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In 2009, Robin Soderling shocked the tennis world when he defeated 4 time defending champion Rafael Nadal at the French Open, a tournament in which the later had never lost a match. How did he do it? Though it appears that Nadal is unbeatable on clay, analysis will reveal his THREE MAJOR WEAKNESSES that few select players have reliably targeted throughout history to defeat the Spaniard. What was Soderling’s secret to defeating Nadal in Paris, and how can others, even those with much lower rankings, do the same today?
CULT TENNIS brings you player profiles and analyzes some of the best stories in the world of Tennis! Subscribe to see more content like this, and thank you for stopping by!
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Did I get it right?? Does anyone have the potential to take down Nadal this year?!
Possibly
karastev maybe??
This year ...I think no(I'm a big fan of Nadal)...but in future maybe.
Some people might have a shot like Karatsev, Sinner or Ruud.
Maybe
Everyone has a plan until Rafa starts arranging his bottles
Lmfaoooo
Best.. comment
Aged like fine milk.
@@MrMartin48705 you mean it rots 😂
Lol
"Everybady has a plan until they get an unbileeble top spin down the baseline" - Nadal
Nadal NEEDS to say this... Someone make it happen!
Omg they both have a lisp too
🤣🤣🤣
You sound like a Khabib fan
goddamnit 🤣🤣🤣
Flat and deep...sounds like Tomic's the guy to do it.
Scenes if Medvedev manages to do it, let alone somehow managing to get to the finals to do so.
Thats really hilarious 🤣 😂 😆
Lord Tomic
@@zacktambanua6769 He has half swing only.
@@zacktambanua6769 he lost his R1 qualifying match
I think Djokovic watched this before today’s match
Djokovic on youtube: "Tutorial how to beat Rafa on Roland Garros" 😂
Novak played masterfully. A well deserved title at RG after beating the King and a very hungry and talented youngster in Tsitsipas
Nadal wasn't playing his best, that's all
@@tabletennis9968 😂😂😂😂😂
?
Djokovic and Federer: WRITE THAT DOWN! WRITE THAT DOWN! EDIT: DJOKOVIC beat NADAL!!!!!!
not just them every player is his draw had the same reaction
credit: Charles the French
Djokovic has already done it before .
@@Matthew9818 yeah and Chung and Istomin have the formula to beat Novak at the Australian open Idiot 😂😂
😂😂😂
"Everything's impossible until it is done." -RG Semifinals 2021
Didn't age well ... 13 RG's
@@harshbhosale8720 What do u mean didnt age well? Sure Rafa beat him this year but its expected since its his house basically.
@@VladaBB14 rg tittle man , beating Novak 🙂
Djokovic after watching this video: Im about to end this mans whole carreer
Few years ago Soderling said that Djokovic is the only one who can beat him at FO. He was right
@risingStar tennis-shot.com/robin-soderling-only-djokovic-can-beat-nadal-in-roland-garros/
@@HBK492 interesting… although it would be more interesting if he had said it before Novak did it in 2015… I mean, he was the only two guys who had done it so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise,
@@randomcon123 He also was saying something along those lines in 2015
Soderling had powerful shots but at times he used to lack precision that's why his style of game would have struggled against strong returners like Djokovic Djokovic schooled soderling in 2011 rome open
Thanks, finally the guide had arrived and now I will certainly beat Rafa on clay
Good luck my friend
*Loses in straight sets in Virtua Tennis 4 *Cries *Uninstalls Tennis from memory
Who's here after Rafael Nadal lost to Novak in the SF this year?
Who’s here after Djokovic beat Nadal in the Roland Garros Semi-Final?
Looks like djokovic take a note
Me
Me
me lmao
Djokovic listened to the video.
5 set matches also greatly benefit Nadal at RG. We've seen him lose plenty of times in the clay events leading up to RG but trying to play your best tennis for that long is almost impossible against a guy that never seems to get tired
Truth. This is the shit. 5 sets is too much
This was clearly an advantage in the past but I really doubt his body can take several long matches in a row now, he is not young anymore. But the 5 sets thing is SO true, it is not only that he never seems to get tired, but he also knows when to raise his level when the score is even. I have seen so many matches where he lost the second set (1-1), and started the third set at a higher level usually getting an early break pretty fast. Just imagine all the effort it takes to win a single set, and in a matter of minutes you are 3-0 down in the next set again...
