Nadal's Eulogy was written by many after the AO final.....

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
Just like in 2017...... both times most assumed he was finnish off clay. Especially this year..... but....

2019-US-Open---Day-6-ce296594f0e10fc90764d39eaac053af.jpg

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Might honestly be my fav slam win, and that's saying something.
 

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
In context, weighed equally of course not....... just like Nadal says, you appreciate things as you get older. I was SO doubtful of him winning, I kept saying after Fed/Djokovic were out that he better not mess it up, and before they went out, I looked no further than 1 match at a time. Honestly when he ran out of steam last year in the semis I thought that was it. Im still so impressed he was able to win, bc I just didn't expect it at all. The way the Maestro ran him around at Wimby took some belief out of me too. The last thing I was thinking was "this looks like a guy that will win the next slam"
 

King No1e

G.O.A.T.
In context, weighed equally of course not....... just like Nadal says, you appreciate things as you get older. I was SO doubtful of him winning, I kept saying after Fed/Djokovic were out that he better not mess it up, and before they went out, I looked no further than 1 match at a time. Honestly when he ran out of steam last year in the semis I thought that was it. Im still so impressed he was able to win, bc I just didn't expect it at all. The way the Maestro ran him around at Wimby took some belief out of me too. The last thing I was thinking was "this looks like a guy that will win the next slam"
Agreed. I had him as a top contender at Wimby, but definitely not on hard court. I thought his season was effectively done after he disappointed at Wimbledon, but then he's surged back to his best summer HC swing since 2013.
And that is the story of Nadal's career. Write him off 99 times, he comes back 100.
 

Fedforever

Hall of Fame
This board is littered with threads saying a thing could never happen which then did happen.

It never stops people declaring with equal confidence that something "will never happen" or "will certainly happen".
 

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
This board is littered with threads saying a thing could never happen which then did happen.

It never stops people declaring with equal confidence that something "will never happen" or "will certainly happen".

This might be true, but not in this case. If someone posted on this board in 2007-2010 Nadal would win the us open in 2019 as a 33yo, we'd think they were nuts. The guy that "sucks so much" on HC has a 9 year stretch with wins at a HC slam :unsure:
 

BVSlam

Professional
I do feel that again the draw helped him out a bit this year. I don't mean that in the sense of "lol no top 25 player, vulture" or "baghdatis lol, vulture", but I feel he has shown better personal levels in his previous title runs (and to make it fair, yes Fed was also helped at AO 2018 and Djokovic at USO 2018). That said, he was beating that competition mostly in three sets until Meddy came back.

But finished on HC? Never. Usually after a loss against a fellow big 3 player, people then extend that to the future where apparently no tournaments can transpire without facing another big 3 member. Against the field, Nadal won't constantly beat everyone on hardcourt, but he will definitely still be the favourite most of the time. If Nadal is a little luckier with his opponent in AO finals, he can win that too.

He's great on HC, it just doesn't accentuate his strengths as well as clay does. But the guy, outside of that bad 2015-2016 period, has done something significant on hardcourts every year of his career except 2004 and 2006 (this includes winning/reaching a HC slam final or winning a M1000). And post 2016, he made the final at both the AO and the USO in 2017 AND 2019, and definitely would have reached one in 2018 if he didn't have to retire in both of them. That's four out of six, he has never had a HC slam stretch like that before.
 

ChrisRF

Legend
This might be true, but not in this case. If someone posted on this board in 2007-2010 Nadal would win the us open in 2019 as a 33yo, we'd think they were nuts. The guy that "sucks so much" on HC has a 9 year stretch with wins at a HC slam :unsure:
But that’s exactly what @Fedforever meant. Someone said something will never happen and yet it did happen.

Another strange comment which occurs over and over again is: "Player X didn’t do this or that for his whole career (or in his "prime"), so SURELY he won’t do it now at age Y."

