Diego Schwartzman: RAFAEL NADAL is so hard to play because he's so aggressive

Backspin1183 · Jan 21, 2018

On what it's like to face the Spaniard, Schwartzmann said: "I think he's really aggressive every time. He can play four hours aggressive."

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/907715/Rafael-Nadal-Australian-Open-2018-Diego-Schwartzmann

Some experts from TTW please inform this guy that Nadal is a defensive pusher. It's amazing how some of these pros think that grinding, moonballing (which Fed used to struggle against for 10 years) is aggressive tennis! Don't they ever read TTW threads?

vanioMan · Jan 21, 2018

Backspin1183 said:
On what it's like to face the Spaniard, Schwartzmann said: "I think he's really aggressive every time. He can play four hours aggressive."

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/907715/Rafael-Nadal-Australian-Open-2018-Diego-Schwartzmann

Some experts from TTW please inform this guy that Nadal is a defensive pusher. It's amazing how some of these pros think that grinding, moonballing (which Fed used to struggle against for 10 years) is aggressive tennis! Don't they ever read TTW threads?

Indeed. Sick and tired of those players who think that they know more about their opponent than TTW's almighty experts just because they've played a couple of matches against them. The audacity in unbelievable, no?!

ingvar · Jan 21, 2018

what is this obsession with fans particularly djok and nads fans to be classified as aggressive? is nads or djoker aggressive? does it matter? - the important thing is that they are both effective

doesnt matter how you play as long as you get the job done and nads gets the job done so does djokovic. Murray is good but needs much more changes to get on that level which he isnt yet (possibly ever now with the hip)

nads has his own unique style, its defensive and agressive and it is a special style. I think its awesome and many do, apart from the time delaying and constant injury breaks which if they were honest most nads fans themselves would agree

stop comparing ur boy to fed.Even if you think ur aggressive do you SABR? Do you receive serves 2 meters in the bsaeline or go toe to toe with nads or djoker 2 metres in the baseline? No

BeatlesFan · Jan 21, 2018

Yes, aggressive players generally stand 40 feet back to receive serve.

Backspin1183 · Jan 21, 2018

BeatlesFan said:
Yes, aggressive players generally stand 40 feet back to receive serve.

True. Nobody else is brave enough to take this risk.

ingvar · Jan 21, 2018

Backspin1183 said:
True. Nobody else is brave enough to take this risk.

no one dares take 50 seconds between points either. nads should get a medal for his bravery. the butt picking that needs a parade of honour

jokes aside he does stand 10 feet back. Its an effective strategy for him its not aggressive though but why do you even want that title. Nads is a grinder nothing wrong with that

JackGates · Jan 21, 2018

Nadal is not aggressive, he is more like passive-aggressive.
Aggressive means your shots are flatter and you stand closer to the baseline and you finish at the net. It means you put pressure at first shot on serve and on return. It means you shorten up the points.

Nadal is able to put pressure from defensive positions with consistency and his topspin and accuracy. I wouldn't call that aggressive.

Also, he wasn't like this in the past, he changed recently, so the point still stands.

Also, why do you care what people think, if you like his style he can be the goat pusher, nobody can stop you from liking it.

Backspin1183 · Jan 21, 2018

ingvar said:
no one dares take 50 seconds between points either. nads should get a medal for his bravery. the butt picking that needs a parade of honour

jokes aside he does stand 10 feet back. Its an effective strategy for him its not aggressive though but why do you even want that title. Nads is a grinder nothing wrong with that

That's what I am saying too. He is a moonballer. Just thought it was funny his opponents think he is aggressive.

Federer and Del Potro · Jan 21, 2018

Backspin1183 said:
On what it's like to face the Spaniard, Schwartzmann said: "I think he's really aggressive every time. He can play four hours aggressive."

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/907715/Rafael-Nadal-Australian-Open-2018-Diego-Schwartzmann

Some experts from TTW please inform this guy that Nadal is a defensive pusher. It's amazing how some of these pros think that grinding, moonballing (which Fed used to struggle against for 10 years) is aggressive tennis! Don't they ever read TTW threads?

