS!

The night that Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem met at the 2018 US Open in the quarterfinals. The match that science cannot explain turned into a tough physical and mental battle.
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[@seandangio]

The way they hug at the end just absolutely breaks my heart - what a match.

[@TomH001]

It's when they both realize in a match like that there are no losers ; both played at the peak of their ability and in that moment they show respect to each other after a grueling battle which pushed them to the limit , which is satisfying for a tennis player to be able to do

[@BrotherTree1]

Nadal has broken many players' hearts over his insanely legendary career.

[@victorlu5399]

That’s what legends do

[@srikanthvenkat6680]

He is the greatest. Cemented into history

[@elias8645]

Djokovic Broke morr

[@terrfan]

"medvedev"

[@symba-uo3os]

Frankly, Thiem Is a very down to earth person, loosing to Nadal Is not smtg that would break his Heart,unfortunately, his body let him down

[@AllgoodthingsTv]

One of the all time best matches I've ever seen. Both players just slamming the ball across the court and some incredible, seemingly impossible shots made.

[@annicecooper8105]

Rafa has had so many of these amazing matches over the years. Wimbledon 2008, AO semi's & final 2009, RG 2014, Wimbledon Quarters 2018, USO 2019, AO 2022....A true legend and gentleman.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

​@Annice Cooper A lot of the Greatest matches of all time were in the Quarterfinals.

[@annicecooper8105]

@@jeffreykaufmann2867 agreed, semis too, less nerves about screwing it up at the final hurdle maybe. Fear of winning Rafa calls it.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

@@annicecooper8105 why would someone be afraid of winning?

[@annicecooper8105]

@@jeffreykaufmann2867 it's the term Rafa describes it himself in his autobiography, particularly in relation to Wimbledon '08. I guess the previous two years he had come so close ( esp '07 ).

[@superjarri]

How brutal is the one handed backhand from Thiem? It's crazy the angles and power he gets

[@-BigIi-]

Yes it is brutal indeed... Another similar is Stanimal, when he's in form.. They say court side his one-arm backhand is quite loud, because he generates much power with it.

[@pierroulechou]

can be brutal one day and a huge weakness an other day, 1 hander is almost all the time a weakness. those players need to have an insane Forehand to compensate. Federer included.

[@mariodoblado668]

​@@pierroulechou pretty much, right now 2 hander is the meta specially on the return aspect of the game, far more consistent and acurate too

[@deathbombs]

1 handlers are all literally extinct on top ranks now. Lol

[@skychaos87]

That's the advantage of 1h backhand, you have more reach/angle and power but has lesser sweet spot hitting zone and requires more preparation which makes it harder to be consistent. In today's game where the courts are slower and ball bounces higher, 1h backhand players would usually be pushed further back to take the ball on the drop. Taking the ball on the rise is risky and difficult, but when Roger changed his game to do that in 2017, he suddenly becomes competitive again and won a few more slams.

[@MIZUNOMP60]

I hope Thiem can get back to this level again, he's a class act like Nadal. I love his aggressive game, one of the all time great single-handed backhands.

[@huzcer]

Unfortunately for him that just does not look in any way like it's happening at this stage. He never beat the Big 3 in the slam finals. The one final that he won was the worst 5 set slam final of all time.

[@doyouseeme5060]

​@@huzcerthe one against zverev?

[@alfiomartins5390]

The level of Thiem is more or less the same but the actual top is 10 simply too much for him. He still has a great BH but the FH is not enough for the new level of tennis.

[@tomfritz6257]

lol. his level is not same, its way less then before@@alfiomartins5390

[@NenadPeter]

I was lucky enough to be at this match. Almost didn't end up going. I couldn't believe that Thiem bageled Nadal first set. After Nadal won the second I knew it was going all the way. The best match I've ever seen in person and right at the top all time. The level was absolutely legendary. I really felt for Dominic, he needed to get over this Big Three hurdle and this was a great chance when they were all still playing! Got back to the hotel at 4 AM but it was well worth it.

[@virginiaknighten4687]

How lucky you were to have been able to experience this amazing event!

[@stepaushi]

"After Nadal won the second I knew it was going all the way." There's no way you could have *known* Nadal would win. It went to a tie-breaker in the fifth set, far from a given!

