For Nadal fans

[Aabye]

I waited 24 hours, to give Federer fans free rein of the forum after their big win.

But here's a question for those posters who were quite sore about Nadal's loss:

If Rafa were to sit out of or lose early at Wimby, would it be worth it if he won the USO?

I haven't decided myself, but some people around here are always noting how Nadal is always exhausted by the end of the year and can't play his best at the last major. If he were forced to rest during the middle of the year, as this knee problem might force him to do, he will be ready to rumble by September in all likelihood.

 

[JeMar]

I sincerely think he will be at Wimbledon and that his knee problems are highly exaggerated, but you do have some good ideas. If his knee really is in bad shape and he really does sit out of Wimbledon, I definitely expect him to fight like a tiger that just got out of his cage when he gets to the North American hard courts.

 

[raiden031]

I think they should just halt the tour while Nadal is out because none of these titles will count, according to some posters. A victory is not a victory unless Nadal is on the other side of the net.

 

[malakas]

i'm not what you would call exactly a Rafa fan,but in my opinion..sure!!
To complete the carreer grand slam?Get the one slam he hasn't won yet??Definitely.

 

[ghostbear]

I think they should just halt the tour while Nadal is out because none of these titles will count, according to some posters. A victory is not a victory unless Nadal is on the other side of the net.

Best idea ever!

 

[bolo]

Yes it would be worth it. I would make that trade this year, 2 HC slams for wimbledon and french.

If he wants to challenge federer it is very unlikely that he can do it without at least moderate success at the hard court slams. So it would be worth it for him to start establishing his ability to win on the U.S. open courts.

 

[Aabye]

i'm not what you would call exactly a Rafa fan,but in my opinion..sure!!
To complete the carreer grand slam?Get the one slam he hasn't won yet??Definitely.

Really? He could end up pulling a Lendl.

 

[Aabye]

Yes it would be worth it. I would make that trade this year, 2 HC slams for wimbledon and french.

If he wants to challenge federer it is very unlikely that he can do it without at least moderate success at the hard court slams. So it would be worth it for him to start establishing his ability to win on the U.S. open courts.

That would be funny, wouldn't it! The guy who has had such trouble getting the French, wins the ChannelSlam! And the guy who was declared a "claycourt" specialist ends up with both hardcourt titles!:grin:

 

[Aabye]

US Open is not important at this point. What is important is to become 100% healthy. He is young. No sense in rushing things.

Well, what I am saying is that if he isn't 100% healthy, and he does have to skip Wimby (which would quite a loss, I think) but ended up being quite energized at the end of the year, would it be worth it?

 

[bolo]

That would be funny, wouldn't it! The guy who has had such trouble getting the French, wins the ChannelSlam! And the guy who was declared a "claycourt" specialist ends up with both grass titles!:grin:

Safe to say no one would have predicted that at the beginning of the year. :shock:

 

[angharad]

Well, what I am saying is that if he isn't 100% healthy, and he does have to skip Wimby (which would quite a loss, I think) but ended up being quite energized at the end of the year, would it be worth it?

I don't think Nadal will miss Wimbledon unless he's absolutely unable to play. If he does have to miss out, he'll come out fighting for the rest of the season, which could mean lots of wear and tear. While I wouldn't mind Nadal winning the US Open - how many times do two players complete a career slam in the same year? - the sentimental sap in me is truly rooting for Safin to pull out the upset.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

If he sits out, his number 1 Ranking could be gone.

You say, forget ranking... get USO?

Ok, if Soderling is not in his section.

 

[Aabye]

I don't think Nadal will miss Wimbledon unless he's absolutely unable to play. If he does have to miss out, he'll come out fighting for the rest of the season, which could mean lots of wear and tear. While I wouldn't mind Nadal winning the US Open - how many times do two players complete a career slam in the same year? - the sentimental sap in me is truly rooting for Safin to pull out the upset.

I could deal with that. But I've never held my breath for Safin to do anything (otherwise, I would have died a looooong time ago)

DoubleDeuce, I'm pretty confident Rafa isn't going to be worried in the least if Robin Soderling shows up in his draw after that final Sunday. Also, I don't have time to sit around and calculate potential point scenarios, but I think Rafa might be able to gain it back by winning the USO.