I've always kind of cringed when people try to downplay Novak Djokovic / Rafael Nadal's aggression. Yes, it might be defensive aggression. But it's still a form of aggression and it can still be completely suffocating. People just get mad because it works so well.

chjtennis · Jan 21, 2018

Nadal's aggression is very different from Federer's. His aggression is to try to crush and destroy the ball with every shot, whereas Federer's aggression is to try to create chances to hit winners and finish the point on his terms.

ingvar · Jan 21, 2018

Backspin1183 said:
That's what I am saying too. He is a moonballer. Just thought it was funny his opponents think he is aggressive.

oh right. poor schwartzman that topsin forehand was probably over his head. Nads "moonballs" but it is a special and unique moonball which no one else can do. So its not a moonball in an insult way. Its an awesome forehand. Jokes aside if he just played quickly between points like he did as a kid and didn't butt pick id be a big fan

fedtennisphan · Jan 21, 2018

ingvar said:
what is this obsession with fans particularly djok and nads fans to be classified as aggressive? is nads or djoker aggressive? does it matter? - the important thing is that they are both effective

doesnt matter how you play as long as you get the job done and nads gets the job done so does djokovic. Murray is good but needs much more changes to get on that level which he isnt yet (possibly ever now with the hip)

nads has his own unique style, its defensive and agressive and it is a special style. I think its awesome and many do, apart from the time delaying and constant injury breaks which if they were honest most nads fans themselves would agree

stop comparing ur boy to fed.Even if you think ur aggressive do you SABR? Do you receive serves 2 meters in the bsaeline or go toe to toe with nads or djoker 2 metres in the baseline? No

That’s the problem, Nadal and Djokovic fans are ALWAYS trying to make sure either player is mentioned in the same breathe as Federer. All the uproar started at this year’s AO is by both fanbases. Neither fanbase doesn’t want a player like Federer who could make them be viewed as inferior on or off the court. Both players has had someone in their camp be vocal concerning Federer’s presence on tour. The fans of either fanbase will never admit it, but they feel if Federer wasn’t around the preference treatment, fan support, fawning by press would be heaped on them alone.

Federer and Del Potro · Jan 21, 2018

chjtennis said:
Nadal's aggression is very different from Federer's. His aggression is to try to crush and destroy the ball with every shot, whereas Federer's aggression is to try to create chances to hit winners and finish the point on his terms.

When Federer's aggression is on 100 percent, I don't think anyone in the world can touch him. Rafa has even said as much way back in the day.

It's not so much that he's the only one that can win a match like that, it's just how it happens/looks. It's so swift and merciless. It's epic to watch it when it happens. Like that SF against Murray at Wimbledon a few yrs back was just absurd.

chjtennis · Jan 21, 2018

Federer and Del Potro said:
When Federer's aggression is on 100 percent, I don't think anyone in the world can touch him. Rafa has even said as much way back in the day.

It's not so much that he's the only one that can win a match like that, it's just how it happens/looks. It's so swift and merciless. It's epic to watch it when it happens. Like that SF against Murray at Wimbledon a few yrs back was just absurd.

I don't think anyone else comes close to Federer on tour right now. He stands alone in this department.

Tiki-Taka · Jan 21, 2018

Schwartzman is just saying what everyone reasonable already knows. It's not just Nadal's defense that is exceptional.

ingvar · Jan 21, 2018

federer SABRS, nads stands 10 feet behind the baseline so that the camera doesn't always even see him

they are both extreme contrasts of each other

they are both incredibly unique (people stand close but no one SABRS, people stand back but no one does like Nads)

its a beautiful contrast and both are very effective at what they do. Stop whinging. My only critisicm of nads style is that the evidence appears to suggest that he is unable to be able to maintain his style without taking 50 secs between points which is against the rules and he keeps taking career breaks. For fed he needs to improve the defense on the backhand wing - which he has done now i suppose.

Skeletroll · Jan 21, 2018

What he meant was Nadal is very aggressive in his on court behavior. Always fist pumping and saying Vamos and screaming every time he hits the ball as an intimidation tactic. Nadal's real personality is being exposed, so much for Humbalito.

