5 Things About Nadal Withdrawal from AO

nikdom · Dec 28, 2012

Ok. A lot of speculation about the 'why' of Nadal's withdrawal. I don't know if he's doping or if he'll retire, but what about the less controversial speculations -

Here are my top 5 -

1. He only comes back for clay in 2013

2. Murray and Djokovic will now fight for No.1 (Fed may not be as interested in the ranking as much as trying to win more slams)

3. There is no chance Nadal's going to be number 1 again if he only plays clay

4. This makes room for and gives hope to folks like Del Po, Berdych and Ferrer to make a push to get in the Top 4. One of them could bag a slam in 2013

5. I don't think Nadal will ever cross Sampras' record, let alone Fed's

What do you think?

Phoenix1983 · Dec 28, 2012

nikdom said:
Ok. A lot of speculation about the 'why' of Nadal's withdrawal. I don't know if he's doping or if he'll retire, but what about the less controversial speculations -

Here are my top 5 -

1. He only comes back for clay in 2013

2. Murray and Djokovic will now fight for No.1 (Fed may not be as interested in the ranking as much as trying to win more slams)

3. There is no chance Nadal's going to be number 1 again if he only plays clay

4. This makes room for and gives hope to folks like Del Po, Berdych and Ferrer to make a push to get in the Top 4. One of them could bag a slam in 2013

5. I don't think Nadal will ever cross Sampras' record, let alone Fed's

What do you think?

I agree with most of this. Certainly he will remain ranked behind Sampras and Fed, and it will forever be a toss-up between him and Borg.

nikdom · Dec 28, 2012

If I can make a controversial speculation about Nadal, it would be this -

He's scared of losing and his hurting his macho, no-one-beats-me-unless-I'm-injured image. How injured he was in 2012, only he knows. Certainly it wasn't like he succumbed to any obvious physical problem on the court unable to move another inch when losing to Rosol.

Nadal fans like to take the side of saying, "well, he played through heavy medication for pain relief". My question is, how do you know? It is just as likely that even if injured, that they weren't a factor as much as he makes them out to be.

Even now, if he says that the knees are well, then it seems premature to pullout of the AO because of a stomach bug. It seems he doesn't want another earlier round loss to an inspired opponent.

mistik · Dec 28, 2012

All of them is true except the number 1.He will never turn back.

monfed · Dec 28, 2012

My prediction - Ralph will play the clay-grass swing, will win RG,might win Wimby and then pull out of the rest of the season.

But yea I don't think he'll ever be #1 again, but never say never.

Mustard · Dec 28, 2012

nikdom said:
Nadal fans like to take the side of saying, "well, he played through heavy medication for pain relief". My question is, how do you know? It is just as likely that even if injured, that they weren't a factor as much as he makes them out to be.

My question is, why does it matter? If you start playing a match, you are declaring yourself fit enough to play. Nadal started the match against Rosol, so he was fit to play. Rosol won, end of story. Obsessing over how fit such and such player is, has zero effect on the legitimacy of wins and losses.

Mike Sams · Dec 28, 2012

I personally think Djokovic made Nadal second-guess his super gladiator image and self belief when Djokovic smashed him 7 straight times. Nadal got some confidence back on clay and then Rosol buried him, destroying Nadal's confidence once again and leaving it in tatters. Nadal is terrified by the looks of it.

monfed · Dec 28, 2012

Mike Sams said:
I personally think Djokovic made Nadal second-guess his super gladiator image and self belief when Djokovic smashed him 7 straight times. Nadal got some confidence back on clay and then Rosol buried him, destroying Nadal's confidence once again and leaving it in tatters. Nadal is terrified by the looks of it.

Djokovic seemed like the insurmountable challenge for Nadal(after those 7 losses) and he did overcome that to a great extent atleast on clay,
why would a one-off freak loss against Rosol leave him in tatters? It just doesn't add up.

fedfan46 · Dec 28, 2012

This may be a dumb question, but if rafa has chronic knee problems, why would he come back from what will be an 8 month layoff to play on the surface that is hardest on the body? I understand its his best surface but still...

