Who else can't wait?

[Lotto]

I must say that I cannot wait for the French Open. I really want to see another Nadal-Federer final even though Nadal is likely to walk the tournament. I want to see how Federer plays after last years drubbing.

 

[dr325i]

I must say that I cannot wait for the French Open. I really want to see another Nadal-Federer final even though Nadal is likely to walk the tournament. I want to see how Federer plays after last years drubbing.

I don't think it will be Nadal-Fed final this year...

 

[matchmaker]

I seriously think that Fed is so going to want to avoid another Nadal debacle, that he is going to have himself eliminated in previous rounds.

Then for Wimby he is gonna try everything in his power to get that title on the surface that suits him most and where he stands a very good chance against Nadal, whereas in a best of five on clay, he knows he is going to be humiliated yet another time and he is too proud to take that again.

 

[Phil]

I can wait.

 

[ruerooo]

I must say that I cannot wait for the French Open. I really want to see another Nadal-Federer final even though Nadal is likely to walk the tournament. I want to see how Federer plays after last years drubbing.

I would love to see another FEDAL final, of course, but I'm also interested in seeing what happens in the season leading up to it that may influence its outcome.

I'm looking forward to Roger coming to the States for DC. I'm waiting to see what Rafa decides about playing in the DC first round - it might not be the best thing for his schedule + health, but it's so clear that he wants to do it.
And things like that I'm sure can shape the season leading up to RG.

(Plus, it's nice to actually get something done IRL between tournaments. )

 

[0d1n]

^^ Same here...I can wait as well.
On the other hand I can't wait for this forum to be less "Federer/Nadal and Federer VS Nadal" oriented. I guess some of posters around need to grow up and/or start watching some tennis outside Fed vs Nadal matches in order for this to happen (chances are slim to none).

 

[Nadal_Monfils]

I think it will be a Djokovic-Nadal final this year. Djokovic was more impressive at the French last year than Federer, even though he only made it to the semis. This is assuming that Djokovic rights the ship during the spring hard court season of course.

 

[icedevil0289]

this is the first time in a long time that I'm excited to see the french open. Every other year I just thought it was a waste because I knew nadal was going to win. It seems crazy this year to think other wise as well, but if fed and nadal meet, I feel like fed will play a lot better than last year to prove a point. I mean, after everything that happened at the AO, I'm hoping he comes prepared to kick butt. Ofcourse, that's just the optimist in me. The realist in me is saying that if they do meet, fed is going to get his butt kicked. I just hope that if he makes it to the final, he takes more than 4 games off of nadal and if he takes a set..oh man, I would be the happiest girl ever. Although, it would be neat to see nadal get 5 in a row.

 

[bchamaki]

hey guys just to let you know that there is other players that can take out nadal. Djokovic, Hewitt, Ferrer, Ferrero, Monfils.

 

[saram]

I don't think it will be Nadal-Fed final this year...

You know, a month ago--I was thinking they would meet in the final. Now, I'm starting to agree with you and for some reason find myself that neither of the two mentioned in this thread will play in the final. I am hesitant in doing so--but predicting upsets somewhere in the draw of Roger and Rafa.

 

[saram]

hey guys just to let you know that there is other players that can take out nadal. Djokovic, Hewitt, Ferrer, Ferrero, Monfils.

Very true. And if were on the slicker of surfaces--I would through Verdasco in there as well although he does not play as well on the clay versus hard and fast courts--the clay slows down that great serve of his.

I think Monfils with the 'home court advantage' could work wonders again at RG if he is playing quality tennis.

 

[saram]

this is the first time in a long time that I'm excited to see the french open. Every other year I just thought it was a waste because I knew nadal was going to win. It seems crazy this year to think other wise as well, but if fed and nadal meet, I feel like fed will play a lot better than last year to prove a point. I mean, after everything that happened at the AO, I'm hoping he comes prepared to kick butt. Ofcourse, that's just the optimist in me. The realist in me is saying that if they do meet, fed is going to get his butt kicked. I just hope that if he makes it to the final, he takes more than 4 games off of nadal and if he takes a set..oh man, I would be the happiest girl ever. Although, it would be neat to see nadal get 5 in a row.

I have been rooting for Roger to win the FO for two years now. It is the only time I want him winning a final against Rafa. I hope 2009 brings Roger a title at RG.

 

[Alexio92]

Im going for a monfils - djokovic final, but davydenko might take out nadal if he is fit.

 

[Pwned]

I seriously think that Fed is so going to want to avoid another Nadal debacle, that he is going to have himself eliminated in previous rounds.

Then for Wimby he is gonna try everything in his power to get that title on the surface that suits him most and where he stands a very good chance against Nadal, whereas in a best of five on clay, he knows he is going to be humiliated yet another time and he is too proud to take that again.

The former number one player in the world and arguably greatest tennis player of all time does not AVOID a chance to win a slam.

 

[S H O W S T O P P E R !]

NO MORE FED-NADAL FINALS until at least the US Open series. It's getting kinda old for me.

