Davydenko about Nadal

asitkin

New User
May be Davydenko is boring to watch but he is definitely funny enough if you excuse his English and has something to say as well
http://www.asapsports.com/tennis/2006shanghai/111706ND.html

Q. I think that was the first time you played against Rafa. What's your impression? What's so difficult when you have to face a player like this? What is so difficult in his game for the opponent?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: Uhm, like, he's young now. Just he running well, fighting well, like right, left. Like Spanish guy, but running amazing because like very fast. And, second, it's lefty. Just second serve topspin, he make it, and it was tough to returning. I cannot push him in the second set. Yeah, that's was I get little bit problem. I just tried to return. I was too slow. He hitting, try to good make good topspin right to the left. This was two points was tough against him. But not only he didn't play so fast, he just make topspin. I don't see something difficult from my side from baseline. I was in control all time, try to hit him to run baseline to the lines and, yeah, maybe little bit like lucky and little bit get more concentration better, maybe movement by my legs better to the balls. Should be I think changing, you know, match.
Q. What do you think Federer has to do to beat Nadal, and the other way, what Nadal has to do to beat Federer?
NIKOLAY DAVYDENKO: I think Federer get good concentration by first serve, and play also the same he goes by forehand, try to make winners and go to the net. Michael Chang come to me and say I was 17 times go to the net and 14 I won. That's was I prove something go to the volley. I think I need to go more and more to the net, play against Spanish guy like Nadal or Robredo, some these guys, because is running right, left, and I need to finish. I need to try. And Federer did every time like this against this guy. He try to hit. He try to make some winners and go to the net and make winners there, finish by net. And Nadal against Federer, I don't know. Running more faster and more topspin and fighting, fighting. What I can tell you about Nadal?
 

psamp14

Hall of Fame
davydenko had great analysis...he will most probably come to net more after knowing he won 14 of 17 at the net in his match...also, he knows federer's game, and what federer needs to do but he is modest in saying he doesnt know what to tell about nadal...just play his normal game
 

asitkin

New User
I think what he said is clear enough: the only thing that Nadal can do - run faster, even more topspin and fight
 

Ljubicic for number1

Hall of Fame
Chang and Hewitt were undersized and not that strong. Nadal though is strong and is 6'1. Nadal is more than just speed unlike those players you mentioned.

Yes Nadal is more than those guys (and I am a fan by the way) but his game is not sustainable for a long time in its current form, its a young mans game.

I just hope he can hook up with a real coach and broaden his game to involve some more net play etc. Because god knows we need him in the game for a while.
 

Grimjack

Banned
Nadal may look more impressive in UnderArmor, but a pumped-up upper body does not make him "more" than Hewitt in tennis terms. Heavy upper-body musculature has no real function in tennis, which is primarily a game of endurance and skill; not strength. Muscular bulk is often, if anything, a detriment to endurance athletes. There's a reason that the game is always dominated by the lean, in the same way distance cycling, distance running, etc. are.

He's "more" only in the marketing sense. He plays a small, quick man's game. He spins and he runs. He doesn't use power as a weapon, so if he carries an extra 10 or 20 lbs of muscle, he's just carrying extra weight that will burn him out more quickly -- he's not using it. Indeed, Nadal would be a better player if he stayed out of the weight room a little more often.

Calling him "more" is shallow analysis, based on marketing, but devoid of substance. Nadal is nothing new.
 

NamRanger

G.O.A.T.
Nadal may look more impressive in UnderArmor, but a pumped-up upper body does not make him "more" than Hewitt in tennis terms. Heavy upper-body musculature has no real function in tennis, which is primarily a game of endurance and skill; not strength. Muscular bulk is often, if anything, a detriment to endurance athletes. There's a reason that the game is always dominated by the lean, in the same way distance cycling, distance running, etc. are.

He's "more" only in the marketing sense. He plays a small, quick man's game. He spins and he runs. He doesn't use power as a weapon, so if he carries an extra 10 or 20 lbs of muscle, he's just carrying extra weight that will burn him out more quickly -- he's not using it. Indeed, Nadal would be a better player if he stayed out of the weight room a little more often.

Calling him "more" is shallow analysis, based on marketing, but devoid of substance. Nadal is nothing new.



However, Nadal needs the upper body strength to hit his forehand. He literally has little to no leg power when he hits his forehand, and does the same with his backhand alot (although he is improving that).



The difference between Hewitt, Chang, and Nadal is that the first two actually have pretty solid technique on both wings. They utilized their legs to generate power. Nadal does not. Nadal's forehand is not safe. It's just too biomechanically unsound.
 

Alejandro D

Semi-Pro
Nadal's most important assets are his fighting spirit and a great fitness to support it. Technically, he's not a gifted player and his net game hasn't evolved. Federer is getting better in clay. so I bet we'll see a wonderful Roland Garros final next year.
 

maverick66

Hall of Fame
Nadal may look more impressive in UnderArmor, but a pumped-up upper body does not make him "more" than Hewitt in tennis terms. Heavy upper-body musculature has no real function in tennis, which is primarily a game of endurance and skill; not strength. Muscular bulk is often, if anything, a detriment to endurance athletes. There's a reason that the game is always dominated by the lean, in the same way distance cycling, distance running, etc. are.

i disagree with you about having the muscles. it helps to be bigger in your upperbody as well as your legs. i think the next evolution of this game is gonna be more of a nadal build. with people being bigger. tennis isnt like distance running or cycling its all short bursts of energy. the added muscle also will help him stay healthy for a season. if he was a smaller guy with that style he would already be done with his career. and hewitt tried to bulk up his upper body to get more on the ball as it does help alot to be bigger.
 

