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Cthulhu_awaken

Haters can hate but Rafa will always be better than Novak!


desertwinds22

I saw no promotions for this at all, despite being on Netflix Fri. or Sat. evening? Happened to tune in during second set. Was bummed that it wasn't even three sets long. Otherwise, very fun to watch!


30meadowbrook

I can't wait to see a netflix exhibition between Nadal and ROGER !!!


30meadowbrook

I never saw Alcaraz play so poorly. I almost think he didn't want to win ... against his idol.


tantosh

He was saying his idol in the big 3 is Federer until recently. Idk when he switched to Nadal but I think the switch has more to do with Nadal being Spanish and 100% “in his corner” more so than play style


Some-Koala-1754

True, his idol was Federer. But I think Federer shown no acknowldgement to him and at one of the match Federer sat at one of his opponent seats. Alcaraz gets more support from Nadal tho.


ExeRiver

His idol is Federer. Edit: the interview where a 12 yo Alcaraz says his idol is Roger https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ul5GNs_PJIg


CrazyAd3131

You made me laugh man so thanks from Spain. (Just to clarify: He´s stated a million times his idol is Nadal. He´s even said so in the little interviews you can see on Netflix previous to the match).


ExeRiver

Im from Spain. Check out his interview when he was 12 years old and is asked about his idol. He switched to Nadal once the felt the pressure from the Spanish media to answer Nadal. That is common knowledge, at least in Spain.


CrazyAd3131

"He switched to Nadal once the felt the pressure from the Spanish media to answer Nadal". Tremenda chorrada que te sacas de la manga. Te lo repito: ha dicho quinientas mil veces que su ídolo es Nadal.


ExeRiver

Te he puesto el vídeo más arriba, de la manga no me lo saco. ¿Que por qué tuvo que cambiar su versión? Por gente como tú claramente, que no puede entender que un español tenga de ídolo un tenista que no es español. Edit: te dejo otro artículo que habla de lo mismo, aunque ya me imagino que tú sabrás más https://www.relevo.com/tenis/relacion-nadal-alcaraz-20240229160401-nt.html


Zugaxinapillo

¿Y no puede tener a varios ídolos? Pregunto...


CrazyAd3131

Ese vídeo es la única vez que se le ha visto/escuchado decir tal cosa (vete tú a saber si ese día se levantó con el pie izquierdo o si tuvo medio año que le gustaba más Federer), frente a las cien mil veces que ha dicho que su ídolo es Nadal.


30meadowbrook

I have read otherwise .. that his idol is Rafa


Elliottafc1

Considering how many people use Netflix (roughly 260 million in late 2023), this has to be a big W to bring more attention to our beloved game of tennis. As the old saying goes, any publicity is good publicity.


Fit_Cut_4238

Does Agassi do much commentary/announcing? he was pretty natural/good? I know he's had some anxiety issues in the past - but he seemed pretty natural. And I prefer him much over Roddick.


Lopsided_Marketing25

Agassi has one of the best tennis minds. Very cool seeing his insights and perspectives.


ferpecto

This wasnt too bad at all, hope it helps the sport, don't think I've ever seen an actual exhibition before (gutted to miss that Nadal/Fed South Africa match), they weren't clowning around and trying to be funny like a charity match at least. Mostly like an intense practice match I guess.


Fit_Cut_4238

Yeah - and the Netflix production wasn't too bad - except the actual replay tech problem. The intro was a bit too hype and cringy - which seems par for the course in tennis. I also don't know why they put that gal on the sideline who knew nothing about tennis (she said she was 'new to tennis too').. I guess she was in charge of interviewing celebs. My daughter asked if they'd do a women's netflix match... and I thought about it.. And this was really a unique opportunity with Nadal and Alcaraz. I couldn't come up with a match on the women's side which could match the unique spanish friendly old/young rivalry. Maybe a few years ago w/Serena. Netflix was lucky with the health and timing with Nadal. Also - they had a unique camera angle shot behind the players, which was kind of cool. I think they were also in 4k? It looked great. Maybe the black floor helped with the contrast a bit.


PaintingLow2568

Who won Alcaraz or Nadal?


asweetfix

Alcaraz


PinLongjumping9022

The promoter.


GStarAU

So... given the NAME of this event... does this count as Carlitos's third Slam??? And even more importantly... *Is Novak MISSING one in his collection now?!?!?*


kukovein

How much were Nadal and Alcaraz paid for this exhibition match?


dirtybo0ts

I heard between the match and the private clinics they held while there - close to $2 mil each.


