“Rafa decided to stay [at home and practice] and that surely gives him more advantage,” - Djokovic

[weakera]

“Rafa decided to stay [at home and practice] and that surely gives him more advantage,” Djokovic told reporters at the Italian Open.

“But even if he didn’t practice for that long on clay he’d still be the number one favourite in Roland Garros or any other clay tournament because he’s Rafa."

 

[Raul_SJ]

Wonder if Rafa now regrets skipping the USO due to unfounded virus fears. Raf a would have cruised to #20 with Joker out due to DQ.

 

[weakera]

Wonder if Rafa now regrets skipping the USO due to virus hysteria fears.

If Nadal wins RG, he will have no regrets about anything while he relaxes on his yacht with his 20 slam trophies.

 

[octogon]

Wonder if Rafa now regrets skipping the USO due to unfounded virus fears. Raf a would have cruised to #20 with Joker out due to DQ.

I don't think the Virus was his primary concern. He's 34 years old and has a history of picking up injuries. For him, there was probably way too much of a risk of picking up an injury on hardcourts, before having to make an immediate transition to the clay. Better to be fully fit for his strongest surface and slam.

I think he made the right decision. Preserving his body is the most important thing to allow him to keep winning slams.

 

[Raul_SJ]

Better to be fully fit for his strongest surface and slam.

He is no doubt the overwhelming favorite at RG, just as Joker was at USO, but somehow get the feeling that it may not work out as expected. Especially if Rafa has to play Thiem and Joker back to back in the SF and Finals. Still hugely favored but not an easy task especially after a long layoff. More pressure on Rafa than the others to deliver #20 here.

 

[fox]

“Rafa decided to stay [at home and practice] and that surely gives him more advantage,” Djokovic told reporters at the Italian Open.

“But even if he didn’t practice for that long on clay he’d still be the number one favourite in Roland Garros or any other clay tournament because he’s Rafa."

Already excuses even before tournament has started? I think Novak lost se early that he had enough time to fly and practice. He could skip Rome too if he wanted.

 

[guitarra]

One thing is for certain: Rafa would rather train hard than run a corona party in the middle of pandemic.

 

[Deleted member 770948]

Wonder if Rafa now regrets skipping the USO due to unfounded virus fears. Raf a would have cruised to #20 with Joker out due to DQ.

When Nadal withdrew he mentioned the scheduling being a problem for his body.
I don't think the virus was the main issue, but playing hardcourt slam with limited preparation, in addition to playing another slam 2 weeks later.
Remember Nadal gets injured at the AO regularly, because he's hasn't played enough tennis before the AO, because November-December is the only chance he gets to rest his body (and then has to train extremely hard to get back in shape before Abu Dhabi etc.).
US Open 2020 was suicide for a player with Nadal's history....

There is a good chance Nadal would have injured himself at the US Open and not even played Roland Garros.

 

[Deleted member 770948]

He is no doubt the overwhelming favorite at RG, just as Joker was at USO, but somehow get the feeling that it may not work out as expected. Especially if Rafa has to play Thiem and Joker back to back in the SF and Finals. Still hugely favored but not an easy task especially after a long layoff. More pressure on Rafa than the others to deliver #20 here.

Let's face it, pressure has never hurt Nadal at Roland Garros.
He's faced the pressure of history multiple times when equaling Borg and overtaking Borg, and when Djokovic was up a break in the 5th Set at 2013 Roland Garros SF etc.
Pressure brings out the best in Nadal at Roland Garros, and it brings out the worst in Thiem/Djokovic.

 

[Turning Pro]

When Nadal withdrew he mentioned the scheduling being a problem for his body.
I don't think the virus was the main issue, but playing hardcourt slam with limited preparation, in addition to playing another slam 2 weeks later.
Remember Nadal gets injured at the AO regularly, because he's hasn't played enough tennis before the AO, because November-December is the only chance he gets to rest his body (and then has to train extremely hard to get back in shape before Abu Dhabi etc.).
US Open 2020 was suicide for a player with Nadal's history....

There is a good chance Nadal would have injured himself at the US Open and not even played Roland Garros.

Wow. Hit the nail on the head.

Didn't even realise that. Could be a very good decision indeed although with the slam count being this close, i probably would have played it given we don't know how many more slams are left for any of the top 3 although with djoker defaulting it defintely helped and maybe vindicated this Rafa decision if Rafa wins the French.

 

[weakera]

Wow. Hit the nail on the head.

Didn't even realise that. Could be a very good decision indeed although with the slam count being this close, i probably would have played it given we don't know how many more slams are left for any of the top 3 although with djoker defaulting it defintely helped and maybe vindicated this Rafa decision if Rafa wins the French.

