Rafa fans, what are your hopes of Rafa in 2013?

kragster

kragster

Hall of Fame
Are you hoping for a blockbuster year (finishes no 1, multiple slams etc) or would you be satisfied with a decent year (say 1 slam +2-3 Masters)

Personally my baseline hopes of Rafa in 2013 are that he wins a slam (other than RG) and 3 Masters and ends the year within the top 2. Anything on top would be a bonus.
 
Towser83

Towser83

G.O.A.T.
If I was a Rafa fan at this point I would just be hoping he is back playing and healthy all year. If so, the rest should fall into place and he has a good chance of RG and a masters or two, because logically as long as he is in good shape it would take an insane performance to beat him at RG. But it must be very frustrating not knowing when he'll even be back.

To be honest after about 6 months out, a year as good as even last year would be good. I like Delpotro a lot and when he came back my best hopes were to get back in the top 8 and get to at least a slam semi. Obviously Nadalis much much better but still. Not to cause offence, but hoping for top 2 and a slam other than RG and 3 masters as a baseline may be a touch ... I don't want to say greedy, because that's not what I mean, but a year like that after being out for so long seems on the higher end of hopes especially when you look at the last 2 years and most years he's had on tour. I mean 2005 - 2012, 8 seasons, only 3 have been better than your baseline.

2005 - 1 slam and 4 masters (just beating your baseline by one master, and the slam was RG)
2008 - 2 slams and 3 masters
2010 - 3 slams and 3 masters
 
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tennis_pro

tennis_pro

Bionic Poster
As a true fan of the Nadal wink wink I hope he wins 243 majors, 1325 Masters titles is ranked 1st or higher and wins 113 % of his matches.
 
Roddick85

Roddick85

Hall of Fame
My only hope for 2013 is to see Rafa back in action and stay healthy. Whether you like him or not, you cannot deny that he brings more star power in any tournament he enters. While i'm far from a fan of his play style, I have a lot of respect for him and he makes any matches more exciting. I would love to see him resume his rivalry with Federer / Djokovic and hopefully produce a few other classic matches.
 
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Mustard

Mustard

Bionic Poster
Another French Open would be great to get to 8 French Opens won. Most importantly, I want to see him back playing again.
 
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TheF1Bob

TheF1Bob

Banned
He'll probably have a great cc season like he always does but that's about it.

Top 10 too good for Rafa on other surfaces not clay.
 
Ms Nadal

Ms Nadal

Semi-Pro
I just want Rafa to return! I miss him! I am happy that Rafa did well during the clay and won 7th RG. But, Wimby was a downer and we haven't seen him since.
 
Ms Nadal

Ms Nadal

Semi-Pro
In 2013, I want Rafa to return! sweep the clay season and win 9th MC and 8th RG!. That would be so amazing! That is all I ask for at this time! But he must return first! I miss Rafa so much. Tennis is boring without him|!. As I have nobody to cheer for.
 
kishnabe

kishnabe

Talk Tennis Guru
Not a Rafa fan....but I hope he plays a healthy full season. I also hope he wins Australian but loses the French.

More Importantly, Nadal has to put Murray back to reality.
 
P

Prisoner of Birth

Banned
Win Australian, not win the French so we can have a non-routine winner, top 3 rank. And, of course, a full injury-free season. Pretty much the same as above but I have nothing against Murray.
 
R

Rjtennis

Hall of Fame
TheF1Bob said:
He'll probably have a great cc season like he always does but that's about it.

Top 10 too good for Rafa on other surfaces not clay.
Click to expand...

That hasn't been true thus far. He might be more tentative on HC, but he should still do well on clay and grass as well. And improved Murray makes things more interesting. He has been Nadal's whipping boy in the semi's at slams for a while. If wonder if Murray 2.0 can change that on HC.
 
P

Prisoner of Birth

Banned
Rjtennis said:
That hasn't been true thus far. He might be more tentative on HC, but he should still do well on clay and grass as well. And improved Murray makes things more interesting. He has been Nadal's whipping boy in the semi's at slams for a while. If wonder if Murray 2.0 can change that on HC.
Click to expand...

I'd actually favor Olympic-form Murray over Nadal, Djokovic and Federer at Wimbledon.
 
BrooklynNY

BrooklynNY

Hall of Fame
I think Nadal is going to come out of the gate flying when he comes back. When has he ever not?

I'm thinking he is going to dominate the clay court season and only lose a Rome final to Djokovic. He was far too dominant back then to not be dominant still. He used to win every match 6-0 6-2 or 6-1 6-3..... with guys barely even getting 5 games in a set.
No real reason to think he can't simply win all of the clay court events winning 6-4 7-5 or 7-6 6-3, or possibly even play more than 1 3-set clay court match in like 3 years?
 