Rjtennis · Dec 28, 2012

It's going to tough to be #1 if he plays a limited schedule. Also, i really could see Nadal getting knocked out at the FO by Nole if he doesn't make a strong return. Playing on clay wont matter if his knees are still shaky. But I still don't see anyone other than Fed, Murray,Rafa and Nole bagging a slam in 2013. The only way I see it happening is all of then get knock out prior to the finals. People like Berdych and Tsonga are too big of head cases to win a slam and Ferru has little to no chance against the top 4.

rafan · Dec 28, 2012

His knee problem was well known in Majorca when I was there so for heaven sake so specualting

Clarky21 · Dec 28, 2012

fedfan46 said:
This may be a dumb question, but if rafa has chronic knee problems, why would he come back from what will be an 8 month layoff to play on the surface that is hardest on the body? I understand its his best surface but still...

Clay is not hard on the body at all. It's the best surface to protect the joints on. Hardcourts are joint killers and is the surface that is the hardest on the body.

cc0509 · Dec 28, 2012

monfed said:
Djokovic seemed like the insurmountable challenge for Nadal(after those 7 losses) and he did overcome that to a great extent atleast on clay,
why would a one-off freak loss against Rosol leave him in tatters? It just doesn't add up.

It wouldn't. It is the dumbest theory I have ever heard.

cc0509 · Dec 28, 2012

rafan said:
His knee problem was well known in Majorca when I was there so for heaven sake so specualting

Did you happen to see his MRI reports or X-rays when you were there?

big ted · Dec 28, 2012

why all the speculation, why is it so hard to believe that he actually has as stomach virus and isnt/wont be physically ready for the australian open. his knee may not be 100percent either because of the illness. when someone gets sick their whole body usually gets weaker.

bullfan · Dec 28, 2012

Mike Sams said:
I personally think Djokovic made Nadal second-guess his super gladiator image and self belief when Djokovic smashed him 7 straight times. Nadal got some confidence back on clay and then Rosol buried him, destroying Nadal's confidence once again and leaving it in tatters. Nadal is terrified by the looks of it.

I consider that laughable. Nadal beat Djokovic 3 times on clay and in a GS after Nadal came close when one wouldn't have thought he would in AO. Rosol was nothing except to Nadal haters.

bullfan · Dec 28, 2012

big ted said:
why all the speculation, why is it so hard to believe that he actually has as stomach virus and isnt/wont be physically ready for the australian open. his knee may not be 100percent either because of the illness. when someone gets sick their whole body usually gets weaker.

He pulled out of the AO if you didn't know. Hence the added drama over Nadal.

billnepill · Dec 28, 2012

big ted said:
why all the speculation, why is it so hard to believe that he actually has as stomach virus and isnt/wont be physically ready for the australian open. his knee may not be 100percent either because of the illness. when someone gets sick their whole body usually gets weaker.

The timing of and logic behind the withdrawal

big ted · Dec 28, 2012

i think the only players who would actually play a gs event after taking 6 months off with no time to practice all the while having a stomach virus are a 1990s agassi and maybe safin.

dafinch · Dec 28, 2012

fedfan46 said:
This may be a dumb question, but if rafa has chronic knee problems, why would he come back from what will be an 8 month layoff to play on the surface that is hardest on the body? I understand its his best surface but still...

Hard courts? Nadal's best surface? Uhhhhh, no. And, btw, how long has it been since he has won on ANY surface besides clay? Two years?

dafinch · Dec 28, 2012

big ted said:
why all the speculation, why is it so hard to believe that he actually has as stomach virus and isnt/wont be physically ready for the australian open. his knee may not be 100percent either because of the illness. when someone gets sick their whole body usually gets weaker.

For 6 months? At age 26?

sbengte · Dec 29, 2012

monfed said:
Djokovic seemed like the insurmountable challenge for Nadal(after those 7 losses) and he did overcome that to a great extent atleast on clay,
why would a one-off freak loss against Rosol leave him in tatters? It just doesn't add up.

