Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, August 17, 2025
Image source: Clive Brunskill/Getty
face Rafael Nadal Even top professionals can lead to an incredible experience in the competition.
Two former American stars say that fighting Nadal in practice is even worse.
In their new episode No big deal podcast, Sam Querrey and Stevie Johnson Shared two of the “worst practice partners” they have ever encountered: Rafael Nadal and Reilly Opelka.
Querrey beat Nadal 6-3, 7-6 (3) in the 2017 Acapulco final, saying the sheer strength of King Clay’s pure left-handed and his tenacious competitiveness made him a nightmare practice partner.
“Rafa is really bad, and we’ve talked about that before,” Querrey said. “Rafa hits every ball as much as possible.”
“Rafa’s bad,” Johnson agreed.
The first number of Nadal is second only to large servers Reilly Opelka Among the worst practice partners, according to Querrey and Johnson.
This is because Opelka chose nuclear choices and strokes in practice, and the result was not a rallier with rhythm and few opposition players.
“Riley is a bad guy,” Johnson said. “He was a great fellowship there, but unlike John,” he said. [Isner],,,,, [Opelka] In practice, robot mode will be fully performed. John, I will reiterate this again, Good Practice Partner. He won’t go all out on the serve and rhythm from the ground. Just like you’ll get a really good pace with John, no problem.
“But Reilly, he did the right way for himself. He would do it like two first points, hitting 74 uncompulsive mistakes and 80 winners in one exercise. It’s like you don’t know what you’re going to get. So sometimes Reilly is a tough way, but he’ll definitely practice the right way for him. But, it’s a tough exercise.
See the worst Crown Nadal and Opelka here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dby2yhid9_y
Rafael Nadal is known for hitting a fierce forehand 6 to 8 mph in matches.
In past interviews with tennis, Toni Nadal, Rafa Nadal’s original coach and uncle cited his nephew’s passion for practice as a major factor in his grand slam greatness.
“I’m lucky enough to coach someone who is excited about every game,” Uncle Tony Nadal told Uncle Tennis in an interview now at the Rafa Nadal Tennis Center in Costa Muyerez, Mexico.
Interestingly, Querrey quoted one of three men, defeating King Clay at Roland Garros, Robin SoderlingBeing one of the two worst warm-up practice companions he has faced.
“I know who are the two worst warm-up companions. If you’re going to be warm-up match for 30 minutes. That’s Robin Soderling or Lukas Rosol [as worst]- They just try to hit every ball. “There’s nothing fun.”