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PeteD

PeteD

Legend
I would be happy just to see the man step onto a tennis court. Then I think he would be well advised not to push it real hard, but build up gradually. Winning a slam right away for a guy with screwed-up knees? Give the guy a break for a few months or more. Delpo was out for a year, and wasn't Scud out for a couple of years?

rafael_nadal_loses_to_david_ferrer31.jpg
 
veroniquem

veroniquem

Bionic Poster
1- That he plays competitive tennis!!! (obvious pre-requisite :oops:)
2- That he wins title(s) off clay
3- That he wins his 8th RG
4- That he wins his 22nd master
5- That he wins 7 out of the 9 masters to equal Djoko, Agassi and Fed
6- That he wins WTF
 
Clarky21

Clarky21

Banned
veroniquem said:
1- That he plays competitive tennis!!! (obvious pre-requisite :oops:)
2- That he wins title(s) off clay
3- That he wins his 8th RG
4- That he wins his 22nd master
5- That he wins 7 out of the 9 masters to equal Djoko, Agassi and Fed
6- That he wins WTF
Click to expand...



You sure do have big dreams don't you? Lol.
 
RAFA2005RG

RAFA2005RG

Banned
kragster said:
Are you hoping for a blockbuster year (finishes no 1, multiple slams etc) or would you be satisfied with a decent year (say 1 slam +2-3 Masters)

Personally my baseline hopes of Rafa in 2013 are that he wins a slam (other than RG) and 3 Masters and ends the year within the top 2. Anything on top would be a bonus.
Click to expand...

Thanks to the break he's had this year he'll be in much better shape in 2013 than he was in 2012. And in 2012 he only dropped one set at Roland Garros. So obviously my expectation is that he doesn't drop any sets at Roland Garros, wins Wimbledon and wins at least one of the hardcourt slams. He will easily finish number one. He's only defending a 2nd Round at Wimbledon and nothing at the US Open.
 
beast of mallorca

beast of mallorca

G.O.A.T.
The big fan in me, well the greedy one, hopes and prays for him to get the BIG win of a Calendar Year Grand Slam and a WTF at the end of the year. A Miami Masters, Paris Masters and a Cincinnati Masters will be icing on the lot.

I know this is a 'mission impossible', but I'm sure Fed fans around here have that wishful thinking as well.

The realistic side of me, will hope for the FO 2013 and another slam + 3 Masters in clay + 1 in hardcourt, maybe the "true slam" of them all (RIGHT SURESH), Cincinnati. Just so it would be a different year.

Hope nobody shoots me for the above. I am a fan as you know. And I want my favourite to get the BIG ones. Maybe one of the upstarts can get a Masters or a GS F or SF at least. (Nishikori, Goffin, Klizan or maybe....FILIP PELIWO :) )
 
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Feather

Feather

Legend
kragster said:
Are you hoping for a blockbuster year (finishes no 1, multiple slams etc) or would you be satisfied with a decent year (say 1 slam +2-3 Masters)

Personally my baseline hopes of Rafa in 2013 are that he wins a slam (other than RG) and 3 Masters and ends the year within the top 2. Anything on top would be a bonus.
Click to expand...

Rafa will certainly win one slam and one Masters. I don't think he would lose at either RG or Monte Carlo. He has a very good chance of winning Rome masters as well. Worst case, one RG and one Masters.
 
D

Deleted member 77403

Guest
Rafa is still the King of Clay. So until he is dethroned, I have him at least winning RG and a couple of Masters on clay.

It's his non clay season that I am not optimistic about.
 
C

christinamaniac7

Semi-Pro
First off, Want him to win his 2nd AO.
Then Win MC masters for 9th time...
When it comes to RG, def want him to win for 8th time.
Reach #1 position once again,
Win miami &/or cincy for the first time.
Also win a 3rd GS one of W or USO, doesn't matter which as long as he would win 3 slams once more.

And also win the YEC for the fist time...
 
Rocky89

Rocky89

Professional
I just want to see him play some tennis, be healthy and have an injury free year.

No way will he win AO as some people are suggesting...I personally am hoping he will get past the first round.
 
OverratedIvanovic

OverratedIvanovic

Semi-Pro
I am not sure if he will ever be the same again? I will be more than happy as long as he can win RG and his usual clay masters. Anything more than that is a bonus really.
 
A

Alchemy-Z

Hall of Fame
I'll be happy just to see him back on court.

I hope to see him go deep at the AO
I hope to see #9 MC
I hope to see #8 FO
I hope to see #3 Wimbledon

I don't have much hope for hard court tournaments I kinda feel like if he's not feeling 100% he will let them slide and find points else where.


but my 100% hope is he stays injury free
 
N

NDFM

Rookie
First hope: return healthy
Win a hard court title, he needs to end this title drought.
Extend his record at Monte Carlo and FO, but I would prefer him to win a hard court title
Win Miami for the first time.

Main hope: stay relatively injury free in 2013
 
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kragster

kragster

Hall of Fame
Feather said:
Rafa will certainly win one slam and one Masters. I don't think he would lose at either RG or Monte Carlo. He has a very good chance of winning Rome masters as well. Worst case, one RG and one Masters.
Click to expand...

