> Rafael Nadal's Knee Tape: True Fear or Psychological Warefare? Ask Nadal

T

TheOneAndOnly

New User
An issue just came about about Nadal's knee-tape.

True. I do seem to see him wear it all the time, that every time I see him out there with it, it concerns me.

If I were playing him, it would concern me.

When Roger plays Nadal, maybe it concerns Roger.

When Gasquet plays Nadal, maybe it concern Gasquet.

Me too.

Whoa! Hold it there!

Do you see where this is spiraling towards? It may just be psychological, that Nadal places the tape for psychological reasons.

Well, if this isn't the MAIN purpose, then it may be a fringe benefit, a SECONDARY purpose, if you will.

You see, Nadal may TRULY feel sensitive and weak in the knees, but as a fringe benefit to the tape, he can use it to BRING THE OPPONENTS DOWN TO HIS LEVEL of understanding. Or better yet, BRING THE OPPONENTS UP TO HIS LEVEL OFUNDERSTANDING.

What do I mean?

I mean that his opponents will be focusing and thinking: "Is Nadal injured or not? Why is Nadal smacking these winners? He's got that white tape on not just 1 knee but both knees! Huh?!? What's up with that! I just saw if bolt and hit a winner off of my incredible drop shot, that Michael Chang couldn't even get to ! How in the world did this Nadal dude get that?".

You see, the knee-tape may cause Nadal's opponents to think, think, think, and think some more, and more importantly, think about the other opponent, and not on their own game.

What a marvelous strategy! If it is one.

The Knee-Tape may very well be psychological.
 
B

Beasty54

Rookie
I doubt it. I think its there because he has knee problems. Im sure the Pro's dont bother with thinking about it.
 
veroniquem

veroniquem

Bionic Poster
The knee tape is preventive, to avoid injuries since he suffered from tendinitis. No need to read more into it.
 
edmondsm

edmondsm

Legend
Sorry OP, you make no sense to me. Were you possibly using some mind-expanding substance when you posted this?
 
rubberduckies

rubberduckies

Professional
edmondsm said:
Sorry OP, you make no sense to me. Were you possibly using some mind-expanding substance when you posted this?
Click to expand...

Looks like we'll need some of that in order to BRING OURSELVES DOWN TO HIS LEVEL of understanding. Or better yet, BRING OURSELVES UP TO HIS LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING.
 
RCizzle65

RCizzle65

Hall of Fame
rubberduckies said:
Looks like we'll need some of that in order to BRING OURSELVES DOWN TO HIS LEVEL of understanding. Or better yet, BRING OURSELVES UP TO HIS LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING.
Click to expand...

XDDDD
but yeah, I really don't think too much of his taped knees, I don't even notice them as something that stands out, and I'm sure the pros don't think much of it either.
 
M

miyagi

Professional
TheOneAndOnly said:
An issue just came about about Nadal's knee-tape.

True. I do seem to see him wear it all the time, that every time I see him out there with it, it concerns me.

If I were playing him, it would concern me.

When Roger plays Nadal, maybe it concerns Roger.

When Gasquet plays Nadal, maybe it concern Gasquet.

Me too.

Whoa! Hold it there!

Do you see where this is spiraling towards? It may just be psychological, that Nadal places the tape for psychological reasons.

Well, if this isn't the MAIN purpose, then it may be a fringe benefit, a SECONDARY purpose, if you will.

You see, Nadal may TRULY feel sensitive and weak in the knees, but as a fringe benefit to the tape, he can use it to BRING THE OPPONENTS DOWN TO HIS LEVEL of understanding. Or better yet, BRING THE OPPONENTS UP TO HIS LEVEL OFUNDERSTANDING.

What do I mean?

I mean that his opponents will be focusing and thinking: "Is Nadal injured or not? Why is Nadal smacking these winners? He's got that white tape on not just 1 knee but both knees! Huh?!? What's up with that! I just saw if bolt and hit a winner off of my incredible drop shot, that Michael Chang couldn't even get to ! How in the world did this Nadal dude get that?".

You see, the knee-tape may cause Nadal's opponents to think, think, think, and think some more, and more importantly, think about the other opponent, and not on their own game.

