by Nandita, for VamosRafael.com

January 11, 2025

Well, what can I say? Carlos is the lucky mascot for Rafael!!! When Carlos took the singles title in Umag, Rafi took the doubles. Now the same in Chennai. (Thank you Carlos for convincing Rafi to play at the Tata Open!)

Going into the match, the odds were against Tommy and Rafael-the pair had played just one match before this event and Spaniards are not known to be doubles specialists. Also, their opponents, the top seeds, had not lost a set coming into the finals. At the other end, Rafi and Tommy had lost a set in every match in the tournament (ironically the second set in all the matches!!!) That proved to be a factor in the finals. Read on to find out how.

As usual, the match started in the typical fashion of any doubles match, with all the players holding serve till 6-6. In the tie-break, the team from Spain got two important mini-breaks of serve and took home that advantage to close the tie-break at 7 points to 3. The point of the match came in this set- In one of the games, both the Spaniards approached the net, when Ram came up with a brilliant lob volley-Rafael ran all the way back, turned around and smacked it for a fore-hand winner down the middle, landing right on the line, and in the process leaving the Israeli duo in shock!

The second set started somewhat similarly until the Israelis broke the Robredo serve in the fifth game. The Spaniards broke back but Tommy�s serve was broken for the second time and the Israelis took the set 6-4. Tommy unable to control his frustration smacked the ball into the net in rage!!!

In Set 3, there were service holds till 2-2 until the Spaniards ran away with 3 straight games. This was the turning point and after the Israelis held serve, the time had come to test Rafael�s strength to rise to the occasion. And boy, did he do that!!! This is how the game went: First point, Rafi puts in a deep second serve, setting up an easy put-away volley for Tommy, 15-0; Rafael goes for the wide serve again setting up an easy smash for Tommy, 30-0; After putting in a good first serve, Rafi approaches the net and in his excitement, puts an easy volley just long, 30-15; Another good serve, followed by a rally when the Spaniards approach the net. Tommy misjudges a volley, thinking it will go long, but it falls in, 30-30. The time to test the mental strength of Rafael had come, 5-3, 30-30. If they hold serve, the trophy is theirs;if they get broken, the Israelis would be right back into the match.

I would say Rafi and Tommy were very lucky to get to match point, for after a good serve, Rafa smacks a forehand to Erlich, who has the point to be won, but puts the volley long by a centimetre!!! He knows that a golden chance had been lost and laughs in disbelief, 40-30, Championship point;Rafael comes up with a huge serve that forces Ram to hit a backhand wide and game-set-match to Rafael Nadal and Tommy Robredo!

*Here again Rafi and Tommy lost the second set but came back to win the match!!!

This was Rafi�s second doubles crown after winning in Umag with Alex-Lopez Moron and this was Tommy�s first ever title-singles or doubles. There was an interesting point to be noted in the semi-finals against the Polish team of Fyrstenburg and Matkowski. In the second set, Rafael never lost a point on his serve until the tie-break!!! This shows his maturity in handling pressure. Sure, his child-like attitude does show, like when he tried jumping the net and injuring himself before Roland Garros. But, on the court, he is a picture of composure (ignore all the swears he shouts in Spanish!). He has never thrown around a racquet and always keeps himself pumped up, win or lose.

Given all these facts, It may be hard to think about it now, but I believe that by 2006, there will be a new Spanish Grand Slam champion. He just needs time, not to fine tune his game but his experience. With no doubt, he has the ability and potential to become one of tennis�s all time greats.