How will pressure affect Rafa?

[mike danny]

Remeber Fed when he was getting closer and closer to Pete's record? I think this type of pressure began at the USO in 2007.

Even against Nadal at the AO in 2009. Despite his mental struggle vs the spaniard i think at that moment Fed also had the pressure of equalling the record with that win. That pressure expanded itself at W later that year.

Federer stopped playing like he was between 2004-2006 because he knw that he was getting closer and closer and the pressure got to him. No matter how great you are pressure one way or another gets to you.

If Nadal manges to put himself in such a scenario i am curious to see how will he be able to cope with it compared to Federer? Like now for ex. He is 1 GS away from pete's record.

What do you guys think?

 

[Dedans Penthouse]

I don't know about any pressure, but right now (the "eye" test), I don't know if Rafa is at the top of his game. Forget Djoko, Fed's looked better than him thus far.

 

[90's Clay]

Well Nadal takes his breaks from tour.. He theoretically probably has another 4 years to break the record. Thats quite a few chances.

I think 15 slams is the magic number this year. If he can make 15 by the end of the year, I have no doubt he is not gonna go all out to win 3 more slams to break the record

I think the only pressure is determined on if Joker stands in his way. He can routine beat anyone else

Nadal going out injured in 2009 enabled Fed to win 2 slams that year and break the record. Something similar will probably have to happen for Nadal. Maybe.. Though Nadal doesn't have nearly the issues with Nole that Fed had with Nadal


There wasn't much "pressure" on Fed either considering Nadal was not around at the time. When your main rival is out and you don't have to worry about him, then some of the "pressure" is off.


If Nadal played all of 2009 than the pressure on Fed would have been HUGE

 

[mike danny]

Well Nadal takes his breaks from tour.. He theoretically probably has another 4 years to break the record. Thats quite a few chances.

I think 15 slams is the magic number this year. If he can make 15 by the end of the year, I have no doubt he is not gonna go all out to win 3 more slams to break the record

I think the only pressure is determined on if Joker stands in his way. He can routine beat anyone else

Nadal going out injured in 2009 enabled Fed to win 2 slams that year and break the record. Something similar will probably have to happen for Nadal. Maybe.. Though Nadal doesn't have nearly the issues with Nole that Fed had with Nadal


There wasn't much "pressure" on Fed either considering Nadal was not around at the time. When your main rival is out and you don't have to worry about him, then some of the "pressure" is off.


If Nadal played all of 2009 than the pressure on Fed would have been HUGE

Yes but i am talkin about the pressure of the moment. I doubt he would be able to play as freely as he did all these years.

I have not watched Sampras but maybe you know? How was he coping with the pressure of breaking emerson's slam record?

 

[90's Clay]

Yes but i am talkin about the pressure of the moment. I doubt he would be able to play as freely as he did all these years.

I have not watched Sampras but maybe you know? How was he coping with the pressure of breaking emerson's slam record?

Sampras was injured when he broke the record in 2000 at wimbledon. So I guess there was some pressure there. He had a nice draw there however.

I think there was actually more pressure on Sampras to win that 14th slam before he retired

 

[Phoenix1983]

Rafa won't feel pressure to tie or beat Sampras, since his 14 slams are no longer the record.

It's if and when he approaches Federer that the pressure will begin.

 

[mike danny]

Rafa won't feel pressure to tie or beat Sampras, since his 14 slams are no longer the record.

It's if and when he approaches Federer that the pressure will begin.

I think he will start feeling some pressure when he approacehd his 15th slam

 

[tennisaddict]

I hope Rafa can get up to 16 majors.

 

[topher]

Remeber Fed when he was getting closer and closer to Pete's record? I think this type of pressure began at the USO in 2007.

Even against Nadal at the AO in 2009. Despite his mental struggle vs the spaniard i think at that moment Fed also had the pressure of equalling the record with that win. That pressure expanded itself at W later that year.

I sure hope Nadal experiences that kind of pressure, as Fed won 2 out of the 3 tournies you mentioned and was a hair away from going 3 for 3. That 5th set at the AO 2009 was strange though...besides that and AO 2008, none of his performances at the majors seemed out of character for him in that time period: Beat everyone else, struggle against Nadal.

Federer stopped playing like he was between 2004-2006 because he knw that he was getting closer and closer and the pressure got to him. No matter how great you are pressure one way or another gets to you.

If Nadal manges to put himself in such a scenario i am curious to see how will he be able to cope with it compared to Federer? Like now for ex. He is 1 GS away from pete's record.

What do you guys think?

I always assumed more abstract goals like that tended to have less of an impact on matches then the more immediate moment of the match itself. The Wim 07 and 08 matches both put a lot of pressure on both players because it was the 2 greatest rivals on the most epic stage, long-term stuff like Roger's Wimbledon streak were too removed.

I'm sure Rafa would be honored to tie Pete's record, but all that could do is enhance his focus in training imo. He won't be thinking about Pete Sampras in a major final against Novak. If he were playing Roger to get his 17th maybe, but I think it's both unlikely that Rafa gets that far and unlikely that Roger reaches a major final at that point in his career.

