Nadal's dominance on clay ends in 2013
- Thread starter tennis_pro
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Nathaniel_Near
Guest
I'd definitely be rooting for Fed. My dream scenario in a way would be that Novak beats Rafa in the semis at RG and the whole tennis world is excited about how he was truly able to conquer Nadal even in his holy fortress, only to have Roger do a RG 11 on his arse.
NatF
Bionic Poster
I want Novak to get his career slam and he is my second favorite. But I find it hard to root against Federer in any circumstances. Partly because I think Djokovic will definately win RG in the next couple of years and I doubt Federer has more than one or two good runs in him at any slam.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
If it's a Federer-Djokovic final I'll be OK with whoever wins.
Just as long as Nadal gets humbled.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
And i'm rooting for Rafa 
falstaff78
Hall of Fame
not sure about your assessment of that second set. in that second set:
1) Djokovic took 55% of the points. For context, Nadal has won just 52% of points on clay vs. Federer in their entire rivalry.
2) Djokovic had a dominance ratio of 1.27 over Nadal. 1.27 is the dominance ratio of Djokovic and Federer combined against the rest of the field on clay in the last 3 years.
sounds like a pretty thorough dismantling to me....
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Nathaniel_Near
Guest
And i'm rooting for Rafa
Game ON BROTHER. GAME ON.
*raises power level to beyond 9000*
TheF1Bob
Banned
Novak entered last year as well,
And? Novak was never in the best shape that week, you know that.
When happened today was a glimpse into the foreseeable future.
STREET RAT HUMBLED BY SON OF GOD! 8)
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monfed
Guest
And i'm rooting for Rafa
You're full of surprises!
TheF1Bob
Banned
LeBron to destroy all. 8)
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
You gotta admit, it would be epic if Nadal loses to Djokovic in all 3 clay masters and then wins the FO still.
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Deleted member 77403
Guest
I'm cheering Djokovic all the way to the FO. I don't care if he loses everything else, I just want him to win this title just once.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Sadly, every great player retires with things they never accomplished.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
You mean like Nadal never winning the WTF?
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Exactly what I mean, and Miami, and Cincy
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Nathaniel_Near
Guest
He did say 'every'...
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Nathaniel_Near
Guest
Agreed. Make it happen LeBron, you beast. I'll be watching the playoffs with very keen eyes yet again.
M
monfed
Guest
Nadal's still the firm favourite for Rome and RG.
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Deleted member 77403
Guest
But that is because every great player thrives for more.
tipsa...don'tlikehim!
Talk Tennis Guru
Nadal will win the Masters cup one day
soon or later!!
soon or later!!
DropShotArtist
Banned
I think a Fed Djoker FO final would be more epic than Nadal Djoker
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Federer would get beat down. Bad.
tipsa...don'tlikehim!
Talk Tennis Guru
wake up , federer will never reach the final of the FO, i bet on a loss before the semi
tipsa...don'tlikehim!
Talk Tennis Guru
federer can loose to giraldo or feli lopez in the second round
I think Rafa is at the top of the mountain looking down at the other side - he's still on top of his game, but the decline is at least in sight. Kind of like Fed in 2007 - still has some punch left, but realizes that he has fewer good years ahead of him than behind him. Plus, maturity starts to make winning mean so much more - so one starts to feel the pressure of the moment. When you're too young to know any better, it doesn't get to you as much. We've seen it with all of the pros - notably Agassi - who was able to really relish the twilight of his career, as was Sampras in the end. Guys who were mature enough to realize what it all meant, and how fleeting those moments of greatness were.
namelessone
Legend
All dominance ends eventually.
Nadal dominated clay for 8 years now. And I don't mean dominate as in win a big clay tourney + RG, I mean literally do near sweeps(or a full sweep like in 2010) on major clay tournies every year. Even in bad years for him, he still won something. In 2009, though he lost RG, he won MC and Rome. In 2011, he lost in Rome and Madrid but won RG.
A win against Nadal on clay is MAJOR news, even 8 years after when Nadal isn't exactly the 2008 version of himself, leaping for EVERY ball and chomping down when given leads. More and more players are believing against Nadal because they see the gaps in his game which can't be plugged by speedy legs anymore.
I may be in the minority here but I wasn't impressed with Rafa on clay in 2013 so far. He is still quite good, no doubt about it, but he is a different man physically and mentally than the peak clay version from circa 2008. Even so, the fact that only a very solid nr.1 like Djoko can beat him speaks volumes about his natural clay prowess.
It is possible that Rafa's clay dominance ends in 2013 but it depends on how it goes in Rome and Madrid because Rafa is a confidence player.
Nadal dominated clay for 8 years now. And I don't mean dominate as in win a big clay tourney + RG, I mean literally do near sweeps(or a full sweep like in 2010) on major clay tournies every year. Even in bad years for him, he still won something. In 2009, though he lost RG, he won MC and Rome. In 2011, he lost in Rome and Madrid but won RG.
A win against Nadal on clay is MAJOR news, even 8 years after when Nadal isn't exactly the 2008 version of himself, leaping for EVERY ball and chomping down when given leads. More and more players are believing against Nadal because they see the gaps in his game which can't be plugged by speedy legs anymore.
