WATCH: Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco entertain A-list celebrities with ridiculous winner
The tennis community is certainly missing Rafael Nadal, with many believing that he is in the final stretch of his tennis career. So, let’s fill the hole he has left in our hearts with an exciting rally from the men’s doubles at the 2016 Indian Wells Open.
Nadal had been partnered up with fellow Spaniard Fernando Verdasco and the duo undoubtedly produced some exciting entertainment with their collaboration at the Sunshine Double event with the likes of Mike Tyson, Hillary Swank and Kaley Cuoco all watching.
They kicked off their campaign in the round of 32, where they faced American greats Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan. The stars put up an exciting display for one hour and 30 minutes before the Bryan brothers were ultimately declared victorious.
But the Spaniards had their moments of brilliance, with their most outrageous effort coming in the second set.
The pair faced a bombardment of strikes from the Bryan twins, forcing Nadal and Verdasco to find a moment of magic – which is precisely what they conjured up. Nadal chased down a worrying effort and executed a perfect behind-the-back shot to keep the rally going. This gave Verdasco the chance to win the point with a ferocious forehand shot.
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me. What was that?” said the stunned commentator, “Standing ovation, and rightly so. Check this handy work out; no way. Whatever it takes to hang on in, Spanish boys will do it. Leave it to me; ‘I’ll take care of the forehand,’ says Verdasco.”
A rally for the ages that showed off the super Spaniards’ specialties.
Despite the duo’s devoted efforts, the Bryan brothers were able to come away with the win as they secured a 3-6, 7-5, 10-8 victory, making it the third seeds’ seventh doubles win over Nadal.
The Americans showed their appreciation for the supporters who helped them find the extra gear to send the Spaniards packing.
“The American crowd really got behind us and kept us going because we were not really close to our best early,” Bob Bryan said. “We stayed in it and got a little momentum there at the end of the second, but it took us a while.”
Mike Bryan added: “A bunch of A-list celebrities out there. It was pretty cool. We were watching the big screen when we were sitting down on changeovers and see Mike Tyson, Larry Ellison, Hillary Swank. Our friend Kaley Cuoco was out there. She’s considered an A-lister. It was a great atmosphere just right from when we walked out. It’s kind of a special court.”
The brothers then continued their hunt for the title until the quarter-final, when they lost to number eight seeds Nenad Zimonjic and Edouard Roger-Vasselin after an exciting display that ended 4-6, 6-1, 14-12.
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