Federer and Del Potro · Jan 21, 2018

Skeletroll said:
What he meant was Nadal is very aggressive in his on court behavior. Always fist pumping and saying Vamos and screaming every time he hits the ball as an intimidation tactic. Nadal's real personality is being exposed, so much for Humbalito.

acintya · Jan 21, 2018

i never considered nadal to be defensive - only noobs say that (80% people at a tennis centre i played - lol)

Sport · Jan 21, 2018

Well, aggressive players fight for every point and know how to break the opponent's serve. In that sense, he is an aggresive player. But of course he doesn't go for winners as much as Federer.

SinjinCooper · Jan 21, 2018

He's so hard to play because he cheats.

roysid · Jan 21, 2018

Sport said:
Well, aggressive players fight for every point and know how to break the opponent's serve. In that sense, he is an aggresive player. But of course he doesn't go for winners as much as Federer.

I agree to that. That's what Diego meant.
Nadal fought for everything for 4 tough sets. How long can Diego hold up. Going for winners again and again he had to make mistakes.

Federer plays points attacking style. But doesn't fight tooth and nail and often gives away points

Djokovic_is_the_best#1 · Jan 21, 2018

fedtennisphan said:
That’s the problem, Nadal and Djokovic fans are ALWAYS trying to make sure either player is mentioned in the same breathe as Federer. All the uproar started at this year’s AO is by both fanbases. Neither fanbase doesn’t want a player like Federer who could make them be viewed as inferior on or off the court. Both players has had someone in their camp be vocal concerning Federer’s presence on tour. The fans of either fanbase will never admit it, but they feel if Federer wasn’t around the preference treatment, fan support, fawning by press would be heaped on them alone.

If we get a Djokovic v Nadal Final it will make your day!

Jaitock1991 · Jan 21, 2018

It's a different kind of aggression. Not the kind of aggression where the opponent is overwhelmed by flat, early taking of the ball, but still very aggressive in the sense that he is always looking to dictate. You simply cannot be a top player in today's game without being aggressive.

vanioMan · Jan 21, 2018

Jaitock1991 said:
It's a different kind of aggression. Not the kind of aggression where the opponent is overwhelmed by flat, early taking of the ball, but still very aggressive in the sense that he is always looking to dictate. You simply cannot be a top player in today's game without being aggressive.

True. Plus, there's a difference between aggresive and attacking. Many people don't seem to realize it.

Federer and Del Potro · Jan 21, 2018

Djokovic_is_the_best#1 said:
If we get a Djokovic v Nadal Final it will make your day!

I'd be cool with that, I'm getting too old for the major nerves that always happen during a GS final with Fed. Now don't get me wrong I'm not for a second rooting for it by any means, but it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world either. Man tennis is stressful even just from the couch LOL.

I'd absolutely tune into another Djokovic Nadal battle though.

Djokovic_is_the_best#1 · Jan 21, 2018

Federer and Del Potro said:
I'd be cool with that, I'm getting too old for the major nerves that always happen during a GS final with Fed. Now don't get me wrong I'm not for a second rooting for it by any means, but it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world either. Man tennis is stressful even just from the couch LOL.

I'd absolutely tune into another Djokovic Nadal battle though.

Cheers mate! Good post, any big 3 final or clash is 100% tuning in for. Whether it’s fed v Djoko, Nadal v Djoko or Nadal v Fed. They always epic matches!

Deleted member 77403 · Jan 21, 2018

Rafa is aggressive, I think the better way to say it is that he more aggressive than he was in the past. This is what is leading to his longevity, he no longer is in his peak or prime for that matter, he cannot run around like a Jack Rabbit with boundless energy after years and years of wear and tear on his body. His game had more aggression in it than in the past. The problem for Nadal is, his aggressive game matches up poorly to Federer's aggressive game, nobody can match Federer for a sustainable period of time with a high level of aggression, with the possible exception of Kyrgios, and even that is debatable. Nadal's legs and defensive and counter strikes were a big part of his game with Federer in the past, in his decline state, while his aggression works well on others, Federer eats it up. Nobody beats aggressive players more than Federer.

tennis_pro · Jan 21, 2018

Nadal is pushing aggressively.

Federer and Del Potro · Jan 21, 2018

Djokovic_is_the_best#1 said:
Cheers mate! Good post, any big 3 final or clash is 100% tuning in for. Whether it’s fed v Djoko, Nadal v Djoko or Nadal v Fed. They always epic matches!