 

[mike danny]

Still i will be courious to see how he will handle it. Getting closer and closer to the all-time record

 

[Chanwan]

I think Rafa is very good at convincing himself of just how little he cares about records and how he's not the favorite against anyone and not a top-5 player in the Open Era.
And I think this attitude will help him going forward. Everybody were reminding Fed of him closing in on the record years before it happened. And Fed - being Fed - was happy to engage in the discussion in a way that I don't think Nadal ever will.
Even if he gets to 16 or is tied at 17, I think he will say prior to every slam, including the RG: 'It's a long tournament and I'm not the favorite. I only hope to be competitive against my next opponent, no? I will need to play my very best to have, maybe, a chance to win that match, no?'
Which will help him deal with the pressure.

 

[NADALRECORD]

The only thing we know for sure about Nadal, is that he will win more slams than Federer. Why? 3 reasons:

Nadal is the greatest competitor in the history of sport (you seriously think he'll let Federer finish with more slams?).

Nadal is also the mentally strongest competitor in the history of sport (especially in 2013 and now 2014 the Nishikori match being exhibit A).

Nadal is the only member of 'the big 4' to have no back problem (that is why his slam-winning career will outlast Murray/Djokovic/Federer).

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Sampras was injured when he broke the record in 2000 at wimbledon. So I guess there was some pressure there. He had a nice draw there however.

I think there was actually more pressure on Sampras to win that 14th slam before he retired

It is quite amazing that both Federer and Nadal, who have been playing each other for a decade now, will be known as greater players than Sampras. I didn't think Sampras was going to be passed so soon after that amazing USO run he had, and to be passed by two players.

The only thing we know for sure about Nadal, is that he will win more slams than Federer. Why? 3 reasons:

Nadal is the greatest competitor in the history of sport (you seriously think he'll let Federer finish with more slams?).

Nadal is also the mentally strongest competitor in the history of sport (especially in 2013 and now 2014 the Nishikori match being exhibit A).

Nadal is the only member of 'the big 4' to have no back problem (that is why his slam-winning career will outlast Murray/Djokovic/Federer).

You obviously haven't see many other sports, have you?

 

[Forehand Of Doom]

I think Nadal always has pressure because he is very competitive. He hasn't been under more pressure than around the USO in 2011 for obvious reasons.

I agree with Dedans that he seems to be at a low form now compared with the rest, and I don't know why that is. Up to the Monfils match he was playing well, but he hadn't been really challenged. Nishikori played well and I wasn't too impressed with Nadal.

 

[mike danny]

I think Nadal always has pressure because he is very competitive. He hasn't been under more pressure than around the USO in 2011 for obvious reasons.

I agree with Dedans that he seems to be at a low form now compared with the rest, and I don't know why that is. Up to the Monfils match he was playing well, but he hadn't been really challenged. Nishikori played well and I wasn't too impressed with Nadal.

So straight sets is not enough?

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

i sincerly hope the nadal never feels such pressure that could hurt his little humble heart.
(in the future, maybe he could even be invited to remember what it feels to be like us, mere TTTW posters, enjoying the peaceful feeling of having a proud total of zero slam(s) ?)

 

[Forehand Of Doom]

So straight sets is not enough?

It was 3 very close sets, but the result is secondary. What matters is that Nishikori was dictating most of the points and that Nadal was just playing quite bad. Djokovic would have straight setted him if they had played yesterday.

 

[Kenshin]

I think Nadal always has pressure because he is very competitive. He hasn't been under more pressure than around the USO in 2011 for obvious reasons.

I agree with Dedans that he seems to be at a low form now compared with the rest, and I don't know why that is. Up to the Monfils match he was playing well, but he hadn't been really challenged. Nishikori played well and I wasn't too impressed with Nadal.

Are you sure? To me, Nadal's match against Nishikori yesterday was by far the match of the tournament so far. I was really impressed by both of them because there were a lot of quality rallies in it.

 

[mike danny]

Are you sure? To me, Nadal's match against Nishikori yesterday was by far the match of the tournament so far. I was really impressed by both of them because there were a lot of qualities rallies in it.

After all nishikori has to impress somehow. He is viewed as one of the new generation guys

 

[Kenshin]

After all nishikori has to impress somehow. He is viewed as one of the new generation guys

Yeah, I was really happy to see him perform this well. That's why I'm hoping Dimitrov will somewhat step up his game against Nadal. I think we are finally seeing the new generation.

 

[Forehand Of Doom]

Are you sure? To me, Nadal's match against Nishikori yesterday was by far the match of the tournament so far. I was really impressed by both of them because there were a lot of quality rallies in it.

Nadal reverted to playing clay tennis on hardcourt for the most part. A lot of BH slices, running around the backhand, standing behind the baseline, and letting himself be bossed around the court by an inferior player. I think his serve was pretty good though, but overall I didn't enjoy Nadal's match.

