Was 2010 Rafa's peak? I really hadn't thought about this until I re-watched his 2010

[abmk]

Nadal's absolute peak was the summer of '08-early '09, stats be damned. That's the only time I felt he was THE one to beat on all surfaces. I can't say the same of his '10 run, despite the historic FO-W-USO triple. I'd also say he moved better in '08 than in '10.

yeah, agree .... that nadal was more 'scary' than nadal in 10 ..

 

[Incognito]

As I noted, yes. I think his peak was 2008-11, or maybe 2012 Oz.

Perhaps people don't include, or don't want to include 2011 in Rafa's peak because Novak got the best of him at every turn. But, I think they are underestimating his level of play - Djokovic had one of the greatest seasons in ATP history and played some of the highest level tennis you'll ever see. And even with all that, Nadal wasn't that far off the pace. His level was perhaps as high as you'll see from a guy who couldn't get a W. I think it was part of his peak.

IMO 2011 was definitely Rafa's HC peak. I always count the year they make a major semi-final as the beginning of their peak/prime on that surface. Then I give them 5 years prime/peak.

His HC prime/peak is therefore (2008-2012).

On grass (2006-2010)

On Clay (2005-2009)

 

[zagor]

yeah, agree .... that nadal was more 'scary' than nadal in 10 ..

He had the habit of hitting some ridiculous flat CC BH winners out of nowhere during that period (especially during the AO).

 

[Mustard]

Just watch the match. He played better in 2007. Just, because he won in 2008 does not mean he was playing better. Federer himself was much better in 2007.

This is nonsense. In 2007, Nadal lost to Mahut at Queen's Club, had 5-setters against Soderling and Youzhny at Wimbledon. He also dropped a set to Djokovic and lost to Federer. In 2008, Nadal was brilliant on grass, 12-0.

 

[Mustard]

Really? Does that mean Nadal played his absolute best peak tennis when he lost to Tsonga at AO and Murray at USO? How about when he got routined by Kolja in Miami final?

April to August 2008 was Nadal's peak. Nadal won 8 tournaments in 4 months, and 48 out of 50 matches.

 

[NatF]

This is nonsense. In 2007, Nadal lost to Mahut at Queen's Club, had 5-setters against Soderling and Youzhny at Wimbledon. He also dropped a set to Djokovic and lost to Federer. In 2008, Nadal was brilliant on grass, 12-0.

But his performance in the final was just as good as in 08. His clay season in 2008 was inferior to 2010, yet the highest level he played was at the FO 08 especially the final. Similarly in 2007 Nadal level of play in the final was just as high as a year later.

 

[abmk]

April to August 2008 was Nadal's peak. Nadal won 8 tournaments in 4 months, and 48 out of 50 matches.

wrong.

His peak was CC season minus rome + grass court season + canada + Olympics.

Unbeaten .

Vamos !

 

[Bender]

Grass peak - 2007/8
Grass prime - 2006-11

Clay peak - 2008, 2012
Clay prime - 2005-?

Hard court peak - 2011
Hard court prime - 2008/9-12

 

[roberttennis54]

This is nonsense. In 2007, Nadal lost to Mahut at Queen's Club, had 5-setters against Soderling and Youzhny at Wimbledon. He also dropped a set to Djokovic and lost to Federer. In 2008, Nadal was brilliant on grass, 12-0.

Nadal has never really done that well at Queens. In 2008 he won in a final set tie breaker against Karlovic and was almost beaten at Queens by Nishikori. At Wimbledon Gulbis pushed him all the way too. Nadal has always been vulnerable to big servers, with flat shots.

 

[Mustard]

Nadal has never really done that well at Queens. In 2008 he won in a final set tie breaker against Karlovic and was almost beaten at Queens by Nishikori. At Wimbledon Gulbis pushed him all the way too. Nadal has always been vulnerable to big servers, with flat shots.

Nadal was definitely less vulnerable on grass in 2008 than any other year. Karlovic was seemingly unbreakable in their Queen's Club match, but Nadal got the win.

 

[roberttennis54]

Nadal was definitely less vulnerable on grass in 2008 than any other year. Karlovic was seemingly unbreakable in their Queen's Club match, but Nadal got the win.

So you ignore that he almost lost to Karlovic, ignore just how close Gulbis pushed him as well. Gulbis almost took the third set. Gulbis was not exactly Soderling either. Nor you mention that Mahut made it to the final of Queens losing a very narrow match against Roddick. The final in 2007 was the finest match Nadal has played on grass.

 

[Mustard]

So you ignore that he almost lost to Karlovic, ignore just how close Gulbis pushed him as well.

No, I'm not ignoring it, but Nadal was less vulnerable in 2008 on grass than any other year.

Gulbis almost took the third set. Gulbis was not exactly Soderling either. Nor you mention that Mahut made it to the final of Queens losing a very narrow match against Roddick. The final in 2007 was the finest match Nadal has played on grass.

Gulbis pushes Nadal virtually every time they play. I think the best match Nadal played on grass was when he beat Murray at 2008 Wimbledon. The 2007 Wimbledon final was good, but he didn't have a day of rest for the whole of the second week. Nadal was better in the 2008 Wimbledon final, more confident and more experienced.

 

[abmk]

Gulbis pushes Nadal virtually every time they play. I think the best match Nadal played on grass was when he beat Murray at 2008 Wimbledon. The 2007 Wimbledon final was good, but he didn't have a day of rest for the whole of the second week. Nadal was better in the 2008 Wimbledon final, more confident and more experienced.

eh, didn't nadal get a reprieve with djokovic retiring in the semi ?

nadal's level was similar in both the finals, his serving being better in 08, his ground game being better in 07 final.