Beat the best to be the best! I've always thought that - I will admit though I haven't always rooted that way hahahahaha. Not when Djokovic was GOATING. But I mean come on, I'm so ready for another Djokovic Nadal go round if it gets to that. The storylines would be every bit as juicy as last yrs final.

Poisoned Slice · Jan 21, 2018

Shaolin · Jan 21, 2018

Nadal aggressive: Stand 27' behind baseline to return then hit extreme spin CC FHs ad-infinitum until opponent makes error or dies of exhaustion.

Federer aggressive: Take the ball early, use wide shot variety always looking to finish the point at the net with a crisp volley or overhead.

Djokovic_is_the_best#1 · Jan 21, 2018

Federer and Del Potro said:
Beat the best to be the best! I've always thought that - I will admit though I haven't always rooted that way hahahahaha. Not when Djokovic was GOATING. But I mean come on, I'm so ready for another Djokovic Nadal go round if it gets to that. The storylines would be every bit as juicy as last yrs final.

It’s been a while since since their last GS Final. 2014 French Open! We are due one. Both had their problems, 2017 for Novak and 2015 and 2016 for Rafa! However, they both Looking fit and playing well. Love to see it again but love to see Fed v Djoko semi to see what would happen there first!

Federer and Del Potro · Jan 21, 2018

Djokovic_is_the_best#1 said:
It’s been a while since since their last GS Final. 2014 French Open! We are due one. Both had their problems, 2017 for Novak and 2015 and 2016 for Rafa! However, they both Looking fit and playing well. Love to see it again but love to see Fed v Djoko semi to see what would happen there first!

Feel like I'm one of the only Federer fans that actually likes Nadal/Djokovic's style. It is contrasting to Federer but I still enjoy watching it. The AO 2012 final was one of my favorite matches of all time. Whereas some thought it was insufferably long and drawn out I was glued to my TV for that entire match. That match was so epic that it overlapped the scheduled time for the REBROADCAST OF THE MATCH!! I will never forget that one. Too good.

Deleted member 512391 · Jan 21, 2018

He is definitely not an attacking player, he rather wears down his opponent's resistance with the heaviness of his groundstrokes and the angles he's able to create, thus making them run a lot. I don't know what Diego meant by "aggressive" (though it seems, judging by the article, that he is referring to Nadal's ability to play with the same intensity for hours), but he's definitely not a player who goes for the winners every time he has an opportunity. Sure he can turn into an aggressive player when he's down and that's the only option, but that's not his mindset.

Djokovic_is_the_best#1 · Jan 21, 2018

Federer and Del Potro said:
Feel like I'm one of the only Federer fans that actually likes Nadal/Djokovic's style. It is contrasting to Federer but I still enjoy watching it. The AO 2012 final was one of my favorite matches of all time. Whereas some thought it was insufferably long and drawn out I was glued to my TV for that entire match. That match was so epic that it overlapped the scheduled time for the REBROADCAST OF THE MATCH!! I will never forget that one. Too good.

I appreciate fans like you. You are great tennis fan that appreciates all the top players and what they bring.Fed, Rafa and Djoko are all ATGs and will never be forgotten for what they brought to tennis and this sport. They have all kept us entertained for years and they continue to go on strong, despite years at the top!

It will be so hard or near impossible to get a BIG 3 like them again. They are the golden era of men’s tennis, Murray and Wawrinka have also played their parts too.

albertobra · Jan 21, 2018

The Nadal's "moonball" how it is said here, IS an aggressive shot. Actually very aggressive. A well executed, highly topspinned, and close to the baseline "moonball" can be just as effective as many other aggressive shots. Of course it is more effective on courts that have more 'grip' such as clay courts or slower HCs.

Federer and Del Potro · Jan 21, 2018

Djokovic_is_the_best#1 said:
I appreciate fans like you. You are great tennis fan that appreciates all the top players and what they bring.Fed, Rafa and Djoko are all ATGs and will never be forgotten for what they brought to tennis and this sport. They have all kept us entertained for years and they continue to go on strong, despite years at the top!