Losing 7 finals to Novak who was #1 or #2 is something. Getting blasted off court in the second round of the most prestigious slam to a unheard of #100 is something else. Maybe Nadal rationalized the losses to Djokovic somehow because Djokovic was owning the entire tour as well (went on an undefeated streak until 2011 RG). The Rosol loss on the other hand must have been tougher to come to terms with.

tata · Dec 29, 2012

Rafa is secretly training and learning to hit a forehand with his right arm in an attempt to own the field.

Vrad · Dec 29, 2012

big ted said:
why all the speculation, why is it so hard to believe that he actually has as stomach virus and isnt/wont be physically ready for the australian open. his knee may not be 100percent either because of the illness. when someone gets sick their whole body usually gets weaker.

I can only speak for myself, so let me tell you why I am speculating.

1) After losing to Rosol, in a grinder of a match, where he was running all over the court, we suddenly start hearing about knee problems. Prior to this loss (and in fact, even a few days after the loss) there was no inkling of any issues.

2) Suddenly Nadal withdraws from the London Olympics, but is expected to be back for the US Open.

3) Nadal withdraws days before the US Open, and a few other tournaments, but is expected back for Davis Cup Finals, and year end championship.

4) He withdraws from those tournaments, but is expected to be back for the Australian Open

5) Now the knee is fixed, but he is withdrawing from the Aus Open because of a stomach flu.

Oh, and all this while, with a knee injury, whose recovery time, despite the best of modern medicine and technology, they could not predict within a range of 6 months, Nadal is entering and playing golf tournaments, a sport which is notorious for the stress it places on the knees.

After all this, how can you not speculate and think something is not right?

cknobman · Dec 29, 2012

Vrad I completely agree with your thoughts.

But since your a new poster I feel inclined to tell you that posting things like this will throw some Nadal supporters on this board into a internet rage and they will attack you personally and then proceed to start 8-10 threads of a. Nadal and why hes the GOAT b. Why Federer is not the GOAT.

rommil · Dec 29, 2012

tata said:
Rafa is secretly training and learning to hit a forehand with his right arm in an attempt to own the field.

Rafa can't tell his right from left.

nikdom · Dec 29, 2012

Mustard said:
My question is, why does it matter? If you start playing a match, you are declaring yourself fit enough to play. Nadal started the match against Rosol, so he was fit to play. Rosol won, end of story. Obsessing over how fit such and such player is, has zero effect on the legitimacy of wins and losses.

Agree 100%. And kudos for saying this.

nikdom · Dec 29, 2012

Vrad said:
I can only speak for myself, so let me tell you why I am speculating.

1) After losing to Rosol, in a grinder of a match, where he was running all over the court, we suddenly start hearing about knee problems. Prior to this loss (and in fact, even a few days after the loss) there was no inkling of any issues.

2) Suddenly Nadal withdraws from the London Olympics, but is expected to be back for the US Open.

3) Nadal withdraws days before the US Open, and a few other tournaments, but is expected back for Davis Cup Finals, and year end championship.

4) He withdraws from those tournaments, but is expected to be back for the Australian Open

5) Now the knee is fixed, but he is withdrawing from the Aus Open because of a stomach flu.

Oh, and all this while, with a knee injury, whose recovery time, despite the best of modern medicine and technology, they could not predict within a range of 6 months, Nadal is entering and playing golf tournaments, a sport which is notorious for the stress it places on the knees.

After all this, how can you not speculate and think something is not right?

Best answer yet for why folks are speculating. Welcome to the boards!

nikdom · Dec 29, 2012

cknobman said:
Vrad I completely agree with your thoughts.

But since your a new poster I feel inclined to tell you that posting things like this will throw some Nadal supporters on this board into a internet rage and they will attack you personally and then proceed to start 8-10 threads of a. Nadal and why hes the GOAT b. Why Federer is not the GOAT.

LOL

Hit the nail on the head..