 

[drakulie]

I don't think it would be a good trade off.

for starters, there is no guarantee he will win the US Open. secondly, it would be a thorn in his side to have to skip the most prestigious slam, to win another one. what is he ??? a wuss who can't complete a whole year of tennis???


Seriously, Nadal needs to do two things:

1. manage his schedule better.
2. stop playing doubles.

 

[malakas]

I could deal with that. But I've never held my breath for Safin to do anything (otherwise, I would have died a looooong time ago)

DoubleDeuce, I'm pretty confident Rafa isn't going to be worried in the least if Robin Soderling shows up in his draw after that final Sunday. Also, I don't have time to sit around and calculate potential point scenarios, but I think Rafa might be able to gain it back by winning the USO.

It depends on how deep Federer would go in teh uso and how well Federer did in the hardcourt season prior to the USO.He has a ton of points to gain,whereas Nadal has tons to defend.

 

[Aabye]

I don't think it would be a good trade off.

for starters, there is no guarantee he will win the US Open. secondly, it would be a thorn in his side to have to skip the most prestigious slam, to win another one. what is he ??? a wuss who can't complete a whole year of tennis???


Seriously, Nadal needs to do two things:

1. manage his schedule better.
2. stop playing doubles.

First, Wimbledon is not undeniably the most prestigious. That's a matter of taste.

You're right, it isn't a guarantee, which is why I said he would be risking a Lendl. And no, the kid can play all year round, but if he is injured it doesn't make sense to play.

1. I agree
2. Doubles is not killing him.

 

[drakulie]

First, Wimbledon is not undeniably the most prestigious.

Yes it is.

1. I agree
2. Doubles is not killing him.

Doubles may not kill him, but if he is already tired/injured>>> it sure as heck ain't helping. It's doing more damage than good.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

I could deal with that. But I've never held my breath for Safin to do anything (otherwise, I would have died a looooong time ago)

DoubleDeuce, I'm pretty confident Rafa isn't going to be worried in the least if Robin Soderling shows up in his draw after that final Sunday. Also, I don't have time to sit around and calculate potential point scenarios, but I think Rafa might be able to gain it back by winning the USO.

That one was interesting, he has no worries because of that final Sunday, not because of his own 6-1 6-0 in Rome?

I dont see how that Sunday can change any likelihoods for Nadal.
The guy hates Nadal, and can do it again. Not that I predict it, but nevertheless it wouldl be hell of a match to watch.

 

[yebo]

He has a better shot of doing well at wimbledon that the uso by a considerable margin.. besides this is all moot if he isnt going to be healthy enough to play these events and continue to have some kind of longevity on his career

 

[rommil]

US Open is not important at this point. What is important is to become 100% healthy. He is young. No sense in rushing things.

I agree. He should wait until he's about 35.

 

[DoubleDeuce]

He has a better shot of doing well at wimbledon that the uso by a considerable margin.. besides this is all moot if he isnt going to be healthy enough to play these events and continue to have some kind of longevity on his career

True, missing W will be a huge downturn for him, it signals a shorter career and less confidence in his physical condition. He would look vulnerable and this would give a boost to hungry players like Del Potro who have already defeated him at hard courts. He cant afford missing W.

 

[Aabye]

That one was interesting, he has no worries because of that final Sunday, not because of his own 6-1 6-0 in Rome?

I dont see how that Sunday can change any likelihoods for Nadal.
The guy hates Nadal, and can do it again. Not that I predict it, but nevertheless it wouldl be hell of a match to watch.

Well, his own 6-1, 6-0 win was before his loss, so obviously he didn't take confidence from it. No, Sod's loss on Sunday shows that the guy was just having an outstanding day when he beat Nadal (whether fueled by hatred or simply competition, it doesn't matter). He came back down to Earth, and it was all over.

I'm not saying Soderling will never give Nadal trouble in the future, but I'm also not sure he can build on this upset.

And he can afford to miss Wimby if he really is hurting.