It will be so hard or near impossible to get a BIG 3 like them again. They are the golden era of men’s tennis, Murray and Wawrinka have also played their parts too.

It really sinks in now when you realize we might not have much longer to enjoy it. So I'm just going to enjoy the end of the ride. Hope it still has a few more years of life in it yet.

JackGates · Jan 21, 2018

fedtennisphan said:
That’s the problem, Nadal and Djokovic fans are ALWAYS trying to make sure either player is mentioned in the same breathe as Federer. All the uproar started at this year’s AO is by both fanbases. Neither fanbase doesn’t want a player like Federer who could make them be viewed as inferior on or off the court. Both players has had someone in their camp be vocal concerning Federer’s presence on tour. The fans of either fanbase will never admit it, but they feel if Federer wasn’t around the preference treatment, fan support, fawning by press would be heaped on them alone.

Yeah, it's so childish.

I bet Rafa's serve is

Federer and Del Potro said:
Feel like I'm one of the only Federer fans that actually likes Nadal/Djokovic's style. It is contrasting to Federer but I still enjoy watching it. The AO 2012 final was one of my favorite matches of all time. Whereas some thought it was insufferably long and drawn out I was glued to my TV for that entire match. That match was so epic that it overlapped the scheduled time for the REBROADCAST OF THE MATCH!! I will never forget that one. Too good.

Sure, on rare times it's fun to watch them, but that was only one final. But, yeah, I guess they are like Miley Cyrus for me. From time to time for a change she has some good music, but 95% of the time, I will still listen to Whitney, Vandross, Groban, Bocelli, Chopin.

Federer and Del Potro · Jan 21, 2018

JackGates said:
Yeah, it's so childish.

I bet Rafa's serve is

Sure, on rare times it's fun to watch them, but that was only one final. But, yeah, I guess they are like Miley Cyrus for me. From time to time for a change she has some good music, but 95% of the time, I will still listen to Whitney, Vandross, Groban, Bocelli, Chopin.

I will admit I'm not a huge fan of Djokovic Murray matches most of the time but I've always loved Djokovic Nadal matches

Sysyphus · Jan 21, 2018

Backspin1183 said:
Some experts from TTW please inform this guy that Nadal is a defensive pusher. It's amazing how some of these pros think that grinding, moonballing (which Fed used to struggle against for 10 years) is aggressive tennis! Don't they ever read TTW threads?

vanioMan said:
Indeed. Sick and tired of those players who think that they know more about their opponent than TTW's almighty experts just because they've played a couple of matches against them. The audacity in unbelievable, no?!

He's not a pusher who plays puffy moonballs obviously, but the boring thing about trying to shut down discussion by appealing to a single quote by a pro is that it's often quite easy to find examples of players giving differing opinions. Here's one of Nadal's fellow ATGs:

“But you can work on everything and the best players can play offensive and defensive. I guess Rafa [Nadal] and Andy have more the defensive DNA: they really don’t want to miss but today they’re great attacking players, some of the best in the game. And the same for me and Novak, we’re more attacking players but we’ve also gotten very good at defence.”

Seems a fairly balanced recap. In the end it's just down to how you wanna define words. Does Nadal put an incredible amount of work on nearly every ball, making it incredibly uncomfortable for his opponent? Yes, absolutely. When compared to the breadth of the tour, is he a high-risk kind of player who forces the issue and uses an aggressive court positioning? No. His greatest strength is a consistent and controlled kind of suffocation, not a blitzing attack.

vex · Jan 21, 2018

Here’s a painful truth about TTW: the only people who call Rafa and Djoker “moonballer” or “pusher” are bandwagon Fed fan boys who know jack Shiit about Tennis.

The sooner you accept this truth and ignore the noobs the better.

vex · Jan 21, 2018

Sysyphus said:
He's not a pusher who plays puffy moonballs obviously, but the boring thing about trying to shut down discussion by appealing to a single quote by a pro is that it's often quite easy to find examples of players giving differing opinions. Here's one of Nadal's fellow ATGs:

“But you can work on everything and the best players can play offensive and defensive. I guess Rafa [Nadal] and Andy have more the defensive DNA: they really don’t want to miss but today they’re great attacking players, some of the best in the game. And the same for me and Novak, we’re more attacking players but we’ve also gotten very good at defence.”

