Lets be frank with this Nadal scenario, an opinion...

[Amelie Mauresmo]

Maybe Nadal is losing his desire for tennis he's been out of the game for over six months. Nadal is so wealthy he doesn't need to play anymore for money he's won a lot of slams.

Or another theory is maybe Nadal realizes what's the point playing the Australian Open and losing early? Maybe Nadal feels he's not mentally prepared to compete again. I think Nadal is being smart he wants to be sure when he comes back he is going to be a force in the game.

[Bartelby]

Maybe he is ill and can't see the point of beginning with a quick hardcourt tour when he's not in form.

So far all this looks like is an intelligent and prudent decision, so we'll have to wait till February to revise judgement.

[Retaliation]

Originally Posted by Bartelby

Maybe he is ill and can't see the point of beginning with a quick hardcourt tour when he's not in form.

So far all this looks like is an intelligent and prudent decision, so we'll have to wait till February to revise judgement.

True. We'll have to see, but I still think if he loved the game, he'd be playing no matter what. If nothing else, it'd help him get back into grand slam shape...especially with RG afterward.

[monfed]

My instincts tell me that Ralph will mostly focus all his energy on winning RG for as many years as he can(he doesn't STILL have a challenger there apart from Djokovic 2.0 even after 8 years of winning,Incredible.) He might sneak in a Wimby somewhere and an AO if push comes to shove and basically overhaul Fed's slam record,that's probably his strategy.

The chase ain't over till Ralph officially pulls the plug on his career.He's not gonna just kill his dream when's he's still within striking distance.

If there's one thing I've learnt about Ralph is that he's the biggest opportunist the ATP may have ever had. Too bad some people can't see it.

[Bartelby]

You really only have to be in peak form during the northern hemisphere summer and you can win three slams in six months, so clay leading quickly into grass is a clear option for a freshened Nadal.

[BeHappy]

Originally Posted by Semi-Pro

Really enjoyed that opening paragraph

Most epic post I have read in a long long while

Agreed. Hilarious.

[jtatsiue]

No discussion about Rafa's elongated absences from the tour is complete without mentioning Performance Enhancing Drugs, EPO, blood doping, HGH, etc... or whatever cocktail of pharmaceutical elixirs Uncle Tony has been sprinkling over Rafa's Wheaties since he was a wee lad. Rafa is most likely serving a silent ban. He's the Lance Armstrong of the ATP. Google this, "The curious case of Rafael Nadal" and let's start a real conversation about Rafa's, ahem, illnesses, injuries and imposed sabbatical from the tour.

[DMan]

Originally Posted by jtatsiue

No discussion about Rafa's elongated absences from the tour is complete without mentioning Performance Enhancing Drugs, EPO, blood doping, HGH, etc... or whatever cocktail of pharmaceutical elixirs Uncle Tony has been sprinkling over Rafa's Wheaties since he was a wee lad. Rafa is most likely serving a silent ban. He's the Lance Armstrong of the ATP. Google this, "The curious case of Rafael Nadal" and let's start a real conversation about Rafa's, ahem, illnesses, injuries and imposed sabbatical from the tour.

So why isn't crybaby Rafa just double-downing the drugs?

Of course, he has to set things up first, the way Uncle Toni always had.

Make the big ominous announcement: NADAL ON DEATH BED!!!!! He can't possibly compete. But he plays anyway. Wincing and cavorting all the way. Saying, "is unbeliebable I beat this guy. He is greatest of all-time." (Of course talking about a qualifier ranked #350 plahing in his first ATP tour level match of his life.

And the manipulated media and fanboys believe the Nadal hype: OVERCOMES the greatest obstacles known to man, to win a single tennis match. Stop the presses. Heck, STOP THE WORLD, and acknowledge.

But seriously, NADAL ALWAYS HAS AN EXCUSE! ALWAYS. FOREVER! No player in history has talked more about his injuries than Nadal. It's not even comical any more. It is of course laughable and pathetic.

Notice how there are so many reports now how the knees were of course sore at Wimbledon. Of course that's why he lost. OF COURSE!

Some of you talk about the silent ban. How about a real ban. A permanent one. No crybabies allowed on the ATP Tour. PERIOD.

SORE LOSERS, WHINERS, and EXCUSE MAKERS should be banned by the ATP.

It's about time Nadal was finally and permanently given the boot!

[vive le beau jeu !]

guys, please respect the decision of the nadal: let's stop with all these speculations, it's not a virus or a bacteria that has been affecting him, it's more serious... it's a colon worm, and it's even big blue one.



but they're currently working hard on its extraction.