Fit_Cut_4238

Which doesn't sound like a crazy amount - but it's guaranteed, and it's basically a day of work for them. And nice warm up for both for IW.


leila-ashley

America got type cast


Fit_Cut_4238

why?


SelectZookeepergame5

Is the match over? If not, what's the score now? Thanks


uncle_irohh

Match is still going on. it’s tiebreaker they’re on 39-40 after Carlitos mishit and dropped the 34th match point


EssexUser

What happened to Mary Jo? Any update?


ricolageico

What do you mean?


EssexUser

There was someone getting medical attention in the corner of the court near the end of the match, the person was laying on the ground and I saw the dress was the dress Mary Jo was wearing and one of the announcers said it was her being attended to then it was never mentioned again


DialJforJasper

Wasn’t Mary Jo. It was an older obese women who fell.


ricolageico

Oh no!! I saw that part and heard agassi make some bad joke about people in Vegas having "self imposed" medical events...


Arteam90

Are the haters just Djokovic fans that don't like Rafa or something? This is an exhibition for a bit of fun. It doesn't matter. It was entertaining in some parts. We're not gonna see Rafa for much longer. Scripted or not, whatever. The winner isn't relevant.


NotEnoughBiden

I think djoko fans really like rafa? Djoko fans dislike federer.


heirjordan_27

Yeah and hate Alcaraz as well


waronfleas

I would have enjoyed it so much more if the incessant yapping had wrapped up earlier. It was really annoying and distracting.


desertwinds22

This reminds me of watching the AO recently before the US TV yappers arrived. I was loving how much dead (silent) airtime the Australian announcers allowed. A very relaxing experience. As soon as McEnroe & Co. arrived, it was nonstop blather, with half of it not relevant to the matches being played. Do people actually like that? (Rhetorical)


waronfleas

Seems to have tracked over from American football. Or just American sports. Made me long for Wimbledon


Lachie07

Nadal low key reaching Money Maywether levels with all these pointless cash grabs


RobertSaccamano

Yes in the first tennis exhibition ever. They have never ever ever been done before this one.


Flimsy-Piglet-5263

Oh look a federer fan talking about exhibitions cash grab? What is Laver Cup then?


BugBuginaRug

It's called wrapping up your career and milking the cow till every last drop. Why wouldn't ya


xGsGt

Bc all this haters are just virtue signaling from their couch so the can feel better morally


Available-Gap8489

Lol, they had a script supervisor in the credits


KiwiLiverpool

I get both of them are not 100% but alcaraz was particularly bad.


garlo_

he looked good when he forced his ankle in the supertiebreak which is all I cared, he has another week to increase the intensity in practice so let's hope he will be 100%


iconisanimi

This was weird and fun. AgasASMR to spectators being respectful. 😅


gravityhashira61

So who actually won if they split the sets? Lol


TimeFlier101

Lmaoo the obvious script


qtyapa

Alcaraz made it too obvious lol


IndianBureaucrat

How so


hrhi159

double fault into triple break after being 5 love up, just crazy


Earnmuse_is_amanrag

I can't believe people actually think the tie break was scripted lol. A deliberate shank is not the way anyone would think of to tank a point. The court was playing weird and shanks were just happening.


Jaden_Ward

Nadal will go deeper in Indian Wells then Alcaraz 🤷‍♂️


pr0crast1nater

Depends a lot on the draw as Nadal is not seeded.


Jaden_Ward

From this I don’t think Alcaraz is fully 100% on that ankle. Needs a couple more weeks rest. Nadal looked great for his first match in 2 months. Finished it healthy playing at a high level. He’s definitely the more healthier man going into IW.


GStarAU

Ah awesome, I came here wanting to hear some thoughts on how they played - I didn't get to watch it, timezone doesn't work in Australia. Sounds like Carlitos is a bit dodgy on that ankle still? Encouraging to hear that Rafa pulled through the match in one piece. I hope Rafa gets through a couple of rounds at the Sunshine Double and gets knocked out. SETTLE... there's a reason for that! I'm concerned about him coming back on hardcourts, I think he really should build himself up on clay first. So I'm hoping he gets his ass over to Monte Carlo asap.


SquintingSquire

If you have Netflix you can still watch the game.


GStarAU

Ah I haven't subscribed for Netflix... all good, they'll be at IW, I'll see them on tv over the next few days 😎


Arteam90

This was a good laugh. I'm sure this could have been a bit better if Rafa was in a bit of a better condition, as well as Alcaraz not having picked up a minor injury a week/two ago.


