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

[@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

[@airkuna]

:D don't cry it's just tennis...

[@tytn9978]

It always impresses me how two athletes can play such a hard-fought match and still be gracious in victory AND defeat! Tennis truly is a gentleman's (gentle-woman's too) sport at the end of the day!

[@dareks.3040]

Common, dont be a puss. They know each other since long years.

[@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 ).

[@Ihatepotatos123ski]

Who is here after Thiem retired? What a player! And backhand, the angles and power he generated with that was insane. Kinda crazy that he ended up retiring before Rafa

[@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!

[@craigchamberlain]

@@stepaushi He didn't say Nadal would win, he said he thought it was going all the way which means a 5 set match, which it was.

[@msgvpercy]

What a fab memory!

[@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

[@m.a.g.3920]

He has left the Game....😢🤦​@@alfiomartins5390

[@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.

[@Escorpio123PS]

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

[@aninwaloda6759]

Exploding the ball

[@brettanthony3127]

Indeed, but there were some ridiculous unforced errors as well

[@maryhanson2996]

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

[@MrLyminhtri]

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

[@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

[@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!

[@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.

[@edwardchilikawei7962]

16:11 such great hitting

[@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.

[@jeffreykaufmann2867]

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

[@Johnny_island]

One of the best matches in decades for sure.

[@sunnydays5742]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@ixra54]

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

[@olifedererrmurray]

Thiem was an absolute BEAST

[@PeterPan-pt5wr]

feeling so sad for thiem, he had such a talent. one of the beautifulst way to play tennis

[@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. 🤩🤩

[@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.

[@Moviez-Buff]

Federer would have smashed it 🔥

[@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.

[@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 😥

[@amrfarouk9741]

The best match I have ever seen

[@BajaVegan]

As his opponents always say...first he takes your legs....then he destroys your confidence .....then he takes your mind.....then he breaks your heart....then he ruthlessly robs your soul....and when the destruction is over...he is back to being the sweetest, kindest, most humble human being in the world of sports. Rafa is an enigma within an enigma...that can't be solved or duplicated again. As a Yinzer (Pittsburgh sports maniac) I really know sports....since a very young age....I'd say Ali did this to opponents...but Rafa since his teens has honed this particular brand of ruthless agony on the court....while somehow staying the most honorable and human man in the world of sports.

[@kaiiiiii3934]

I miss this Thiem , so much fun to watch 😢

[@CrisLifeCoach]

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

[@johnheavner7947]

Yes, one of the all time great matches!

[@P3rfil]

The best of the history 💪🇪🇦

[@samtaylordelaney7170]

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

[@verdipoggi7434]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@maka3230]

Nadal never gives up even after bagel on first set

[@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.

[@doemehunatt]

That's great quality highlight. Thanks!

[@dominiquehouleemc1044]

How can you not love tennis!!

[@OverHypedG]

amazing quality man, thanks!

[@joffreycaligula4507]

Amazing battle !!!

[@celestialspartan7977]

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

[@ADITYASHARMA-nh4wq]

Yup

[@idleking31]

Refresh our memories 😅

[@foodreacts837]

I don’t understand why did it

[@cedricdecharme]

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

[@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

[@babyblu5590]

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

[@adeolaadefowora155]

Even I am exhausted just watching these two!🥱

[@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.

[@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!"

[@AlexIsUber]

I just hope people remember Thiem post retirement just like Wawrinka at least even tho he only has 1 slam. His game and power is just unreal

[@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 😂😂

[@Faizan_Rizvi]

He is a MONSTER...

[@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👌🏿👍🏾👏🏾

[@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.

[@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.

[@raherasmussen]

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

[@liveheavyshows]

@@raherasmussen 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

[@amirhossein9170]

What a underrated match

[@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

[@joseaugustine5348]

I feel like crying for Dominic. One of the best matches from Dominic against Nadal whose longer experience helped. Stroke for stroke Dominic had the upper hand though.

[@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 !!!

[@raherasmussen]

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.

[@emmyelijah7395]

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

[@manuelnunodelarosacarrillo8452]

it's incredible match for the Rafael Nadal and Dominic

[@paragchauhan342]

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

[@ølandå-z3c]

Thiem is the only one allowed to grunt because of the power and intensity he hits with

[@amarpimple8067]

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

[@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.

[@donnahasse8385]

That was awesome, I wish Nadal n Theim had more years to do that again!

[@baohoainguyen]

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

[@gwynjames]

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

[@zeddeka]

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)

[@anthonydecastro6938]

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

[@VR-oy3fu]

i remember the 2018 us open, it was my last year in college and i was living with 6 of my other mates in a big mansion/house. It was the start of senior year and the US Open is during the first week(s) of college in America. It was just a bunch of partying, drinking, and watching the open. Unforgettable time.

[@subzoroboy]

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

[@danimoonspell10]

I got the impression, maybe I'm wrong, that Nadal didn't want to celebrate the victory very effusively. He showed maximum respect for Thiem. Magnificent match that either of them would have deserved to win.

[@bendikgjevjon9261]

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

[@femarlom]

GENTLEMAN + WARRIOR + PATRIOT + HERO = RAFA NADAL. RAFA, YOU ARE THE TRUE SPANISH PRIDE !!!. GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER !!!. FROM PRINCIPALITY OF ASTURIAS... ALL MY ADMIRATION, RESPECT AND DEVOTION !!!.

[@SorrySonny]

The King of Tennis still reigning strong after nearly 20yrs!!! Dominic Thiem has my utmost respect! Haven’t seen a 1 hand backhand like him dominate under top 10 since RF!

[@Santy_Dorado]

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

[@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.

[@魚-c3d]

@@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]

@@魚-c3d 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

[@juanpablom7430]

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

[@Gitfiddle]

I remember this match. Thiem played the match of his career and still lost. He was hitting winners from everywhere on the court. But Nadal as usual played his best during the most important points. Thats what makes a true champion. It was heartbreaking.

[@naturindahosea2351]

the effects of some of these battles are long term neither player ever fully recovered from this!

[@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~~

[@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!

[@smashthestateX]

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

[@Matheus-ki9zo]

Shit man, why are my favorite players always the most tragic? Grew up loving and looking up (really up in this case) to Del Potro. Okay... and then the other guy that catches my tennist heart is none other than Dominic Thiem. And look at it now... Dammnit, I miss Thiem in the highest places of the tour so much

[@virginiaknighten4687]

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

[@vidyasonavane9602]

Iconic picture of Rafa and dominic

[@rodmir96]

Nadal did have a successor: Thiem Though still has a successor: Alcaraz

[@fran_rodrigo]

Brutal...👏👏👏

[@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

[@Podcaster.shortz]

this is sooooooo goooooood

[@CherrieMcKenzie]

The tennis gods can often be cruel. To think in this match Thiem was riding high and is now a shadow of his former self and RAFA is nearing retirement. But at least we have matches like these to come back to and marvel at two great tennis players in an epic match.

[@sTeFaNoXdJ]

Partita da fenomeni

[@sohamapte2174]

The guy simply took a bagel against one of the greatest….😭😭🔥🔥

[@aninwaloda6759]

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

[@esquibelle]

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

[@kdhd100]

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

[@atharvathatte9335]

Man this was one hell of a match! Thiem was dominating Rafa standing from the baseline. Thiem missed multiple opportunities in third set. That cost him the match. Rafa eventually won the second set and grew in confidence. In 5th it was anybody's match. Thiem was the one who used to dominate Nadal and Djokovic. Tennis world misses him badly!