Nadal Playng the Best Clay Court Tennis of His Life?

  • Thread starter Deleted member 733170
  • Start date
D

Deleted member 733170

Guest
On the eye test it is really is difficult to fault Nadal.

He’s hitting harder than ever before as well opening up the court and and finding some great angles. Moreover he is really swinging with confidence.

He’s making everyone look average at the moment.

Like Federer at the Aussie, you have to hand it to Nadal that this is up there with the best he has ever played.

Phenomenal stuff really.
 
Steve0904

Steve0904

Talk Tennis Guru
I suspect that we'd see much closer scorelines if he had real competition, but I take the OP point. Nadal is in fact hitting the ball with great authority. Both FH and BH have some real zip on them, and the angles he's finding are quite frankly ridiculous. And of course the serve is solid when he needs it.

Very solid from Rafa on clay so far this year.
 
Julian Houston

Julian Houston

Semi-Pro
Clay not supposed to be offensive, Nadal play offensive and win shows he view the tour as weak.

IMO this game where he use backhand to attack more than forehand will be beaten by pusher. The past Nadal is better.

Currently everyone is gassed and tired. Madrid and Rome will have more solid challengers.
 
RF-18

RF-18

Talk Tennis Guru
BeatlesFan said:
Peak Nadal on clay was 2008. That younger version of Rafa would beat this old Rafa in straight sets, come on.
Click to expand...

What would he beat him with exactly? Nadal may have been fresher in the legs back then and lighter but tennis wise he'd not beat 2017 nor 2018 Rafa on clay, let alone beating him in straights :rolleyes:
 
Dilexson

Dilexson

Hall of Fame
Man i'd love to see somebody take the fight to Rafa right now.
i was hoping for a resurgence in last year's Thiem-Rafa rivalry but it looks to be an autopilot clay season for the bull.
 
ForumMember

ForumMember

Hall of Fame
Had not watched Rafa back then (in 2008) very closely, I was more into following scores and results. But I have seen replays of that period and I think there is strong case of this Rafa being best on clay. He lacks in movement in comparison to that time but have better backhand and service. However I am little concerned that he has not used much of forehand down the line recently.
 
RF-18

RF-18

Talk Tennis Guru
metsman said:
how'd Nadal beat anyone back then? After all, he was only a moonballer who ran down every ball.
Click to expand...

Did I say that? No.

But saying 08 Nadal is straight setting this version of Nadal is taking it too far. Funny you don't react to his post but you turn to me immediately.

Anyways, if I have to choose I'm banking my money on this Nadal against 08 Nadal on clay.
 
irishnadalfan1983

irishnadalfan1983

Hall of Fame
BeatlesFan said:
Peak Nadal on clay was 2008. That younger version of Rafa would beat this old Rafa in straight sets, come on.
Click to expand...

Agreed - I do feel Rafa is now possibly better on the backhand and of course playing with more experience/more intelligence...However even just looking at YouTube clips you can see his speed/movement is ridiculous in 2008...Even with better backhand/experience I feel his movement out weights that...of course close to approaching 32 he isn’t as fast/as fit around the court....
 
cc0509

cc0509

Talk Tennis Guru
He was better at most things in 2008, i.e. better movement, more consistent forehand, much faster, etc., but he's playing a bit smarter these days trying to be more aggressive and his backhand and the angles he can create have improved. He's trying to compensate for those things he's lost(speed, footwork, etc) from his prime days.
 
D

Deleted member 743561

Guest
Red Rick said:
I don't know. I don't know that I agree with 2008 being the best ever on clay. He was the best ever at running back and forth no doubt, but he's much more aggressive nowadays
Click to expand...
Credit to ol' RF, I presume? Even on his bread and butter, defer to the template of the grandmaster?
 
Red Rick

Red Rick

Bionic Poster
FedFosterWallace said:
Credit to ol' RF, I presume? Even on his bread and butter, defer to the template of the grandmaster?
Click to expand...
No I credit it with not being an utter moron when age catches up with you and you get slower as human biology dictates.

People give way too much credit to Fed for retooling his game. He could do that because he always had way more tools than anyone else, not because he's some sort of genius.
 
D

Deleted member 743561

Guest
Red Rick said:
No I credit it with not being an utter moron when age catches up with you and you get slower as human biology dictates.

People give way too much credit to Fed for retooling his game. He could do that because he always had way more tools than anyone else, not because he's some sort of genius.
Click to expand...
Oh. You were confused, perhaps. Was referring to Fed's play style throughout his career. Works for some folks.
 