I agree although I much rather he win something else other than RG or MC. As another poster pointed out he needs to break his HC event drought.
 
Towser83

Towser83

G.O.A.T.
Clarky21 said:
You sure do have big dreams don't you? Lol.
Click to expand...

I know you don't think he can win anything but if he won Miami, rg and the Wtf that would fulfil all of vero's criteria.

beast of mallorca said:
The big fan in me, well the greedy one, hopes and prays for him to get the BIG win of a Calendar Year Grand Slam and a WTF at the end of the year. A Miami Masters, Paris Masters and a Cincinnati Masters will be icing on the lot.

I know this is a 'mission impossible', but I'm sure Fed fans around here have that wishful thinking as well.

The realistic side of me, will hope for the FO 2013 and another slam + 3 Masters in clay + 1 in hardcourt, maybe the "true slam" of them all (RIGHT SURESH), Cincinnati. Just so it would be a different year.

Hope nobody shoots me for the above. I am a fan as you know. And I want my favourite to get the BIG ones. Maybe one of the upstarts can get a Masters or a GS F or SF at least. (Nishikori, Goffin, Klizan or maybe....FILIP PELIWO :) )
Click to expand...


Not shooting you but your realistic scenario has Nadal having his 2nd best year on tour ever. after being out for 6 months.
 
NatF

NatF

Bionic Poster
Considering the depth of the field these days Nadal should reach the semi finals of every event he enters almost. I'm not a fan but I'd be very surprised if he didn't win a slam and some masters. I feel like Djokovic will take the lead in their rivalry again next year though.
 
kragster

kragster

Hall of Fame
Towser83 said:
If I was a Rafa fan at this point I would just be hoping he is back playing and healthy all year. If so, the rest should fall into place and he has a good chance of RG and a masters or two, because logically as long as he is in good shape it would take an insane performance to beat him at RG. But it must be very frustrating not knowing when he'll even be back.

To be honest after about 6 months out, a year as good as even last year would be good. I like Delpotro a lot and when he came back my best hopes were to get back in the top 8 and get to at least a slam semi. Obviously Nadalis much much better but still. Not to cause offence, but hoping for top 2 and a slam other than RG and 3 masters as a baseline may be a touch ... I don't want to say greedy, because that's not what I mean, but a year like that after being out for so long seems on the higher end of hopes especially when you look at the last 2 years and most years he's had on tour. I mean 2005 - 2012, 8 seasons, only 3 have been better than your baseline.

2005 - 1 slam and 4 masters (just beating your baseline by one master, and the slam was RG)
2008 - 2 slams and 3 masters
2010 - 3 slams and 3 masters
Click to expand...

I think you're right that my baseline itself is optimistic, however I guess the reality is that I feel that 2013 is the last year where Rafa can be considered in his prime and if he doesn't make a big impact in 2013, I just don't see him making an impact in 2014. In 2014/2015, I think I'm ok with Rafa being a force mainly on clay. In 2013, I'd like to see some good results from Rafa on other surfaces.
 
beast of mallorca

beast of mallorca

G.O.A.T.
Towser83 said:
I know you don't think he can win anything but if he won Miami, rg and the Wtf that would fulfil all of vero's criteria.




Not shooting you but your realistic scenario has Nadal having his 2nd best year on tour ever. after being out for 6 months.
Click to expand...

I did put "hope" in there. He was out for mos as well last 2010 (though not 6 mos) but still manage to grab 3 GS. So getting 2 next year is still probable....on a realistic side I mean.

I like your avatar. That is Wolowitz from TBBT right ?
 
NatF

NatF

Bionic Poster
beast of mallorca said:
I did put "hope" in there. He was out for mos as well last 2010 (though not 6 mos) but still manage to grab 3 GS. So getting 2 next year is still probable....on a realistic side I mean.

I like your avatar. That is Wolowitz from TBBT right ?
Click to expand...

He wasn't out nearly this long in 2009, he was back for the US Open, WTFs etc...He had alot of time to get match practice in. Alot of Rafa fans were saying that 2012 would be his year after 2011 as well. But realistically if fit he's got a chance in basically every tournament he enters. I don't know if it's probable for him to grab 2 GS's though, I think a better word would be possible.
 
beast of mallorca

beast of mallorca

G.O.A.T.
NatF said:
He wasn't out nearly this long in 2009, he was back for the US Open, WTFs etc...He had alot of time to get match practice in. Alot of Rafa fans were saying that 2012 would be his year after 2011 as well. But realistically if fit he's got a chance in basically every tournament he enters. I don't know if it's probable for him to grab 2 GS's though, I think a better word would be possible.
Click to expand...

I get your drift man. But I'm a big Rafa fan so, I'm being optimistic.
 
NatF

NatF

Bionic Poster
I think next season is going to be really unpredictable. Nole is going to hungry after the disappointments, Andy is playing his best tennis ever, Rafa has big question marks due to his injury and who knows how many good runs Federer might have left in the tank.
 
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