TennisCJC · Dec 29, 2012

rommil said:
Rafa can't tell his right from left.

That's Uncle Tony's job. When Rafa holds the racket in his wrong hand, Uncle Tony yell's "hey Rafa, use your other right".

TennisCJC · Dec 29, 2012

Clarky21 said:
Clay is not hard on the body at all. It's the best surface to protect the joints on. Hardcourts are joint killers and is the surface that is the hardest on the body.

Hard courts result in more shock as the surface is harder and there is more twisting on the knees and ankles as you don't slide when changing direction.

But, clay court matches tend to turn into long grind fest which is very tough on the body too. Many greats have said that the French is the most challenging to win from a physical perspective as the points and matches last a long time with many more strokes played. Grass is the best surface for the body. Soft surface, quick points that reward shot making instead of grinding groundstroke play.

If Nadal's knees are not near 100%, even clay will be very tough on his knees.

TennezSport · Dec 29, 2012

Agreed........

TennisCJC said:
Hard courts result in more shock as the surface is harder and there is more twisting on the knees and ankles as you don't slide when changing direction.
But, clay court matches tend to turn into long grind fest which is very tough on the body too. Many greats have said that the French is the most challenging to win from a physical perspective as the points and matches last a long time with many more strokes played. Grass is the best surface for the body. Soft surface, quick points that reward shot making instead of grinding groundstroke play.
If Nadal's knees are not near 100%, even clay will be very tough on his knees.

Anyone who has played on various surfaces including Red Clay (crushed brick dyed red) will tell you that there is a lot of stress on the calfs and thighs, which also puts stress on..............ligaments (also known as tendons)! This is why Rafa was getting numbing injections every day at 2012 RG; prob what caused the supposed tear in the petella. Bad knees are bad knees no matter what the surface, they will just be bad in different ways.

Cheers, TennezSport

stringertom · Dec 29, 2012

Slow HCs (AO Plexicushion) now offer the toughest test on joints, tendons and ligaments. Six-hour grindfests are now no longer contested solely on the dirt.

DRII · Dec 29, 2012

big ted said:
why all the speculation, why is it so hard to believe that he actually has as stomach virus and isnt/wont be physically ready for the australian open. his knee may not be 100percent either because of the illness. when someone gets sick their whole body usually gets weaker.

Haters must feed their delusions...

DRII · Dec 29, 2012

Vrad said:
I can only speak for myself, so let me tell you why I am speculating.

1) After losing to Rosol, in a grinder of a match, where he was running all over the court, we suddenly start hearing about knee problems. Prior to this loss (and in fact, even a few days after the loss) there was no inkling of any issues.

2) Suddenly Nadal withdraws from the London Olympics, but is expected to be back for the US Open.

3) Nadal withdraws days before the US Open, and a few other tournaments, but is expected back for Davis Cup Finals, and year end championship.

4) He withdraws from those tournaments, but is expected to be back for the Australian Open

5) Now the knee is fixed, but he is withdrawing from the Aus Open because of a stomach flu.

Oh, and all this while, with a knee injury, whose recovery time, despite the best of modern medicine and technology, they could not predict within a range of 6 months, Nadal is entering and playing golf tournaments, a sport which is notorious for the stress it places on the knees.

After all this, how can you not speculate and think something is not right?

You're completely wrong!

Nadal's knee issues were known during and before RG 2012; get your facts straight!

cc0509 · Dec 29, 2012

Vrad said:
I can only speak for myself, so let me tell you why I am speculating.

1) After losing to Rosol, in a grinder of a match, where he was running all over the court, we suddenly start hearing about knee problems. Prior to this loss (and in fact, even a few days after the loss) there was no inkling of any issues.

2) Suddenly Nadal withdraws from the London Olympics, but is expected to be back for the US Open.

3) Nadal withdraws days before the US Open, and a few other tournaments, but is expected back for Davis Cup Finals, and year end championship.

4) He withdraws from those tournaments, but is expected to be back for the Australian Open

5) Now the knee is fixed, but he is withdrawing from the Aus Open because of a stomach flu.

