It's very curious. Why was he here? There simply was no strong reason for Nadal to play this event.Gotta make sure he's destroyed his knees even more with a 3-set loss before leaving.
Finest mind in tennis.
LOL Rafa said he already decided before the match to pull out regardless of the outcome.
Theoretically yes, but I don't think Federer would've done at all good in Paris tbh. Easy draw yes, but he's even older than Nadal, and said after the Basel final that his body needed a break.
"I'm off."
Rafa just said in his presser that he's off for the season, that he didn't enjoy the match and intended to pull out after it's over, win or lose. He wasn't ready for this, and didn't know if he would be able to recover in time (for next year). He also said he fighted a lot for this match because it's the final match of his season and he wanted to give back to his fans.
You guys amuse me. You’ll make comments like this but then burn me at the stake for trying to say Fed is ducking Rafa on clay.LOLLLL, Nadal chickens out to protect his H2H against Federer.
Indeed. I remember him saying that. I just wonder whether he'd have aimed to play a few matches then tanked, knowing that he'd have the chance. Pure speculation, but still. I think the title here again this week is more important than the year end no.1 to him regardless. Plus it also makes him regaining the no.1 again a touch easier now, or am I wrong....
Like last year's FO?I think this also proves how seriously the top players really take this event anyways.
I guess the "will he play Oz?" watch is on...two months to rest and recuperate
It's very curious. Why was he here? There simply was no strong reason for Nadal to play this event.
That was different. Nadal made it to the third round and his body gave out.Like last year's FO?
That was different. Nadal made it to the third round and his body gave out.Like last year's FO?
Exactly. Fact is despite what so many try to say WTF just isn’t that big a deal. It isn’t an event that inspires top players to take risks to win it.Really cares about the WTF I guess. Contrary to what some e-warriors will tell you.
Dimitrov has already beaten Rafa in Beijing last year I think.
Exactly. Fact is despite what so many try to say WTF just isn’t that big a deal. It isn’t an event that inspires top players to take risks.Really cares about the WTF I guess. Contrary to what some e-warriors will tell you.
That was different. Nadal made it to the third round and his body gave out.
Here it’s pretty clear he just wanted to finish the match today and collect his check.
I respect your view though you’re not like the fanboys on here.
Even at that he still knew he couldn't give it his all; he unnecessarily risked injury by showing up, I don't think that's something he does unless the event means something. 200k is a lot but it's not that much.That was different. Nadal made it to the third round and his body gave out.
Here it’s pretty clear he just wanted to finish the match today and collect his check.
I respect your view though you’re not like the fanboys on here.
Oh, he will![]()
Exactly. Fact is despite what so many try to say WTF just isn’t that big a deal. It isn’t an event that inspires top players to take risks to win it.
I don't expect Nadal to risk worsening his injury, but clearly he cared about the WTF enough give his best in this match. Even if he did only show up for the cheque (not necessarily something I'd condemn him for tbh) at least he gave a top effort.
Exactly. Fact is despite what so many try to say WTF just isn’t that big a deal. It isn’t an event that inspires top players to take risks.
Well I see that. I still think that IW is a bigger deal to the players than this though.I don't expect Nadal to risk worsening his injury, but clearly he cared about the WTF enough give his best in this match. Even if he did only show up for the cheque (not necessarily something I'd condemn him for tbh) at least he gave a top effort.
How does it work when a replacement like Busta comes in after a RR like this has started? I assume everyone in Group Sampras will still only play 3 RR matches total. If so, then Busta is already deprived of one match less.
Well I see that. I still think that IW is a bigger deal to the players than this though.
Well I see that. I still think that IW is a bigger deal to the players than this though.
I respect that. It’s placement at the end of year hurts it.You're thinking wrong then. Too lazy to find the exact quote now, but Djokovic for example has said that his WTF win in 2008 was comparable to his AO win that year. Or else projecting your own view of the WTF as something that the players themselves should think.
I respect that. It’s placement at the end of year hurts it. Unavoidable I guess.You're thinking wrong then. Too lazy to find the exact quote now, but Djokovic for example has said that his WTF win in 2008 was comparable to his AO win that year. Or else projecting your own view of the WTF as something that the players themselves should think.