[@taulantprenci2614]

Thiem vs Nadal matches are always a show.

[@TheRealSuperwiesel]

Both are the most power players on tour for me

[@Acsantes73]

I hope Thiem can get back to that level of tennis again!

[@grimson]

Nadal's nerve at 5-5 in the tiebreak to hit that overhead while backpedaling, and then put away the reply. Two warriors. Amazing match.

[@andyroo9381]

This was a high drama match! It had so many ups and downs. Either player could have won this battle but it was Nadal in the very end. Nadal is just brutal and relentless. You can't ever let a point go when you play against Rafa. He will take the match from you. Nadal Is The KING!

[@dannyboyrodas]

This kind of tattles always, always , alwways win Nadal, he is the boss giving 100 physical limits.

[@maka3230]

Nadal never gives up even after bagel on first set

[@Cocoyog]

The best match of this US Open 2018 without a doubt ! 💥👌🏻

[@Luchon20082010]

The best match of the us open ever!

[@HoangTruong-vk7ek]

​@@Luchon20082010 nope 2019 final rafa vs medvedev tops this. Its still an insanw match tho.

[@Divvy21]

@@HoangTruong-vk7ek Djokovic Nadal us open 2011 for me is the best. The rallies were intense.

[@Escorpio123PS]

The shots here are out of this world. They were hitting so hard the ball. 😮

[@aninwaloda6759]

Exploding the ball

[@maryhanson2996]

Just one of the many hours of joy Rafa has provided.And plenty of heartbreak too.

[@Johnny_island]

One of the best matches in decades for sure.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

The last point of this match is the Greatest example in Tennis History of why you should try to return every shot.

[@valsainking]

You know this was an epic balls-to-the-wall battle when, even though I knew who won, I still got white knuckles watching this classic all over again. By the way, for an undisputed clay-court master, no one drives a NYC crowd as wild as Rafa. That was definitely a night to remember. 🤩🤩

[@olifedererrmurray]

Thiem was an absolute BEAST

[@sunnydays5742]

I hope this Thiem comes back soon. He is missed 😊

[@MrLyminhtri]

That's great quality match highlight. Thanks for uploading.

[@ixra54]

que recuerdos ver asi a dominic thiem ojala vuelva a este nivel

[@amrfarouk9741]

The best match I have ever seen

[@l.hb.5160]

He didn’t change his body. He changed his mind. It’s the mind only. Every great player will tell you this.

[@kaiiiiii3934]

I miss this Thiem , so much fun to watch 😢

[@0077delevadova]

29:45 Look at the discipline here 😮 only Borg could trump this level of control

[@TheRafaelBond]

what?

[@0077delevadova]

@@TheRafaelBond I know right? this is one of the many reasons I like this guy

[@ADITYASHARMA-nh4wq]

I don't think even borg can do that I love this man

[@Nycku007]

@@TheRafaelBond he didnt got angry after the easy error , just got back to playing the next point.

[@WebSeriessZone]

Federer would have smashed it 🔥

[@corvinlord]

Once of my all-time favorite matches as well

[@kwilson5832]

When I saw this video was 'only' 46 minutes long, I thought 'What a shame, I would have liked to have seen the whole match'. As such, I would like to mention the superb editing that has gone in to making this - thank you.

[@cks2020693]

balls usually look slow from this angle, but not with this match, what insane intensity

[@aninwaloda6759]

It's one of the fastest surfaces in the world

[@verdipoggi7434]

It's really hard to believe this level of proficiency. Incredibly well played from both players.

[@celestialspartan7977]

This match cost Rafa the rest of the season,that year

[@ADITYASHARMA-nh4wq]

Yup

[@idleking31]

Refresh our memories 😅

[@isjawu]

As quite often, the match point is an essence of the whole match. Great serve and great attack, but the beast brings it back, and brings it back so good to force the final error.

[@dominiquehouleemc1044]

How can you not love tennis!!

[@gailsykes2691]

Brilliant match, fantastic players. Not taking anything away from Thiem but my heart sings when Rafa fights like this. Sadly it also breaks a little bit thinking I may never see him play like this again due his recent injuries 😥

[@jkj1459]

WHAT A GREAT PLAYER NADAL EVEN AFTER WINNING 22 GRANDSLAMS I NEVER SEEN HIM ABUSING RACQUET OR EXPRESSING ANGER

[@samking2094]

There was that one time at Wimbledon against Nick Kyrios, when Kyrios slammed a ball at Nadal, Nadal's body didn't really react, but his eyes said "I WANNA KILL YOU!"