What a marvelous strategy! If it is one.

The Knee-Tape may very well be psychological.
Click to expand...

LMAO you have a very vivd imagination....ever consider writing books?
 
cknobman

cknobman

Legend
I completely understand why Nadal wears the knee tape and it has ZERO to do with trying to mess with his opponents heads.

Its preventative and I understand this because I wear something similar on my knees for the same reasons.

From time to time I have felt slight pain in my knees when shifting weight or stopping/starting and recently it was getting worse so I decided to wear some knee wraps to keep the tendons tight around my knees. Ever since Ive no longer felt the pain and I always wear the wraps to make sure it dosnt come back.
 
tennis-hero

tennis-hero

Banned
i'd never put anything past the uncle toni camp honestly

even the thought that Rafa is less then 100% can be enough distraction... Tennis is a mental game, the Nadal camp is constantly making Roger out to be the GOAT, this is to take all the pressure off Rafa, and Roger (because he is an idiot) loves being called GOAT because his big head can't handle being number 2
 
GameSampras

GameSampras

Banned
He definitely has some knee problems as evident with his prior match with Murray where he was BAGELED in the final set. Not to mention Nadal skipping the YEC The AO took some zap out those knees no doubt about it. IM sure his knees were feeling the effects of the Verdasco and Fed matches
 
veroniquem

veroniquem

Bionic Poster
cknobman said:
I completely understand why Nadal wears the knee tape and it has ZERO to do with trying to mess with his opponents heads.

Its preventative and I understand this because I wear something similar on my knees for the same reasons.

From time to time I have felt slight pain in my knees when shifting weight or stopping/starting and recently it was getting worse so I decided to wear some knee wraps to keep the tendons tight around my knees. Ever since Ive no longer felt the pain and I always wear the wraps to make sure it dosnt come back.
Click to expand...
Nice to know that something simple like that is working and won't stop you from practising your favorite sport!
 
D

dejavu

Rookie
tennis is part mental, but at the pro level, I don't think tape on the knees will play any mind games on the opponent.
 
veroniquem

veroniquem

Bionic Poster
Most tennis players have tape somewhere or protections: knee, foot, back, wrist or shoulder. It's not like taping or preventive measures would be a rare occurence in tennis.
 
mtommer

mtommer

Hall of Fame
I see Roddick wear an ankle brace. Federer sees Roddick wear an ankle brace and thinks: "Is he injured? Maybe I don't have to play so hard today?". And when Murray plays Roddick, Murray might think this, or Blake, Gasquet, Fish,.......

Like other have said, the tape is the equivalent of an ankle brace. I promise you OP, when Nadal gets on court the only thing most players are probably thinking is: "Hooo boy, I'm a' gonna be runnin' a lot today!"
 
cknobman

cknobman

Legend
veroniquem said:
Nice to know that something simple like that is working and won't stop you from practising your favorite sport!
Click to expand...

Thanks Im glad as well because (according to my wife) Im a tennis psycho. I dont know what Id do if I couldnt play at least 3 times a week.
 
T

TheOneAndOnly

New User
tennis-hero said:
i'd never put anything past the uncle toni camp honestly

even the thought that Rafa is less then 100% can be enough distraction... Tennis is a mental game, the Nadal camp is constantly making Roger out to be the GOAT, this is to take all the pressure off Rafa, and Roger (because he is an idiot) loves being called GOAT because his big head can't handle being number 2
Click to expand...

i'm sorry. i had to laugh :)

but maybe that's true. all toni wants to do for his guy is win.

and what better way to win that simply feed one's ego: as long as it works!
 
T

TheOneAndOnly

New User
cknobman said:
I completely understand why Nadal wears the knee tape and it has ZERO to do with trying to mess with his opponents heads.

Its preventative and I understand this because I wear something similar on my knees for the same reasons.

From time to time I have felt slight pain in my knees when shifting weight or stopping/starting and recently it was getting worse so I decided to wear some knee wraps to keep the tendons tight around my knees. Ever since Ive no longer felt the pain and I always wear the wraps to make sure it dosnt come back.
Click to expand...

gimme a total break. you're not nadal.
 