Oh, and all this while, with a knee injury, whose recovery time, despite the best of modern medicine and technology, they could not predict within a range of 6 months, Nadal is entering and playing golf tournaments, a sport which is notorious for the stress it places on the knees.

After all this, how can you not speculate and think something is not right?

Good post. Spot on.

Bobby Jr · Dec 29, 2012

Mike Sams said:
I personally think Djokovic made Nadal second-guess his super gladiator image and self belief when Djokovic smashed him 7 straight times...

... then you may as well add to that in three of the last four matches they played Federer smashed Nadal too - both very one sided matches and one being the worst beat-down of Nadal's career. If Djokovic is busting Nadal's gladatorial belief and a supposedly ageing Federer is still handing out the odd beatdown then it must be a jab in the knee for him when he gets out of bed in the morning.

Or, these things rarely, if ever, cross his mind and he's just focussing on the long-game in his recovery as opposed to the stop-gaps he seems to have done before.

Bobby Jr · Dec 29, 2012

stringertom said:
Slow HCs (AO Plexicushion) now offer the toughest test on joints, tendons and ligaments. Six-hour grindfests are now no longer contested solely on the dirt.

If two courts are of comparable speed but one is on hard court and the other on clay, the clay court is, overall, the harder on the body to play on. This makes me think people are not necessarily getting injured by the hard courts, rather the increased amount of long matches they now play due to the general slowing of conditions.

Something most people don't seem to realise is that clay is actually a harder surface than some rubberised hard courts. Secondly, because the footing is less sure, you waste more energy when pushing off etc - even more again if you're struggling or the court is particularly dusty.

rk_sports · Dec 29, 2012

nikdom said:
Ok. A lot of speculation about the 'why' of Nadal's withdrawal. I don't know if he's doping or if he'll retire, but what about the less controversial speculations -

Here are my top 5 -

1. He only comes back for clay in 2013

2. Murray and Djokovic will now fight for No.1 (Fed may not be as interested in the ranking as much as trying to win more slams)

3. There is no chance Nadal's going to be number 1 again if he only plays clay

4. This makes room for and gives hope to folks like Del Po, Berdych and Ferrer to make a push to get in the Top 4. One of them could bag a slam in 2013

5. I don't think Nadal will ever cross Sampras' record, let alone Fed's

What do you think?

This is the most interesting part for the rest of the players, and we've already seen the consequences - Murray won a GS.

Now, with this latest news that Nadal is on a shaky ground and uncertain schedule, who will say "this is my chance to become a real contender" .. if a couple of players buy into that..., 2013 will be very interesting.

LaneMyer · Dec 29, 2012

Vrad said:
I can only speak for myself, so let me tell you why I am speculating.

1) After losing to Rosol, in a grinder of a match, where he was running all over the court, we suddenly start hearing about knee problems. Prior to this loss (and in fact, even a few days after the loss) there was no inkling of any issues.

2) Suddenly Nadal withdraws from the London Olympics, but is expected to be back for the US Open.

3) Nadal withdraws days before the US Open, and a few other tournaments, but is expected back for Davis Cup Finals, and year end championship.

4) He withdraws from those tournaments, but is expected to be back for the Australian Open

5) Now the knee is fixed, but he is withdrawing from the Aus Open because of a stomach flu.

Oh, and all this while, with a knee injury, whose recovery time, despite the best of modern medicine and technology, they could not predict within a range of 6 months, Nadal is entering and playing golf tournaments, a sport which is notorious for the stress it places on the knees.

After all this, how can you not speculate and think something is not right?

6) The AO also coincides with the trial of a certain Dr Fuentes.

Vrad · Dec 31, 2012

DRII said:
You're completely wrong!

Nadal's knee issues were known during and before RG 2012; get your facts straight!

Well, then, Nadal seems to have magical knee issues which allows him to win the FO, but makes him lose to a crappy player like Rosol in Wimbledon...