NatF

NatF

Bionic Poster
ForumMember said:
Had not watched Rafa back then (in 2008) very closely, I was more into following scores and results. But I have seen replays of that period and I think there is strong case of this Rafa being best on clay. He lacks in movement in comparison to that time but have better backhand and service. However I am little concerned that he has not used much of forehand down the line recently.
Click to expand...

So you barely watched tennis in 2008 and presumably before that yet you frequently comment on that period?

Fmug confirmed.
 
ibbi

ibbi

G.O.A.T.
I think he's actually a much less all consuming clay courter than he used to be, as he's developed aspects of his game to succeed elsewhere it has totally taken a toll on his clay game. I agree that he's more aggressive now, he has to be, he can play a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 match and it'll be done in an hour and a half and not 4 hours like it would have taken 10 years ago, but I don't know that it makes him better. He won 80 clay matches in a row if you'll remember, at Roland Garros 2006 he had spent 5 more hours on court than Federer heading into the final, and how'd that turn out? I wouldn't even argue he's playing the 'best' tennis of his life right now generally, but not specifically on clay for me.
 
zagor

zagor

Bionic Poster
Red Rick said:
I don't know. I don't know that I agree with 2008 being the best ever on clay. He was the best ever at running back and forth no doubt, but he's much more aggressive nowadays
Click to expand...

BH side, certainly. FH however? He was quite aggressive off the FH side, hitting it deep, mixing it up with going DTL, flatenning it out more often etc. speaking solely of the FO in 2008, not overall CC season.

Not to mention that I have a hard time seeing any sort of aggressive play winning against Nadal's transition from defense to offense at the French that year which was probably the best I've seen out of any player on any surface.

The way Nadal tore through Almagro, Verdasco, Novak and Fed at that FO was quite a sight. Think people forget how impressive that Nadal was on natural surfaces.
 
Sport

Sport

G.O.A.T.
Yes of course. 2005-2008 Nadal was only better in velocity. 2017-2018 Nadal has improved all his shots, he is far more aggresive with a far better backhand and better volley.

In fact, now Nadal has the best two-handed backhand of the world. The reason is that he gives power to his backhand with his right arm, when he is indeed right-handed, which brings him more power and accuracy than other two-handed backhands.
 
duaneeo

duaneeo

Legend
I think Nadal came out of the gates in 2005 - 2006 playing his best clay tennis, and the 05/06 clay field was tougher than any period since that time.
 
Raining hopes

Raining hopes

Hall of Fame
RF-18 said:
What would he beat him with exactly? Nadal may have been fresher in the legs back then and lighter but tennis wise he'd not beat 2017 nor 2018 Rafa on clay, let alone beating him in straights :rolleyes:
Click to expand...


Wow sir, now I can be certain you have no knowledge of tennis or tennis before 2010s.

Rafael Nadal of 2008RG is closest to invincible any player I have seen has ever gone.

I am not saying this out of nostalgia or something I watched his match against Almagro some days ago.




On topic 2007-08,12,13 versions of better.2006 would be as difficult to beat but in a different manner.
 
Last edited:
D

Deleted member 3771

Guest
Tennisanity said:
2008 Nadal was not the best ever, it was 2008 Nadal from April 23, 2008 at 3:54 pm to August 3, 2008 at 7:02 pm. You see when Nadal was crushed at AO and USO 2008 his peak form took a rest.
Click to expand...

Rafa was running on fumes by the 08 USO after winning the Beijing Olympic gold the week before the USO. If there was a proper break after the Olympics he would have won the USO too to add to his clay domination, channel slam and Olympic gold in 08.
 
Tennisanity

Tennisanity

Legend
TheNatural said:
Rafa was running on fumes by the 08 USO after winning the Beijing Olympic gold the week before the USO. If there was a proper break after the Olympics he would have won the USO too to add to his clay domination, channel slam and Olympic gold in 08.
Click to expand...

Awwww poor baby Rafa. Majority of the years in his career he took so many breaks. That's what happens when you play a full schedule like Fed did for most of his years. Running on fumes, LOLLLLLLL.
 
Clay lover

Clay lover

Legend
2008 he had greater defence and movement, sure. But shot-making wise his backhand has now improved to the extent that he has been bossing people around the court.
 
acintya

acintya

Legend
Was watching Jeff Salzenstein live when he was speaking about Nadal. He said he is more aggresive than ever, best backhand ever - stronger than ever. I partly agree. His level is insane.