I may be in the minority here but I wasn't impressed with Rafa on clay in 2013 so far. He is still quite good, no doubt about it, but he is a different man physically and mentally than the peak clay version from circa 2008. Even so, the fact that only a very solid nr.1 like Djoko can beat him speaks volumes about his natural clay prowess.
It is possible that Rafa's clay dominance ends in 2013 but it depends on how it goes in Rome and Madrid because Rafa is a confidence player.
netlets
Professional
Not having a rooting interest for either, I disagree with that assessment. What I saw was when Djokovic raised his game to his highest level it was too good for Rafa. He has no answers for the forehand to Rafa's backhand rallies. Nole got behind when his energy level dropped after the first set. When he turned it back up he went on streaks of winning several points in a row. Nadal's backhand cannot hurt Djokovic.
Feather
Legend
Your posts, I noticed in the match thread also, are very insightful. I wonder what you do. Are you a player or just another professional who follows the game?
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Nathaniel_Near
Guest
Heck no. I mean I play the game sure but that's as far as it goes, and I play badminton more than I play tennis. I have just watched a lot of tennis also and I have a naturally analytical mind and like to try and pick up patterns and trends in things, whether it be sport, music or whatever. Thank you, though. There are many insightful forum members here and it's good to sometimes discuss tactics and strategy with them.
In general I'm a big sports fan. Tennis is number 1 but then there is basketball, rugby, cricket, athletics, boxing, badminton and even chess. As for what I do, I'm a music composer and teacher.
kalyan4fedever
Legend
It would be better, if either nole or nadal wins the french open
RF20Lennon
Legend
Isnt this what you people said in 2011? LOL. I agree djokovic would be the clear fav but come on this fed, the old man still has some tricks left in the bag.
TheTruth
G.O.A.T.
I agree. I didn't see anything that led to dominance at this point. I don't think you can play five tournaments after seven months off and be where you were as if nothing happened.
romeo8880
G.O.A.T.
It is going to be interesting how Federer performs after this somewhat long layoff. Hopefully he is fresh and the back is of no trouble.
dudeski
Hall of Fame
Yeah all him and mustard talk about it the mythical invincible peak Nadal from 2008. Ignoring the fact that 2008 Nadal got his ass whooped in big matches by Tsonga, Djokovic twice, Murray, Denko twice. and even Roddick and Simon.
Feather
Legend
I would be rooting for Roger, Novak will have many chances in the coming years. I am sure he will win it one day. For Roger, it could be his last chance at RG. I don't even know whether I can call it a chance.
My dream scenario would be Rafa taking Nole in one round and Roger playing Rafa the next round and win. Oh God, I would die to see that..and I am exaggerating hehe
namelessone
Legend
Ignoring the fact that I said peak CLAY Nadal from 2008.
romeo8880
G.O.A.T.
Feather
Legend
Great to know that. I used to follow Cricket at one point of time. I left it once my favorites retired. I used to be a die hard fan of Mohammad Azharuddin and Steve Waugh. It's great to be a music composer. I wish you luck and hope you will be really famous. I see that you are from UK. Well, I like few of the bands from UK. Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, the prominent bands from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Oh yes, Iron Maiden also. They came to India twice, missed them watching live on both occassions
Feather
Legend
I agree, Rafa on clay till 2008 was on a different level. The closest thing to perfection in any sports
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Nathaniel_Near
Guest
My fave player actually was Jonty Rhodes... THOSE catches! The UK certainly has a great musical heritage and I like much of what the UK has produced but also just many genres of music in general. I saw Iron Maiden live at Download Festival some years back and it was a great experience. Thanks for your luck and hope.
I always wondered, does India in general show pride and awareness of Viswanathan Anand's achievements? For example, do they know that the upcoming World Championship match between him and Magnus Carlsen will be held in Chennai?
Feather
Legend
I mean to win it once again. Roger should have been multiple FO winners in any other era, so I feel that he deserves at least two
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Deleted member 77403
Guest
Peak clay was at RG 2008 only. He was anything but peak in the masters leading up to RG 2008. He was far more successful in 2010 in the buildup to RG than 2008.
romeo8880
G.O.A.T.
I'd love for it to happen, but I just can't see it. I truly believe he doesn't have it anymore to beat Djokovic, Murray, or Nadal in a best of 5 match. Maybe at Wimbledon but, sadly, I can't see it anywhere else. I'll be really happy if it happens though but I don't expect it.
abmk
Bionic Poster
well, that's cos' djokovic and federer were MIA in the clay court masters in 2010 and they were there in 2008 ....
Feather
Legend
I used to play Chess while in the colllege and once I started working, am a software engineer working in TCS, I gave up on that. Anand is a celebrity here. However, I was not aware about what you told me. To be honest, Indian people don't care about anything other than Cricket. Of course everyone knows about Anand's achievements, but that's about it
Feather
Legend
Never say never! Didn't he fight well against Murray in AO? I have hopes on him.
His best day is capable of anything. I have hopes on him. I am sure he will win another slam. Let us see how he will come back in Madrid
abmk
Bionic Poster
he sure does, he's better on it than the one-slammers in chang, moya, costa etc ...
just hope its not at the expense of fed , if it is the final match ...
while nole has been terrific in clay masters, fed has been far better at RG and IMO deserves one more RG ...
also, while nole is more comfortable vs rafa on clay, I think fed is better against the others .... obviously defeating rafa is a big part in winning on clay in this era ...but nole needs to lift his game up at RG in general and vs him there ...
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