Just playing devils advocate here to an extent, but by that logic (with time to win slams running out), you could argue it was the right move for Nadal to move all of his chips on RG and make certain he secures #20 at the place where his chances are highest. Then he has the rest of his career to try to win the record breaking slam.

 

[socallefty]

I also feel that there is no reason to make this comment because it comes out sounding like an excuse. I feel like the filter between Novak’s brain and his mouth has been removed in the last few months and he is just saying whatever he feels like without worrying about the PR impact. Maybe he feels like the whole world ’hates’ him (which is not true) after the Adria tour debacle and he doesn’t give a sh#t anymore. Or he is so stressed and feeling victimized that he doesn't realize that he is digging a deeper hole for himself in terms of alienating more tennis fans with every interview he gives these days.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

the nadal should have stayed way longer...

 

[junior74]

To be fair, Djokovic didn't really play that much in USO.

 

[RF-18]

Can't wait for Djokovic to own Rafa once again.

 

[Turning Pro]

^Think last time they played on clay, Nadal served up a nice healthy bagel (last year) and also 6-1 vs djokovic at the French?

 

[RF-18]

^Think last time they played on clay, Nadal served up a nice healthy bagel (last year) and also 6-1 vs djokovic at the French?

Last time they played at a clay slam, Djokovic won in straights. Easiest match of his career lol.

 

[Turning Pro]

^Unfortunately he's not been good enough to meet Rafa in the finals since 2016 lol

 

[Beckerserve]

“Rafa decided to stay [at home and practice] and that surely gives him more advantage,” Djokovic told reporters at the Italian Open.

“But even if he didn’t practice for that long on clay he’d still be the number one favourite in Roland Garros or any other clay tournament because he’s Rafa."

Djokovic always puts his foot in it. Nadal throughout his career plays at his best when someone has a pop at him. Djokovic was having a slight dig there which will just fuel Rafa. Berdych triggered Rafa then lost 12 in a row. Nick triggered Rafa and has lost every time at Majors since. Djokovic said he can beat Nadal at FO and he then went 1-6h2h there. Soderling triggered Rafa and got schooled in 2010.
Rafa is one of these men who when triggered seems to get rid of nerves. He seems similar to Mcenroe and connors and becker in that regard. Just hides it with his PC media stuff.

 

[Druss]

Didn't Nadal skip the USO citing concerns about the 'virus' and did not want to put himself or those close to him at risk?

France's average daily cases is like 10,000, one of the highest in the world per capita. Where is his concern now?

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

When Nadal withdrew he mentioned the scheduling being a problem for his body.
I don't think the virus was the main issue, but playing hardcourt slam with limited preparation, in addition to playing another slam 2 weeks later.
Remember Nadal gets injured at the AO regularly, because he's hasn't played enough tennis before the AO, because November-December is the only chance he gets to rest his body (and then has to train extremely hard to get back in shape before Abu Dhabi etc.).
US Open 2020 was suicide for a player with Nadal's history....

There is a good chance Nadal would have injured himself at the US Open and not even played Roland Garros.

Laughs/cries in Hewitt/Safin/Del Potro/Murray etc.

 

[mental midget]

looked ok v pcb.

 

[Tostao80]

If Nadal wins RG, he will have no regrets about anything while he relaxes on his yacht with his 20 slam trophies.

Yes, but he could also have been on 21. Imagine the party then?

 

[Deleted member 770948]

Its good that Nadal/Djokovic didn't win the US Open.
I'm not a Thiem fan, but tennis needed Thiem to become a slam-winner, so moving forward he'll have confidence to win slams finals.
Because he has no problem making slam finals, just needed some confidence to win them.
Tennis will be a lot more interesting if Thiem starts converting that 2-set-to-1 lead in slam finals.

 

[octogon]

He is no doubt the overwhelming favorite at RG, just as Joker was at USO, but somehow get the feeling that it may not work out as expected. Especially if Rafa has to play Thiem and Joker back to back in the SF and Finals. Still hugely favored but not an easy task especially after a long layoff. More pressure on Rafa than the others to deliver #20 here.

Ummm....Nadal just demolished Pablo Carreno Busta 6-1 6-1 in Rome. Busta just made the semi-final of the US Open and is also a very good clay court player.

Nadal could hardly have asked for a tougher challenge for his first match back on clay, and he made it look like child's play.

It's obvious that he is fit and ready for the clay, and his performance against Busta shows he won't need to play himself into form.

It will be the same story as always at RG. Someone will need a miracle or Rafa to get sick or injured to take 3 sets off him at RG. It doesn't matter if he plays Djoker or Thiem back to back.