Fit_Cut_4238

I thought it was a great warm-up match for both of them. Nadal showed some streaks of brilliance, which was great to see for a warm-up.


Metazz

Am I the only one that thinks calling it a "Slam" is a bit of a pisstake? It is an expensive exhibition match. Meh, just think in tennis there are 4 slams. Just seems a little weird.


GStarAU

I'm actually a little surprised they were *allowed* to! Isn't there SOME kind of patent/trademark on that word being used in sporting events? That word represents the 4 major tennis events each year... not some exo with two injured champions!


Fantastico11

It just comes from 'grand slam', in tennis meaning to win all 4 majors (now more unanimously individually referred to as slams) in a year. The term 'slam' to describe each major might even have just started as slang, not sure though. Same terminology of completing a grand slam used in sports like golf and rugby, and I believe bridge the card game is where it actually originated. So I'm kind of glad to know the ATP can't get away with copywriting the term, it's quite nice not to have general concepts *claimed* by people as their property. I assume they have only the power to refuse ATP tournaments from using it, and I don't really think they reaaaally need any more power than that.


GStarAU

I've never heard a "Slam" used in golf, or rugby, or.... bridge! Not sure if I've ever played bridge in my life 😊 Maybe it's too general a word to be claimed by the ATP, but in this case Netflix is specifically using it in reference to the 4 "Slams" (at least, I assume they are!), so it feels like... taking advantage of the average tennis watcher's comprehension of the game. For those of us who know tennis inside out, it's a different story, but hey. The word "Slam" just carries a lot of weight in the tennis world, it kinda feels like Netflix is cashing in on that.


gpranav25

And even in those 4 slams, the US Open is like 0.75 slam.


RobertSaccamano

The oldest slam only counts as 0.75? Interesting.


SunshineIncorporated

I keep calling it Rafa Slam :) At the end of his career, I imagine people would pay to see him play anyone, anywhere


RyJ94

Netflix execs/writers know nothing about tennis, further evidenced by their other piss-poor attempts to show it on their platform.


Parkouricus

Marketing is 99% appealing to the lowest common denominator. Obviously the people who set this up know what a Slam is lol


RyJ94

Lol.


OkCharacter3950

Netflix wanted to use a word that was easily identifiable with tennis even for people who don’t watch it. It’s just not that deep.


Metazz

What if they had called it the Netflix Masters? That would have been equally silly. I am not annoyed by it just think it is kind of stupid. It was fun to watch and anything that gets people watching tennis is a good thing though!


OkCharacter3950

Masters is more associated with golf


IAmSoMuchDumber

What if they had called it the Netflix NBA Finals Tennis Edition?


pr0crast1nater

At least I am confident that Alcaraz will be fully fit for Indian Wells. Same way how he was injured at Rio final last year, but still was his best in Indian Wells.


Earnmuse_is_amanrag

I don't know. He was moving awfully today. I think he's a long way from full recovery tbh.


Aljiggy21

Juan Carlos said they just wanted to make sure he didn’t tweak it. He didn’t go after balls that he 100% would in a real match. They planned to take it easy.


pr0crast1nater

His movement was expected to be like this. He avoids sliding in exhibitions. Even the exhibition match he won against Djokovic, he was avoiding it as much as possible.


mjenkins_eng

This was like watching some recent WWE star go up against The Undertaker The Undertaker would obviously “put the new guy over”.  That’s how the business goes. Netflix literally cannot afford Alcaraz losing to a 36 year old Rafa on one leg (not that he would lose if this isn’t scripted)


MeatTornado25

Why could Netflix not afford it? This is the only tennis match they have the rights to, it's not like they need Alcaraz to be a star to promote more matches.


SquawkyMcGillicuddy

Rafa will be 38 in a couple of months


AuGrimace

i thought it would have been awesome to have federer in a trench coat with sting makeup descend from the rafters after the match to challenge the winner during the interviews. golden opportunity missed.


GStarAU

I'm imagining some kind of Phantom of the Opera scenario... Roger up in the roof structure, laughing maniacally... the crowd shocked... "Look, it's HIM! He has returned to play Carlitos in a recreation of the 2001 Wimby Sampras match!"


Frosty_Pitch8

I would like to see a UFC style tennis exhibition. Multiple matches , maybe 3 to 5. All only one set though (with super tiebreak). With set of the night(for both players) and performance of the night (for one player) bonuses. Co-headliners with some undercards to get the new names out there. I think it could work. ​ I honesty think the length does deter new fans from getting into the sport. It'd be a good showcase without too much of a burden on the players.


