Can Wawrinka Save Tennis? You bet he can

Did monfed say "beefed up gym junkies"? Nadal hates the gym, he's said so numerous times. He's more of a swimmer and stretcher.
 
namelessone said:
What? Having a bit more muscle is the norm in modern tennis and not just with arrival of Nadal.

Google practice pics of guys like Soderling, Tsonga, Andreev, Verdasco, Monaco, Haas and so on. Nadal looks like a joke compared to them. Most guys you see on show courts are absolutely ripped, some even have quite some mass going on, like Tsonga or Soderling.

To give just one visual example, this is Andreev:

IgorAndreev51.jpg


Has a two-hander like Nadal.
Has a massive topspin forehand like Nadal.
He even plays with a Babolat.
In many ways he is a righty Nadal with more muscle added on so why doesn't he sit on 13 slams?
Click to expand...

Damn Andreev looks strong :shock:
 
mawashi said:
LOL!!!!! Wake up Rip Van Winkle, father time isn't waiting for you to wind your pocket watch and catch up.

Tennis isn't about grace or beauty, it isn't figure skating, it's boxing with balls.

To expect a game to be played only for your viewing pleasure is myopic and outdated.

The APT sets the rules and the umpire enforces them, the view of an armchair umpire doesn't count.

Don't like Nadal don't watch his games instead of sit, carp and complain... sheese!
Click to expand...

I could actually visualize a pocket watch.

That's hilarious.
 
Yes, Roger is a gentleman, he does not break the rules like Nadal always does in a match. Most people, if not *****, can clearly see it. This is why Roger is so much more appreciated than Nadal. He normally respects the rule and the opponents and is a telented shotmaker, who plays with variation.
 
JRAJ1988 said:
Thankfully Federer's fans are not Federer...as I respect Federer's achievements and beautiful game but his fans leave a lot to be desired recently.

I've noticed some *****y, immature, arrogant and pompous comments recently.
Click to expand...

So true, and it makes it very difficult to be fair and objective to Federer, the man.

I've decided not to read their actual posts, but read the responses instead.

It's better that way, because you already know how ridiculous the initial claim was.

As it is I feel sorry for Federer to have fans such as these.
 
Chopin said:
Ladies and gentlemen,
Some of us are tired of Nadal. We're tired of him not because he's beaten a 32 year old man, but because he's bad for tennis (for you boys out there who are obsessed with the "GOAT debate," stay in school and find a girlfriend). Why is he bad for tennis? The reasons are many:

1) ... There's nothing sportsmanlike about chest bumps...
Click to expand...

Chest bumps??? Obviously, you have never seen Rafa playing! Probably you have stayed at school instead. Have you found a girlfriend/boyfriend?
 
Nadal is a lot more fun to watch when he's in a challenging match. When he's crushing an opponent it's kinda boring.

I think they will start cracking down on the coaching & etc. more & more. But Nadal has been incredible for the sport. More than any other player, weekend warriors dressed liked him, bought florescent Babolat racquets and dared to go sleeveless and hit with self-taught extreme western grips --but the important thing is he got people playing, got people interested and contrasted Federer. Remember he was #2 for years and never quit. He's always improving, even now he's tweaking his strokes and racquet.
 
They have mikes in the coaching boxes. They stated this during the Rafa-Roger match.

So how on earth can Toni be coaching? They have it on tape, but refuse to do anything about it?

That is so untrue.
 
tipsa...don'tlikehim! said:
which match was it ?
Click to expand...

Federer refuses to talk to Bud Collins.
Posted by ************ on June 12, 2007

http://************.wordpress.com/2007/06/12/federer-refuses-to-talk-to-bud-collins/

Remember Nadal’s interview with Bud Collins right after the final? Well, there was supposed to one with Federer too, but Federer declined.
Was it the frustration of losing the match? Duh. But he had no trouble speaking at the award ceremony seconds earlier, and was happily or unhappily, chatting with the media, after brushing aside Collins.

Was it dislike of the American media or was it the clown Bud? Do you think he could have refused the request to Al Michaels or Bob Costas?
Whatever it was, it was absolutely distasteful.
You know, they say if you really want to know what kind of a person someone is, go and travel with him. The stress and the anxiety will uncover the real human.