 

[OddJack]

I would be expecting another RR final. But there are few months to go and lots of stuff may happen till then. Injury for one, hopefully not though.

 

[edmondsm]

Man it's so far away. Impossible to know what the tennis climate will be when we get to late May. At this point I would have to say that Nadal's biggest test on clay is going to be Verdasco. I have a feeling though that Verdasco is going to have the classic post AO let down.

 

[veroniquem]

I must say that I cannot wait for the French Open. I really want to see another Nadal-Federer final even though Nadal is likely to walk the tournament. I want to see how Federer plays after last years drubbing.

Wow you're a real masochist! If I was a Fed fan, the last thing I would want to see is Federer getting schooled by Nadal again! As a Nadal fan though, I wouldn't mind a second helping of that

 

[Telepatic]

I`m tired of Fed-Nadal finals..Uh, its always the same..Nadal plays big spin shots to Feds backhand and waits for error...etc, boring as hell..Djokovic/Verdasco vs Nadal in finals would be great.

 

[Pwned]

Wow you're a real masochist! If I was a Fed fan, the last thing i would want to see is Federer getting schooled by Nadal again! As a Nadal fan though, I wouldn't mind a second helping of that

Since that is a given? Federer has beat Nadal on clay before...

 

[Andyk028]

hey guys just to let you know that there is other players that can take out nadal. Djokovic, Hewitt, Ferrer, Ferrero, Monfils.

Hewitt could never EVER touch Rafael Nadal on clay...EVER

 

[Breaker]

Hewitt could never EVER touch Rafael Nadal on clay...EVER

Hamburg 2007, came very close.

Roland Garros 2006, played a good match went to four difficult sets.

 

[Turning Pro]

^Yeah exactly. Everyone either hates Hewitt or underestimates him. He's actually the 3rd best active player in terms of career achievements and stats.

 

[seffina]

I'm looking forward to the two hard court masters at the moment. Not in clay season mood yet.

 

[veroniquem]

Since that is a given? Federer has beat Nadal on clay before...

Federer is getting older, Nadal is getting better, you have the perfect recipe for a spanking on Nadal's favorite surface (if Nadal can now beat Fed in a slam final on hard, you can imagine what it's gonna be on clay.) Also that one Federer victory you're alluding to happened in very specific circumstances and on a kind of clay that has nothing to do with RG clay. At RG, Federer hasn't even been close to beating Nadal. Why would that change now that Nadal's confidence is higher than ever and Federer is having nervous breakdowns on court? Everything points to the opposite happening.

 

[Pwned]

Federer is getting older, Nadal is getting better, you have the perfect recipe for a spanking on Nadal's favorite surface (if Nadal can now beat Fed in a slam final on hard, you can imagine what it's gonna be on clay.) Also that one Federer victory you're alluding to happened in very specific circumstances and on a kind of clay that has nothing to do with RG clay. At RG, Federer hasn't even been close to beating Nadal. Why would that change now that Nadal's confidence is higher than ever and Federer is having nervous breakdowns on court? Everything points to the opposite happening.

Glad you are so sure of yourself. Might want to call Fed and tell him it's not worth it to play, given your expert opinion.

 

[veroniquem]

Hamburg 2007, came very close.

Roland Garros 2006, played a good match went to four difficult sets.

6-2, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2: Ok 1 set was difficult, (the one won by Hewitt), the other ones were pretty routine. And in 2007, it was a straight setter for Nadal with one of the sets 6-1. Hewitt is not the one who's gonna knock down Nadal on clay, I'm afraid...

 

[veroniquem]

Glad you are so sure of yourself. Might want to call Fed and tell him it's not worth it to play, given your expert opinion.

Sorry that the truth hurts, of course he still has to play, you never know, Nadal could start cramping like crazy during the match, although even if that happened, there would still be no guarantee that Fed would win the match! (see Hamburg final 2008).

 

[Pwned]

Sorry that the truth hurts, of course he still has to play, you never know, Nadal could start cramping like crazy during the match, although even if that happened, there would still be no guarantee that Fed would win the match! (see Hamburg final 2008).

You are attempting to speak in absolutes of which there are none in sports. Nadal can play his best and still lose, handily.

 

[icedevil0289]

Sorry that the truth hurts, of course he still has to play, you never know, Nadal could start cramping like crazy during the match, although even if that happened, there would still be no guarantee that Fed would win the match! (see Hamburg final 2008).

Unfortunately, I have to agree with veroniquem. There really is litttle chance that fed will beat nadal at the final, unless god forbid nadal is injured, and even then, knowing nadal, he will find a way to win. However, I will be rooting for roger as always, but this is the one tournament that I don't get upset about if nadal beats fed. Like I said before I hope fed wins more than 4 games and can possibly take a set off.

 

[veroniquem]

You are attempting to speak in absolutes of which there are none in sports. Nadal can play his best and still lose, handily.