(that would also explain the pre-serve routine, by the way)

[adil1972]

i dont like nadal, but i dont doubt his intentions...... he is one of the 4 guys to win 11 grand slams, other being borg, federer and sampras
2nd of the 3 guys to win the same slam 7 times other being fed (third one) and pete (first one)

if not for nadal federer would have won 10 consecuitve grand slams (2005 Wimbledon to 2007 US Open) instead of 8 out of 10 (except 2006 and 07 french open)

leave the poor guy alone

[Bartelby]

Nadal makes no excuses. He plays, he wins.

[forzamilan90]

Vlbj for president!

[eliars]

Originally Posted by Retaliation

You're right, there's no denying it. My only thought is: what makes him so much better than others who have overcome much more adversity than a stomach virus? I just don't get it. If he doesn't really care, then so be it. It just makes him look arrogant, and above the sport. There's plenty of underdogs (which Nadal would be in this case at this point in time) who have gone on to win a grand slam. A stomach virus is a weak excuse, and I know he hasn't played competitive tennis in months, but I'm sorry but if you love the sport, you will play even if you know that you will not win. That's what the love of the game is all about. Nadal doesn't have that.

You might be right, that Nadal doesn't currently have love for the sport, but how on earth do you come to the conclusion that players have to 'look out for the sport' and to not be 'above it'?

Tennis is an individual sport. They have to look out for exactly no one, but themselves. They don't owe anything to anyone. They are instilled to scratch their own backs and to only live up to the expectations of themselves and their coaches/camps. If Nadal decides he doesn't want to contest on hardcourt anylonger, would I as a fan be dissapointed? Hell yeah. Do I have a right to blame him? Hell no.

There is no such thing as being 'above' or 'under' the sport. These are just individuals being in a professional sport and each of them have their own motives for playing. Whether they are to have fun, play for themselves, play for the fans, play to gain the respect of one's authoritarian dad - doesn't matter. Each motif holds as much value as any other.

Likewise Nadal has no obligation to 'play a full schedule' or to 'play just for the sake of his fans' - it's his body that is on the line and he is his own team and that's all he has to worry about.

Whatever it is that is keeping Nadal out, we can only speculate and wonder. What we can't to do is to demand or expect something from him. His reasons are all that matters.

[Lefty78]

Nadal has looked failure in the face and he's scared... needs to watch some Rocky movies, sprint down the beaches of Mallorca with "Eye of the Tiger" cranking on his ipod.

[jaggy]

Originally Posted by DRII

It seems Nadal being absent drive his delusional haters even more crazy than when he's winning slams...

Go figure.

Delusional hater would be an epic name here.

[Netspirit]

One thing I know for sure: if Nadal loses early at RG 2013, he will quit.

[Rjtennis]

I do agree that Nadal has been very negative over the last few years which has been a change. He has complained at length about the schedule, length of the season, Madrid and other issues. It doesn't seem like he used to complain about much of anything. I agree that it was a little weird that he pulled from the AO, but if illness delayed his training and if his knees are still sore it's prob the right call.

[Clarky21]

Originally Posted by Rjtennis

I do agree that Nadal has been very negative over the last few years which has been a change. He has complained at length about the schedule, length of the season, Madrid and other issues. It doesn't seem like he used to complain about much of anything. I agree that it was a little weird that he pulled from the AO, but if illness delayed his training and if his knees are still sore it's prob the right call.

This is very true, and is something I have brought up on numerous occasions. He really looks miserable to be playing tennis. I don't think he enjoys it one bit and sees it as a chore. His disdain for tennis mixed with his bum knees will be why he retires next year.

[reaper]

Nadal played the Aust Open in 2011 after coming down with what sounds like a similar type of virus at the same time. His form in the Aust Open was moderate before losing to Ferrer in the quarters or semi (Can't remember which) when a hamstring strain affected him. There's precious little difference between a 6 month lay off or an 8 month lay off in terms of it's effect on the viability of a comeback. Assuming the virus is real the best strategy for his comeback is to give himself time to fully recover then come back fully fit in February or March, which looks to be exactly what he's doing.

[timnz]

Originally Posted by 90's Clay

Nadal is chasing history. .. Hes only 6 slams from the tying the record. 3 slams from being tied in 2nd place.. If he could physically play at a high enough level to be out there and a threat at the big tournaments, he would be out there

When you say 'only 6 slams' one has to realise that is Edberg or Beckers entire career. Not so small.