Was Rafa Trolling?

Manus Domini · Jan 24, 2014

Was Rafa trolling against Nishikori and Dimitrov? Because I can't think of any other reason his performance increased so dramatically when he went up against Fed. Sure, Dimitrov might be a tough match-up for Nadal and all that, but Nadal was playing downright awful, too (DFing away service games? Really?). Yet against Federer, he seemed to be playing some of the best tennis of his life. Unlike Nishikori or Dimitrov, he gave Fed no breathing room.

Obviously, Nadal's hand still hasn't healed, so it's not that (unless he was trolling us all with his "injury", like he often does). And he didn't even seem to be going over thirty seconds on serve (or I didn't catch him if he was). What's the reason for the huge jump in the quality of his tennis over a couple days?

Was he trolling? Or is it just that he's so confident against Fed at this point, that he's able to raise his game considerably just to play him? Or was Old Fed Kenobi just playing worse than Dimitrov and Nishikori?

tipsa...don'tlikehim! · Jan 24, 2014

I was talking about it this afternoon with a friend, we thought the guy is a poker player afterall ? so why not ?

but then i remembered the Dimitrov match with this 3rd set tie break...impossible Rafa would be bluffing at this point

Forehand Of Doom · Jan 24, 2014

Manus Domini said:
Was Rafa trolling against Nishikori and Dimitrov? Because I can't think of any other reason his performance increased so dramatically when he went up against Fed. Sure, Dimitrov might be a tough match-up for Nadal and all that, but Nadal was playing downright awful, too (DFing away service games? Really?). Yet against Federer, he seemed to be playing some of the best tennis of his life. Unlike Nishikori or Dimitrov, he gave Fed no breathing room.

Obviously, Nadal's hand still hasn't healed, so it's not that (unless he was trolling us all with his "injury", like he often does). And he didn't even seem to be going over thirty seconds on serve (or I didn't catch him if he was). What's the reason for the huge jump in the quality of his tennis over a couple days?

Was he trolling? Or is it just that he's so confident against Fed at this point, that he's able to raise his game considerably just to play him? Or was Old Fed Kenobi just playing worse than Dimitrov and Nishikori?

It's confidence. A 22/10 H2H would give anybody confidence too, no?

The Dark Knight · Jan 24, 2014

Manus Domini said:
Was Rafa trolling against Nishikori and Dimitrov? Because I can't think of any other reason his performance increased so dramatically when he went up against Fed. Sure, Dimitrov might be a tough match-up for Nadal and all that, but Nadal was playing downright awful, too (DFing away service games? Really?). Yet against Federer, he seemed to be playing some of the best tennis of his life. Unlike Nishikori or Dimitrov, he gave Fed no breathing room.

Obviously, Nadal's hand still hasn't healed, so it's not that (unless he was trolling us all with his "injury", like he often does). And he didn't even seem to be going over thirty seconds on serve (or I didn't catch him if he was). What's the reason for the huge jump in the quality of his tennis over a couple days?

Was he trolling? Or is it just that he's so confident against Fed at this point, that he's able to raise his game considerably just to play him? Or was Old Fed Kenobi just playing worse than Dimitrov and Nishikori?

No they simply used a different tape......a thinner one and round shaped.

Fiji · Jan 24, 2014

His best matches at the AO this year were night matches.

During the day, the court and balls are faster and the blister hurts more because of the heat.

Wawa is doomed.

Sentinel · Jan 24, 2014

Actually, Federer trolled us all by beating Tsonga and Murray whereas he should have gone out to Gabashvili earlier. He set us up perfectly for a big let-down. He also asked Rafa to pretend being hand-icapped by a blister.

There's obviously some fedfan in this forum he hates, although i can't imagine who it is since all of us are such civil and well-mannered folk.

Manus Domini · Jan 24, 2014

tipsa...don'tlikehim! said:
I was talking about it this afternoon with a friend, we thought the guy is a poker player afterall ? so why not ?

but then i remembered the Dimitrov match with this 3rd set tie break...impossible Rafa would be bluffing at this point

Yeah, I mean, the trolling bit was kinda tongue-in-cheek. But I still can't figure out the reason for the sudden increase in his performance. Match-up confidence can only do so much, if you were hindered because of injury before.

