Players, Fans, Journos React to Nadal News

By Chris Oddo

(August 15, 2012) -- It didn't come as a huge shock today that Rafael announced his withdrawal from the 2012 US Open. All the signs were there: Three skipped tournaments, Nadal's own history with prolonged recovery times from knee issues, and the warnings that came from the Nadal camp itself.

Still, when the news broke it was like a tsunami of sadness splashing across everybody's Twitter timelines and inboxes.

Here are some of the reactions from players, fans and journalists, as read on Twitter and heard in the pressers at the Western and Southern Open in Ohio:
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Brad Gilbert's reaction hits the nail right on the head. Nadal is listening to his body, and taking his time. He'll be fine, he'll be back, and he'll be better than ever. End of story...Well said, BG.

So sad to here Rafa out of the US open the knee must be alot worse, but he must be listening to his body, hope he will be back very soon
— Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) August 15, 2012

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Nice job by Justin Gimelstob too. Rafa's one of the all-time greats, and only 26, so really, this is not the end of the world much in the same way that 2009 was not the end of the world...

very sad 2 hear @rafaelnadal withdrew from @usopen he'll be missed in Flushing, 1 of the greats in the sport, wishing him a fast recovery
— Justin Gimelstob (@justingimelstob) August 15, 2012

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Sloane Stephens was the unsung hero of the day (this woman is becoming a quote machine), and she also lightened things up a bit in her own special way, while talking to press in Cincinnati:

"I love Rafa so I love seeing him at tournaments. I get star struck when I see him. I'm like, Oh, my God I wish I could touch him. It will be sad with him not there, obviously. I mean, he's such an amazing player. I just kind of --I like seeing him practice. He's on the P1 through 5 or whatever and he's always on the first court so everyone can see. I like eating my lunch and watching him. I'm kind of bummed he won't be there."
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A lot of folks wanted to get ahead of the story and make the inevitable Roger Federer comparisons. It's a legitimate tack to want to sail on, and Roger's impeccable attendance record at the Slams is certainly one of the seven wonders of the tennis world. That said, today was probably not the best day to assert Federer's relative advantage in that regard (especially in the eyes of a Nadal die-hard fan). But hey, to each their own... and it did make for some entertaining Twitter banter this morning...such as this...

Nadal has 11 Slams.Knees not gettingbetter. Unless he finds miracle cure, wins 14 Slams tops by career end. Great but not Fed #s
— Matt Cronin (@TennisReporters) August 15, 2012

Naturally, that last Tweet was met with a few irate replies, like this...

@tennisreporters ...and worshiping Federer while posting on Nadal's injury agony is considered journalism? #ridiculous #fedtardism
— Rados(@radosko) August 15, 2012

And there are always the jokers out there (and the Djoker fans)...

@tennisreporters couldn't he sign up to play wheelchair tennis? and win a slam that way.. bet he would be good
— S K (@nolesfan2011) August 15, 2012

Editors note: Through Tweets and retweets it was revealed to me that @nolesfan2011 is actually more of a Murray fan. "Noles" stands for the Seminoles of Florida State, so "Nole's" fans are acquitted...
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Novak Djokovic also chimed in while speaking on Tennis Channel's set in Cincinnati after a win over Andreas Seppi:

"It's really bad luck. He's a great competitor. I've known him for a long time, we've played so many times against each other and I know how determined, how focused he is, and committed to this sport and I'm sure if he could have played the US Open he definitely would. I hope he recovers fast."
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In the end, B-U-M-M-E-R was the operative word. Even if you saw this coming like most of us kinda, sorta did, the fact remains: A US Open without Rafa is a bummer. Oh, well, I guess it will only make the next time Nadal takes the court all the more sweeter...

Bummer to see Rafa had to pull out of the Open. Get well soon buddy...
— Mardy Fish (@MardyFish) August 15, 2012

Bummed to hear that Nadal's knee is more serious than we thought. he'll be missed at the #usopen. No event the same without him.
— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) August 15, 2012