2012: Bad Year for Nadal

[hoodjem]

I have this hunch that 2012 will be a rather bad year for Nadal.

It seems like with all those losses to Djokovic last year, his spirit is broken. Nadal's will to win has been severely diminished. He seems much more vulnerable than previously.

I even suspect that he will not win the FO--he seems that much of a "lesser player."

[niff]

I fear we will hear the phrase "rest year" in this thread.

[Hood_Man]

I'm going to hold out until the clay season. Even if he fails to add to his Australian Open points or reach any hard court finals, I think Monte Carlo (maybe Rome) will give us an idea of how he's going to do this year.

Even though he lost to Monfils I still liked what I saw from him.

[Clarky21]

You're a year too late as 2011 was bad,already. I do agree that 2012 will be worse,though. He has declined significantly in a very short period of time,and has no hope of recovering anything he's lost. I've been saying he's done for a long time and I stick by it.

[kishnabe]

It looks that way...and I hope it is. Really though, Nadal will find a way this year to suceed.

[Homeboy Hotel]

Guys, lets register 'nadalwon2013' and 'nadalwon2014' - quick!

[DjokovicForTheWin]

2011 was one of Nadal's best years of his career. Check the data. But yes I agree, the 'rest year' nomenclature is entering laughably into this forum, LOL

[aphex]

One can only hope...

[MichaelNadal]

Originally Posted by Clarky21

You're a year too late as 2011 was bad,already. I do agree that 2012 will be worse,though. He has declined significantly in a very short period of time,and has no hope of recovering anything he's lost. I've been saying he's done for a long time and I stick by it.

I know it's not likely to happen, but if he did come out, and beat Novak a few times this year, particularly in slams, and really fought like vintage Nadal, what would u say? I think you may be so resigned, that if he actually did something positive that even impressed you, that you may be speechless.

[Clarky21]

Originally Posted by MichaelNadal

I know it's not likely to happen, but if he did come out, and beat Novak a few times this year, particularly in slams, and really fought like vintage Nadal, what would u say? I think you may be so resigned, that if he actually did something positive that even impressed you, that you may be speechless.

Well,since it's been close to two years since he did anything worthwhile,I guess it would shock me. I still do not have high hopes for this season. He's just not nearly as good as he used to be,and since his mental strength is failing him,he doesn't show the same fight or fire as he used to. He plays the big points like a terrified child these days. It's unreal how far he's fallen in such a short amount of time.

[daddy]

Originally Posted by Hood_Man

I'm going to hold out until the clay season. Even if he fails to add to his Australian Open points or reach any hard court finals, I think Monte Carlo (maybe Rome) will give us an idea of how he's going to do this year.

Even though he lost to Monfils I still liked what I saw from him.

I share this opinion of yours. Because when he was becoming what he is and was especially in 2010, he was gathering confidence and will and sacrifice and determination, basically everything because of the succes on clay.

However if he fails this clay season, it will be rough time for Rafa.

Akcija

[CMM]

Originally Posted by Clarky21

Well,since it's been close to two years since he did anything worthwhile,I guess it would shock me.

Yes, winning Roland Garros, a seventh Monte Carlo title, reaching 2 other Slam finals and winning the Davis Cup against Argentina is nothing to be proud of.

[MichaelNadal]

Originally Posted by CMM

Yes, winning Roland Garros, a seventh Monte Carlo title, reaching 2 other Slam finals and winning the Davis Cup against Argentina is nothing to be proud of.

Well it is, but 6 straight losses in finals isn't though. We know where you're coming from but talking more about his mental fortitude, and playing level. Hopefully he comes out with a less defeatist approach this year. Especially with his fitness, and looking like he'd rather be anywhere else than on court. He played probably 10 really GOOD sets of tennis in all of 2011 where he gave his all and played like classic Rafa IMO.

[batz]

Originally Posted by CMM

Yes, winning Roland Garros, a seventh Monte Carlo title, reaching 2 other Slam finals and winning the Davis Cup against Argentina is nothing to be proud of.

If Murray could have just one season that was as bad as this then I'd be a happy bunny.

[CMM]

Originally Posted by MichaelNadal

Well it is, but 6 straight losses in finals isn't though. We know where you're coming from but talking more about his mental fortitude, and playing level. He didn't play that well at all in 2011.

Maybe he didn't play as well as he did in 2010 but you can't ignore the good results just because he suffered some painful loses. Winning a Slam is still a big deal as far as I know. Just ask Murray.

[CMM]

Originally Posted by batz

If Murray could have just one season that was as bad as this then I'd be a happy bunny.

Exactly.

[Clarky21]

Originally Posted by MichaelNadal

Well it is, but 6 straight losses in finals isn't though. We know where you're coming from but talking more about his mental fortitude, and playing level. Hopefully he comes out with a less defeatist approach this year. Especially with his fitness, and looking like he'd rather be anywhere else than on court. He played probably 10 really GOOD sets of tennis in all of 2011 where he gave his all and played like classic Rafa IMO.

Exactly. Nadal relies heavily on his mental strength and since it's been mia for more than a year now,he has struggled a lot. He himself said he's mentally tired,and has lost his passion for tennis. What other proof do people need that he is mentally done?

[Clarky21]

Originally Posted by CMM

Yes, winning Roland Garros, a seventh Monte Carlo title, reaching 2 other Slam finals and winning the Davis Cup against Argentina is nothing to be proud of.

But he did not play well throughout any of those tournaments. He choked away leads,made errors like crazy,served like Dementieva,was overly defensive,and played like he was about to wet himself out of fear,especially on the big points. Nadal's nerves are eating him up these days,and he never used to be that way before. It wasn't good tennis from Nadal no matter if he won those titles or not.

And you still have to admit that he wouldn't have won RG without Roger taking out Norman. He would have gone slamless otherwise.

[CMM]

Originally Posted by Clarky21

But he did not play well throughout any of those tournaments. He choked away leads,made errors like crazy,served like Dementieva,was overly defensive,and played like he was about to wet himself out of fear,especially on the big points. Nadal's nerves are eating him up these days,and he never used to be that way before. It wasn't good tennis from Nadal no matter if he won those titles or not.

And you still have to admit that he wouldn't have won RG without Roger taking out Norman. He would have gone slamless otherwise.

Well, if he played so bad and still managed to win a Slam and reach 2 other finals, then I guess that if he will start playing a bit better, he will be unbeatable.
Doesn't matter what would have happened at RG. He won and that's it.

[Crisstti]

Originally Posted by Clarky21

But he did not play well throughout any of those tournaments. He choked away leads,made errors like crazy,served like Dementieva,was overly defensive,and played like he was about to wet himself out of fear,especially on the big points. Nadal's nerves are eating him up these days,and he never used to be that way before. It wasn't good tennis from Nadal no matter if he won those titles or not.

I agree about that. I wonder what's up with that...