 

[RaulRamirez]

Djokovic always puts his foot in it. Nadal throughout his career plays at his best when someone has a pop at him. Djokovic was having a slight dig there which will just fuel Rafa. Berdych triggered Rafa then lost 12 in a row. Nick triggered Rafa and has lost every time at Majors since. Djokovic said he can beat Nadal at FO and he then went 1-6h2h there. Soderling triggered Rafa and got schooled in 2010.
Rafa is one of these men who when triggered seems to get rid of nerves. He seems similar to Mcenroe and connors and becker in that regard. Just hides it with his PC media stuff.

What's so incendiary or "triggering" in his comments?

 

[PeoplesChamp]

When Nadal withdrew he mentioned the scheduling being a problem for his body.
I don't think the virus was the main issue, but playing hardcourt slam with limited preparation, in addition to playing another slam 2 weeks later.
Remember Nadal gets injured at the AO regularly, because he's hasn't played enough tennis before the AO, because November-December is the only chance he gets to rest his body (and then has to train extremely hard to get back in shape before Abu Dhabi etc.).
US Open 2020 was suicide for a player with Nadal's history....

There is a good chance Nadal would have injured himself at the US Open and not even played Roland Garros.

LMAO you and I squabbled about this and here you are acting like this was your stance all along that Nadal was smart for skipping. Unbelievable dude. That was my stance from the word GO. Not yours.

 

[blablavla]

He is no doubt the overwhelming favorite at RG, just as Joker was at USO, but somehow get the feeling that it may not work out as expected. Especially if Rafa has to play Thiem and Joker back to back in the SF and Finals. Still hugely favored but not an easy task especially after a long layoff. More pressure on Rafa than the others to deliver #20 here.

well, it's not like Thiem and Novak will be playing presure-less.
they will have to fight their own demons too, especially Novak if they meet Rafa

 

[blablavla]

Last time they played at a clay slam, Djokovic won in straights. Easiest match of his career lol.

are you suggesting that Novak lost on purpose to Thiem in 2019? to preserve his easy victory in their last match at a clay slam?

 

[USO]

Wonder if Rafa now regrets skipping the USO due to unfounded virus fears. Raf a would have cruised to #20 with Joker out due to DQ.

It depends how you see things. If Nadal had entered the tournament, it would have bumped the seedings and maybe Djokovic wouldn't have played PCB and therefore no incident. Maybe Nadal had a bigger plan by withdrawing.

 

[Tennisbg]

If Nadal wins RG, he will have no regrets about anything while he relaxes on his yacht with his 20 slam trophies.

 

[Mkiske]

Let's face it, pressure has never hurt Nadal at Roland Garros.
He's faced the pressure of history multiple times when equaling Borg and overtaking Borg, and when Djokovic was up a break in the 5th Set at 2013 Roland Garros SF etc.
Pressure brings out the best in Nadal at Roland Garros, and it brings out the worst in Thiem/Djokovic.

Indeed, I have to agree.

 

[Mkiske]

Anyway, I would like to see a confrontation between Nadal and Djokovic in the Roland Garros final.
If Djoko reaches the decision, he may surprise the Spaniard, despite being a very difficult mission for the Serbian.

 

[maratha_warrior]

Djokovic always puts his foot in it. Nadal throughout his career plays at his best when someone has a pop at him. Djokovic was having a slight dig there which will just fuel Rafa. Berdych triggered Rafa then lost 12 in a row. Nick triggered Rafa and has lost every time at Majors since. Djokovic said he can beat Nadal at FO and he then went 1-6h2h there. Soderling triggered Rafa and got schooled in 2010.
Rafa is one of these men who when triggered seems to get rid of nerves. He seems similar to Mcenroe and connors and becker in that regard. Just hides it with his PC media stuff.

While I agree with Ur comment , that Rafa plays best when someone triggers him .
But , Here Novak is saying the very obvious thing that everyone on TTW says , that Rafa doesn't even need to worry about resting before clay , and that he is ClayDal and the very best on the surface.

It is Rafa who clearly said yestrday that , Novak should keep his personal interests away in such times ( PTPA ) ,clearly judging his move ..
I think they are mature enough to deal with this . Nomatter , There is respect for one another .

 

[onyxrose81]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with his comments. Rafa is Rafa on clay and everyone knows it. Now he’s Rafa who has been practicing on clay all this time and not injured. It would be a miracle for anyone else to win, just being honest. But it’s 2020 and this world is crazy.

 

[StrongRule]

Wonder if Rafa now regrets skipping the USO due to unfounded virus fears. Raf a would have cruised to #20 with Joker out due to DQ.

