If you've already lost 6 times, why not lose 7?

CMM · Mar 1, 2012

Rafa gave an interview to a Spanish television and when the woman asked him about confidence and his feelings before/during the AO final, what does he say?

"Losing 6 finals in a row gives you a feeling of calmness. You know the normal thing is for this to happen again. If you've already lost 6, why not lose the seventh?

What kind of attitude is that? :shock:

I think he's got big confidence problems.

dudeski · Mar 1, 2012

FlashFlare11 · Mar 1, 2012

A feeling of calmness? He should be ready to fight! He's basically waiting for the eighth. That's not the Nadal we've come to know.

single_handed_champion · Mar 1, 2012

Ya, that really blows. He's a mental wreck, big time. Say that fate has conspired to make you play poorly each of 6 times in a row, that someone's been messing with the tension in your rackets, anything but this.

He may never beat the guy again if he's already lost the match in his head.

EnigmaticPragmatic · Mar 1, 2012

This last year has been pure agony as a hardcore *******... and now he basically shrugs his shoulders and admits defeat. Cmon man, fight the Serbian tree :|

And if you have lost 7, why not lose 8? gahh Nadal what are you THINKING

Clarky21 · Mar 1, 2012

CMM said:
Rafa gave an interview to a Spanish television and when the woman asked him about confidence and his feelings before/during the AO final, what does he say?

"Losing 6 finals in a row gives you a feeling of calmness. You know the normal thing is for this to happen again. If you've already lost 6, why not lose the seventh?

What kind of attitude is that? :shock: I think he's got big confidence problems.

His career has been plagued by the bolded,and has cost him a lot of matches he should have won. I also think he knows he hasn't got the game to beat Djesus anyway,so he is throwing up his hands in defeat. Nadal is not 20 anymore,and is in decline. As long as Djesus is across the net from him he will lose each and every single time.

Rozroz · Mar 1, 2012

going for his defense for a second,
he DID give his life at the AO final..no?
or maybe that's how HE sees giving up?

kishnabe · Mar 1, 2012

Clarky21 said:
His career has been plagued by the bolded,and has cost him a lot of matches he should have won. I also think he knows he hasn't got the game to beat Djesus anyway,so he is throwing up his hands in defeat. Nadal is not 20 anymore,and is in decline. As long as Djesus is across the net from him he will lose each and every single time.

Why can't Djokovic have a bad day or throw Nadal a bone in one of the MS events.

EnigmaticPragmatic · Mar 1, 2012

Clarky21 said:
His career has been plagued by the bolded,and has cost him a lot of matches he should have won. I also think he knows he hasn't got the game to beat Djesus anyway,so he is throwing up his hands in defeat. Nadal is not 20 anymore,and is in decline. As long as Djesus is across the net from him he will lose each and every single time.

Before April of last year, I'd have said it'll be different the next time they play. Then you start comforting yourself in figuring he'd work something out eventually. 7 consecutive finals defeats later, I can only say that *maybe* it will be different next time.

TennisFan3 · Mar 1, 2012

CMM said:
What kind of attitude is that? :shock: I think he's got big confidence problems.

LOL..are you kidding. That was a great comment by Rafa. That is one of the reasons I admire Nadal. He speaks his mind.

He means there is NOTHING To lose when you're expecting to lose anyway. Which is why subsequent losses are not such a big shock for him and he can play his tennis freely.

This is the only mindset that may help him. Whether it's enough to beat Djoko remains to be seen. But Nadal won't retire or something if he loses RG to Djoko, as people over here claim. Rafa knows he's the heavy underdog.

Let's hope he throws caution to the wind and swings for the fences next time.

Mustard · Mar 1, 2012

The point Nadal is trying to make is that he's at the point now where he's past panicking about losing to Djokovic in big matches, like he was in 2011, and that he now has that necessary calmness that is needed.

Nadal likes being the underdog or creating the underdog mentality in his mind. He always has done. He likes to start at zero and fight hard to achieve. Other players have different mental approaches and see themselves as favourite and like to be the favourite. For Nadal, that just creates pressure.

FlashFlare11 · Mar 1, 2012

TennisFan3 said:
That is one of the reasons I admire Nadal. He speaks his mind.

He means there is NOTHING To lose when you're expecting to lose anyway. Which is why subsequent losses are not such a big shock for him and he can play his tennis freely.

This is the only mindset that may help him. Whether it's enough to beat Djoko remains to be seen. But Nadal won't retire or something if he loses RG to Djoko, as people over here claim. Rafa knows he's the heavy underdog.