The freaking point is this: The real test of anyone’s character is when adversity strikes. We all can be gracious, decent and magnanimous when things are rolling our way. It’s when the chips are down, that the real character emerges.
This is not the first time, Federer has shown his not-so-nice side.

Remember the ‘one-dimensional’ remark to describe Nadal after the early losses, or that ’Nadal is being coached on the court’ stuff.
You have to be a consummate professional, irrespective of how hurt you are inside. It’s easy to follow our instincts, good or bad. To reign them in, whenever appropriate is what makes a human shine.
 
TheTruth said:
They have mikes in the coaching boxes. They stated this during the Rafa-Roger match.

So how on earth can Toni be coaching? They have it on tape, but refuse to do anything about it?

That is so untrue.
Click to expand...

They also have cameras which focus on each players box. I noticed during this tournament that Federer's team were almost frenzied in their attempts to cover up the cameras. They used towels and articles of clothing, which they removed at the end of the match. What were they trying to hide? According to commentators, the Nadal box is one of the few that does not try to obstruct the use of these cameras.

Pete Sampras shared his thoughts about Nadal and the AO final.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/25893638
 
TheTruth said:
Federer refuses to talk to Bud Collins.
Posted by ************ on June 12, 2007

http://************.wordpress.com/2007/06/12/federer-refuses-to-talk-to-bud-collins/

Remember Nadal’s interview with Bud Collins right after the final? Well, there was supposed to one with Federer too, but Federer declined.
Was it the frustration of losing the match? Duh. But he had no trouble speaking at the award ceremony seconds earlier, and was happily or unhappily, chatting with the media, after brushing aside Collins.

Was it dislike of the American media or was it the clown Bud? Do you think he could have refused the request to Al Michaels or Bob Costas?
Whatever it was, it was absolutely distasteful.
You know, they say if you really want to know what kind of a person someone is, go and travel with him. The stress and the anxiety will uncover the real human.

The freaking point is this: The real test of anyone’s character is when adversity strikes. We all can be gracious, decent and magnanimous when things are rolling our way. It’s when the chips are down, that the real character emerges.
This is not the first time, Federer has shown his not-so-nice side.

Remember the ‘one-dimensional’ remark to describe Nadal after the early losses, or that ’Nadal is being coached on the court’ stuff.
You have to be a consummate professional, irrespective of how hurt you are inside. It’s easy to follow our instincts, good or bad. To reign them in, whenever appropriate is what makes a human shine.
Click to expand...

Classy Federer.
 
TheTruth said:
Federer refuses to talk to Bud Collins.
Posted by ************ on June 12, 2007

http://************.wordpress.com/2007/06/12/federer-refuses-to-talk-to-bud-collins/

Remember Nadal’s interview with Bud Collins right after the final? Well, there was supposed to one with Federer too, but Federer declined.
Was it the frustration of losing the match? Duh. But he had no trouble speaking at the award ceremony seconds earlier, and was happily or unhappily, chatting with the media, after brushing aside Collins.

Was it dislike of the American media or was it the clown Bud? Do you think he could have refused the request to Al Michaels or Bob Costas?
Whatever it was, it was absolutely distasteful.
You know, they say if you really want to know what kind of a person someone is, go and travel with him. The stress and the anxiety will uncover the real human.

The freaking point is this: The real test of anyone’s character is when adversity strikes. We all can be gracious, decent and magnanimous when things are rolling our way. It’s when the chips are down, that the real character emerges.
This is not the first time, Federer has shown his not-so-nice side.

Remember the ‘one-dimensional’ remark to describe Nadal after the early losses, or that ’Nadal is being coached on the court’ stuff.
You have to be a consummate professional, irrespective of how hurt you are inside. It’s easy to follow our instincts, good or bad. To reign them in, whenever appropriate is what makes a human shine.
Click to expand...

It is your behaviour on court, which matters, not what is happening afterwards when you are still in emotion.
Watch Nadal against Rosol, how he even tried to intimate the man, who was going to beat him, by giving Rosol a bodycheck during the changeover. And if you think he was gracious after the defeat, you need your eyes checked.
Have you ever ask yourself, why Nadal has so many "haters"? Surely he would not be disliked, if he were the humble man, he pretends to be, if he respected the rules and played attractive tennis. Is is as simple as that, no need to look for all sorts of excuses or insulting players, who are more liked by the general public.
 
