How many slam-winning years do you think Nadal will have left when he hits 14 slams?

[Mike Sams]

Of course, I hope people do remember how accurate my statements were. People thought Nadal would be retired by age 26. I read it all over the internet, ESPN, Yahoo, several other messageboards. And now when Nadal clean sweeps the clay schedule at almost age 26, they still won't learn their lesson. Now it's age 30 that Nadal is supposed to drop of the earth somehow and not be able to win on clay :lol:

Don't we have to wait for him to do it first? And also, Nadal doesn't turn 26 until after clay season is over. So the age 26 rule doesn't apply until next clay season in 2013. Nadal is still only 25. Prime of his career.
And he looked VERY shaky today. Not even remotely close to as good as he was in Monte Carlo. He smashed Ferrer in Barcelona final last year without breaking a sweat. Today he was in a lot of trouble. Unless Ferrer is a better player now which might be possible but Ferrer doesn't have close to the speed, weapons and talent of Djokovic.

 

[Deleted member 60695]

Wait a minute.....didn't Nadal win in straight sets today over Ferrer? Winning in straight sets over Ferrer is hardly 'shaky'. This is the same Ferrer who beat Nadal handily at the 2011 Australian.

 

[Mike Sams]

Yep, and when Del Potro did whoop Nadal, it was in 2009 Nadal's worst year when everything was going wrong for him. So it was a bit misleading. And Federer seems to love playing Del Potro overall. But I agree if anyone of this generation were to come up and challenge Nadal on clay it would be Del Potro, because I think Tsonga and Berdych aren't very good on clay. Tsonga even struggles to beat Nadal on hardcourt. And Berdych is Nadal's favorite bunny. Murray I guess is a chance if he keeps improving on clay.

You're stupid! :lol: Tomas Berdych is a better player now! His last 2 matches against Nadal have been wars! In Miami last year, Berdych crushed Nadal in the second set and had numerous break points. He only converted 1 of 7 and fought back after playing extremely nervously in the first set. Nadal was in trouble throughout both the second and third sets. Nadal pulled it out with extreme grit and guts. Tomas had numerous chances though.
And also their last meeting at AO, Tomas had a set point in the second set. He was 1 point away from going up 2 sets to 0 on Nadal with that set point. And even despite Tomas' very poor BP conversion, going only 2/13 and not playing the big points as well as he should have, it was a very difficult match for Nadal.
Anything less than Nadal's best wouldn't have beaten Berdych in those 2 matches. Nadal had to fight hard. It comes down to confidence and Berdych has improved his game in the last 2 seasons looking at his Wimbledon and Roland Garros performances that year.

 

[Mike Sams]

Wait a minute.....didn't Nadal win in straight sets today over Ferrer? Winning in straight sets over Ferrer is hardly 'shaky'. This is the same Ferrer who beat Nadal handily at the 2011 Australian.

Try watching actual matches rather than reading the score at the end. You'll be all the better for it.

 

[Mike Sams]

You do know, however, that Del Potro beat Nadal in Miami back in 2009 when Nadal was on a roll?

Yup, Nadal was having the best beginning to a season in his entire career. He won AO, won Indian Wells and Del Potro beat him in a high quality match. Just the usual *******s making excuses as always.

 

[Deleted member 60695]

Try watching actual matches rather than reading the score at the end. You'll be all the better for it.

Yes, watched it. Facts don't change and Nadal won in straights. Nadal was painfully boring as always so I multi-tasked. When Ferrer was aggressive he won the point, as Nadal continued to play 15+ feet behind the baseline and landed his forehands consistently short of the service line.
Yet Nadal always does this. He has declined, but still is the best player in the world on clay. His awful boring game is efficient and consistent for the horrid slow courts that constitute the ATP tour. Given this, only a highly aggressive power player could beat him. If Raonic were more consistent, or Isner more fleet of foot, or Soderling 100% healthy and always playing his A game, they could beat Nadal on clay. Fact of the matter is, none of those will happen and, for the foreseeable future, Nadal still reigns (sadly) on clay.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

why can't you ever accept a loss as a loss and move on with it? you always make an excuse!

And since when is the clay season over after MC and Barcelona? Not really any surprises there, especially with Ferrer in the Barca final! Madrid Rome and RG remain, and I'd be very surprised if Rafa doesn't lose at least one of these events. Get real dude.