Let's hope he throws caution to the wind and swings for the fences next time.

I don't necessarily agree here.

While Nadal feels like he can relax, Djokovic is currently dead set on beating Nadal and possibly surpassing him. Nadal cannot play a player that ambitious and that dedicated to winning with relaxed mindset. I think this is what happened to Federer when he faced Nadal, and now the same is happening with Nadal against Djokovic.

CMM · Mar 1, 2012

Mustard said:
The point Nadal is trying to make is that he's at the point now where he's past panicking about losing to Djokovic in big matches, like he was in 2011, and that he now has that necessary calmness that is needed.

I'm just worried that he might reach the point where the defeats don't bother him anymore.
He already said that he was happy to be part of such an epic final.

monfed · Mar 1, 2012

There goes that theory of Ralph closing the gap. :lol:

FlashFlare11 · Mar 1, 2012

CMM said:
I'm just worried that he might reach the point where the defeats don't bother him anymore.
He already said that he was happy to be part of such an epic final.

Remember Federer after the 2008 Wimbledon final? He didn't care that he was part of the greatest match in tennis history. All he cared for was that he lost. That's it. Nadal needs to realize the same.

Towser83 · Mar 1, 2012

Clarky21 said:
His career has been plagued by the bolded,and has cost him a lot of matches he should have won. I also think he knows he hasn't got the game to beat Djesus anyway,so he is throwing up his hands in defeat. Nadal is not 20 anymore,and is in decline. As long as Djesus is across the net from him he will lose each and every single time.

To be honest I think of nadal as a guy who's won a lot of matches he should have lost. The amount of times I've seen him somehow pull out a win when he looked out of it, it's something you have to respect. Rome 2005, 2006, Mardid 2009 against Djokovic, the olympic semi vs Djokovic, the AO semi vs Verdasco (ok maybe he could have lost it rather than should have lost)

But now some are going against him. I think though the attitude he's showing now could either mean he no longer has any fight, or that he has no pressure on himself and he can swing freely. I don't think te AO final shows he has no fight, he looked ready to die on court. But it didn't show he had no pressure on him either. So I'm not sure if he isn't just giving an answer to delect difficult questions regarding a losing streak which must be a bit embarrassing.

Mustard · Mar 1, 2012

FlashFlare11 said:
Remember Federer after the 2008 Wimbledon final? He didn't care that he was part of the greatest match in tennis history. All he cared for was that he lost. That's it. Nadal needs to realize the same.

Federer has a different mindset to Nadal, though. Federer likes people to think he is the favourite and he likes to think he's the world's best player. Nadal likes to be the underdog, take nothing for granted and try his best every point. Also, the 2008 Wimbledon final was the first big step Nadal made in breaking the Federer stronghold. Nadal has lost to Djokovic 7 times in a row, so we're now past the point where Djokovic has just taken over from Nadal.

FlashFlare11 · Mar 1, 2012

Mustard said:
Federer has a different mindset to Nadal, though. Federer likes people to think he is the favourite and he likes to think he's the world's best player. Nadal likes to be the underdog, take nothing for granted and try his best every point. Also, the 2008 Wimbledon final was the first big step Nadal made in breaking the Federer stronghold.

That's true. But Nadal still holds his stronghold (RG), so for now, Nadal should still feel confident. Federer, even after losing his stronghold in one of the most amazing matches in history, was determined to win and didn't care about being a part of that match. I'm saying that Nadal should feel the same determination.

niff · Mar 1, 2012

That's ..... weird.

monfed · Mar 1, 2012

Mustard said:
Federer has a different mindset to Nadal, though. Federer likes people to think he is the favourite and he likes to think he's the world's best player. Nadal likes to be the underdog, take nothing for granted and try his best every point. Also, the 2008 Wimbledon final was the first big step Nadal made in breaking the Federer stronghold.

Except that Nadal was never the underdog against Fed after Wimby 2008 when he had his most success.

Underdog against Novak? More like lapdog. :lol:

Mustard · Mar 1, 2012

FlashFlare11 said:
That's true. But Nadal still holds his stronghold (RG), so for now, Nadal should still feel confident. Federer, even after losing his stronghold in one of the most amazing matches in history, was determined to win and didn't care about being a part of that match. I'm saying that Nadal should feel the same determination.