Tennisworld said:
It is your behaviour on court, which matters, not what is happening afterwards when you are still in emotion.
Watch Nadal against Rosol, how he even tried to intimate the man, who was going to beat him, by giving Rosol a bodycheck during the changeover. And if you think he was gracious after the defeat, you need your eyes checked.
Have you ever ask yourself, why Nadal has so many "haters"? Surely he would not be disliked, if he were the humble man, he pretends to be, if he respected the rules and played attractive tennis. Is is as simple as that, no need to look for all sorts of excuses or insulting players, who are more liked by the general public.
Click to expand...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uZCbXkgO7Q

Tennisworld said:
Have you ever ask yourself, why Nadal has so many "haters"?
Click to expand...
2 reasons:
This http://www.tennisexplorer.com/mutual/nadal/federer/
and This http://www.tennisexplorer.com/mutual/nadal/djokovic/
 
namelessone said:
To give just one visual example, this is Andreev:



Has a two-hander like Nadal.
Has a massive topspin forehand like Nadal.
He even plays with a Babolat.
In many ways he is a righty Nadal with more muscle added on so why doesn't he sit on 13 slams?
Click to expand...

You said it:-)
 
octobrina10 said:
Chest bumps??? Obviously, you have never seen Rafa playing! Probably you have stayed at school instead. Have you found a girlfriend/boyfriend?
Click to expand...

The best thing about ignorance is that it comes free with selective vision glasses and memory lol!

Here's a list of banned actions as they are considered non gentlemanly..

1. Swearing or cursing... of course.
2. Sweating must never be permitted for it makes one look and smell unpleasant.
3. Running of course which will cause sweating.
4. Force must never be used for contact with the ball, one must make the ball appear to float across the net.
5. Unrestrained celebrations or disappointment must be severely cautioned and fined if excessive.
6. Any injury must be immediately and totally hidden from public view and appropriate distractions from the court jester be employed with all haste.

Anything more to add to the list ole King Afonso VI?
 
octobrina10 said:
You are wrong! Fanbase currently:
Be0jaICCIAAmvvH.jpg
Click to expand...

What this shows to me is that Nadal fans are younger (many teenagers) and more keen on Twitter. Everybody uses Facebook - that's not the case with Twitter. And perhaps that Nadal is a lot more active on Twitter than Fed is (don't follow either)
 
TheTruth said:
Remember the ‘one-dimensional’ remark to describe Nadal after the early losses, or that ’Nadal is being coached on the court’ stuff.
You have to be a consummate professional, irrespective of how hurt you are inside. It’s easy to follow our instincts, good or bad. To reign them in, whenever appropriate is what makes a human shine.
Click to expand...

Was he wrong about that remark? Or that Nadal is being coached?
No.

Nadal was one-dimensional and he was and is being coached. He isn't one-dimensional now and Fed hasn't claimed so since 06 or so. And in 07, post Wimbledon, he said something like, 'I'll take this one, before you take them all' in his post-match speak. I.e. - knowing where Nadal was going before most pundits or fans did.
 
octobrina10 said:
Everyone knows that Fed fans hate Rafa because of his positive H2H against Fed! So what!!! Who cares that they hate!!!
Click to expand...

it's one of the reasons, surely, but by no means the only one. I'm positive I wouldn't be his fan if Federer had never existed. The time-wasting, the grunting, the gamemanship, the on-court coaching, the breaking down of the opponents game by virtue of his defense rather than going for winners, the loopy forehand and backhand instead of flatter shots, playing from 10 feets behind the baseline (less so now), the over the top celebrations, the evil stare on lines and opponents after they make good shots, the humility (false or real) in his press conferences that makes every single one of his answers completely dull as it's always something like 'I need to try my best and then maybe I'll have a small chance' - can't get an honest evaluation out of him in that respect etc. etc. etc.
 
