Rafa Nadal calls it season!

dumb-person

Rookie
Not unexpected considering everything.

Let's be honest, you don't have to like Nadal but his presence on tour is missed this year in the USO series. Dude used to play some great tennis in that part of the year.
True. If it wasnt for Djokovic i wouldnt even be really interested in upcoming US Open. No Nadal, no Thiem, no Federer :(
 

weakera

Talk Tennis Guru
he said since 2005

He said the foot has had an issue since 2005, the quote I refer to is,

During the last year I [was] not able to practice and prepare myself the way that I need to be competitive at the standards that I want to be.
 
We should be prepared from now on to watch Djokovic vs the next gen unfold at every slam.
For the next 2-3 years it’s Djokovic against the next gen like Meddy, Zverev and tsitsipas. I’m confident Novak can get at least 2 more slams before these guys take over. Us open is a great position for Novak to be in. He either gets the slam record and CYGS and becomes ultimate GOAT or he stays on 20 but isn’t damaged as a next gen player will win as no Fedal present. Djoko will have big chances in 2022 to get the slam record even if he comes up short in this us open. It would be nice to see him add another open though but Australia and Wimbledon are always his best chances.
 

junior74

Talk Tennis Guru
the nextgen have all stepped up their level. They certainly made things hard for DJoko this year. US Open is theirs to win...they are the favorites now
wide-eyes-ok.gif
 

terribleIVAN

Hall of Fame
Very, very disappointed with Rafa.

Not for the retirement from the remaining 2021.

But the way he chose to conduct this video conference:

no plucking of the eyebrows
no eyelashes makeup
no Botox to sooth the skin

he probably just lost a couple of tens of millions $$ in endorsements...

Such poor example for our youth....
 
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The US open withdrawal was obviously coming but I wonder if the foot injury is that bad that Rafa simply can't risk playing any more tournaments this year, or if he and his team decided it's just better to put all effort into preparing for the next season.

Hopefully the issue isn't chronic. And, at least, it doesn't require surgery.
 

weakera

Talk Tennis Guru
The US open withdrawal was obviously coming but I wonder if the foot injury is that bad that Rafa simply can't risk playing any more tournaments this year, or if he and his team decided it's just better to put all effort into preparing for the next season.

Hopefully the issue isn't chronic. And, at least, it doesn't require surgery.


Once he skips USO what's the point of playing another 2-3 indoor meme tourneys this season?
 
the nextgen have all stepped up their level. They certainly made things hard for DJoko this year. US Open is theirs to win...they are the favorites now
Never count Djokovic out but I agree it’s close to call. Out of Djokovic, Medvedev and Zverev it’s very close who’s the favourite. As a Novak fan I’m hoping Zverev goes in Meddy’s half. I think tsitsipas is easier for Novak to deal with on hard courts but the other 2 will be tough.

I hope Djokovic does it but I also like Medvedev and Zverev so will be happy for them if they win it.
 

Russeljones

Talk Tennis Guru
the nextgen have all stepped up their level. They certainly made things hard for DJoko this year. US Open is theirs to win...they are the favorites now
Are you also a next gen troll fighting to break through? You're making a case for yourself.
 

Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil

Talk Tennis Guru
Yo geriatrics are dropping like flies. Novak better defend the Big 3's reputation for some time longer as the last one standing amirite... :p

I might binge watch some of his best highlights now that we won't see him in action for a while. Get well soon Rafa. (y)
 
Get well soon, Rafa. I'd rather watch you at the business end of slams than the Next Gen.
I bet you will watch Zverev and Meddy though as they the best chances you got to upset Djokovic right now. They both in form. As a Novak fan I hope he avoids Zverev and gets tsitsipas in his side at us open.
 
Yo geriatrics are dropping like flies. Novak better defend the Big 3's reputation for some time longer as the last one standing amirite... :p

I might binge watch some of his best highlights now that we won't see him in action for a while. Get well soon Rafa. (y)
If us open 2021 is the last slam win for Novak and the big 3 it would be a cool way for Novak to seal the GOAT debate with record no21 and CYGS haha. On a serious note I feel the next gen like Zverev, Meddy and tsitsipas are close to a breakthrough. I think in the next 2-3 years Novak can hang with them and still maybe pinch some slams before they fully take over but we will see. At this rate 1-2 more slams might be all Novak needs with the state Fed and Rafa are in now.
 

weakera

Talk Tennis Guru
Oh, okay. I thought it would be a bigger drop for some reason. Earning more points would be better but I agree with your point.

Maybe I'm wrong? Nadal is defending like 3000 points the rest of the way so ending the season here still leaves him around 4000?

Doing the math would be too boring but maybe he can fall to 12-13, idk. Thiem and Federer falling lower also so that's two protected spots essentially.
 
'Next gen mugs' are a far bigger threat to Djokovic on hard than Nadal is at this stage, injured or not.
Exactly right. Fedal fans having a go at next gen but they in far better shape to challenge Djokovic on hard courts than what Nadal, Federer or other old 30 year olds past their prime players are. Medvedev, Zverev and tsitsipas are all threats to Novak at us open especially the former two. Some fans like to live in the past too much.
 
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