I'm attempting to shatter your illusions before your heart gets broken
Hey if you'd rather keep fantasizing about Federer rolling over Nadal at RG, I don't mind, actually since you're most likely to only see it in your dreams, why not indulge while you can? (PS sure Nadal has often played his best on clay and lost handily, I've seen it lots of times :roll

 

[zagor]

Unfortunately, I have to agree with veroniquem. There really is litttle chance that fed will beat nadal at the final, unless god forbid nadal is injured, and even then, knowing nadal, he will find a way to win. However, I will be rooting for roger as always, but this is the one tournament that I don't get upset about if nadal beats fed. Like I said before I hope fed wins more than 4 games and can possibly take a set off.

Second this,not that I'm pesimistic or that I don't believe in Fed(I always root for and believe in him)but let's be realistic.Fed has a chance against Nadal at Wimbledon and USO but at the FO even at his peak he even failed to push Nadal to five let alone win,don't see that changing this year either..

 

[edmondsm]

Well I don't see Federer as being Nadal's toughest opponent at RG. If Verdasco, Monfils, Djokovic, or Del Potro run into Nadal as some point during the French Open I would be less surprised that they beat him then Federer.

 

[Pwned]

I'm attempting to shatter your illusions before your heart gets broken
Hey if you'd rather keep fantasizing about Federer rolling over Nadal at RG, I don't mind, actually since you're most likely to only see it in your dreams, why not indulge while you can? (PS sure Nadal has often played his best on clay and lost handily, I've seen it lots of times :roll

Illusions of what exactly? I don't plan or expect anyone to win. This is why you play, because it is not set in stone.

 

[veroniquem]

Well I don't see Federer as being Nadal's toughest opponent at RG. If Verdasco, Monfils, Djokovic, or Del Potro run into Nadal as some point during the French Open I would be less surprised that they beat him then Federer.

Verdasco is better on hard (clay takes away the big serve), Djoko doesn't have the endurance for a marathon on clay vs Nadal (and believe me, that's what he would need to do), Del Potro is really not that good, especially on clay. Monfils is the only matchup I would be intrigued about, I seriously doubt he would have enough consistency to beat Nadal in best of 5 though, SERIOUSLY. In 2008 I believe Nadal's toughest matches on clay were against Ferrer. I know he also had a tough match against Djoko but I don't see Djoko staying the distance at all in best of 5.

 

[veroniquem]

Illusions of what exactly? I don't plan or expect anyone to win. This is why you play, because it is not set in stone.

Generally it isn't, but sometimes it pretty much is; how much would you have bet on Roddick beating Fed at the AO? Personally, not much at all!

 

[edmondsm]

Verdasco is better on hard (clay takes away the big serve), Djoko doesn't have the endurance for a marathon on clay vs Nadal (and believe me, that's what he would need to do), Del Potro is really not that good, especially on clay. Monfils is the only matchup I would be intrigued about, I seriously doubt he would have enough consistency to beat Nadal in best of 5 though, SERIOUSLY. In 2008 I believe Nadal's toughest matches on clay were against Ferrer IMO. I know he also had a tough match against Djoko but I don't see Djoko staying the distance at all in best of 5.

Djokovic can play 5 sets, he just wilted in the heat of Australia. As long as it's not 100+ I think he could do it. He played one of the longest matches ever and the USO.

It's all just assumptions. May is so long from now. Nobody knows who is going to be in form in 3 months. Yes, even your night-in-shining-armor could be less then 100%

 

[hoodjem]

If Fed could beat Rafa at RG FO 09, that would be the biggest shocker upset in tennis history in a long time!

Imagine a Wimby 09 final between those two after that!!

 

[icedevil0289]

If Fed could beat Rafa at RG FO 09, that would be the biggest shocker upset in tennis history in a long time!

Imagine a Wimby 09 final between those two after that!!

lol, that would surely be a big upset. I think everyone would have field day with that. Could you imagine the amount of confidence that fed would have after that?

 

[zagor]

If Fed could beat Rafa at RG FO 09, that would be the biggest shocker upset in tennis history in a long time!

Imagine a Wimby 09 final between those two after that!!

That would be one of the biggest shocks I've ever seen in sports in general. not just tennis if it happens(I rather doubt it will).

 

[veroniquem]

Djokovic can play 5 sets, he just wilted in the heat of Australia. As long as it's not 100+ I think he could do it. He played one of the longest matches ever and the USO.

It's all just assumptions. May is so long from now. Nobody knows who is going to be in form in 3 months. Yes, even your night-in-shining-armor could be less then 100%

Yes he could, I'm just expecting the same thing to happen as the last 4 years: that is Nadal's form getting galvanized at the sight of the red powder and hitting cruise control right away ( it seems that clay has the same effect on Rafa as cocaine has on other people :shock

 

[matchmaker]

Yes he could, I'm just expecting the same thing to happen as the last 4 years: that is Nadal's form getting galvanized at the sight of the red powder and hitting cruise control right away ( it seems that clay has the same effect on Rafa as cocaine has on other people :shock

Maybe that is why he stands up for Phelps.