This "Safe tennis" is just pure sh1t which Fedfans come up with when they want Nadal to lose.
Actually it translates as "Can Wawrinka defeat Rafa, and save our LordRogi's slam record?" :lol:
 
Chanwan said:
What this shows to me is that Nadal fans are younger (many teenagers) and more keen on Twitter. Everybody uses Facebook - that's not the case with Twitter. And perhaps that Nadal is a lot more active on Twitter than Fed is (don't follow either)
Click to expand...

As for Facebook, in the middle of 2012, Rafa had more Facebook likes than Fed did. During Rafa's absence from the Tour (7 months), Fed's fanbase increased quicker than that of Rafa.
During last 5 months, Rafa's fanbase has increased quicker. The difference between Fed's and Rafa's fanbases (=likes) in Facebook:
- on Sept. 1, 2013: 1 390 094
- on Jan.25, 2014: 1 290 808.
 
Chanwan said:
it's one of the reasons, surely, but by no means the only one. I'm positive I wouldn't be his fan if Federer had never existed. The time-wasting, the grunting, the gamemanship, the on-court coaching, the breaking down of the opponents game by virtue of his defense rather than going for winners, the loopy forehand and backhand instead of flatter shots, playing from 10 feets behind the baseline (less so now), the over the top celebrations, the evil stare on lines and opponents after they make good shots, the humility (false or real) in his press conferences that makes every single one of his answers completely dull as it's always something like 'I need to try my best and then maybe I'll have a small chance' - can't get an honest evaluation out of him in that respect etc. etc. etc.
Click to expand...
even if the nadal itself never existed i would have hated him.
 
Chanwan said:
it's one of the reasons, surely, but by no means the only one. I'm positive I wouldn't be his fan if Federer had never existed. The time-wasting, the grunting, the gamemanship, the on-court coaching, the breaking down of the opponents game by virtue of his defense rather than going for winners, the loopy forehand and backhand instead of flatter shots, playing from 10 feets behind the baseline (less so now), the over the top celebrations, the evil stare on lines and opponents after they make good shots, the humility (false or real) in his press conferences that makes every single one of his answers completely dull as it's always something like 'I need to try my best and then maybe I'll have a small chance' - can't get an honest evaluation out of him in that respect etc. etc. etc.
Click to expand...

Don't lie! You hate Rafa because he has beaten your beloved Fed!
 
Pro Wrestling?

The more I think about it, Nadal is the John Cena of Pro Tennis. He has his passionate fans, and his passionate haters in equal force. Either way, you can't ignore Nadal, just like you can't ignore Cena. They both get emotions out of the fans, you either cheer like crazy for them to win, or you just cheer like crazy for them to lose.

Both are serial winners, legends, and main eventers. Yes, Nadal is the John Cena of the sport, but that is because he is just that good.

john-cena-e1362255065412.jpg


rafael_nadal_hd_wallpapers-t1.jpg
 
octobrina10 said:
Don't lie! You hate Rafa because he has beaten your beloved Fed!
Click to expand...

I didn't lie. Learn to read. And if you truly didn't care about the hate, you wouldn't use such an excessive amount of exclamation marks sweetie pie. Nor would you go to such great lengths defending the undefensible

"it's one of the reasons, surely, but by no means the only one. I'm positive I wouldn't be his fan if Federer had never existed. The time-wasting, the grunting, the gamemanship, the on-court coaching, the breaking down of the opponents game by virtue of his defense rather than going for winners, the loopy forehand and backhand instead of flatter shots, playing from 10 feets behind the baseline (less so now), the over the top celebrations, the evil stare on lines and opponents after they make good shots, the humility (false or real) in his press conferences that makes every single one of his answers completely dull as it's always something like 'I need to try my best and then maybe I'll have a small chance' - can't get an honest evaluation out of him in that respect etc. etc. etc."
 
Last edited:
octobrina10 said:
As for Facebook, in the middle of 2012, Rafa had more Facebook likes than Fed did. During Rafa's absence from the Tour (7 months), Fed's fanbase increased quicker than that of Rafa.
During last 5 months, Rafa's fanbase has increased quicker. The difference between Fed's and Rafa's fanbases (=likes) in Facebook:
- on Sept. 1, 2013: 1 390 094
- on Jan.25, 2014: 1 290 808.
Click to expand...