Last time I saw a comment like this was in the question if Nadal can win the Australian Open and the French Open next year. But if you think about it, he will have his chances to win AO. And IF he wins AO, who thinks he’ll lose at RG then, despite what happened in 2009?
 
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Dolgopolov85

G.O.A.T.
This board is littered with threads saying a thing could never happen which then did happen.

It never stops people declaring with equal confidence that something "will never happen" or "will certainly happen".
Look at the bright side. We would never get threads like No Excuses Nuff Said or Da Real Slam if nobody tried to predict anything at all.
 

junior74

Talk Tennis Guru
I remember myself and @Gary Duane had Nadal as favourite coming into the tournament, I'm sure many more saw it coming. Djokovic looked spent since the Wim final, and Federer, who couldn't take advantage, had his spirit broken - by himself.

Nadal's own fans always talk down his chances. Must be because they are so ombeleebel humble :cool:
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
... how could they have expected the upcoming cheesecake avalanches and the 'rise' of the #NoGen ? :eek: @tennis_pro

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Unfortunately for Federer, he can't even cope with cheesecake avalanches.

In 2010, Federer lost to Djokovic in the SF then Rafa went on to beat Djokovic in the final.
In 2013, Federer lost in straight sets to Robredo and Rafa dispatched Robredo 60 62 62 in the next round and went on to win the title.
In 2017, Federer lost to Delpo in the QF then Rafa beat Delpo in the SF, even serving him a bagel, to go on to win the title.
In 2019, Federer didn't get past the QF, losing to 'Baby Fed' and Rafa went on to win the title for the 4th time.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Whoever thought Nadal was done after getting to the AO final after being away from the game for months was sadly mistaken. The clay season always brings him back to life.
 
Just like in 2017...... both times most assumed he was finnish off clay. Especially this year..... but....

2019-US-Open---Day-6-ce296594f0e10fc90764d39eaac053af.jpg

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Might honestly be my fav slam win, and that's saying something.

There were disappointments (Djokovic injury) but it was a great major on the men's and women's sides. Very little in the way of serious controversies and "drama", so all the attention was on the court. We had great matches all round, major breakthroughs for new superstars (andreescu / Medvedev), and also an all-time men's final.

2019 was a very good year and for the last major to be such a great one really tied the season together well.

I think Nadal will think of these past two months on hardcourt and the US Open victory as one of the most important passages of his career.
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Nadal against Fedalovic in the Slams in 2017: 0-1
Nadal against everyone else in the Slams in 2017: 23-1

Nadal against Fedalovic in the Slams in 2019: 1-2 (the only at the FO obviously LMAO)
Nadal against everyone else in the Slams in 2019: 24-0
 
I will never write off Federer/Nadal/Djokovic until they're retired.

I think Robbie Koenig has the classic line:

"Roger Federer will stop being a contender at majors when Roger Federer stops playing majors."

I was writing Federer off as early as the start of the year but after what he nearly pulled off at Wimbledon, I won't do that again.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
Nadal against Fedalovic in the Slams in 2017: 0-1
Nadal against everyone else in the Slams in 2017: 23-1

Nadal against Fedalovic in the Slams in 2019: 1-2 (the only at the FO obviously LMAO)
Nadal against everyone else in the Slams in 2019: 24-0

You are just clutching at straws
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
2018: Nadal against Fedalovic in the Slams - 0-1
Against everyone else: 21-2 (including a retirement)

The dude can only beat mugs.

1-4 against Fedalovic in 2017-2019 LMAO

I dont think Nadal's USO draws will light the world on fire when you look at some others like Lendl, Mac, Sampras or even Edberg but he beat the hottest player this hardcourt season so you can't say he beat mugs this time. He had a normal, solid draw to win that USO, and the only thing you can criticize is that he had a w/o.
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
I dont think Nadal's USO draws will light the world on fire when you look at some others like Lendl, Mac, Sampras or even Edberg but he beat the hottest player this hardcourt season so you can't say he beat mugs this time. He had a normal, solid draw to win that USO, and the only thing you can criticize is that he had a w/o.
Yeah Schwartzman in the QF and Berrettini in the SF definitely constitute a normal solid draw.