Oh, I'm sure Nadal is determined to win the French Open. The difference with Federer, though, is that Nadal will play down his chances when speaking about it and talk up Djokovic's chances, how Djokovic is unbelievable, world number 1, the favourite etc. and that he (Nadal) will have to play his very best to beat Djokovic. Federer's approach would have been different, as he would have talked about how confident he is, playing very well and that he wants the title. If Nadal did that, he would just be putting pressure on himself. They have different mindsets.

Mustard · Mar 1, 2012

monfed said:
Except that Nadal was never the underdog against Fed after Wimby 2008 when he had his most success.

Forgot the 2009 Australian Open, have we? :lol:

purge · Mar 1, 2012

Mustard said:
Oh, I'm sure Nadal is determined to win the French Open. The difference with Federer, though, is that Nadal will play down his chances when speaking about it and talk up Djokovic's chances, how Djokovic is unbelievable, world number 1, the favourite etc. and that he (Nadal) will have to play his very best to beat Djokovic. Federer's approach would have been different, as he would have talked about how confident he is, playing very well and that he wants the title. If Nadal did that, he would just be putting pressure on himself. They have different mindsets.

well nadal has always fared well with that mindset especially against federer. i dont think he will be quick to change it

Towser83 · Mar 1, 2012

Mustard said:
Forgot the 2009 Australian Open, have we? :lol:

Anyone who really thought Nadal was the underdog was fooling themselves. After W2008 he was never going to lose to Federer in a slam again and as of now, this statement holds true.

Mustard · Mar 1, 2012

Towser83 said:
Anyone who really thought Nadal was the underdog was fooling themselves. After W2008 he was never going to lose to Federer in a slam again and as of now, this statement holds true.

That's nonsense. Everyone was talking about Nadal having just 1 day's rest and had a marathon 5 hour, 14 minute match against Verdasco in his semi final. In contrast, Federer, after a R16 scare against Berdych where he came back from 2 sets down, had crushed del Potro in the quarter finals (double bagel), and had comfortably straight-setted Roddick in the semi finals. Federer also had 2 days rest before the final.

celoft · Mar 1, 2012

CMM said:
Rafa gave an interview to a Spanish television and when the woman asked him about confidence and his feelings before/during the AO final, what does he say?

"Losing 6 finals in a row gives you a feeling of calmness. You know the normal thing is for this to happen again. If you've already lost 6, why not lose the seventh?

What kind of attitude is that? :shock: I think he's got big confidence problems.

No problema. He knows many more losses are coming up this year. We could see a Federer-Hewitt scenario. :lol: That H2H will look very lopsided pretty soon.

CMM · Mar 1, 2012

Mustard said:
That's nonsense. Everyone was talking about Nadal having just 1 day's rest and had a marathon 5 hour, 14 minute match against Verdasco in his semi final. In contrast, Federer, after a R16 scare against Berdych where he came back from 2 sets down, had crushed del Potro in the quarter finals (double bagel), and had comfortably straight-setted Roddick in the semi finals. Federer also had 2 days rest before the final.

Funny how much that situation resembles to what happened this year.

DjokovicForTheWin · Mar 1, 2012

Mustard said:
Oh, I'm sure Nadal is determined to win the French Open. The difference with Federer, though, is that Nadal will play down his chances when speaking about it and talk up Djokovic's chances, how Djokovic is unbelievable, world number 1, the favourite etc. and that he (Nadal) will have to play his very best to beat Djokovic. Federer's approach would have been different, as he would have talked about how confident he is, playing very well and that he wants the title. If Nadal did that, he would just be putting pressure on himself. They have different mindsets.

Exactly right. In other words Fed is honest and Nadal is a liar. 'Play' being the keyword.

TMF · Mar 1, 2012

CMM said:
Rafa gave an interview to a Spanish television and when the woman asked him about confidence and his feelings before/during the AO final, what does he say?

"Losing 6 finals in a row gives you a feeling of calmness. You know the normal thing is for this to happen again. If you've already lost 6, why not lose the seventh?

What kind of attitude is that? :shock: I think he's got big confidence problems.

Nadal is not being honest. He implies that losing again isn't much of a big deal, but deep down inside he knows that losing again can only add more wound. The only healing process is to get back on his feet and win. He can pretend that he's calm, but he ain't fooling anyone !

Roddick was constantly losing to Fed, despite it was a normal thing for many years, Roddick was devastated when he lost to Fed in 2009 Wimbledon. Nadal is no different from any competitive player.

Mustard · Mar 1, 2012

CMM said:
Funny how much that situation resembles to what happened this year.