This video is just perfect! Quality is unmatched as always and they just keep getting better and better! I only hope you'll never have to update this video with new info ever again 😂
Appreciate it Wivo, I’ll let you know in 2 weeks 😂 UPDATE 6/11/21: rip
Man the French open gets so stressful every passing year.If Rafa wins it's just what was expected If he doesn't it's the end of the world they'd say
Some of the info isn't really new. I think it's mainly been about sustainability and adherence. I think some players at certain points are much better off trying to continually figure out how to properly play him that incorporates those 2 aspects in order to have more consistent success against him. They may take a few losses, but the reward would be ultimately figuring out how to play him in a more competitive manner. Djokovic may hit flat but he's always been one who can adhere and sustain that kind of hitting more, which is why it's not really a surprise that he had more success against Nadal on clay than many other players.
Wow! What do you use to edit? And that "domination" text transition, is there a template? or how did you do that?
@@aswerty911 Final Cut Pro, and I made that little transition myself by just keyframing movement!
So you've got - How to beat Federer How to beat Nadal at FO The only thing left now would be - How to beat Novak Djokovic at AO
He was beaten lot of times in AO right not like Nadal in FO
@@consistentthoughts826 8 times is not alot to be fair
For djokovic its quite clear...you need stanimal type of game with good forehead, serve and deadly backhand. Period !!!
Ask Chung and Istomin
He has already lost 8 times lol
I haven't even seen it and I know it's gonna be great
It was, the match I mean.
Well, Djokovic just did the impossible.
@Tommaso Luce what would be a good shape? Square ?? Circle? I think the best shape would be a triangle
@Tommaso Luce Nadal was just fine, enough with the excuses
@Tommaso Luce I don't think you understand the player you are supporting. Nadal played just like he usually does. But the problem was, it was night, the ball was not bouncing as much as Rafa would like and he had to put twice the effort, to get the desired backspin. Because of that, on the fourth set Rafa was exhausted and Djokovic capitalized on that. That's how tennis works.
@@pritommazumder9897 nadal lost because đoković outsmarted him and never allowed him to be on the offensive, and the constant defense from nadal is what made him tired in the 4th, the conditions don't really matter, remember last year when everyone said the conditions favoured đoković? Also they started during the day and nadal wasn't better even then
@Tommaso Luce excuses
Next: Djokovic at Aussie Open
or Federer in Basel
@@ALLNAMESAREALLREADYT no :)
@@ALLNAMESAREALLREADYT 😂
You have to play like Wawrinka to beat Djokovic at AO.
Wawrinka beat him many times and in Roland Garros too.
I think most people overlook how the year he lost to Soderling his parents were divorcing and he was sick. I think there's an interview where a player (i think Tsonga) mentions that everyone knew he was sick
Correct. It was Tsonga who brought it up to the media in 2020 and was confirmed by other players. Nadal was sick when he played Soderling in 2009. They said he was having a bad throat and not feeling well that day.
I think you overbull it. It was one of his best years ever. Plus sickness would be very lame excuse and would not work for pro players since all sicknesses, can have symptoma go away for duration of a match through supps.
Soderling outhit him and outplayed him. That’s it
@@YeTism oh stop it. Btw it’s not Rafa making the excuses it’s other players giving insight into soderligs Favorable conditions that day.
@@YeTism Any which ways, as a Fed fan Soderling became my and other Fed fan's hero. He did for Fed what Fed himself couldn't do, otherwise Fed would have been without French Open forever and thus without a career Grand Slam. Soderling is a hero forever.
it's simple: play the best tennis of your life and hope Nadal isn't in form that match
And even then, it’s probably not enough
Or just be No1 and open the court against him.
@Eren Jaeger probably not
@Eren Jaeger I said it’s probably not enough. The big 3 are different.
When novak played his best,fed and rafa can play in double and they lose
A lot of players you're mentioning might get a set from Rafa, two if he's having a particularly bad day and they're hitting lights out. But literally only 2 people have gotten 3 sets out of him in 15+ years. The only one I think may have a chance is Nole, and even then, it's more likely he loses in straights than him beating Rafa.
Make that 3
Aged like milk
@@vincenzofranchelli2201 Aged like fine wine
@@adifferentkindofanidiot2215 ?
@@haydenb4384 Still only Soderling and Nole here, where's person number 3?
