WATCH: “Holy smokes” Rafael Nadal goes airborne and hits a FEROCIOUS forehand against Casper Ruud in Argentina

22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal is currently on a tour in Latin America and is scheduled to play in six countries against Casper Ruud starting in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The duo played in the Argentine capital on Wednesday where Nadal got the better of Ruud in straight sets 7-6,6-2 at the Parque Roca.

The match was tight right from the start with each player giving the crowd their money’s worth. Nadal, who was struggled a lot since his US Open exit, served well for a change. He mixed his offense with the right amount of defense and took charge of most of the rallies. Ruud too matched Nadal’s level in the first set and forced a first-set tie-breaker which the Spaniard won.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPivXOq3Usc

The second set had Nadal painted all over it. He got to the ball early and forced Ruud to play slowly to his advantage. He was quick enough to break Ruud twice. During the last game of the second set, Nadal hit an airborne forehand after which everyone was shocked. Nadal leaped in the air with full flow and hit a huge forehand winner down the line. He went on to win the game, and eventually the set.

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Tennis Twitter reacts to Rafael Nadal’s monstrous forehand

Tennis fans on social media went crazy over Nadal’s shot, especially its pace. The fact that Nadal was terribly out of form for the last two months only made things sweeter. Many want Rafa to carry the same form in the 2023 season where he’ll start his title defense at the Australian Open.

holy smokes.

that had to be at least 130 MPH forehand.

— Hercules Singh (@claydeath1) November 23, 2022

Like in Table Tennis, one leg High jump to hit the smash to clear like Boss ?

— Sri's Cricket (@CricketFantasyS) November 24, 2022

That's vintage Rafa and then some WOW.

— Francisco (@Rojas_Media_) November 24, 2022

Incredible speed and precision

— Rascal (@traveller3221) November 24, 2022

The "Greatest " keeps getting on better

— AJMAL SAMI (@ajmalsamilife) November 24, 2022

Woah what a shot. ?

— Asad (@IamASinawan) November 24, 2022

? is back in form! https://t.co/dbPgeUhxU7

— Rafan_11 (@kdonk_kdink_bj) November 24, 2022

Football is cool, but that forehand tho sheeeesh ? https://t.co/tisXRYm4X0

— Gabou (@gaboumusic) November 24, 2022

Hit this in an actual match ffs.

Rafa has ridiculous self-control though, If I knew I could hit shots like these, I would try to hit them every time I get a chance. https://t.co/ZPAD5Aw4R7

— Sanket (@spacepirate16) November 24, 2022

Porn. Porn on my TL again. https://t.co/JZsZ0rEYds

— Hollie Wollie Doodle (@DoodleHollie) November 24, 2022

Rafa with a wild forehand. He should be doing this more often when he plays in hard courts. ??? https://t.co/JmqOH6DJM1

— GPMA ???? (@D0HRAEM0N) November 24, 2022

Holy shit. The jump before the shot and then the shot. ??? https://t.co/BtFV0gesOW

— Arpit (@rafasbodyguard) November 24, 2022

https://twitter.com/motsdangereux/status/1595611636714426368

when i tell u his tennis makes me feel more human emotions than anything else i really mean it https://t.co/SuawB2MSer

— ash ? (@lwtfinallyfree) November 24, 2022

Since losing in the Round of 16 of the US Open, Nadal has won only one tour match- against Casper Ruud in the last group stage match at the ATP Finals. He finished the season as the World No.2 and won 4 titles this year.

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