Get real dudette if you think Nadal is going to hand Djokovic another Rome and Madrid. The broom is on the way.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

You do know, however, that Del Potro beat Nadal in Miami back in 2009 when Nadal was on a roll?

Nadal was gone physically, early in 2009. And Del Potro almost lost that match. It wasn't a thrashing, it was a match Nadal had control over for 80%.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

It will be BYE BYE FEDERER if Nadal does win 3 this year, which I think he will. I can see why you won't even consider it, it would be torture for you.

It doesn't really matter. Fed will probably win at least 1 slam this year. I could see him winning a couple more after that as well. No chance in hell Rafa catches Fed.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

It doesn't really matter. Fed will probably win at least 1 slam this year. I could see him winning a couple more after that as well. No chance in hell Rafa catches Fed.

Ahaha... interesting!

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Ahaha... interesting!

Fed in mediocre form took Novak 2.0 to the limits at both RG and USO last year. He's in better form now and Novak probably won't find the same form he did last year. That and I don't see Rafa getting anywhere near the USO final. It seems farfetched because he hasn't won a slam in 2 years, but everything seems to be lining up for him.

 

[OddJack]

Historically, No player with 2 or more RG titles has done much after age of 26.

 

[Tenez101]

Historically, No player with 2 or more RG titles has done much after age of 26.

Ivan Lendl?

 

[Apun94]

I didn't say he was as good as ever. I said he's as good as he was a few years ago. ie in 2009. His level now isn't even close to what it was from 2005-2006.

Nadal has declined because his movement and backhand are worse than they were a couple years ago. His movement is very important to his game obviously.

He did make the last 4 GS finals, but he also had joke draws at Wimby and USO last year. His AO draw was a bit tougher, but he conveniently drew Fed at the AO instead of USO. He only beat a couple dangerous players in those 3 tournaments.

Well OFCOURSE he isnt as good as before! He's turning 31 in a few months...
REALLY? REALLY? You think Nadal made it to finals of GS because of joke draws. Are you even listening to yourself? IIRC, Nadal played Soderling, Murray and Fed at RG, Del Potro, Fish, Murray and Nole at Wimbledon, Roddick, Murray and Nole at USO. How are these joke draws?!! Bottom line is that atm ONLY Nole can beat Nadal in slams, and MAYBE Fed (although it really depends on surface and Fed's mental condition). That just shows how good Nadal is playing atm, especially in slams...

 

[Apun94]

How about USO '11?

Hmmm... yeah i guess you are right. He did stop chasing balls in the 4th set. But, then again, it was such a BRUTAL match. Still, Nadal is stil UNBELIEVEABLY strong physically and doesnt look like he's stopping anytime soon. Though, injury can happen at ANY stage of your carrer no matter how fit you are. Nadal isnt really going down for the next 3 yrs

 

[Apun94]

People have been saying he'll burn out for years now, but he's still going strong. I think he will play until 30 tbh, and pretty sure he will come close to Fed's slam count, if not surpassing it.

Well, if he does play till 30, i really do believe he will surpass Fed in terms of slams. But if he wants to be in GOAT category he's GOT to win the other 3 slams ...

 

[sbengte]

Fed in mediocre form took Novak 2.0 to the limits at both RG and USO last year. He's in better form now and Novak probably won't find the same form he did last year. That and I don't see Rafa getting anywhere near the USO final. It seems farfetched because he hasn't won a slam in 2 years, but everything seems to be lining up for him.

Hate to burst your bubble when you're being so optimistic but Fed's real problem in the remaining slams for the year is Rafa and not Novak (except at AO, where he lost to Novak in straights twice before). He won or held MPs against the improved version of Novak while against Rafa, he hasn't won in a slam since 2007. Fed was supposedly playing really well at RG last year (not mediocre) when he took out Novak in the semifinal. And yet when he saw Rafa across the net in the final, it was back to the same story.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Hate to burst your bubble when you're being so optimistic but Fed's real problem in the remaining slams for the year is Rafa and not Novak (except at AO, where he lost to Novak in straights twice before). He won or held MPs against the improved version of Novak while against Rafa, he hasn't won in a slam since 2007. Fed was supposedly playing really well at RG last year (not mediocre) when he took out Novak in the semifinal. And yet when he saw Rafa across the net in the final, it was back to the same story.