And that's why Karatsev will be a dangerous opponent if they face each other this year.
Alexie popryin his first round might also be dangerous he’s got a really big serve and hits flat I believe
All these muppets will be hammered in straight sets😂
@@Phurngirathaana lmao
@@Phurngirathaana Exactly 😂
He's a little short to deal with Nadal's topspin and hit the serves he needs to. Almost all the guys mentioned in this video are ~6'4"
How to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open? Step 1: Be Novak Djokovic. Step 2: There is no step 2.
Lose 7 out of 9 matches Not recommended but best so far
@@sunnyharsha Harsha, 30 - 28, Harsha. Good boy, Harsha! Good Harsha!
@@kpacuBua aren't we talking about French open?
@@sunnyharsha Harsha.
@@sunnyharsha But he still won 2. He might win more. Nadal is the best clay-court player in history after all. Novak is 7:3 on other slams vs Nadal, and one of those was a retirement on Wimbledon before 2011. So from the time both of them hit their prime, Nadal is 4:2 on FO, 2:1 on US Open, 0:2 on AO, and 0:2 on Wimbledon, vs Djokovic, if I'm not mistaken. And he is yet to beat Djokovic at AO his best GS tournament, while Djokovic has 2 wins over Nadal at his house. Think about that.
Here's the Plan: A) 2 meter Brick Wall on the defensive side B) Minefield on Nadal's side C) Get a T-34 Panzer D) Pray!
😂😭
F) Get a world No1 with a game-plan and ability to implement it.
E) be Novak
Only Djokovic can Beat him twice.
who knows maybe thrice
@@vishnu2183 maybe
@@vishnu2183 thats a bit ambitious imo
This aged well
Everyone's got a plan, until they play Nadal at the French Open. - Me.
Djokovic - hold my beer.
Looks like Nole watched this video before the match
Djokovic must've watched this video before his semi
this aged well
So Thiem’s strategy of ripping the ball on Rafa in Roland Garros is a suicide mission lol
Probably works only because thiem is younger and can therefore hit harder and run faster
Tsitsipas will beat Nadal ..this year..
Lol
@@messithegoat9636 you are beautifully wrong. what a 🤡
@@messithegoat9636 this can happen
This guy delivers on every video, keep em coming and I’ll keep liking!
Watching this after Novak just won in the semis and he did exactly this
Ironically he employed some high balls too to reset the point - Djokovic attack a weak BH that day although that Nadal BH made incredible angles at times.
@@zjzr08 Exactly. He didn't play faster or flat, but he did exploit that BH with heavy topspin short FH cross court shots and eventually wore him down. Amazing match.
@@lukaradjenovic9245 actually as the match went on you could feel that djokovic forehand was more deadlier than Nadal which is just astonishing
Except he didnt do just this- there was a lot more strategy, aggression and skill applied by djokovic than was described in this video. The video sort of focused on a couple of things when in reality it takes way more to pull this off
@@theseventhammer yeah the video basically just said "play like soderling: harder and flatter and with nothing to lose" when djokovic did way, way more. I don't think djokovic really hit the ball flat that much as much as he upped his RPM on the FH more
These types of “how to beat” should be a series
Wait... So you are saying, a player hitting flat balls, having strong serves, and a mindset of nothing to lose, will be able to edge out the King of Clay in RG? Aren't we describing... Daniil Medvedev.......?
I wouldn't describe the second seed as someone having "nothing to lose" honestly.
exactly my thoughts
I had the same thought.. he does everything described here except playing close to the baseline. I dont know if he can figure out how to do that, it's a massive change to introduce to your game.. but taking Brands' approach would be the key if he can manage that. Other than him, I think Sinner in fact is the perfect candidate and he also plays very close to the baseline.. I think they're on course to meet in Rd4! Also, KARATSEV - who is ALSO en course to meet him in the QF!!!! Daaaamn fasten your seatbelts boys and girls..
The quality of these videos keeps on improving. Great work!
New Cult Tennis video while chilling on the computer, and I know it is gonna be a good one
Well, is one simple way to beat Nadal on RG. Just be a Djokovic
It is 7-2 but I get it because others are 100-1
Just be the best Djoker version and hope Nadal is not at his best
@@worldvschinachuje3751 98-1
not in 2022 my friend..
Just be Novak and hope you get an injured Nadal ...