Nadal_Freak

Banned
i disagree with you about having the muscles. it helps to be bigger in your upperbody as well as your legs. i think the next evolution of this game is gonna be more of a nadal build. with people being bigger. tennis isnt like distance running or cycling its all short bursts of energy. the added muscle also will help him stay healthy for a season. if he was a smaller guy with that style he would already be done with his career. and hewitt tried to bulk up his upper body to get more on the ball as it does help alot to be bigger.

I agree with this. Tennis is much more anaerobic than cycling and running. The bulk helps Nadal's topspin game so he isn't pushed around so much. He still does get pushed around but without that strength he wouldn't be able to get all that topspin and if he did his shots would be weak.
 

loner1984

Rookie
He mentioned Chang in his interview...I wonder if Michael was at Shanghai this year to help promote the tournament or simply to just spectate.
 
JUST to prove you all FED fanatics, RAFA has committed to playiing DAVIS cup for his country like a great patriot that he is, ,,, Hum, unlike that supposed #1 player with initial RF???
 

armand

Banned
Nadal may look more impressive in UnderArmor, but a pumped-up upper body does not make him "more" than Hewitt in tennis terms. Heavy upper-body musculature has no real function in tennis, which is primarily a game of endurance and skill; not strength. Muscular bulk is often, if anything, a detriment to endurance athletes. There's a reason that the game is always dominated by the lean, in the same way distance cycling, distance running, etc. are.

He's "more" only in the marketing sense. He plays a small, quick man's game. He spins and he runs. He doesn't use power as a weapon, so if he carries an extra 10 or 20 lbs of muscle, he's just carrying extra weight that will burn him out more quickly -- he's not using it. Indeed, Nadal would be a better player if he stayed out of the weight room a little more often.

Calling him "more" is shallow analysis, based on marketing, but devoid of substance. Nadal is nothing new.
Sometimes Nadal is totally on defense, with his opponent's hands around his throat with seemingly no escape. But then Nadal uses his furious strength to get out of it and muscle some totally unreal passing shots that no one else can do.

But I do very much agree that Nadal's peak is now and won't be all that long. He relies too much on his legs and when he begins to slow down a bit like all players do, it'll effect him the most.
 

xtremerunnerars

Hall of Fame
JUST to prove you all FED fanatics, RAFA has committed to playiing DAVIS cup for his country like a great patriot that he is, ,,, Hum, unlike that supposed #1 player with initial RF???

*edit*
taken from http://www.usta.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=379771

"What in heaven’s name is Roger Federer thinking? The world’s #1 has already withdrawn from a potential 2007 first-round Davis Cup tie against Spain- and a probable dream match-up against Rafael Nadal. Federer explained that he wants to concentrate on maintaining his ranking and the majors. Are you kidding me?!?! Unfortunately, the twenty-year-old Nadal subsequently has ALSO withdrawn, stating that he does not usually play in the first round ties"


Are you kidding me??!?!? At least federer gave a reason. Nadal basically said he's just too good for first round ties?
 
Last edited:

maverick66

Hall of Fame
Are you kidding me??!?!? At least federer gave a reason. Nadal basically said he's just too good for first round ties?

its more like federer isnt playing so im not attitude. plus i agree with him that he shouldnt play against switzerland as without federer there not gonna be much of a threat.
 

alan-n

Professional
Yeah, I'm a bit surprised Chang was mentioned. What has he been up to lately?
Besides working on his theology degree he stays in shape by mentoring and hitting with potential pro juniors for the USTA. He's played a few senior tour events which he won and one that he had to pull out due to injury. We all know of Michael's knee issues that destroyed in pro circuit game.
 

Robbie_1988

Semi-Pro
*edit*
taken from http://www.usta.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=379771

"What in heaven’s name is Roger Federer thinking? The world’s #1 has already withdrawn from a potential 2007 first-round Davis Cup tie against Spain- and a probable dream match-up against Rafael Nadal. Federer explained that he wants to concentrate on maintaining his ranking and the majors. Are you kidding me?!?! Unfortunately, the twenty-year-old Nadal subsequently has ALSO withdrawn, stating that he does not usually play in the first round ties"


Are you kidding me??!?!? At least federer gave a reason. Nadal basically said he's just too good for first round ties?

OOOH SNAP!

Right on mate. At least he gives a legitimate reason and i'm sure people would understand. I mean who wouldn't want to defend their number one position?

And Nadal's patriotism? Sure it's great he will play for his own country. But avoiding the first round tie when his country needs him? Well yeah so much for patriotism. How about a "i'll play for you when you've won a few matches and when you're chances are good i'll come in and play the later matches and then take credit for helping you win."
 
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