Manus Domini · Jan 24, 2014

Sentinel said:
Actually, Federer trolled us all by beating Tsonga and Murray whereas he should have gone out to Gabashvili earlier. He set us up perfectly for a big let-down. He also asked Rafa to pretend being hand-icapped by a blister.

There's obviously some fedfan in this forum he hates, although i can't imagine who it is since all of us are such civil and well-mannered folk.

That is true. We Fedfans are the the epitome of grace, just as our Lord Savior, Roger Christ, was. All we can hope for now is a resurrection of our Messiah.

Manus Domini · Jan 24, 2014

Forehand Of Doom said:
It's confidence. A 22/10 H2H would give anybody confidence too, no?

That doesn't explain the complete difference in performance in this situation (though it would explain part of it). It's one thing if Fed goes from playing poorly against Rafa, but barely winning, to smoking Murray. It's another if the player is playing poorly because of injury, then suddenly enters the flow.

The Dark Knight said:
No they simply used a different tape......a thinner one and round shaped.

I don't know much about tapes. How greatly would that have contributed?

Fed_Djoker_Fan · Jan 24, 2014

Manus Domini said:
Was Rafa trolling against Nishikori and Dimitrov? Because I can't think of any other reason his performance increased so dramatically when he went up against Fed. Sure, Dimitrov might be a tough match-up for Nadal and all that, but Nadal was playing downright awful, too (DFing away service games? Really?). Yet against Federer, he seemed to be playing some of the best tennis of his life. Unlike Nishikori or Dimitrov, he gave Fed no breathing room.

Obviously, Nadal's hand still hasn't healed, so it's not that (unless he was trolling us all with his "injury", like he often does). And he didn't even seem to be going over thirty seconds on serve (or I didn't catch him if he was). What's the reason for the huge jump in the quality of his tennis over a couple days?

Was he trolling? Or is it just that he's so confident against Fed at this point, that he's able to raise his game considerably just to play him? Or was Old Fed Kenobi just playing worse than Dimitrov and Nishikori?

Its combination of hand and confidence over Fed. If you were to believe Nadal, he says the larger tape on the hand is hindering his serve. For Federers match, he had a small tape. Well makes sense to me.

ibbi · Jan 24, 2014

I think confidence against Fed comes into it, I also think that with an underdog mentality, and nothing to lose against Nadal, both Dimitrov and Nishikori came out and just swung away, played with confidence, and went for it. Neither man has the same kind of emotional baggage against the guy that Federer does weighing them down.

Also, Rafa spoke in his press conference after the Dimitrov match about the conditions. He feels much more comfortable in the night atmosphere. The Nishikori and Dimitrov matches were the only two day matches he played in the tournament.

I also think you can pay attention to the protection on his hand in these last two matches. Against Dimitrov he had this hulking great plaster wrapped around his hand, against Federer today he had a comparatively small one, which I'd imagine was far less intrusive.

The-Champ · Jan 24, 2014

Pete and Laver were in the audience and Rafa obviously wanted to show off

Forehand Of Doom · Jan 24, 2014

Sentinel said:
Actually, Federer trolled us all by beating Tsonga and Murray whereas he should have gone out to Gabashvili earlier. He set us up perfectly for a big let-down. He also asked Rafa to pretend being hand-icapped by a blister.

There's obviously some fedfan in this forum he hates, although i can't imagine who it is since all of us are such civil and well-mannered folk.

Nadal was not handicapped. He was just a Handy Cappy.

Kirijax · Jan 24, 2014

I always think Nadal trolls us by the way he really puts OOOOOOZES with humilty, but then makes everyone wait for him on court and always complains about something like he is being persecuted unfairly. Good player but not as humble or rule-abiding as everyone seems to think.

ksbh · Jan 24, 2014

I feel sorry for Stanislas Wawrinka if that's the case because Pete will be in the audience for the final as well

The-Champ said:
Pete and Laver were in the audience and Rafa obviously wanted to show off

Forehand Of Doom · Jan 24, 2014

The-Champ said:
Pete and Laver were in the audience and Rafa obviously wanted to show off

The-Champ, can you imagine if yesterday had been the Final? The trophy ceremony would have had more tears and drama than Sophie's Choice and Steel Magnolias combined. :lol:

Forehand Of Doom · Jan 24, 2014

Manus Domini said:
That doesn't explain the complete difference in performance in this situation (though it would explain part of it). It's one thing if Fed goes from playing poorly against Rafa, but barely winning, to smoking Murray. It's another if the player is playing poorly because of injury, then suddenly enters the flow.