Obviously he has zero chance against him at RG. He's 3-3 against Nadal at non-clay slams; two of those losses being close 5 setters. And 2 of those losses were on slow, high bouncing hardcourt, which doesn't say much about his chances at wimby or especially USO.

Like I said, I don't expect Rafa to even make the finals of USO. I see him going out around the quarters against someone like DelPo (assuming he doesn't get a cake draw again).

 

[NadalAgassi]

Nadal hasnt lost to a player not named Novak in a slam for over a year. He has run into Federer, Murray, Del Potro, the people you are hyping to take him out, and sent them all packing each and everytime on a variety of surfaces. I am afraid you are setting yourself up for dissapointment if you are counting on Nadal not making slam finals.

Federer btw is 2-3 vs Nadal at non clay slams, not 2-2. He hasnt beaten him in a non clay slam (or any slam) since July 2007 where PRIME Federer eked out an excrutiatingly close 5 setter vs Nadal on grass, despite by his own admission being dominated off the ground all match long. That Federer would destroy the Federer of Wimbledon 2010 and handily beat the Federer of Wimbledon 2011, and barely escaped a younger Nadal. Maybe cc will be right though, and Federer maybe will be stronger on grass than in years. He is after all winning more Masters type events than he did in a long time, and hasnt played a truly bad Berdych like slam match in over a year now which are encouraging signs for him, so who knows, but as things stand now....

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Well OFCOURSE he isnt as good as before! He's turning 31 in a few months...
REALLY? REALLY? You think Nadal made it to finals of GS because of joke draws. Are you even listening to yourself? IIRC, Nadal played Soderling, Murray and Fed at RG, Del Potro, Fish, Murray and Nole at Wimbledon, Roddick, Murray and Nole at USO. How are these joke draws?!! Bottom line is that atm ONLY Nole can beat Nadal in slams, and MAYBE Fed (although it really depends on surface and Fed's mental condition). That just shows how good Nadal is playing atm, especially in slams...

I wasn't saying anything about his RG draw. His RG draw is fairly irrelevant.

Regarding the other 3:
The same Andy Roddick who hasn't made the semis of a major in 3 years?
Novak wasn't part of his "draw" and he didn't face him on the way to the final.
Fish is a joke in slams.
He conveniently drew Murray at USO instead of Fed.

Sorry but yeah, he had joke draws.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Nadal hasnt lost to a player not named Novak in a slam for over a year. He has run into Federer, Murray, Del Potro, the people you are hyping to take him out, and sent them all packing each and everytime on a variety of surfaces. I am afraid you are setting yourself up for dissapointment if you are counting on Nadal not making slam finals.

He ran into Fed at RG/AO and DelPo at RG/Wimby. Basically, he drew both of them at the two most favourable tournaments possible. He's the luckiest player in history. Playing Fed at Wimby/USO or DelPo at AO/USO is much different.

And I'm not hyping up Murray at all.

 

[sbengte]

Like I said, I don't expect Rafa to even make the finals of USO. I see him going out around the quarters against someone like DelPo (assuming he doesn't get a cake draw again).

Which world do you live in , my friend ? Expect Rafa to get his usual draws in every slam for the rest of the year. That Rafa gets the easiest draw and hardly faces a challenge until the semifinals or finals most of the times is a fact and you can do nothing about it.
This is for 2011, reposting it from the match thread :

Unless Murray gets back to his AO 2012 form , is drawn in Rafa's half and makes it to the semi against Rafa and keeps his head together, nothing can stop Rafa from being in the final.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Which world do you live in , my friend ? Expect Rafa to get his usual draws in every slam for the rest of the year. That Rafa gets the easiest path to the finals most of the times is a fact and you can do nothing about it.
This is for 2011, reposting it from the match thread :

Unless Murray gets back to his AO 2012 form , is drawn in Rafa's half and makes it to the semi against Rafa and keeps his head together, nothing can stop Rafa from being in the final.

I'm not surprised. Rafa hasn't gotten a tough draw since 2007 Wimby. He's due for a few tough draws or even some normal one's. That is, assuming no one's interfering with them.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

It doesn't really matter. Fed will probably win at least 1 slam this year. I could see him winning a couple more after that as well. No chance in hell Rafa catches Fed.

O M G, you serious? You really think the odds are in favor of Federer winning a slam this year? Now Federer can't even extend Nadal to 5 sets at a slam. The gap is growing.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Luckily Wimby and USO aren't played on clay or hard clay.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

Historically, No player with 2 or more RG titles has done much after age of 26.