Nadal had tough matches himself, though, against Berdych and Federer. In 2009, Federer just routinely beat del Potro and Roddick.

merlinpinpin · Mar 1, 2012

Mustard said:
That's nonsense. Everyone was talking about Nadal having just 1 day's rest and had a marathon 5 hour, 14 minute match against Verdasco in his semi final. In contrast, Federer, after a R16 scare against Berdych where he came back from 2 sets down, had crushed del Potro in the quarter finals (double bagel), and had comfortably straight-setted Roddick in the semi finals. Federer also had 2 days rest before the final.

That's partial nonsense only. Everyone knew that the semi against Verdasco wouldn't be a factor (and wouldn't have been even if it had lasted 15 hours). However, Federer was still expected to win, and he should have (and fairly comfortably, too) had not the specter of the Wimbledon final messed with his mind.

Likewise, he should have won Wimby 2008, and would very probably have done so (his first two sets were just awful) had he not taken such a drubbing in the RG final.

In the end, this RG final was nothing short of a minor miracle, considering how mono has messed with his preparation, and he would have been better served had he lost to Monfils in the semis. That victory may very well have cost him two slams against Nadal, but of course, we'll never know...

TMF · Mar 1, 2012

Mustard said:
Forgot the 2009 Australian Open, have we? :lol:

Who was the #1 player at that time ?

And have we forgot that Nadal has a huge matchup advantage, have we ?

Mustard · Mar 1, 2012

TMF said:
Who was the #1 player at that time ?

And have we forgot that Nadal has a huge matchup advantage, have we ?

Yet Federer was considered the favourite. Funny that.

li0scc0 · Mar 1, 2012

Clarky21 said:
As long as Djesus is across the net from him he will lose each and every single time.

He is playing the former Phillies shortstop?

Nathaniel_Near · Mar 1, 2012

Personally, I think Nadal has been misunderstood here. I think what he is saying is that losing has become the standard, so he has no demons in his mind while playing him and no real pressure and can just focus 100% on trying his absolute best with no mental blocks, and beat El Nolio. I don't think he's trying to marginalise his losses, I just think he's trying to further justify why he can bring it to Nole again and again, and go for the victory. It's just a weird way of doing it, though.

PS, Nadal's mindset is pretty much the one I hate most in the history of all sports. His whole 'he is the favourite' malarkey just really rubs me up more than just the wrong way (not the right way). How some people find this admirable, I have absolutely *no* idea.

above bored · Mar 1, 2012

CMM said:
Rafa gave an interview to a Spanish television and when the woman asked him about confidence and his feelings before/during the AO final, what does he say?

"Losing 6 finals in a row gives you a feeling of calmness. You know the normal thing is for this to happen again. If you've already lost 6, why not lose the seventh?

What kind of attitude is that? :shock: I think he's got big confidence problems.

All he means is that he becomes the underdog, so he can play without pressure or with calmness, whichever you prefer. Don't take every utterance so literally.

Nathaniel_Near · Mar 1, 2012

Federer was rightly the favourite for the AO 2009 Final. He had already won a bunch of HC Slam titles and yet it was Nadal's first ever HC Slam final. Nadal's victory over Federer in Wimbledon 08 had some precedence, but the AO 2009 victory - not so much.

Nathaniel_Near · Mar 1, 2012

above bored said:
All he means is that he becomes the underdog, so he can play without pressure or with calmness, whichever you prefer. Don't take every utterance so literally.

Yeh, exactly.

merlinpinpin · Mar 1, 2012

above bored said:
All he means is that he becomes the underdog, so he can play without pressure or with calmness, whichever you prefer. Don't take every utterance so literally.

Yeah, well. Except if you listen to him, Nadal is *always* the underdog, even when playing Lacko or Darcis at RG...

Mike Sams · Mar 1, 2012

Rozroz said:
going for his defense for a second,
he DID give his life at the AO final..no?
or maybe that's how HE sees giving up?

He was relying on Djokovic to wilt and break down. It didn't happen. It's what drove Nadal to fight so hard. It was a battle of wills, not skills.
Nadal blinked first at crunch time. It determined who is superior today between the two in every aspect of the sport.

Mike Sams · Mar 1, 2012

purge said:
well nadal has always fared well with that mindset especially against federer. i dont think he will be quick to change it

Nadal always knew Federer was scared of him. Nadal's not an idiot.

Mike Sams · Mar 1, 2012

Mustard said:
The point Nadal is trying to make is that he's at the point now where he's past panicking about losing to Djokovic in big matches, like he was in 2011, and that he now has that necessary calmness that is needed.