 

[Rhino]

People always talk about Rafa having great mental strength in pressure moments but he messes up just like everybody else.
I remember when Djokovic had set point on Nadals serve in the Aus Open final, he double faulted. Everyone is human.

 

[NADALRECORD]

Yeah, I was really happy to see him perform this well. That's why I'm hoping Dimitrov will somewhat step up his game against Nadal. I think we are finally seeing the new generation.

Best-of-3-set is supposed to suit guys without great stamina. Yet Dimitrov still found a way to cramp vs Nadal :lol:

 

[NADALRECORD]

Nadal reverted to playing clay tennis on hardcourt for the most part. A lot of BH slices, running around the backhand, standing behind the baseline, and letting himself be bossed around the court by an inferior player. I think his serve was pretty good though, but overall I didn't enjoy Nadal's match.

And claycourt tennis won the match in straight sets. The way Nishikori was playing, he would have taken at least a set off anybody else. This is the advantage Nadal has over the field, he can play the best claycourt tennis in the world, or the best hardcourt tennis in the world. Actually I think claycourt tennis might be the way to go vs Dimitrov. Dimitrov is known for cramping, and already cramped in best-of-3-set matches. Nadal will probably welcome long rallies to take out Dimitrov's legs early.

 

[NADALRECORD]

People always talk about Rafa having great mental strength in pressure moments but he messes up just like everybody else.
I remember when Djokovic had set point on Nadals serve in the Aus Open final, he double faulted. Everyone is human.

That's true but I must say, in 2013 (and so far 2014) Nadal reached a new standard of mental toughness. I have never seen Nadal play better under pressure than in the last 8 months. He is becoming more poised than ever (and his standard of poise was already top of the tour before). This is the opposite to the career pattern of most other players. Most players become less steady under pressure as they get older. Nadal is improving with age. Agassi improved his mental toughness a bit as he got older too (but in Agassi's case, he was starting from a position of weakness).

 

[Forehand Of Doom]

And claycourt tennis won the match in straight sets. The way Nishikori was playing, he would have taken at least a set off anybody else. This is the advantage Nadal has over the field, he can play the best claycourt tennis in the world, or the best hardcourt tennis in the world. Actually I think claycourt tennis might be the way to go vs Dimitrov. Dimitrov is known for cramping, and already cramped in best-of-3-set matches. Nadal will probably welcome long rallies to take out Dimitrov's legs early.

Nadal can do much better though, and playing like this won't cut it against Djokovic (or even Murray/Federer).

It's also a bad idea to extend a match when it's not necessary, specially when you have a huge lister on your hand.

 

[The_Order]

Nadal reverted to playing clay tennis on hardcourt for the most part. A lot of BH slices, running around the backhand, standing behind the baseline, and letting himself be bossed around the court by an inferior player. I think his serve was pretty good though, but overall I didn't enjoy Nadal's match.

I could tell he was uncomfortable yesterday right from the first game. If you check the first couple pages of the match thread you'll see how I commented on him standing behind the baseline when receiving.

He went in with a passive mindset, Nishikori hasn't really troubled him in the past so he probably went in thinking he didn't need to be aggressive to win. I think he'll learn his lesson from that and come out fired up against Grigor, sometimes you need those scrappy type of wins to ignite the fire and become battle hardened for the tougher matches to come.

 

[welcome2petrkordaland]

Pressure? Nadal handles pressure ok.

It's the huge blister that I'm worried about! Ever tried playing multiple sets with that size of a blister in the palm of your hand? I don't wanna jinx 'em, but there ain't a whole lotta time for that to heal.

Apart from the blister, considering how Rafa decimated Monfils and routined the Aussie young guns and with Fed playing this well, you know he and Murray could have an epic match, so all in all, Rafa sans blister spell final... but that blister looks baaaad.

 

[Forehand Of Doom]

I could tell he was uncomfortable yesterday right from the first game. If you check the first couple pages of the match thread you'll see how I commented on him standing behind the baseline when receiving.

He went in with a passive mindset, Nishikori hasn't really troubled him in the past so he probably went in thinking he didn't need to be aggressive to win. I think he'll learn his lesson from that and come out fired up against Grigor, sometimes you need those scrappy type of wins to ignite the fire and become battle hardened for the tougher matches to come.

You are right, it was very obvious. Do you think the huge blister in his hand has anything to do with it? As if he couldn't swing the racquet so fast so he decided to wait behind the baseline to give himself some more time to prepare his shots?

 

[Forehand Of Doom]

Pressure? Nadal handles pressure ok.

It's the huge blister that I'm worried about! Ever tried playing multiple sets with that size of a blister in the palm of your hand? I don't wanna jinx 'em, but there ain't a whole lotta time for that to heal.

Apart from the blister, considering how Rafa decimated Monfils and routined the Aussie young guns and with Fed playing this well, you know he and Murray could have an epic match, so all in all, Rafa sans blister spell final... but that blister looks baaaad.

Yes, playing with blisters is very painful, specially if your hand gets cold (like between points or sets). I've never played with a blister like that on my hand, but on my fingers. And it really hurts. Hopefully he can deal with it properly without affecting his game too much.