The most important piece of information wasn’t in the vídeo: grand slam’s is a better of 5 sets! You have to brake the ball for long 3 to 5 hours!
exactly
the most exciting tennis vids on YT! Great story telling, well structured and engaging content
This is such great content man. You’ll struggle to see something this detailed on the telly. Keep up the good work - awesome stuff
Some myths in the video: - Nadal is shortening the points since his comeback in 2017. In Rome, he lost almost 80% of long rallies (9+ shots) against Nole. He won because of the short points, he did a lot of winners. - You can't take Nadal's 2015 matches as an example, or WB matches with no knees Besides from that I believe its still an interesting video
Yes, nadal now is getting older and doesn’t want to play long points, but back in 2008- 2014 maybe was the best defender with nole
Thank you so much for this video!! This video made me beat Nadal at the french open!!
Djokovic watched this
Been a Soderling fan for a long time myself. Glad you made this vid
Djokovic must i’ve been taking notes while watching this video.
How to beat Rafael Nadal in Roland Garros? Use a police baton Ohh, you mean in tennis? Sorry, you can't Edit (June) - Be the best Novak we have seen
Tonya Harding, is that you?
2015 and 2021
@@desh2769 lol
Hahaha
These comments are killing me 🤣😭
this video and all of your others I have watched are incredible!! I am now subbed
It needed the G.O.A.T to arrive and execute this strategy to pinpoint perfection, to finally achieve the impossible !
In order to beat Rafael Nadal at the French Open, you have to win more sets than him. That's how it's done. Simple, really.
lol
Wow how did no one ever think of that
Bruhhh the foreshadowing here is insane.
This channel is absolutely brilliant!! I can’t believe I’ve just found it today! Please don’t stop making this wonderful content, I’ve binged all your videos today in one sitting and now I’m in withdrawal😂😭
Your videos are incredible, amazing quality consistency in every single one of them.
The quality of editing is 🔥
1:10 you forgot to mention 2015 was Rafa’s slump year, when he failed to win a single Euro clay tourney prior to RG, and he finished 5 in the world.
Exactly. IMO Djokovic gets too much credit for the 2015 QF. The reality is Nadal was playing like horse crap in 2015 and he was doomed no matter what section of the draw he fell on. Remember his ranking fell to 6 and was the 6th seed which means he could face any top 4 player in the QF. In that case it happened to be Djokovic. If he was in the opposite quarter in the top half, he would have lost to Murray or Ferrer. If he was on the opposite half of the draw he would have lost to Wawrinka or even Tsonga depending on which quarter he landed in. Heck, I’d even give Federer a chance.
@@ErikCB912 wats this years excuse?
Excellent video! Thanks
Fantastic video. Thanks so much
I literally stopped what I was doing to watch this. Keep it up 🙌🏻🔥
Well we know Djoker definitely watched this, lol
I don't really watch tennis so it says a lot about how good you are at storytelling that I've watched every one of your videos. Keep up the good work!
Fantastic video dude🎾
Anyone here after Novak watched Cult Tennis Video and dethroned Rafa😆
In his first Roland-Garrosses, I hated Nadal's defensive play in itself (and non-human-ness) ... but the guy produced wonderful matches ... because opponents knew all that and were *taking crazy risks to get fast winners*. And then he learned to play on grass, play faster, etc., and I'm so happy he has existed.
Nadal has never been a defensive player. He is aggressively offensive.
Great quality video!!!
Amazing video and fun to watch, keep going
I like how the 2nd win against Rafa in RG wasn't used as a point of reference.
Lol exactly it was Nadal’s worst year
All of these videos on how to beat a certain top level player have been made with outmost respect for them, Cult Tennis wouldn't go that far
Well because like it was said in the video that year's Novak was the best tennis player to ever exist. And that is a freak thing to happen. It's not a strategy that can be repeated. Not even by Novak himself
@@homosapien5156 While I respect your opinion, there's two reasons I think that is not true - first, a prime Rafa beats any player in RG (even 2015 Nole) anyday, and 2015 Rafa was not even close to that... second, comparing generations is very complex, so saying 2015 Nole was better than any player that ever existed is a naive statement to make.