Nadal likes being the underdog or creating the underdog mentality in his mind. He always has done. He likes to start at zero and fight hard to achieve. Other players have different mental approaches and see themselves as favourite and like to be the favourite. For Nadal, that just creates pressure.

You pin the blame on Nadal for his defeatist attitude. Why not put the blame on his trainer Tio Toni???
He was the one who openly said "We have no answers for Djokovic!"
Nadal needs to be done with this guy now.

CMM · Mar 1, 2012

Maybe I'm reading too much into it. Although I don't think it's normal for a player to look this happy after losing such a grueling final.

MichaelNadal · Mar 1, 2012

TennisFan3 said:
LOL..are you kidding. That was a great comment by Rafa. That is one of the reasons I admire Nadal. He speaks his mind.

He means there is NOTHING To lose when you're expecting to lose anyway. Which is why subsequent losses are not such a big shock for him and he can play his tennis freely.

This is the only mindset that may help him. Whether it's enough to beat Djoko remains to be seen. But Nadal won't retire or something if he loses RG to Djoko, as people over here claim. Rafa knows he's the heavy underdog.

Let's hope he throws caution to the wind and swings for the fences next time.

Mustard said:
The point Nadal is trying to make is that he's at the point now where he's past panicking about losing to Djokovic in big matches, like he was in 2011, and that he now has that necessary calmness that is needed.

Nadal likes being the underdog or creating the underdog mentality in his mind. He always has done. He likes to start at zero and fight hard to achieve. Other players have different mental approaches and see themselves as favourite and like to be the favourite. For Nadal, that just creates pressure.

Exactly. Part of why he got smoked last year is bc he was PANICKING and thinking oh sh*t im losing, and im SUPPOSED to be beating this guy. That pressure is gone now, as we saw in the AO final and it's a good thing for him, not a bad thing.

msc886 · Mar 1, 2012

As I've said before the "fight" and "mental toughness" is an easy thing to claim when he's in his prime but now things get uphill and where is his mental toughness. Even Federer in his 30's is still fighting despite being way past his best and struggling to keep up with the young guns.

Mike Sams · Mar 1, 2012

MichaelNadal said:
Exactly. Part of why he got smoked last year is bc he was PANICKING and thinking oh sh*t im losing, and im SUPPOSED to be beating this guy. That pressure is gone now, as we saw in the AO final and it's a good thing for him, not a bad thing.

Keep trying to convince yourself that everything is ok. :lol:

TennisFan3 · Mar 1, 2012

Mike Sams said:
Keep trying to convince yourself that everything is ok. :lol:

Who says everything is ok. Of course it isn't.

What Nadal is saying that he will keep trying and won't be under a lot of pressure when he plays Djoko coz you're expecting to lose anyway. That's actually a good thing for some people. It doesn't decrease your determination to win, just puts less pressure on you in terms of expectations.

What is guaranteed is that Nadal won't play a tame final with Novak again as he did in Wimb 2011. He was so nervous in that match, because he was expecting himself to win. Consequently he panicked repeatedly and lost badly.

jackson vile · Mar 1, 2012

So, he is not as mentally strong as before, his serve is not as big as before, he can no longer hunt down each and every ball like he used to, and how are the rest of his stats?

CMM said:
Rafa gave an interview to a Spanish television and when the woman asked him about confidence and his feelings before/during the AO final, what does he say?

"Losing 6 finals in a row gives you a feeling of calmness. You know the normal thing is for this to happen again. If you've already lost 6, why not lose the seventh?

What kind of attitude is that? :shock: I think he's got big confidence problems.

MichaelNadal · Mar 1, 2012

TennisFan3 said:
Who says everything is ok. Of course it isn't.

What Nadal is saying that he will keep trying and won't be under a lot of pressure when he plays Djoko coz you're expecting to lose anyway. That's actually a good thing for some people. It doesn't decrease your determination to win, just puts less pressure on you in terms of expectations.

What is guaranteed is that Nadal won't play a tame final with Novak again as he did in Wimb 2011. He was so nervous in that match, because he was expecting himself to win. Consequently he panicked repeatedly and lost badly.

FlashFlare11 · Mar 1, 2012

jackson vile said:
So, he is not as mentally strong as before, his serve is not as big as before, he can no longer hunt down each and every ball like he used to, and how are the rest of his stats?

When was it ever?

He was serving very well in the AO final. Won a lot of free points on his serve. It's just that when it wasn't an outright great serve, Djokovic got it back with interest.

If you've already lost 6 times, why not lose 7?

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