 

[roberttennis54]

No, I'm not ignoring it, but Nadal was less vulnerable in 2008 on grass than any other year.

Just, because he won those close matches does not make him any less vulnerable. It's like saying Federer was better on clay in 09 than 06.

Gulbis pushes Nadal virtually every time they play. I think the best match Nadal played on grass was when he beat Murray at 2008 Wimbledon. The 2007 Wimbledon final was good, but he didn't have a day of rest for the whole of the second week. Nadal was better in the 2008 Wimbledon final, more confident and more experienced.

Soderling is the only man to ever beat Nadal at Roland Garros. Gulbis has NEVER beaten Nadal. Youzhny when on fire has beaten Nadal at the US Open and beat him with the loss of one game.

Nadal was no way better in the 08 final. Actually the quality of the match was fairly low. Just go and watch both matches back to back and you will see there is quite a gap in quality. Even then Federer should have won the 2nd set.

 

[roberttennis54]

eh, didn't nadal get a reprieve with djokovic retiring in the semi ?

nadal's level was similar in both the finals, his serving being better in 08, his ground game being better in 07 final.

It was more Federer's returning than Nadal's serving. Federer was constantly hitting second serves into the net.

 

[abmk]

It was more Federer's returning than Nadal's serving. Federer was constantly hitting second serves into the net.

it was a mix of both. federer's returning was definitely worse in the 08 final.

Overall , federer's level in 07 was distinctly better while nadal's was more or less the same IMO, though if I really had to pick, I'd take the 07 final level.

 

[Mustard]

eh, didn't nadal get a reprieve with djokovic retiring in the semi ?

Djokovic retired with feet blisters. He had been playing virtually every day in the second week himself.

Just, because he won those close matches does not make him any less vulnerable. It's like saying Federer was better on clay in 09 than 06.

I didn't notice any losses in 2008, and only one 5-setter.

Soderling is the only man to ever beat Nadal at Roland Garros. Gulbis has NEVER beaten Nadal. Youzhny when on fire has beaten Nadal at the US Open and beat him with the loss of one game.

Why are you using hindsight in regards to Soderling? In 2007, Youzhny pushed Nadal to the limit at Wimbledon. At Wimbledon in 2008, it was a different story, because Nadal was playing better was wasn't on and off the court every day.

Nadal was no way better in the 08 final. Actually the quality of the match was fairly low. Just go and watch both matches back to back and you will see there is quite a gap in quality. Even then Federer should have won the 2nd set.

LOL. Low quality? Madness. I have watched both matches. Nadal could have won the 2008 Wimbledon final in straight sets. The opportunity was there but it slipped through his fingers.

 

[abmk]

Djokovic retired with feet blisters. He had been playing virtually every day in the second week himself.

yeah, exactly, so nadal got bit more of a breather before the final , how difficult is that to get ?

 

[Mustard]

yeah, exactly, so nadal got bit more of a breather before the final , how difficult is that to get ?

Federer had 5 days off, did he not? Federer managed to complete his third round victory over Safin on the first Friday as scheduled, and Haas pulled out of the fourth round match to give Federer a walkover. At the same time, Nadal was on and off the court against Soderling on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, while the referee had refused to play on the Middle Sunday while the sun shined. Nadal then had to play Youzhny (winning from 2 sets down) on the Thursday, Berdych (who Nadal was 2-3 against) on the Friday, Djokovic on the Saturday, and then Federer on the Sunday.

 

[roberttennis54]

Djokovic retired with feet blisters. He had been playing virtually every day in the second week himself.



I didn't notice any losses in 2008, and only one 5-setter.



Why are you using hindsight in regards to Soderling? In 2007, Youzhny pushed Nadal to the limit at Wimbledon. At Wimbledon in 2008, it was a different story, because Nadal was playing better was wasn't on and off the court every day.

Not really hingsight, because Soderling was starting to become a threat. He was already recognised as a dangerous player when on. YOuzhny is a player similar to Blake. When he is on he can be incredibly dangerous, but when not can be easily beaten.

LOL. Low quality? Madness. I have watched both matches. Nadal could have won the 2008 Wimbledon final in straight sets. The opportunity was there but it slipped through his fingers.

Not madness at all. Federer was terrible in that match and as I said he should have won the second. He was 4-2 up if I remember correctly. We will have to leave it there. I think most people if they think Nadal's level was roughly the same would admit that Federer was much better in 07. Takae away Federer's shocking returning in the 08 final and you can see just how much poorer Nadal's groundstrokes were.

 

[abmk]

Federer had 5 days off, did he not? Federer managed to complete his third round victory over Safin on the first Friday as scheduled, and Haas pulled out of the fourth round match to give Federer a walkover. At the same time, Nadal was on and off the court against Soderling on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, while the referee had refused to play on the Middle Sunday while the sun shined. Nadal then had to play Youzhny (winning from 2 sets down) on the Thursday, Berdych (who Nadal was 2-3 against) on the Friday, Djokovic on the Saturday, and then Federer on the Sunday.

you mean youzhny who injured himself ( back IIRC ) after being up 2 sets to love ? nadal breezed through berdych and got a retirement vs djokovic. it was tough, but not as bad as you nadal fanboys make it out to be.

nadal played well and truly above his level before the final , in the final, for all the 5 sets and didn't show any effects of the draw at all.