Nadal is a big occasion player. And he knows Federer and how to beat him. He has had sporadic upsets against relatively unknown players throughout his career.

Forehand Of Doom · Jan 24, 2014

ksbh said:
I feel sorry for Stanislas Wawrinka if that's the case because Pete will be in the audience for the final as well

Switzerland should hand Nadal the key to the country.

The-Champ · Jan 24, 2014

Forehand Of Doom said:
The-Champ, can you imagine if yesterday had been the Final? The trophy ceremony would have had more tears and drama than Sophie's Choice and Steel Magnolias combined. :lol:

LMAO. That's true FOD. Then Rafa would set the record for "most players beaten till they cried in the same tournament". The record is 2 (Dimitrov and Federer).

The-Champ · Jan 24, 2014

ksbh said:
I feel sorry for Stanislas Wawrinka if that's the case because Pete will be in the audience for the final as well

Pete is one of the greatest but he is also self-centered and insecure. On crucial points, he probably would go to the bathroom so that Rafa will start playing badly. 14 is on the line..... AGAIN

Forehand Of Doom · Jan 24, 2014

The-Champ said:
LMAO. That's true FOD. Then Rafa would set the record for "most players beaten till they cried in the same tournament". The record is 2 (Dimitrov and Federer).

Very true.

Dimitrov wants to emulate Federer, so the tears are a must.

Chanwan · Jan 24, 2014

Manus Domini said:
Yeah, I mean, the trolling bit was kinda tongue-in-cheek. But I still can't figure out the reason for the sudden increase in his performance. Match-up confidence can only do so much, if you were hindered because of injury before.

it's very possible to play crap one day and superb the next. We've all done it, they've all done it. Moreover, it seems likely, the tape was bothering Nadal vs. Dimitrov (it was all around the hand), whereas it didn't vs. Fed (it was much smaller). And that the pain was nothing to speak off as you can numb that away. Moreover, Nadal always plays good/great/superb vs. Fed - he knows his gameplan in and out.

Finally, the conditions - day and night apparently made a vast difference for Rafa, he said as much (night: Monfils, Fed. Day: the rest. Conclusion: Best of luck to Stan, he's gonna need it).

Djokovic2011 · Jan 24, 2014

Forehand Of Doom said:
The-Champ, can you imagine if yesterday had been the Final? The trophy ceremony would have had more tears and drama than Sophie's Choice and Steel Magnolias combined. :lol:[/QUOTE

LMAO Or perhaps like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally where she's in her bedroom and gets through a box of tissues because of her heartbreak when Harry comes to visit her. That sure wouldn't have been pretty to watch but we all need a good sob every now and then FOD!

The-Champ · Jan 24, 2014

Forehand Of Doom said:
Very true. Dimitrov wants to emulate Federer, so the tears are a must.

I have a confession to make FOD.

I confess that I have not seen the entire AO2009 trophy presentation. I felt so embarassed for Federer when he started crying, I had to turn the TV off. I've seen the pictures where he is looking at Rafa holding the trophy with tears in his eyes and it felt uncomfortable, even today. I've seen Murray cry and that was fine, but Fed's was something so much more dramatic, I couldn't handle it. Too awkward :shock:

Antonio Puente · Jan 24, 2014

Was Rafa Trolling?

For Nadal, a Fed match = GOAT tonic.

oscar_2424 · Jan 24, 2014

Forehand Of Doom said:
The-Champ, can you imagine if yesterday had been the Final? The trophy ceremony would have had more tears and drama than Sophie's Choice and Steel Magnolias combined. :lol:

hahahahhaa

monfed · Jan 24, 2014

I really enjoy Ralph's excessive grunting on the biggest points, another feather in his cap. :lol: Wow just wow, this guy will go to any length to win.