Find any tennisstadium in the world - outside of Spain - where the fans will cheer louder for Rafa than for Fed.
Even in Madrid, they cheer quite a bit for Fed.

Concerning the numbers above - I'm more and more inclined to think that you are in fact Rafa himself under pseudonym or a close family member (Tio). There's no one who knows as many twisted and not twisted details about the bull as you do. Aside from Rafa and his uncle that is.
 
smash hit said:
They also have cameras which focus on each players box. I noticed during this tournament that Federer's team were almost frenzied in their attempts to cover up the cameras. They used towels and articles of clothing, which they removed at the end of the match. What were they trying to hide? According to commentators, the Nadal box is one of the few that does not try to obstruct the use of these cameras.

Pete Sampras shared his thoughts about Nadal and the AO final.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/25893638
Click to expand...

Pete got it right.

I too, have never seen anything like Rafael Nadal.

He's the best!

Thanks so much for the video and article.

Pete tells the truth. Love Pete.
 
Chanwan said:
What this shows to me is that Nadal fans are younger (many teenagers) and more keen on Twitter. Everybody uses Facebook - that's not the case with Twitter. And perhaps that Nadal is a lot more active on Twitter than Fed is (don't follow either)
Click to expand...

Fed's twitter account is relatively new if I'm not mistaken whereas Nadal has posted there for a far longer period of time + he posts more frequently.
 
Tennisworld said:
It is your behaviour on court, which matters, not what is happening afterwards when you are still in emotion.
Watch Nadal against Rosol, how he even tried to intimate the man, who was going to beat him, by giving Rosol a bodycheck during the changeover. And if you think he was gracious after the defeat, you need your eyes checked.
Have you ever ask yourself, why Nadal has so many "haters"? Surely he would not be disliked, if he were the humble man, he pretends to be, if he respected the rules and played attractive tennis. Is is as simple as that, no need to look for all sorts of excuses or insulting players, who are more liked by the general public.
Click to expand...

I know why he has so many haters, but you probably wouldn't agree.

There are more who love him though, as evidenced by the mobs that show up even when he practices, or go to places he hasn't been before.

If you don't like Nadal, that's cool.

I'm just not sure why you're telling me.
 
Chanwan said:
Was he wrong about that remark? Or that Nadal is being coached?
No.

Nadal was one-dimensional and he was and is being coached. He isn't one-dimensional now and Fed hasn't claimed so since 06 or so. And in 07, post Wimbledon, he said something like, 'I'll take this one, before you take them all' in his post-match speak. I.e. - knowing where Nadal was going before most pundits or fans did.
Click to expand...

Didn't you see the post where they said that Fed's team was covering up the camera?

Nadal has never been one-dimensional. Fed just never understood his game. He still doesn't. Fed seems to think it's about having an arsenal of different shots, but what use are those shots if you're not able to beat your greatest rival.

Wawrinka, Haas, Dmitrov, etc. have a lot of shots, but zero slams between them.

So many people get it twisted. It's not about hitting shots, it's about meeting your objectives.

Nadal has done that to the chagrin of his many haters.

He's the best.
 
Chanwan said:
Find any tennisstadium in the world - outside of Spain - where the fans will cheer louder for Rafa than for Fed.
Even in Madrid, they cheer quite a bit for Fed.

Concerning the numbers above - I'm more and more inclined to think that you are in fact Rafa himself under pseudonym or a close family member (Tio). There's no one who knows as many twisted and not twisted details about the bull as you do. Aside from Rafa and his uncle that is.
Click to expand...

Fed fans make a big noise? So what?!

The information I have used is available on the Internet for everybody, including you.
 
Whilst I can help but appreciate Chopin's thread here, and his reasoning behind it, I cannot but also accept the fact that (the other) Ralph has been the man at the helm for moving tennis in a different direction as far as style of game is concerned. Note, I said man at the helm...Those responsible are behind the scenes, the businessmen who saw the $ disappearing with Pete, Goran etc...

And here we are today.

No matter how much the game may have succeeded in forging a new path, it will be a while before Ralph and such players are regarded as highly as Federer in popularity. And no, social media isn't the ultimate deciding factor for this :)
 
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