SLD76 · Dec 31, 2012

Vrad said:
Well, then, Nadal seems to have magical knee issues which allows him to win the FO, but makes him lose to a crappy player like Rosol in Wimbledon...

funny how nadal can be broke down/tired/hurt/ etc 8 mos out of the tennis season but is always healthy and ready to play and dominate the clay season every year...

Minion · Dec 31, 2012

I'm also a new poster on these forums, so flame me if you want, i have very thick skin. I said in another post that i'm a fan of tennis, and no player in particular, so im not being biased.

Rafa started 2011 of full of hope and expectations, then Djokovic came out of nowhere and destroyed almost everything in his path. I watched all those matches, and i could see clearly that Rafa was heavily shaken by being beaten by Djokovic in succession. I think Djokovic broke him mentally in 2011. And then at the AO 2012 Rafa got so close, and we all saw what happened at Wimby.

Every single player on tour has some niggles, whether it be back, shoulder, wrist, neck, toe, ear, eye, whatever, the human body can only take so much. However, these people have 24h physios, and if you've ever been to one, you know what they can do. Any injury that requires this much time off, needs surgery - if the physio can't work it out in a month or two, chances are it can't be fixed without surgery.

I think he is afraid of the hard courts - not for his knees, but because he knows he will get owned. He will most probably return to his comfort zone with the clay season. If he loses at RG in 2013 (which i belive will happen), i reckon he will retire saying he's knees are now finally beyond repair, and that will be that.

frinton · Dec 31, 2012

Minion said:
I'm also a new poster on these forums, so flame me if you want, i have very thick skin. I said in another post that i'm a fan of tennis, and no player in particular, so im not being biased.

Rafa started 2011 of full of hope and expectations, then Djokovic came out of nowhere and destroyed almost everything in his path. I watched all those matches, and i could see clearly that Rafa was heavily shaken by being beaten by Djokovic in succession. I think Djokovic broke him mentally in 2011. And then at the AO 2012 Rafa got so close, and we all saw what happened at Wimby.

Every single player on tour has some niggles, whether it be back, shoulder, wrist, neck, toe, ear, eye, whatever, the human body can only take so much. However, these people have 24h physios, and if you've ever been to one, you know what they can do. Any injury that requires this much time off, needs surgery - if the physio can't work it out in a month or two, chances are it can't be fixed without surgery.

I think he is afraid of the hard courts - not for his knees, but because he knows he will get owned. He will most probably return to his comfort zone with the clay season. If he loses at RG in 2013 (which i belive will happen), i reckon he will retire saying he's knees are now finally beyond repair, and that will be that.

Good post, with a likely scenario. I just want to add, that it would not make sense for Rafa to come back not feeling 100% fit, whether this is due to a stomach bug or the knees...especially not coming back on hard court. He will for sure come back on clay, as his confidence is best there. I wish him good luck for his come back, I am looking forward to seeing what he can still achieve, hopefully being healthy! Happy New Year to all of you!

DRII · Dec 31, 2012

Vrad said:
Well, then, Nadal seems to have magical knee issues which allows him to win the FO, but makes him lose to a crappy player like Rosol in Wimbledon...

the clay is far easier on the knees because you can slide and therefore dissipate energy. not so with grass and certainly not with hardcourts which wreak havoc on the knees especially if you move like Nadal. Federer has better or more classical footwork and does not slide on hardcourts like Nadal does...

plus Nadal was born with foot issues that quickly affected his knees as a junior into his adulthood...

DRII · Dec 31, 2012

Minion said:
I'm also a new poster on these forums, so flame me if you want, i have very thick skin. I said in another post that i'm a fan of tennis, and no player in particular, so im not being biased.

Rafa started 2011 of full of hope and expectations, then Djokovic came out of nowhere and destroyed almost everything in his path. I watched all those matches, and i could see clearly that Rafa was heavily shaken by being beaten by Djokovic in succession. I think Djokovic broke him mentally in 2011. And then at the AO 2012 Rafa got so close, and we all saw what happened at Wimby.