Man ..Nadal is a beast. Watched Goffin - Nadal highlights. He is really the bull. Federer doesnt come even close to Rafal Destroydal. Way overhyped is FED.
 
r2473

r2473

G.O.A.T.
YetAnotherFedFan said:
On the eye test it is really is difficult to fault Nadal.

He’s hitting harder than ever before as well opening up the court and and finding some great angles. Moreover he is really swinging with confidence.

He’s making everyone look average at the moment.

Like Federer at the Aussie, you have to hand it to Nadal that this is up there with the best he has ever played.

Phenomenal stuff really.
Click to expand...
Hard to believe he was injured just before clay season.
 
Meles

Meles

Bionic Poster
aman92 said:
I doubt 08 Nadal would straight set him on clay and while this Nadal is probably hitting the backhand harder with a better serve 08 Nadal is the greatest retriever in the history of the game. Eventually he would grind down 2017-18 Nadal but the matchup would be epic
Click to expand...
Big serving is a real asset in majors. Oldal probably a tad fresher for the finals these days.;)
 
Meles

Meles

Bionic Poster
YetAnotherFedFan said:
On the eye test it is really is difficult to fault Nadal.

He’s hitting harder than ever before as well opening up the court and and finding some great angles. Moreover he is really swinging with confidence.

He’s making everyone look average at the moment.

Like Federer at the Aussie, you have to hand it to Nadal that this is up there with the best he has ever played.

Phenomenal stuff really.
Click to expand...
2017-2018 is really strong, but he's got an Achilles heal, age has slowed him. He's compensated and then some, but the right younger player could expose this Nadal. As much as we like his game on clay right now, we have to remember that he's much worse on grass for a reason. Rafa has turned back time a lot with Moya, but not on grass.
 
metsman

metsman

G.O.A.T.
NatF said:
On topic, 2012 Nadal was maybe the best Nadal across the whole clay court season - 2008 was the best at solely the FO.
Click to expand...
Honestly, 07 might be the best Nadal across the whole clay season. Clay court competition in 2012 was clearly worse than 07 with Nole not being at his best form. 2010 has a case too.
 
ak24alive

ak24alive

Legend
YetAnotherFedFan said:
On the eye test it is really is difficult to fault Nadal.

He’s hitting harder than ever before as well opening up the court and and finding some great angles. Moreover he is really swinging with confidence.

He’s making everyone look average at the moment.

Like Federer at the Aussie, you have to hand it to Nadal that this is up there with the best he has ever played.

Phenomenal stuff really.
Click to expand...
A better athelete Vam08 Rafa.
A better technique Vam18 Rafa.
Who wins? VaWhoknows? Rafa?
 
Julian Houston

Julian Houston

Semi-Pro
u cant be serious haha. 2008 Nadal is a beast.

2018 is due to weak competition and he attacks with backhand, no forehand. 2011-2016 Nole and prime Fed will beat this Nadal on clay.

Competition is weak Nadal steps in.
 
Im(moral) Winner

Im(moral) Winner

G.O.A.T.
metsman said:
Honestly, 07 might be the best Nadal across the whole clay season. Clay court competition in 2012 was clearly worse than 07 with Nole not being at his best form. 2010 has a case too.
Click to expand...
2010 has a case when RAFA beat two top 10 players to win RG and three masters?
 
N

nochweiterroger

Rookie
My God, all you guys with your boring obsessions - whether Rafa is greater now or then, whether he is better than everyone else etc. etc., botH boring and brainless. YOU WILL NEVER AGREE. AND IT IS UNDECIDEABLE.
I should be more interested to know why the rest of the field is so poor and in particular what the flying f--- is wrong with Them?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
Nadal - the best clay court player ever?
Replies
40
Views
3K
ABCD
A
D
Nadal makes the CLAY court look like a table tennis table.
Replies
21
Views
2K
sureshs
S
O
When this guy is at his 80%, he cleans everyone off the court
3 4 5
Replies
221
Views
10K
OhYes
O
SamprasisGOAT
  • Poll
Nadals Best Clay Court Opponents since 2005? Was this the weakest Clay Era Ever?
2 3
Replies
101
Views
2K
Chanwan
Chanwan
A
'Djokovic playing the best tennis of his life' - analysis
2 3
Replies
121
Views
3K
Holmes
Holmes
Top