@@abhishekbej I 100% agree that prime Rafa beats anyone on RG. And in 2015 he was not in his prime. 2015 Novak is widely regarded by ex players, journalists as the best tennis player ever. Stats also are in favour of this opinion. Although I do agree that comparing generations does not work. But I think we can definitely say best tennis player to exist in Open era.
the Djoker has just done it!!! it was an insanely good match!!! glad i watched it live on tv
i liked the analysis!!
I e been waiting to see a video of yours on Nadal for so long! Great stuff!
Easy!!! Let him take the first set, and than make him suffer! Nole King
Another very interesting piece.Your very well observed insights are as always presented so well.When you see Rafa confined and backed up almost backing into a line judge as he is in Rome,you can see his discomfort.And yet he finds a way somehow to overcome that.Yes there is a visceral power,but as Toni said once,he has acquired so many other ways to win.As he says himself he is not as fast as he once was,but his game is so much more sophisticated and varied.His serve has fascinated me the way it has developed.He does have heat,but like Novak he uses the faster serves judiciously.His precision on serve has developed through his career[as has Novaks].I sense when i watch him play younger tyros like Sinner and Stefanos,that holding them is much more of a struggle.their heavy hitting,big serves and their youthful speed and incredible mobility that Rafa Novak and Roger have ignited in these players is close to eclipsing them now.But,the spirit,and most of all,their intelligence and supreme competitiveness somehow gets them through.Recently Rafa talked about this as did Novak,there candour showed us why we have been blessed with their presence for so long.And as you said at the start court Philippe Chatrier is perfect for Rafa to absorb the big servers.I saw a stat the other day that said six of the top ten players now stand where Rafa does to receive the serve.THANKS FOR YOUR WONDERFUL WORK!
Underrated comment. Nice takes!
I'm getting back into tennis heavy and these vids are fantastic
Really good. Even when the videos miss there's always some good knowledge.
Djokovic just took him down.
Now I wonder if you can make an analysis video on how Djokovic beat Nadal, especially in the 3rd Set (especially 4th seemingly was just a flat Nadal).
Great editing and video, but even the script is done so well, masterful
Well, friend ... from all the last 16 years to release this video ... you got a good one
We should be careful on money useage,if you are not spending to earn back,then stop spending.
Apparently my view on the solution is to venture into business .
@@elvisaaron4232 True ! Even some rich men made it through investing there money in something doing and they made it.
@Nolan Wyatt The right chioce of an investment has always been a big problem for me I know picking a wrong investment will leave a big scar in the future
@@Brugman100 There might be many investments out there but if profit must be considered,which is the actual sole of investment, I will advice you to go into bitcoin trading because it has higher profit than most investment.
@@frankgray9509 Of course it is profitable,I made good profit of $20,000 with the capital of $4500 in my last trading I have made over $200,000.
We need a video on Djokovic v Nadal game asap.
The video quality, editing, narration, timing everything is awesome. You can easily get a job in Hollywood
Great Video!
Djoko surely watched this video haha
Now we need a djokovic's win analysis pleaseeeeee
Your videos are getting better with editing, sound and narration. Hopefully you will get more recognition here on KZhead and also within Tennis media as well.
Another wonderful video 👏🏽👍🏽 I'd like to add something that I noticed Djokovic do multiple times successfully against Rafa. Keeps hitting against Rafa's backhand shot after shot and then he hits a powerful inside out forehand for winner.
Really nice video! Hopefully I beat Rafa now. I was really surprised that he only had 1 indoor hardcourt title.
Use blue clay
I like the way you make and analyse presentations. I love to learn. Well-done..
Thanks, I will keep this in mind for the next time
Seems like Djokovic watched your video before playing the semis of RG 2021 ;)
Did Djokovic watch this or smth before the semi-final?
this sponsorship is so much better than the previous one :D love the channel
Here after Nole won RG but this is an excellent tennis channel. Great vid
Gotta show this to Popyrin
Dude is an unforced error machine
@@ishaangupta4125 I am dead LOL
He already tried to do this to him and failed about a month ago on clay. Playing laser tennis will not beat Rafa at Roland Garros. -Jason
Poopyrin has zero tennis IQ, a typical ball basher
Watch 2021 Roland Garros semi-final
Love your videos just broke my arm so I gotta stop playing, but your videos always make me feel good
Crazy good material!
Now you need to make how to beat Novak and explain why it's impossible
Lesson: Nothing evolves well with time
Ok
Zverev has entered the chat
I bet Novak is watching this before the semifinal haha
this is very good. thank you.