[@P3rfil]

The best of the history 💪🇪🇦

[@joffreycaligula4507]

Amazing battle !!!

[@johnheavner7947]

Yes, one of the all time great matches!

[@doemehunatt]

That's great quality highlight. Thanks!

[@adeolaadefowora155]

Even I am exhausted just watching these two!🥱

[@taramartin1909]

This is tennis master piece I watch at least once every 2 weeks. Absolutely one of my guilty pleasures. They both played as if it was a final - Thiem gave everything & the kitchen sink. Nadal gave everything, the kitchen sink, then he added the taps to the sink.

[@OverHypedG]

amazing quality man, thanks!

[@laurastone6578]

I saw this match. It was grueling for both players….but the G.O.A.T. made it through! 👏

[@jacobschmidt2709]

Doesn't mean a thing if he couldn't even make the final.

[@samtaylordelaney7170]

I love that you have the ESPN broadcast of this match.

[@CrisLifeCoach]

One the very few Eternal Battles of Titans 🔥 Absolutely spectacular and exquisite ⭐️ ALL IN GREAT TENNIS AND MENTALITY

[@amirhossein9170]

What a underrated match

[@emmyelijah7395]

Nadal to Thiem at the net: "very well played"

[@cedricdecharme]

What do you want to say...Muchas gracias por todo Rafa 😘😘😘

[@gruntled7621]

Always tough against Nadal. Just when you think the point is over, he's able to retrieve the ball and come up with a winner. As if his life dependes on that point. Plus his game is brutal. But as intense as he is, he's absolutely gracious in victory, very good off the court.

[@vanessacort2370]

I've only just seen this...wht an awesome match!!If ever there was a match tht both deserved to win it eas this👌🏿👍🏾👏🏾

[@manuelnunodelarosacarrillo8452]

it's incredible match for the Rafael Nadal and Dominic

[@rockradstone]

Absolutely one of the BEST matches I've ever seen, and I'm talking about matches over the past fifty years. Entertaining and astounding, right up to the hug at the end. Congrats to both exceptional players---thank you.

[@RobertKangchristianunix]

This was a WAR !! Two world-class guys!! All fans in the stadium and around the world just watched an excellent sport film. Thiem did not win but the world just saw that he can go against just about anyone in this world~~

[@paragchauhan342]

Biggest what if in tennis history. I still remember at one point thiem had positive head to head against all of big 3.

[@shadowxtwinkey]

Watched this live. Couldn’t bear to imagine what it is like to lose a match like that. I’ve had some heartbreakers, but come on, this? At this stage? Brutal.

[@th8257]

John McEnroe used to say that he personally always hated winning the first set 6-0 because it made him think his opponent hadn't shown up yet and that he may not be able to keep it going. Wise words - there have been a few big matches over the years when someone has lost after winning the first set 6-0 (e.g. Connors and Borg 1981 Wimbledon semi; Sanchez-Vicario and Graf 1992 French Open semi)

[@babyblu5590]

And that's how you absorb the crowd's energy...

[@liveheavyshows]

Nadal will always win and be the best player of all time and the most difficult to beat ever existed, he is on another level.

[@SendaAngosta]

really? will always win? well he has lost to Paul not too far ago.

[@liveheavyshows]

@@SendaAngosta everybody lost a tennis match but he will be the best player ever existed, fast, strong, smart and doing plays that only Federer did, a true mind a Warrior, I'm not a NADAL FAN boy but he deserve be the number one before retirement.

[@whiterabbit8243]

@@liveheavyshows no, clearly you're a fanboy. get off his meat.

[@liveheavyshows]

@@whiterabbit8243 im not a Nadal fan before I hate Nadal always because some things he did on the court but we must to recognize was the player most difficult to beat.

[@diegokuzmacruzalegui135]

I'm a fedfan, but honestly the most difficult to beat is Djokovic, then Nadal. However in clay... Nadal is just something else

[@gwynjames]

Nadal is one of the best ever players what he has achieved is ridiculous always amazing to watch

[@Faizan_Rizvi]

He is a MONSTER...