Forehand Of Doom · Jan 24, 2014

Djokovic2011 said:
LMAO Or perhaps like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally where she's in her bedroom and gets through a box of tissues because of her heartbreak when Harry comes to visit her. That sure wouldn't have been pretty to watch but we all need a good sob every now and then FOD!

Very true, Djokovic2011! Now, most of us, unlike Federer, like to get that done in private instead of in front of a multinational audience of millions!

Manus Domini · Jan 24, 2014

Chanwan said:
it's very possible to play crap one day and superb the next. We've all done it, they've all done it. Moreover, it seems likely, the tape was bothering Nadal vs. Dimitrov (it was all around the hand), whereas it didn't vs. Fed (it was much smaller). And that the pain was nothing to speak off as you can numb that away. Moreover, Nadal always plays good/great/superb vs. Fed - he knows his gameplan in and out.

Finally, the conditions - day and night apparently made a vast difference for Rafa, he said as much (night: Monfils, Fed. Day: the rest. Conclusion: Best of luck to Stan, he's gonna need it).

Yeah, that's all true. It just amazes me how he goes from like 50% to 150% over the course of a couple days.

Forehand Of Doom · Jan 24, 2014

The-Champ said:
I have a confession to make FOD.

I confess that I have not seen the entire AO2009 trophy presentation. I felt so embarassed for Federer when he started crying, I had to turn the TV off. I've seen the pictures where he is looking at Rafa holding the trophy with tears in his eyes and it felt uncomfortable, even today. I've seen Murray cry and that was fine, but Fed's was something so much more dramatic, I couldn't handle it. Too awkward :shock:

Yes, I completely understand what you mean. Actually, I don't think we should be putting Federer down for it 100%, but to me it felt like when a self absorved child is deprived of his favorite toy and he throws a tantrum.

There is a picture in particular that shows the champion's trophy in the foreground slightly out of focus, and in the background Federer is looking at it and crying. LOL!

Sorry if this offends anyone. Man, it's just so funny. LOL

Forehand Of Doom · Jan 24, 2014

monfed said:
I really enjoy Ralph's excessive grunting on the biggest points, another feather in his cap. :lol: Wow just wow, this guy will go to any length to win.

But I suppose Federer's screaming Comon's when Nadal threw a ball out or into the net don't bother you, huh chief? :lol:

monfed · Jan 24, 2014

Forehand Of Doom said:
But I suppose Federer's screaming Comon's when Nadal threw a ball out or into the net don't bother you, huh chief? :lol:

Ummm wtf does this have to do with Ralph grunting louder on important points when the ball is in play which was clearly affecting Fed's concentration? I'm done responding to your troll posts.

ubi1 · Jan 24, 2014

monfed said:
Ummm wtf does this have to do with Ralph grunting louder on important points when the ball is in play which was clearly affecting Fed's concentration? I'm done responding to your troll posts.

Were sick of your troll posts MonoFedError!

ubi1 · Jan 24, 2014

Rafa trolled you haters since day 1 am surprised it took so long to sink in!:lol:

beast of mallorca · Jan 24, 2014

monfed said:
Ummm wtf does this have to do with Ralph grunting louder on important points when the ball is in play which was clearly affecting Fed's concentration? I'm done responding to your troll posts.

ubi1 said:
Were sick of your troll posts MonoFedError!

Hahaha, nice one ubi1.........send that Orc away ........:twisted:

victorcruz · Jan 24, 2014

beast of mallorca said:
Hahaha, nice one ubi1.........send that Orc away ........:twisted:

Guys, leave manfred alone. He has been crying for the past 8 hours, poor guy

monfed · Jan 24, 2014

beast of mallorca said:
Hahaha, nice one ubi1.........send that Orc away ........:twisted:

Why don't you try it yourself, orc? :twisted:

Thriller · Jan 24, 2014

I remember watching the French Open 2013 semi final where in that final set and in trouble, Nadal's tennis when went to another level, painting the lines with power, leaving Djoko chasing shadows.

I think it was Mark Petchey commentating who said something like:

"it is only when you see Rafa redlining his game that you understand just how far he is playing within himself the rest of the time".

If that is what you mean by trolling, then Nadal is the uberTroll. He is the master of never playing better than he needs to get the job done.

Was Rafa Trolling?

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