Why would you think that when ranking points and prize money are greater at the WTF?
I respect that. It’s placement at the end of year hurts it. Unavoidable I guess.
This is my response. Players aren’t going to give the kind of effort for an event at the end of the season and jeopardize their ridiculously short off season and thus have a major affect on the next year. IW is in the thick of the early part of the season.
I respect that. It’s placement at the end of year hurts it.
I’m a maverick lol. But I don’t have a problem with your point though.Nadal and Goffin just played a fiercely contested match that went the full distance even though both players were probably a bit fatigued and Nadal definitely injured. Do you think Nadal would have fought so hard to win at least 1 match if he wasn't prepared to make any kind of effort for this event? What you seem to be watching is obviously very different from what everyone else is seeing!
I think this also proves how seriously the top players really take this event anyways.
I think this also proves how seriously the top players really take this event anyways.
I've heard he's hard up for money...might even be dropping that watch off at a pawn shop tonight
this. so much thisGoffin has certainly choked at times, but I actually don't think that's the story of this match. He's battled past his 2 serious chokes in this match, Nadal has just been ridiculous when down MPs. Essentially, Goffin is not getting that last slice of luck that he needs, which is a Nadal miss on MP.
I respect that. It’s placement at the end of year hurts it.
I agree that it hasn't been truly great since about 2012 or so and that the long year and injuries that come with it can hurt the competition, but I don't think that means that IW is more valued by the players. Certainly not the ones that are actually (relatively) healthy come WTF time and have worked their asses off to get there.
This year (and maybe last) has been an anomaly in regards to injuries tbh. Usually there aren't anywhere near this many. At any rate, I don't think it takes away any inherent value of the WTF. It has always been the 5th biggest tournament in tennis regardless of injuries or anything else.
The stilt of HC events over Clay and grass is also ridiculous. But the ATP is gonna milk the cash cow for all it’s worth and it’s not about to change.Of course this event has always been played at the end of the season for very obvious reasons. However, I do agree that injury/fatigue issues seem to be more evident in preventing more of the top players participating than used to be the case and I think this is down to the fact that, over the years, the season has grown ever longer with the result that players are suffering more injury issues (fully 5 of last year's participants had no chance of playing this year because of injury) and the current number #1 ranked player has just been forced to withdraw for the same reason. I think the time has come for the ATP to take a serious look at the scheduling of these end of season events eg. the Paris Masters also and of the way the tour is currently structured if they want to preserve their value and quality as top notch events for the tournaments in question, players and fans alike!
“Yes it’s a goal in my mind, I’ve qualified 13 years,” Nadal said. “Of course being here is an important thing but for me, it is what happens during the year – competing in tournaments, almost every week with a very competitive level of tennis, and being healthy (that matter).”
“No I don’t need to beat Roger for good confidence,” Nadal said. “I’ve won enough to be confident. If I play him here it would be great to finish the year playing him again to give me another chance.
“We cannot forget that we played all the times (in 2017) on surfaces that he likes more than me. I just accept that and find different ways to approach the match and if that happens (in London), I’m healthy enough so I hope I have my chances.”
http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/nadal-preview-nitto-atp-finals-2017-friday
“I cannot hold with enough power to keep playing. I tried, but seriously it was a miracle to be very close in the score during the match. It really doesn’t make sense."
You guys amuse me. You’ll make comments like this but then burn me at the stake for trying to say Fed is ducking Rafa on clay.
oh yeah, that's right.
Ok, 2nd win then.
Your prediction on Nadal doing just enough to get #1 and tanking Paris, WTF to avoid beatings from Fed was spot on.
I was being sarcastic bud. Nadal was literally limping in the 3rd setThe commentators never said anything about it?
It's not as easy as it looks to just "run Nadal around." If it was easy, you or I would be doing it.
It's very curious. Why was he here? There simply was no strong reason for Nadal to play this event.
The downside about this is VB and the horde of haters are going to focus all their attention on Federer. Expect to see them if Federer starts struggling against Zverev.