Can Federer have his Berrettini moment at the 2020 AO? Please and thank you. He would like to go through a normal solid draw, you know.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Yeah Schwartzman in the QF and Berrettini in the SF definitely constitute a normal solid draw.

Can Federer have his Berrettini moment at the 2020 AO? Please and thank you. He would like to go through a normal solid draw, you know.

Betterini gave a solid effort I think but experience prevailed on the day. Federer had his Betterini moment back in 2018, but didn't even have to finish the match. Did you forget?
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Betterini gave a solid effort I think but experience prevailed on the day. Federer had his Betterini moment back in 2018, but didn't even have to finish the match. Did you forget?
And then played Cilic who was a very solid final opponent. The only reason people talk about Medvedev is because Nadal let him back into the match and nearly choked, should've finished that match in straight sets.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
And then played Cilic who was a very solid final opponent. The only reason people talk about Medvedev is because Nadal let him back into the match and nearly choked, should've finished that match in straight sets.

Medvedev was a very solid final opponent, and pushed Nadal even harder than Cilic did. It was 6-4 in the 5th. Nadal didn't choke but he got tight and Medvedev came to life. Medvedev is very tough and I think will definitely have a better career than Cilic.
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Medvedev was a very solid final opponent, and pushed Nadal even harder than Cilic did. It was 6-4 in the 5th. Nadal didn't choke but he got tight and Medvedev came to life. Medvedev is very tough and I think will definitely have a better career than Cilic.
Maybe because Cilic was in his prime in the big 3 era and Medvedev will be in his prime in the Berrettini and Schwartzman era.
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Maybe because Cilic was in his prime in the big 3 era and Medvedev will be in his prime in the Berrettini and Schwartzman era.

Well Medvedev got to the finals of Canada, Cincy and USO in the big 3 era and Cilic wasn't able to pull that off. He deserves a little more credit don't you think?
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Well Medvedev got to the finals of Canada, Cincy and USO in the big 3 era and Cilic wasn't able to pull that off. He deserves a little more credit don't you think?
Let's get real here, who did he beat?

Canada - Federer and Djokovic were absent, reached the final where he got pasted by Nadal 6-3 6-0
Cincinnati - beat a very average Djokovic from a set behind, beat no-one of worth
Cincinnati - lost to Nadal again

So he beat an average Djokovic once in Cincinnati, his least favorite Masters and that someone makes his run impressive? If anything, given it's 2019 his consistency is incredible more than the people he beat. Everyone outside of the big 3 (and they are FAAAAAR less consistent than even 5 years ago, let alone 10 years ago) has several early round losses.
 

StrongRule

Talk Tennis Guru
Can Federer have his Berrettini moment? Yeah, because 2019 Dimitrov is what we can draw from hell. :-D :-D :-D :-D

Oh sorry, Federer had problems with his back. Always the case when he loses to a mug, how could I forget? :oops:
 

NoleFam

Bionic Poster
Let's get real here, who did he beat?

Canada - Federer and Djokovic were absent, reached the final where he got pasted by Nadal 6-3 6-0
Cincinnati - beat a very average Djokovic from a set behind, beat no-one of worth
Cincinnati - lost to Nadal again

So he beat an average Djokovic once in Cincinnati, his least favorite Masters and that someone makes his run impressive? If anything, given it's 2019 his consistency is incredible more than the people he beat. Everyone outside of the big 3 (and they are FAAAAAR less consistent than even 5 years ago, let alone 10 years ago) has several early round losses.