Every single player on tour has some niggles, whether it be back, shoulder, wrist, neck, toe, ear, eye, whatever, the human body can only take so much. However, these people have 24h physios, and if you've ever been to one, you know what they can do. Any injury that requires this much time off, needs surgery - if the physio can't work it out in a month or two, chances are it can't be fixed without surgery.

I think he is afraid of the hard courts - not for his knees, but because he knows he will get owned. He will most probably return to his comfort zone with the clay season. If he loses at RG in 2013 (which i belive will happen), i reckon he will retire saying he's knees are now finally beyond repair, and that will be that.

Ridiculous!

Nadal and Nole's encounters on hardcourt in 2011-2012 were all super close (except the USO final and even that was not straight sets) and could've gone either way yet all went Nole's way. Nadal was never 'owned' as you immaturely put it! So stop trying to rewrite history...

It makes complete sense for Nadal to wait until he's fully fit to return. If it was the clay season perhaps he could take a chance and return prematurely since he's head and shoulders above anyone else on clay and its easier on his body; not so with hardcourts...

Minion · Dec 31, 2012

Maybe 'owned' was the wrong way to phrase it. Nevertheless, he did get his ass handed to him repeatedly on the hardcourts, regardless of how close it was. I mean, if that happened to me, id be a little wary too:???:

But i really do hope he returns, i really enjoy his style of play, very different from the norm,.

abmk · Dec 31, 2012

DRII said:
Ridiculous!

Nadal and Nole's encounters on hardcourt in 2011-2012 were all super close (except the USO final and even that was not straight sets) and could've gone either way yet all went Nole's way. Nadal was never 'owned' as you immaturely put it! So stop trying to rewrite history...

It makes complete sense for Nadal to wait until he's fully fit to return. If it was the clay season perhaps he could take a chance and return prematurely since he's head and shoulders above anyone else on clay and its easier on his body; not so with hardcourts...

IW final wasn't super close .........2 of the 4 matches were close - miami 2011 and AO 2012 - primarily due to nadal playing at his very best and nole just playing good tennis, but nowhere close to his best; nowhere near his best ala AO 2008 or AO 2011, but nole could've finished off the AO final in 4 sets easily, had 3 BPs at the end of the 4th set and then missed a sitter forehand at the net @ 5-3 in the 4th set breaker ....it'd have given him 3 MPs ....

DRII · Dec 31, 2012

abmk said:
IW final wasn't super close .........2 of the 4 matches were close - miami 2011 and AO 2012 - primarily due to nadal playing at his very best and nole just playing good tennis, but nowhere close to his best; nowhere near his best ala AO 2008 or AO 2011, but nole could've finished off the AO final in 4 sets easily, had 3 BPs at the end of the 4th set and then missed a sitter forehand at the net @ 5-3 in the 4th set breaker ....it'd have given him 3 MPs ....

Delusional as usual...

keep dreaming wet.

DRII · Dec 31, 2012

Minion said:
Maybe 'owned' was the wrong way to phrase it. Nevertheless, he did get his ass handed to him repeatedly on the hardcourts, regardless of how close it was. I mean, if that happened to me, id be a little wary too:???:

But i really do hope he returns, i really enjoy his style of play, very different from the norm,.

thats why your not one of the greats!

5 Things About Nadal Withdrawal from AO

nikdom

Guest

G.O.A.T.

nikdom

Guest

Hall of Fame

monfed

Guest

Bionic Poster

G.O.A.T.

monfed

Guest

Rookie

Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame

Banned

Talk Tennis Guru

Talk Tennis Guru

Legend

Legend

Legend

Hall of Fame

Legend

Banned

Banned

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

Professional

Legend

Legend

nikdom

Guest

nikdom

Guest

nikdom

Guest

Legend

Legend

Hall of Fame

Bionic Poster

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

Talk Tennis Guru

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

Rookie

Professional

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

Professional

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

Hall of Fame

Bionic Poster

G.O.A.T.

G.O.A.T.

Similar threads