[@subzoroboy]

To me this match was better than the wimbledon 08 final, probably 1 of the best matches ive watched my whole life

[@apexshorts3047]

As an Rafa fan when he lose 1 set 6-0 so my sister said ohh no he’s gonna lose then I calmly said to her he’s not gonna lose but this match going to be very long victory for Rafa that’s all 😂😂

[@virginiaknighten4687]

This is one of my favorite kits of Rafa’s.😍

[@vidyasonavane9602]

Iconic picture of Rafa and dominic

[@hamsandwich1860]

I am so happy to have been watching this match live. It was unbelievable to see how deep nadal will go to win. Even when thiem was literally on fire.

[@fran_rodrigo]

Brutal...👏👏👏

[@ertugrulkorpinar51]

Best Match of the Last decade

[@TheRafaelBond]

wow wtf

[@Dark_Voice]

I still think there were way better matches like Rafa vs Nole AO 2012 even though Rafa failed to put that one away or Rafa vs Nole FO 2013 even though Nole did a massive blunder there.

[@SJ-di5zu]

@@Dark_Voice As far as pure quality this match is up there, but I agree it’s not the best. Especially with it being a QF and Nadal retiring the next match. There’s more important matches out there that had similar quality, like AO 2012 or RG 2013 (speaking strictly the 2010s). This match is underrated though.

[@user-cy6xl3vd3f]

@@Dark_Voice these ones, and also Djoker wawrinka AO 2013, federer nadal AO 2017, federer tsonga AO 2013, federer Djoker USO 2011, fed Djoker FO 2011, nadal Djoker Wimb 2018... Plenty of matches at least as good as this one here.

[@theobecquet8477]

@@user-cy6xl3vd3f Roger vs Rafa AO 2017 or Fed vs Tsonga don't come close to this. Rafa vs Novak Wim 2018 or Fed vs Novak 2011 FO and USO yes, that was crazy level

[@ashourashoura]

Best game i have ever seen so far what an amazing match Thiem is really amazing fighter i have ever heard about him before this video i enjoyed every second in this video

[@anthonydecastro6938]

this is the level that Thiem needs to get back to... and one hopes he gets to it soon and surpass it...

[@ghostdog_ninja]

6-0 just saying. show me the next gen guys who can play like this.

[@jakubkrupa9493]

and still lose... All next gen can play high lvl tennis but there are unstable and missing big points. Dominic culdnt play whole match like in first set that was unbe.

[@adithyanaren519]

@@jakubkrupa9493 he did it finally in AO 2020 quarter final but he couldn’t maintain the same level in the finals.

[@adithyanaren519]

@Chung Yin CHEUNG True mate that he choked. but its Just my opinion that I felt his level was higher in the quarterfinals. His backhands were misfiring in the Final. I rewatched both the matches in QF he had extra energy which is obvious

[@adithyanaren519]

@Chung Yin CHEUNG But still novak was doing novak things and played clutch tennis

[@adithyanaren519]

@Chung Yin CHEUNG yeah always from 2-0 and especially 15-40 lol

[@guillermorolandocornejoasc7186]

this was an amazing match!!

[@baohoainguyen]

Thiem just unloads those cannon shots. No one else plays like he does.

[@user-nx5mh8kp4e]

Terrific battle

[@cosmojairzinho14]

Thiem ,del potro ,wawrinka,soderling cilic .. Every player who broke through the big three dominance..never managed to recover from the toll it took

[@bendikgjevjon9261]

Most macho tennis I ever seen from Thiem and what an backhand

[@dannyboyrodas]

Siempre en los partidos épicos en los que juegan al límite ambos jugadores, siempre pero siempre los gana Nadal, tiene una cabeza tremenda y unos huevos enormes !!!

[@SendaAngosta]

No siempre. Djokovic le ha ganado varios partidos épicos y Federer en el último Australia que ganó también venció en 5 sets.

[@jacobschmidt2709]

Thiem 2020 AO and WTF's 2020 would like to have a word with you.

[@gaganbhambore1794]

this is sooooooo goooooood

[@angelatanurdzic7508]

Amazing match 🔥

[@juanpablom7430]

Es brutal ver golpear con esa fuerza a los 2 jugadores, jugando con esa intensidad, hasta el final del partido. Increible, épico!