TheTruth

TheTruth

G.O.A.T.
tennis-hero said:
i'd never put anything past the uncle toni camp honestly

even the thought that Rafa is less then 100% can be enough distraction... Tennis is a mental game, the Nadal camp is constantly making Roger out to be the GOAT, this is to take all the pressure off Rafa, and Roger (because he is an idiot) loves being called GOAT because his big head can't handle being number 2
Click to expand...

I kinda halfway agree with you. I think a lot of what comes out of that camp is damage control. It's easier, and best to feed Roger's ego, while at the same time, you keep doing what you're doing.
 
edmondsm

edmondsm

Legend
TheTruth said:
I kinda halfway agree with you. I think a lot of what comes out of that camp is damage control. It's easier, and best to feed Roger's ego, while at the same time, you keep doing what you're doing.
Click to expand...

No that's your fantasy world. In the real world, Nadal has knee problems. Remember when he skipped Davis Cup and and Shanghai last year, that was his knees. Remember the year before at the USO, his knees again. It's not getting better either. Has he ever had a knee injury this early in the year? But wait, that was just Nadal and Uncle Toni's plan. Get to the final in Rotterdam and then limp around for the last set. They are geniuses! Do yourself a favor, no more paint-chips ok.
 
C

C-XIII

Rookie
yeah its preventitive and cause he has knee issues in general,it cant be phycological because he has them on now all the time!
 
Staiger

Staiger

Semi-Pro
at least he is not asking for an injury timeout for a cramp like some players ..

maybe it is some fashion item that knee tape ( it should come free with every Nadal Racquet purchased --- as a Nadal makeover kit) !
 
SirBlend12

SirBlend12

Semi-Pro
TheOneAndOnly said:
gimme a total break. you're not nadal.
Click to expand...

Yeah, bra, what a total poser!

... Because you know that Rafa, at 23 years old, is the first person EVER to use medical tape to alleviate pain or protect from potential injury.

cknobman, good call. MUCH better safe than sorry.
 
T

TheOneAndOnly

New User
edmondsm said:
Uh, the post you responded too sounded completely reasonable to me. Care to elaborate?
Click to expand...

The more and more i think about it, nadal can skip all atp tourneys and just play the major gs's - this will save his energy, his knees, and double the gs's that sampras has..... ?
 
Gen

Gen

Banned
Nadal has explained it a hundred times. He had a problem with his knees in 2005 for the first time. The second bout was in 2006. Since that time he's been using straps to prevent further injury. His feet are also bandaged. And Federer's. And Murray's. Maybe other players do it as well. I saw only these three changing their socks on court and their bandaged feet. Bandage as a psychological warfare is something really innovative. Players also have a nasty habit of taking toilet breaks. This weapon is even more powerful as deconcentration tool. Let's make them pee on court during changovers.
 
T

TheOneAndOnly

New User
Gen said:
Nadal has explained it a hundred times. He had a problem with his knees in 2005 for the first time. The second bout was in 2006. Since that time he's been using straps to prevent further injury. His feet are also bandaged. And Federer's. And Murray's. Maybe other players do it as well. I saw only these three changing their socks on court and their bandaged feet. Bandage as a psychological warfare is something really innovative. Players also have a nasty habit of taking toilet breaks. This weapon is even more powerful as deconcentration tool. Let's make them pee on court during changovers.
Click to expand...

no need to go that far, Gen, and get ridiculous.

caution is one thing. but over-caution is another. it looks like nadal may at times be showing over-caution..... which is ok. all i'm saying is that nadal may use this also as a psychological warfare against his opponents... get them to think.

if nadal was truly injured after every match, then he probably wouldn't be #1, but #2, 3, 4, 9, 10. To be the #1, there are 'bags of tricks' the #1 player has and knows and does that other players don't.... that's how they sustain the #1.

Mcenroe = he knew that once he came to net, the other guy was toast.
Lendl = he knew that if he put in 8 hours or more (or at least more hard work than the other guy), then his hard work will play out on his own.
sampras = bring on the big game, and the rest is history.
 
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