That's because Borg is a wuss and retired after Mac owned him. Nadal is the opposite character. And of course nobody else did, because they aren't on Nadal's level LOL. You are seeing a lot of FIRSTS when you watch Nadal's career. Who else won 3 straight slams in a calendar year? Who else won 20 masters shields? Who else won 81 straight matches on clay? Who else won 2 titles 7 times each, and one 8 times? That's why he's the best ever on clay. Only Borg comes close. And in 5 years, Borg won't even be in the picture.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

Luckily Wimby and USO aren't played on clay or hard clay.

Yep, lucky for you 2 of the 4 slams are played on the artificial surface. Although not lucky enough to avoid Nadal passing Federer's slam total.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Yep, lucky for you 2 of the 4 slams are played on the artificial surface. Although not lucky enough to avoid Nadal passing Federer's slam total.

Ferrer should've won today and even Simon the pusher of all pushers was bullying Nadal around for large parts of their match a couple weeks ago. These are at 2 of Nadal's favourite tournaments. Sorry but he's done. He won't win another slam outside of RG.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

Ferrer should've won today and even Simon the pusher of all pushers was bullying Nadal around for large parts of their match a couple weeks ago. These are at 2 of Nadal's favourite tournaments. Sorry but he's done. He won't win another slam outside of RG.

Ok, then I'll quote you the day after the 2012 Wimbledon final :lol: He sure ain't losing to Federer, that is for sure.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

2 singles Gold Medals will look good in the record book too, I might add.

 

[Tenez101]

2 singles Gold Medals will look good in the record book too, I might add.

So would a WTF title.


...and a non-clay title defense.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

So would a WTF title.


...and a non-clay title defense.

Nah, that's indoors, not important.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

Nah, that's indoors, not important.

Yet if he didn't suck so bad at it, it would suddenly become important.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

Yet if he didn't suck so bad at it, it would suddenly become important.

I'd never play tennis indoors. You are basically saying "I'm scared of the weather". Humiliating. And Nadal was in the WTF 2010 final and 1-set all with Federer, so he's more than proven himself (not that it matters).

 

[WhiskeyEE]

I'd never play tennis indoors. You are basically saying "I'm scared of the weather". Humiliating. And Nadal was in the WTF 2010 final and 1-set all with Federer, so he's more than proven himself (not that it matters).

He wouldn't have if the 2 best indoor players (arguably 3) weren't in group B.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

He wouldn't have if the 2 best indoor players (arguably 3) weren't in group B.

Well.....Nadal beat Djokovic in the 2010 World Tour finals. So not sure how that can be a bad thing.

 

[WhiskeyEE]

It also doesn't mean much considering he sucks indoors like Nadal.

 

[Feather]

Federer cant even beat Berdych and Tsonga at Wimbledon anymore. If he plays Nadal there with his current sh1tty grass court game he will get mauled. *******s should be thankful Federer isnt good enough on grass to ever reach Nadal at Wimbledon again probably, as his career winning grass H2H will be gone forever if he does. U.S Open they might have an ok match, with Nadal probably still winning in 4 sets.

I really dont know why you say this. Tsonga played a match of his life. He has beaten Rafa on harf court. Rafa should consider himself lucky that he didnt get Tsonga in Wimbledon.

Anyway, this year Rafa is not gonna make finals of Wimbledon. He is gonna lose points big time.

 

[Frying Pan Forehand]

I really dont know why you say this. Tsonga played a match of his life. He has beaten Rafa on harf court. Rafa should consider himself lucky that he didnt get Tsonga in Wimbledon.

Anyway, this year Rafa is not gonna make finals of Wimbledon. He is gonna lose points big time.

Fail.
Wanna bet he gets tot he final?

 

[Feather]

So would a WTF title.


...and a non-clay title defense.

and a non-clay defense :wink:

 

[Cup8489]

Look at NSK. Guy has no connection to reality, thinking that Nadal is a lock for the Gold and Wimbledon finals, and that WTF doesn't matter because it's indoors and only 'sissies' play indoors.

As if he actaully plays tennis, LOL.

I'll make a bet with you NSK about Wimbledon and Gold. I contend that Rafa will not make both finals, and will not win either.

 

[Feather]

Look at NSK. Guy has no connection to reality, thinking that Nadal is a lock for the Gold and Wimbledon finals, and that WTF doesn't matter because it's indoors and only 'sissies' play indoors.