[@aninwaloda6759]

They were throwing bombs everywhere , Rafa" forhand vs Thiem's Backhand , absolutely breathtaking battle❤

[@manjunathd]

Rafa i miss you in wimbelden

[@ura12mansan3narexo]

LEGEND OF LEGEND EVER

[@PANJANG-sn3th]

powerfull match

[@Awesomegamerz2627]

Yess,,,Nadal is a blast of tennis 🎾

[@kdhd100]

Nadal is incredible hulk...... The longer the match/point goes the more brutal he gets......

[@djevesan]

Que fortaleza mental la de Nadal ....No es humano!!

[@appie2901]

That backhand by Domi looks so freaking nice, my goodness. Just a level below Roger and Stan. So aesthetically pleasing..

[@adegboladeadebote754]

What a match!

[@MentalPow3R]

that's INSANE

[@BvBCrafty]

17:15 how the fck can you make that shot. running around the backhand and hitting the ball while it is still on its way up?! Omfg this is one of the cleanest shots I have ever seen. Wonderful shot! Great match!

[@julianocorsino6836]

The intensity of this game (and I mean during the WHOLE game) probably won't be beaten anytime soon... Both went to the extreme and didn't propose to rest. Points played 1-1 as if they were in match points. Sorry, but I need to compare, because my number 1 idol will always be Federer and that's the only thing I miss in his game, the INTENSITY. Even AO 2017 and Winbledon 2019, which are in my TOP 5 of greatest games in history, didn't have the intensity of this game here. I wish THIEM a quick return to its best phase!!!

[@logosinghi6574]

Super super power man Rafael Nadal

[@esquibelle]

For those who don't know the entire Nadal family adored Thiem. He traveled w them & practiced w Rafa often.

[@cheikhwague6185]

Monster Rafa💓

[@amarpimple8067]

One of the best matches ever.....boy, i had thought Thiem would b the next no 1 player.....he was sooooo good

[@Ritzenschieber]

One Word, Machine

[@akgo2684]

Prime Rafa was not having it after that first set.

[@aketzah]

Creo que es el mejor partido que he visto en pista dura

[@jacobschmidt2709]

Murray/Djokovic AO 2012 semis and Nadal/Djokovic AO 2012 finals were better.

[@smashthestateX]

best quality 60fps vid of this match on youtube. the oficial us open channel is so bad quality, 480p and 24fps. shame

[@ahakangard]

The fact that Thiem could stand up to Nadal from that far back in the court. Shouldn't be possible. Historically -especially in US Open - whoever can play close to the baseline wins it

[@cormorant_on_arock7934]

I'm so glad Thiem has won at least one Major. That way people will really remember him - he is certainly no "one slam wonder;" the guy was one of the best in the world for a long period of time. I sure hope he makes a comeback. Not even sure what happened to him. Wrist injury and fatigue, as I understand it. I guess that is enough to cause one to fade away at a young age. At any rate, I hope he gets over both of those things; I believe he can but at this point I am not sure he will.

[@Kessra]

Sure, Thiem reached 4 GS finals and won the last one, he also reached ATP finals final in 2 consecutive years and he won an ATP 1000 tournament and plenty of 250s or 500s. But the Thiem we see for the past few years, even before his wrist injury, is just a bad shadow of him. At times it feels like he doesn't want to play but has to due to sponsor contracts and the like and stuff he says feels more like an excuse for not taking his job more serious. If you look at his play stile, he lacks the power and precision he used to have and became rather impatient and in an attempt to shorten the ball exchange puts in plenty of risk which often backfires. At this moment he is probably his worst enemy by wanting to much and trying to force his way back There have been plenty of players that really struggled to come back to their old form, but they at least could fight for top 40 positions. Thiem currently even struggles against players on the challenger level and just made it to the AO because players in front of him dropped out. You could also see that he gets less and less wildcards offered for tournaments which means he has to go through qualifications. 4 years ago he was in the final of the AO and now he doesn't even receive a wildcard as the organizers of the tournament are confident that he won't get far. That's unfortunately the honest truth. I really would love to see him back in his 2019/2020 form again, but I don't see the fighting spirit he used to have and thus I think videos like these are the only way we can see his real potential.