Medvedev played out of his mind to beat Djokovic who was better than average. It's wrong to not commend someone playing tennis at that level. You're wrong my friend. You can say if Nadal had to play Djokovic or Federer, he would have lost but they were not fit enough to challenge for this Slam. Medvedev was though and fought hard. If we play this game then we have to do the same thing to Djokovic's USO win back in 2018 or some of Federer's wins.
 

topher

Hall of Fame
2018: Nadal against Fedalovic in the Slams - 0-1
Against everyone else: 21-2 (including a retirement)

The dude can only beat mugs.

1-4 against Fedalovic in 2017-2019 LMAO

Are we playing this game? You're just mad Rafa is winning at Fed's game, be honest.

2008: Roger against Nadal in the Slams: 0-2
Roger against Djokodal in the Slams: 1-3 (#babyNovak)
Against everyone else: 23-0

2009: Roger against Nadal in the Slams - 0-1
Roger against Djokodal in the Slams - 1-1
Against everyone else: 25-1

2010: Roger against Nadal in the Slams - 0-0 (#dodgeball)
Roger against Djokodal in the Slams - 0-1
Against everyone else: 20-2
 

StrongRule

Talk Tennis Guru
Are we playing this game? You're just mad Rafa is winning at Fed's game, be honest.

2008: Roger against Nadal in the Slams: 0-2
Roger against Djokodal in the Slams: 1-3 (#babyNovak)
Against everyone else: 23-0

2009: Roger against Nadal in the Slams - 0-1
Roger against Djokodal in the Slams - 1-1
Against everyone else: 25-1

2010: Roger against Nadal in the Slams - 0-0 (#dodgeball)
Roger against Djokodal in the Slams - 0-1
Against everyone else: 20-2
The cherry on the cake is 2006 though. 2-4 against Nadal overall in the season, 92-1 against all the others.
e8a.gif
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Are we playing this game? You're just mad Rafa is winning at Fed's game, be honest.

2008: Roger against Nadal in the Slams: 0-2
Roger against Djokodal in the Slams: 1-3 (#babyNovak)
Against everyone else: 23-0

2009: Roger against Nadal in the Slams - 0-1
Roger against Djokodal in the Slams - 1-1
Against everyone else: 25-1

2010: Roger against Nadal in the Slams - 0-0 (#dodgeball)
Roger against Djokodal in the Slams - 0-1
Against everyone else: 20-2
Except one thing:

Federer wasn't the guy with the most Slams in 2008-2010 LMAO. Nadal was.
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Why should that matter? Fed's 4 slams in that period was just as vulture as Rafa's 5 slams. Laughing behind your tears lol
Federer beat Djokovic twice. Nadal beat Federer once and obviously at the FO.

And LMAO at baby Djokovic where he won a Slam in 2008 and was already a regular in Slam semis/finals in 2007-2008.
 

topher

Hall of Fame
Federer beat Djokovic twice. Nadal beat Federer once and obviously at the FO.

And LMAO at baby Djokovic where he won a Slam in 2008 and was already a regular in Slam semis/finals in 2007-2008.

Roger beat baby Novak twice, get it right. Roger didn't even beat Rafa PERIOD in 2008-2010, not even at Wimby. By your definition, Roger was mug-vulturing, just not as good at Rafa.

If Roger is Old-erer while making slam semis/finals in 2017-2019 (which he definitely is), then its LOLworthy dumb to pretend pre-2010/2011 Novak was the same as he is now.
 

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
Roger beat baby Novak twice, get it right. Roger didn't even beat Rafa PERIOD in 2008-2010, not even at Wimby. By your definition, Roger was mug-vulturing, just not as good at Rafa.
baby Novak = results starting with the 2007 FO:
SF
SF
F
W
SF
2R
SF

If Roger is Old-erer while making slam semis/finals in 2017-2019 (which he definitely is), then its LOLworthy dumb to pretend pre-2010/2011 Novak was the same as he is now.
Except the competition in 2007-2010 was in a different stratosphere compared to now LMAO.
 
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