If Nadal played the tournament there would be no DQ. These two events are not independent. The draw would change, results would change. Maybe Djokovic wouldn't even play against Busta.

 

[TheGhostOfAgassi]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with his comments. Rafa is Rafa on clay and everyone knows it. Now he’s Rafa who has been practicing on clay all this time and not injured. It would be a miracle for anyone else to win, just being honest. But it’s 2020 and this world is crazy.

he hasn’t been practicing on clay all this time though. Didn’t play any tennis for 2 months, and first he practiced on HC before he started on clay.

 

[Federev]

“Rafa decided to stay [at home and practice] and that surely gives him more advantage,” Djokovic told reporters at the Italian Open.

“But even if he didn’t practice for that long on clay he’d still be the number one favourite in Roland Garros or any other clay tournament because he’s Rafa."

Novak is a mind-games master.

He’s specifically calls out Fed’s records as his goal in interviews and now he’s already putting the pressure on Rafa.

I tend to think it works better on Fed if it works at all.

 

[Silverbullet96]

He is no doubt the overwhelming favorite at RG, just as Joker was at USO, but somehow get the feeling that it may not work out as expected. Especially if Rafa has to play Thiem and Joker back to back in the SF and Finals. Still hugely favored but not an easy task especially after a long layoff. More pressure on Rafa than the others to deliver #20 here.

Thiem has kind of proved his level, but I just don't see a one hander beating Rafa in a BO5. No way he keeps an insane level for 3 sets. At AO Thiem at his best beat him in an extremely close 4 setter.
The one handed backhand is too much of a handicap against Claydal.

 

[Silverbullet96]

He is no doubt the overwhelming favorite at RG, just as Joker was at USO, but somehow get the feeling that it may not work out as expected. Especially if Rafa has to play Thiem and Joker back to back in the SF and Finals. Still hugely favored but not an easy task especially after a long layoff. More pressure on Rafa than the others to deliver #20 here.

Thiem has kind of proved his level, but I just don't see a one hander beating Rafa in a BO5. No way he keeps an insane level for 3 sets. At AO Thiem at his best beat him in an extremely close 4 setter.
The one handed backhand is too much of a handicap against Claydal.

 

[Silverbullet96]

Deleted

 

[FatHead250]

Hard courts are an abomination that constitutes for all the professional tennis injuries there is. Clay for slow tennis grass for fast tennis. With whatever else, **** off. Professional circuit can afford grass instead of the hard courts. Public places can have hard courts, but not the sport.

 

[Eren]

Last time they played at a clay slam, Djokovic won in straights. Easiest match of his career lol.

These kind of trolling remarks make this forum a funny place to be.

 

[Start da Game]

ultron can try harder than that........nadal is not paying attention to anyone until roland garros is over........he will just fogus on the tuurnament!

 

[zagor]

Laughs/cries in Hewitt/Safin/Del Potro/Murray etc.

Those guys just weren't mentally tough enough to "will" their injuries away when their favourite part of the season arrives.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Those guys just weren't mentally tough enough to "will" their injuries away when their favourite part of the season arrives.

Absolute numpties, mate. It's clearly very easy to do.

 

[Gazelle]

Wonder if Rafa now regrets skipping the USO due to unfounded virus fears. Raf a would have cruised to #20 with Joker out due to DQ.

Nah, you can't say that. He would have been in Thiem's half of the draw, potentially having to go through Medvedev in the quarters and Thiem in the semis.

Thiem was crap in the final but he was pretty good before the final, so he could have beaten Nadal in the semis, just like he beat Nadal at AO.

No Berrettini = no cake for Rafa

 

[Beckerserve]

While I agree with Ur comment , that Rafa plays best when someone triggers him .
But , Here Novak is saying the very obvious thing that everyone on TTW says , that Rafa doesn't even need to worry about resting before clay , and that he is ClayDal and the very best on the surface.

It is Rafa who clearly said yestrday that , Novak should keep his personal interests away in such times ( PTPA ) ,clearly judging his move ..
I think they are mature enough to deal with this . Nomatter , There is respect for one another .

Did not see Nadal said that. Surprised he said that.

 

[Beckerserve]

What's so incendiary or "triggering" in his comments?

U could infer he was saying Rafa has an advantage by skipping US Open so is playing mind games.

 

[irishnadalfan1983]

“Rafa decided to stay [at home and practice] and that surely gives him more advantage,” Djokovic told reporters at the Italian Open.

“But even if he didn’t practice for that long on clay he’d still be the number one favourite in Roland Garros or any other clay tournament because he’s Rafa."

Bit of a cheap shot and unfounded...Maybe he should just shut his mouth.