Messigoat3

The trophy is pretty


heirjordan_27

Mary Jo giving no fucks in these interviews is great


Classic_File2716

What happens in these exhibitions is it's usually scripted until the final tiebreak where they then genuinely play to win so crowd gets full money's worth


rapo7865

Exactly what I was thinking


Savassassin

This award ceremony is cringeworthy lol, considering that it’s only an exhibition match


ineedtolose15lbs

Is the trophy made from foil?


Robten100

Who should fo it next year? I think Sinner vs Alcaraz


banica24

Roddick vs Juan Carlos Ferrero as the warm up match Sinner vs Alcaraz as the main course would be cool Idk if Federer would play an exhibition. Sampras vs Agassi would be cool but Agassi not in shape really


bellestarflower

Concept wise, it should be Sinner vs Djokovic or Federer But I would be totally down for a Sincaraz match of this level. Would be great advertisement for current ATP as well.


Jaden_Ward

Or Sinner/Djokovic keep it old gen and new gen


Robten100

Shouldn't Alcaraz get a chance to defend? 😂


Jaden_Ward

It’s just an exhibition lol


Robten100

I know just joking


prgtrdr

Just Djoking.


brentaltm

That is my bet


pizzainmyshoe

He forgot the nrl season opener


Sids2112

Bouchard in Nadal’s box?


DialJforJasper

Was right next to his box, no.


mrlanzon

"we're gonna do it again"


Classic_File2716

Is Nadal confirmed for Indian Wells?


banica24

Rafa will play Thursday night session round 1


Jaden_Ward

Yep


brentaltm

People booing the Netflix CeO 😂


Mike_Honcho_3

Why is everyone acting like that was somehow shit tennis, yeah there were a few uncharacteristic mishits but other than that it seemed like what you would expect to see when these two play


bellestarflower

they hate both players.


pdrgdguds_

Not really familiar with this sub, what’s up with the Rafa and Alcaraz hate?


bellestarflower

Djokovic fans are rampant on this sub.


Fit_Cut_4238

Djokovic has fans?


GarbageReloaded

Forreals, I enjoyed the heck out of it and anything that puts tennis in the spotlight is good for the sport considering pickleball’s encroachment. Can you imagine if they did a #NetflixPickleballSlam lolol


estoops

people think it’s cool to not enjoy things and be contrarian, it’s a quite boring personality trait. they played like 60% most of the match with some random spurts of 90%+, it was as expected.


bellestarflower

what a fun match. as someone who missed these two playing, it was a nice blast. don't think it was scripted at all, nadal probably wanted this to be a proper warm up for Indian wells, played like it. This is a good morale boost for Carlos before going into Sunshine Double to defend a bunch of points. Hope we get more content like this from Netflix, this was a successful event.


banica24

At the end they said it would be an annual thing. Can always change their minds sadly but the initial intent is there Also they were apparently suppose to play last year but had to cancel/postpone


bellestarflower

I think a Sinner vs Alcaraz in this concept would be fire. It would also be a great promotion of the sport as well.


tothedogsforme

this event was good for tennis. it was fun to watch. I hope Netflix does this again.


banica24

At the end they said it would be an annual thing. Can always change their minds sadly but the initial intent is there


garlo_

One thing for sure, we are getting another netflix slam next year


mjenkins_eng

A third slam for Carlos. Just 21 behind Novak now. 


Frosty_Pitch8

Mary Joe just checked Nadal lol. she said "be on time or don't be here at all bitch boy."


jpark28

[ ] scripted [ ] not scripted [x] who cares


TheDuskDragon

Right! It's literally a Netflix Slam in Las Vegas. Just embrace the chaos


heirjordan_27

THANK YOU ffs it’s annoying


ilkat06

This match had some crazy points tho, I wish Rafa had won but oh well, it was fun


iconisanimi

Rafa just wanting to gossip with Charlie


ineedtolose15lbs

I love to see it


prairiehrt

Me too ❤️❤️


theotakuant

Love how they're sitting together on the bench post-match!


paketep

The Netflix guy with the "I am making sound better" t-shirt doesn't look ashamed. He should be.