Seems a fairly balanced recap. In the end it's just down to how you wanna define words. Does Nadal put an incredible amount of work on nearly every ball, making it incredibly uncomfortable for his opponent? Yes, absolutely. When compared to the breadth of the tour, is he a high-risk kind of player who forces the issue and uses an aggressive court positioning? No. His greatest strength is a consistent and controlled kind of suffocation, not a blitzing attack.

Yeah it always makes me chuckle how fan boys think they know more than Roger Federer.

Gazelle · Jan 21, 2018

To a dwarf like Schwartzman everyone seems aggressive. With his WTA serve even Nadal can stand at the service line to return and look agressive in the process.

Deleted member 716271 · Jan 21, 2018

Sysyphus said:
He's not a pusher who plays puffy moonballs obviously, but the boring thing about trying to shut down discussion by appealing to a single quote by a pro is that it's often quite easy to find examples of players giving differing opinions. Here's one of Nadal's fellow ATGs:

“But you can work on everything and the best players can play offensive and defensive. I guess Rafa [Nadal] and Andy have more the defensive DNA: they really don’t want to miss but today they’re great attacking players, some of the best in the game. And the same for me and Novak, we’re more attacking players but we’ve also gotten very good at defence.”

Seems a fairly balanced recap. In the end it's just down to how you wanna define words. Does Nadal put an incredible amount of work on nearly every ball, making it incredibly uncomfortable for his opponent? Yes, absolutely. When compared to the breadth of the tour, is he a high-risk kind of player who forces the issue and uses an aggressive court positioning? No. His greatest strength is a consistent and controlled kind of suffocation, not a blitzing attack.

At least it's settled Novak is offensive and courageous

Backspin1183 · Jan 21, 2018

Gazelle said:
To a dwarf like Schwartzman everyone seems aggressive. With his WTA serve even Nadal can stand at the service line to return and look agressive in the process.

Lol lucky Nadal got this dwarf to play and Federer has the mighty Fuscovic waiting for him.

Sysyphus · Jan 21, 2018

vex said:
Yeah it always makes me chuckle how fan boys think they know more than Roger Federer.

True dat, but my point isn't that Fed's opinions are the word of God, but more to show that even the pros describe things slightly differently between themselves.

But yes, when anyone describes any top 50 player as a full-on moonballer, pusher, retriever or whatever, it's at best a gross exaggeration or more likely just trolling.

Nadal puts an extreme amount of work on his groundstrokes, Djokovic hugs the baseline and when at his best he dictates basically everyone, and even Murray puts more pressure on his opponent than he's given credit for.

BeatlesFan · Jan 21, 2018

Schwarzman needs to watch videos of what an aggressive tennis player looks like since almost none exist today. He can start by looking up the names Sampras, Mac, Becker and Edberg.

Rubens · Jan 21, 2018

Things are different when viewed from 5'4". This being said, I have the biggest respect for Schwartzy. He's the Gimli of tennis.

Sysyphus · Jan 21, 2018

125downthemiddle said:
At least it's settled Novak is offensive and courageous

Can you believe Chico loved that quote.

Diego Schwartzman: RAFAEL NADAL is so hard to play because he's so aggressive

Talk Tennis Guru

Legend

Rookie

Bionic Poster

Talk Tennis Guru

Rookie

Legend

Talk Tennis Guru

Bionic Poster

G.O.A.T.

Rookie

Hall of Fame

Bionic Poster

G.O.A.T.

Tiki-Taka

Guest

Rookie

Rookie

Bionic Poster

Legend

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Bionic Poster

Hall of Fame

Legend

Bionic Poster

Bionic Poster

Deleted member 77403

Guest

Bionic Poster

Bionic Poster

Bionic Poster

G.O.A.T.

Bionic Poster

Bionic Poster

Deleted member 512391

Guest

Bionic Poster

Hall of Fame

Bionic Poster

Legend

Bionic Poster

Talk Tennis Guru

Legend

Legend

G.O.A.T.

Deleted member 716271

Guest

Talk Tennis Guru

Talk Tennis Guru

Bionic Poster

Hall of Fame

Talk Tennis Guru

Similar threads