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News reports claim Nadal will begin practicing on grass in Majorca tomorrow.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/nadal-to-tune-up-for-wimbledon-in-majorca
Shame he couldn't begin practicing on it at Queen's.
News reports claim Nadal will begin practicing on grass in Majorca tomorrow.
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/nadal-to-tune-up-for-wimbledon-in-majorca
Yep, it's like people don't know what they're watching. It's perplexing to me when I'm still mainly hearing about his speed and stamina when Nadal is so aggressive these days even off the BH wing, Heck this FO he hit more DTL BHs than I've ever seen him do.
I agree, Nadal's new aggressive style of play under Murray suits Fed far more because well, that's his bread and butter, a fast pace match suits him far more.
In fact Federer's backhand wasn't that great at Miami last year and he still won. So it does have a lot to do with Nadal's new game plan playing right into Fed's hands.Well, Nadal's current forehand is still awesome and if Federer is "off" and doesn't stick with that aggressive backhand throughout a match vs Nadal, Federer will lose IMO.
In any case, Nadal is the one who will likely have to get to Federer at Wimbledon and he hasn't been too successful reaching the second week in the past six years. Let's see the draw. Nadal may get a joke draw.![]()
Chances are less, but can he do it one more time?
I think that has been general opinion among ATP coaching community.
Whole community knew problem was Federers conservative strategy in tight situations like deciding sets such as 5th set.
Exposed by guys like Nadal, Djokovic and Del Porto.
He was one stubborn guy and kept using essentially same war strategy.
Many people believe Federer finally addressed it from 2017 improving his record in deciding sets but I'm not exactly sure he really has changed.
Federer has not played many matches with guys like Nadal, Djokovic, Del Potro, Wawrinka in top form.
That is true. But let's be realistic. The current post prime Nadal is just NOT good enough. The fact that he won UsOpen last year had more to do with the lack of strength in the field than about Nadal's game. Imagine if Djokovic had not declined, Nadal might not even have won RG, forget about the UsOpen
What does Nadal do better than before? Maybe he is slightly more aggressive on his backhand (which is debatable IMO). But even that is neutralized by the lack of speed when he is pushed wide to the backhand ( something that Fed has exploited just as Djokovic used to earlier - by hitting their fh cc wide to Nadal's bh).
Other than the backhand, everything else is significantly worse. His ROS, usually the weakest part of his game, is like garbage now - basically a joke outside clay. His serve is worse, nowhere close to 2010-2013 level. His forehand also isn't as offensive. His best shot - the inside out forehand, he doesn't hit as often. His cc forehand lands short more often that not. Let's see some tapes of Nadal from 2007-2013 to see what his forehand used to be. Then of course, his defense has declined. He is a step slower, and late on the passing shots. His fitness is also suspect. That is why in most matches, he loses a large % of 10+ shot rallies, where as that stat used to be reverse earlier.
So yeah, Federer improved his game to beat Nadal. But again it's not peak Fed, we're talking about. I mean the 2004-2009 Fed, would likely demolish the current one. He doesn't have to be that good to beat Nadal anymore. People talk as if Federer is playing the best tennis of his life. That isn't true at all. Truth is both of them are old, and while one would expect the younger Nadal to have an advantage, that's not the case. Simply because Nadal is older in tennis years because of his physical style and constant injuries.
I'd be truly amazed if he did but I guess stranger things have happened. I mean if Trump and Kim Jong-un can meet face to face then who's to say Nadal can't win Wimbledon again?
Nadal just needs a good draw - no big hitter, server in early rounds. Once he gets deep in second week, he will be VERY difficult to beat.
Nadal with 2010 serve and return
He would take out his anger of the last 6 years on the ball.
Boy I wanna see this Rafa one more time.
He played very well in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2017. In 2014 and 2017 he easily could have made semis.
Nadal is not bad on grass as his record in last 6 years suggest. While I believe he was not that good on grass during 2006-11 period. Had close matches in early rounds. Few points here and there, Rosolisation would have occurred much earlier.
That was also Contador's best year as a doped rider, and the doped spanish national football team World Cup win.
Great success all around.
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^ a typical fed dick rider whose claims are as weak as Federers weak era 2004-07. God bless you mate, did Federer use lube this time?
Which part of my post you find factologically incorrect?
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What lube did Federer use?
But bottom line is his knee conditions.
It got worse over the years and he can't play on grass pain free.
Despite that, I think he might do better this year since his forehand is arguably in best form since 2013, IMHO.
But bottom line is his knee conditions.
It got worse over the years and he can't play on grass pain free.
Despite that, I think he might do better this year since his forehand is arguably in best form since 2013, IMHO.
What is this new urban legend about Nadal not being able to play on grass pain free due to his knees ? Where did he say that ?
Also how come the incessant grinding in the long clay season doesn't cause any pain in the knees anymore ?
He was playing really well last year. If he can replicate that form and gets a bit lucky with the draw it's possible. But the problem is he's not playing and serving as well as he did last year.
yes of course, if Wimbledon will be played at Philippe Chatrier court!
Never say never, there could always be some kind of a player's strike where the complete top 20 stay home except for Nadal.Chances are less, but can he do it one more time?
He can, he was some break points away of doing that yesterday.Chances are less, but can he do it one more time?