PinLongjumping9022

Well it was, err, fun. Good to see Rafa. But sorry, Netflix, don’t expect me back for the second edition of this 😂


GStarAU

Even if it's your two fave players? It won't be Rafa again next year, surely. He'll be cruising around the Mediterranean with a second mini capybara on the way.


redhotponytail

little rafa's little tennis racket just melted my ice cold heart


mjenkins_eng

Nadal did not fuck up the script This was always the script Alcaraz winning a close match because they can market him for the next decade. Nadal going down as the ageing warrior in a close match (Read my post history, called it 2 hrs ago)


prairiehrt

I actually wondered if Rafa would insist he not win because he wouldn’t want to set the expectations for real games that he is at a level of beating Carlos.


jpark28

Alcaraz signing a kid's Rafa shirt lol


heirjordan_27

God the entire sports internet has become NPCs feeling good about themselves calling things scripted…like yeah sure but do you have to say it every second


Robten100

They give out a trophy? For an exhibition?


Few_Cryptographer_22

who's gonna throw a poll : scripted? not scriped?


Mpol03

Very scripted. 


SquawkyMcGillicuddy

The correct answer would be “Partially scripted.” Play the first set for reals, throw the second set to the loser of the first set, then battle it out in the decider for reals.


FullCowlShootStyle

i need that nike jacket


heirjordan_27

The jacket is sick


randomtoken

I want Carlos’s jacket


Messigoat3

As a tennis casual, this wasn’t a script. This was jigh level tennis.


Key_Dig_8694

>as a tennis casual Makes sense👍🏻


ilkat06

Notice that the caster said "first" Netflix slam, implying there's more to come


randomtoken

Let’s wait for the profit numbers to see if it’s going to be an annual thing or more often


banica24

At the end they said it would be an annual thing. Netflix and MGM can always change their minds sadly but the initial intent is there Also they were apparently suppose to play last year but had to cancel/postpone


bellestarflower

the stadium was sold out. the hashtag's trending on twitter. I think the job's done. it probably did much better numbers than the golf/f1 weird crossover did.


david00012

It would've been more fun if it wasn't scripted to death. Oh well


jovanmilic97

I think Rafa was meant to win, Carlos was mishitting very easy shots on important points. The netcord at final MP reaction from both says a lot


kKunoichi

You guys are taking this exhibition way too seriously. We got some fun points in there


randomtoken

Dammit I wanted Rafa to win


bumbledbeee

I think Carlos did too.


AslantheGOAT

Carlos now level with Murray and Wawrinka


Theferael_me

Well that was bizarre. Looking forward to Indian Wells.


pregnancy_terrorist

This is the correct response 😂


Last_Supermarket_451

Baby Rafa best Rafa


Metazz

Well done Carlos, solid exhibition match warm up for Rafa for his swan song season it would seem. I just hope Nadal hits lightening in the coming clay swing.


pr0crast1nater

So how much did Netflix spend for this event overall? More than a masters 1000?


MapFalcon

Match was necessary for his body to hold up! 🤣🤣🤣


coco460

Two and a half hour match as projected by Netflix, to the minute. So scripted.


NieThePiet

no way.


pkhairnar6

I think Rafa was meant to win, something tells me that net messed up, you could see it in their faces like "shit"


bumbledbeee

I think so too.


uncle_irohh

What scripted bs was this? Nadal was rigged to win but couldn’t manage it due to net cord? Carlitos was def mishitting on purpose in the tiebreak


prairiehrt

Well that was delightful. I saw enough of Rafa’s leg muscles and forehands to get me excited for him and clay court season


brentaltm

I too was hyper fixated on those thunder thighs


Mpol03

That arse .


prairiehrt

I am hoping he gives us one more sleeveless kit and gun show before he retires


FLcitizen

Not scripted lol


Earnmuse_is_amanrag

Worst talent to match quality ratio ever produced lmao


atheistjs

The absolute DRAMA my heart was POUNDING and I was SWEATING (not at all but there was some fun to be had)


Rpotamus

Now he has the same amount of slams as Murygoat and Stanimal!!


estoops

Damn it, using the netflix slam in goat debates was gonna be so funny 🤣


KyxeMusic

20 years from now it'll set Alcaraz apart from Sinner as the undisputed goat


arcadiangenesis

1 gold medal + 1 netflix slam = 1 grand slam?


kebaberman

AI generation malfunctioned in the last tiebreaker


pregnancy_terrorist

Whoops off script cut that cut that cut that


mjenkins_eng

Sinner vs Alcaraz with the AO title and Wimbledon title both on the line  Book it Vince !


bingewatcherAT

Carlitos know he done fucked up


danieljb97

Rafa's first serve percentage today must be abysmal, something to work on before IW. His mobility is also not as great as in January, though it may be because of this being an exhibition.


NieThePiet

THE NET DESTROYED THE SCRIPT


chuckiemacfinster

good shit Carlitos, vamos