As if he actaully plays tennis, LOL.

I'll make a bet with you NSK about Wimbledon and Gold. I contend that Rafa will not make both finals, and will not win either.

Worst case scenario for Rafa - just one more RG
Best case scenario for Rafa - two more RG and one more hard court, AO maybe

I don't think that he will ever touch 14. I am also of the view that Rafa is not gonna make both finals.

 

[Feather]

Nadal only won ONE slam in 2009, then won 3 slams in a row in 2010. Nadal only won ONE slam in 2011, about to win 3 slams in a row in 2012? Seems like he needs an "off-year" to get motivated. He looks more motivated now than ever, and is playing twice as well this year than he was last year on clay. Also had his 2nd best Australian Open ever, this year. Don't be surprised if he's going for THE RAFA SLAM at the Australian Open next year.

I thought he is already going for the Rafa slam at French Open :wink:

 

[nadal_slam_king]

LOL@Nadal only winning one more RG. Who's going to win them if Nadal doesn't? :lol: Federer? :lol: And it will only get easier for Nadal as Federer sinks into retirement over the next 5 years. Nadal will get a few nervous debutant finalists after that. Maybe Djokovic's brother will be there in 5 years.

 

[monfed]

Djokovic is going for the Nole Slam at the French! 4 consecutive Grand Slams...all won over the legendary Rafa! That would really be something! *******s will be on suicide watch if Djokovic makes the French final. They'll all be sh*tting themselves prior to the final! :lol:
"Please win Rafa...please win Rafa...please win Rafa!!!"

ROFL!!! :lol:

I think we may have lost some if MC had a different result. :lol:

 

[nadal_slam_king]

Look at NSK. Guy has no connection to reality, thinking that Nadal is a lock for the Gold and Wimbledon finals, and that WTF doesn't matter because it's indoors and only 'sissies' play indoors.

As if he actaully plays tennis, LOL.

I'll make a bet with you NSK about Wimbledon and Gold. I contend that Rafa will not make both finals, and will not win either.

Everyone has their opinion of indoor tennis. Having played it myself, I felt like I was cheating the tennis gods by taking the easy way out. Of course I've been training in extremely windy conditions, so indoors really does seem ridiculous by comparison.

I never said "lock" about anything. Like everyone else, I have my opinion on who I think will win an event. Simple situation, nothing special. And I would never make a bet. If I make a bet then I will be thinking of some idiot poster during the event, rather than thinking of what really matters - the tennis match taking place.

 

[helloworld]

Will he even reach 14??

 

[jackson vile]

I want Djokovic or Federer or anybody else to win RG because the Rafa **** base is the funniest thing in the world. I find that 95% of them just watch and worship Rafa, who is actually a decent guy, but doesn't really have any tennis skills except running around like a rabbit, awaiting for his opponents to make UE... and yeah, sure his FH is OK.

Don't take on there stupid, it is only going to make you look bad. Just wait, a few more weeks...

 

[TennisCJC]

And for the record, I laugh at Roanic as a 'dangerous floater'. So clumsy, so limited. Good enough to beat most players, but nowhere near good enough overall.

As others have stated above, Raonic is a real threat to the top guys. He serves as bis as Isner and has a better ground game to back it up. Also, still improving. He just made semi of Barcelona clay court and gave Ferrer a run for his money. Of the top 4, I think Nadal would have the biggest problem with Raonic as players like Soderling and Isner have beaten or given Nadal a real scare at majors. Nadal has weakest return of top 4 and plays further back in the court against big hitters. Realistically, Nadal will win 7+ times out of 10 against Raonic at the moment but Raonic is improving and my pick to win a slam in the next 2-3 years.

 

[nadal_slam_king]

As others have stated above, Raonic is a real threat to the top guys. He serves as bis as Isner and has a better ground game to back it up. Also, still improving. He just made semi of Barcelona clay court and gave Ferrer a run for his money. Of the top 4, I think Nadal would have the biggest problem with Raonic as players like Soderling and Isner have beaten or given Nadal a real scare at majors. Nadal has weakest return of top 4 and plays further back in the court against big hitters. Realistically, Nadal will win 7+ times out of 10 against Raonic at the moment but Raonic is improving and my pick to win a slam in the next 2-3 years.

Have you seen Nadal's matches vs Raonic? Raonic can't even hold serve for a set :lol: