I can't wait for Nadal to be back

[LetWinner]

I sincerely hope that Nadal is able to get back to full health and give 2024 a really good shot. As great as the rivalry between Djokovic and Alcaraz is, I feel like there is always a solemn/grim mood when it is only 1 or 2 players who are in contention. The best years were when the Big 3 were at each other's necks, especially at the times when Murray was just behind them. A Nadal at near 100% physically would really be a welcomed addition. I also feel like he can provide great matches for both Alcaraz and Djokovic at this stage because of how his game has morphed since 2017. It's a shame we didn't get to see Djokovic vs. Nadal off-clay when he was in good form last year, and in general he hasn't had the chance to face Djokovic off-clay many times since 2017, so more of that would be very nice. A passing of the torch moment between him and Alcaraz would be great too, as they haven't met in slams yet.

Nadal coming back also puts into play many interesting narratives. Right now we have the young ATG trying to overcome the old ATG to become top dog. If Nadal comes back in good shape, we can see Alcaraz try to overcome Djokovic on HC and Nadal on clay at the same time. We can also hopefully see a competitive last chapter of the slam race, and a decisive closing. If someone besides Djokovic wins USO, Nadal comes into next year only 1 slam behind, and with RG being on both Djokovic and Alcaraz' non-preferred surfaces (IMO), I can easily see him tying the race at 23 all heading into Wimbledon. Having Djokovic and Nadal compete for the slam race while also trying to hold off Alcaraz makes the situation very dynamic, and also very different from the past young ATG coronations.

For me, a high-level Nadal comeback would make 2024 one of the most memorable and dramatic tennis years in the last decade.





vamos

 

[NeutralFan]

Imo he's as good as done but let's see.

 

[TheNachoMan]

I am looking forward to him reviving his rivalry with Mackenzie McDonald.

 

[NeutralFan]

I am looking forward to him reviving his rivalry with Mackenzie McDonald.

How can a Mesi fan like Messi moving to a retirement league when he had 2-3, years of top football left? It's baffling.

 

[TheNachoMan]

How can a Mesi fan like Messi moving to a retirement league when he had 2-3, years of top football left? It's baffling.

Would have liked for him to play in Europe for a couple more years, but he clearly felt like he had nothing left to give. It’s just nice to see him enjoying himself outside of that toxic cesspit called P$G.

 

[mahatma]

lol okay. Your wait will be over in ‘24. Let’s just hope he gives his fans gameplay worth the wait

 

[NeutralFan]

Would have liked for him to play in Europe for a couple more years, but he clearly felt like he had nothing left to give. It’s just nice to see him enjoying himself outside of that toxic cesspit called P$G.

True, IMO Messi is not a kind of guy who cares much about fame and accolades. I am not his fan but I was disappointed to see him leaving Europe. I hate Barca but you have to hate football to not like watching Messi play, he's beyond best.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I hope it's one last epic beast comeback, if anyone is capable, it's Rafa.

 

[Kralingen]

Much as I want to see such a legend go out on his own terms, realistically he’s only got a few tournaments of top level play left in him.

What the game needs is a viable Alcaraz rival in his own generation, not the final swansongs of men 15 years his senior.

I still do truly believe that old Nadal who rehabs and comes into clay season without serious injury issues will win RG though. Old habits die hard.

 

[Rosstour]

How can a Mesi fan like Messi moving to a retirement league when he had 2-3, years of top football left? It's baffling.

I think it's awesome, and at least he didn't go to some Arab dictatorship

 

[djokovic the conqueror]

If Nadal does come back, he'll make sure he does whatever it takes to avoid Djokovic off clay. Gotta preserve his h2h and try to win a 60th match on clay no?

Now if Nadal is brave enough to face Djokovic off clay it would be a pleasant surprise.

 

[DogInSpace]

If Nadal does come back, he'll make sure he does whatever it takes to avoid Djokovic off clay. Gotta preserve his h2h and try to win a 60th match on clay no?

Now if Nadal is brave enough to face Djokovic off clay it would be a pleasant surprise.

Not everything is about Djokovic

oh man, who am I even replying to...

 

[Start da Game]

as much i would love that to happen, he is too old, injured and done.......no one can stop alcaraz at roland garros next year.......the torch is passed to him to carry over the spanish legacy over the next 5 years for a start......

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

I hope Rafa wasn’t watching that match or a tape of it for his own sake. That’s the level he has to get back to now. Good luck with that! Lol

 

[Start da Game]

next year is all about one last fight and retiring, a la rocky - 6......rest everything is just wishful thinking, we have to be realistic......

 

[ballamaz]

The delusion continues.

Carlos is a better version of Rafa in all aspects.

Why not back him?

 

[DogInSpace]

The delusion continues.

Carlos is a better version of Rafa in all aspects.

Why not back him?

lol

Alcaraz is 1-2 h2h against Nadal.

And that is against way past his prime, decaying, worn out, bald Oldal who moved like a waggon full of coal.

 

[ballamaz]

lol

Alcaraz is 1-2 h2h against Nadal.

And that is against way past his prime, decaying, worn out, bald Oldal who moved like a waggon full of coal.

I do really mean "better".

But since you bring up h2h, who's your money on if Nadal played either of these two today?

 

[DogInSpace]

I do really mean "better".

But since you bring up h2h, who's your money on if Nadal played either of these two today?

Nadal would loose today

...and?

 

[weakera]

"I just love a grand slam... ham."

 

[Hitman]

I hope Rafa wasn’t watching that match or a tape of it for his own sake. That’s the level he has to get back to now. Good luck with that! Lol

Hopefully he can get past the McDonalds of the world.

 

[topher]

I find it doubtful that Novak doesn’t win at least one of this USO and the next AO. So the fantasy of Rafa tieing the slam race again seems far-fetched.

Carlitos is not consistent enough to win both yet imo and the only other player capable of beating him (Med) is not playing well enough.

 

[WeekendTennisHack]

Would be fitting if he goes out getting bagelled at FO2024, like Fed at W.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

i can wait......

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Hopefully he can get past the McDonalds of the world.

That should be his main aim first. Baby steps! Lol

 

[DogInSpace]

I hope Rafa wasn’t watching that match or a tape of it for his own sake. That’s the level he has to get back to now. Good luck with that! Lol

Last time we have seen healthy Nadal on tour he defeated both of them ...

Hopefully he can get past the McDonalds of the world.

That should be his main aim first. Baby steps! Lol

... but yeah let's focus on 2nd round of AO23 where he played with -most likely- career ending injury

As always low class Diokobot family doesn't disappoint

 

[SonnyT]

Nadal in 2024 will test Djokovic and Alcaraz only on clay. Anything else will be a foregone conclusion.

 

[TheNachoMan]

Last time we have seen healthy Nadal on tour

...was never

 

[DogInSpace]

...was never

 

[nolefam_2024]

Would be fitting if he goes out getting bagelled at FO2024, like Fed at W.

That would be so so good. Fed was long due.

 

[Rattie]

Would be fitting if he goes out getting bagelled at FO2024, like Fed at W.

Why?

 

[Start da Game]

Nadal in 2024 will test Djokovic and Alcaraz only on clay. Anything else will be a foregone conclusion.

not even on clay, he had a career ending surgery and that's pretty much it.....he has only himself to blame for not keeping himself fit for hyper inflation era and win 25 slams.....there was no need to play in australia and get injured again when he was already injured.....

 

[Rattie]

not even on clay, he had a career ending surgery and that's pretty much it.....he has only himself to blame for not keeping himself fit for hyper inflation era and win 25 slams.....there was no need to play in australia and get injured again when he was already injured.....

I read some rubbish on this board sometimes…

 

[DSH]

Imo he's as good as done but let's see.

One last tango (and twice) in Paris for the Spanish bull in 2024.

 

[DSH]

Much as I want to see such a legend go out on his own terms, realistically he’s only got a few tournaments of top level play left in him.

What the game needs is a viable Alcaraz rival in his own generation, not the final swansongs of men 15 years his senior.

I still do truly believe that old Nadal who rehabs and comes into clay season without serious injury issues will win RG though. Old habits die hard.

Nadal, in the summer of Paris, even with his much diminished version, will give an anthological dance to everyone there.

 

[messiahrobins]

Lots of bile towards nadal on here in this thread. In most sports the team or person seen as the top dog gets the most hate. Manchester City a good example at the moment. Real Madrid far less popular than Barcelona another example.
I doubt Nadal comes back. He ended his career at RG2022 having all those foot injections. Becoming president of real madrid i would think now at his age is more impoetant than tennis as he achieved alk there is to achieve in tennis. Nothing more left to do in tennis. Plenty to do as owner of Real Madrid to keep them up with the oil rich clubs PSG and Man City.

 

[Rafa the King]

I believe! One last comeback. The optimist in me hopes he is fully healed by november but I mainly fear new injuries, not the current one. I do believe the hunger will be there. 2022 was not that long ago and if he can get back to the level he had up until the IW injury, he will be a slam contender once more at all the slams + RG will always be there if he can play without pain limiting him ala 2022.

 

[Vincent-C]

I hope it's one last epic beast comeback, if anyone is capable, it's Rafa.

If anyone is capable, it's [enhanced] Rafa.

 

[Incognito]

I think it's awesome, and at least he didn't go to some Arab dictatorship

You’d rather have him go to countries that invade other countries and kill millions of people?

 

[Sudacafan]

Hopefully he can get past the McDonalds of the world.

And the Burger Kings.

 

[Beulah Jesus]

i can wait......

Rafa will be back in good time. I know you've missed him almost as much as I have.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Rafa will be back in good time. I know you've missed him almost as much as I have.

Exactly lol, Vive barely posts anymore

 

[Underdog]

Yes, that would be amazing. I, for one, I’m skeptical that we’ll see goating Nadal again, but, man.
If he somehow manages an epic comeback next year it would be magnificent. Very emotional and hopeful that it can happen.

 

[GuyForget]

I sincerely hope that Nadal is able to get back to full health and give 2024 a really good shot. As great as the rivalry between Djokovic and Alcaraz is, I feel like there is always a solemn/grim mood when it is only 1 or 2 players who are in contention. The best years were when the Big 3 were at each other's necks, especially at the times when Murray was just behind them. A Nadal at near 100% physically would really be a welcomed addition. I also feel like he can provide great matches for both Alcaraz and Djokovic at this stage because of how his game has morphed since 2017. It's a shame we didn't get to see Djokovic vs. Nadal off-clay when he was in good form last year, and in general he hasn't had the chance to face Djokovic off-clay many times since 2017, so more of that would be very nice. A passing of the torch moment between him and Alcaraz would be great too, as they haven't met in slams yet.

Nadal coming back also puts into play many interesting narratives. Right now we have the young ATG trying to overcome the old ATG to become top dog. If Nadal comes back in good shape, we can see Alcaraz try to overcome Djokovic on HC and Nadal on clay at the same time. We can also hopefully see a competitive last chapter of the slam race, and a decisive closing. If someone besides Djokovic wins USO, Nadal comes into next year only 1 slam behind, and with RG being on both Djokovic and Alcaraz' non-preferred surfaces (IMO), I can easily see him tying the race at 23 all heading into Wimbledon. Having Djokovic and Nadal compete for the slam race while also trying to hold off Alcaraz makes the situation very dynamic, and also very different from the past young ATG coronations.

For me, a high-level Nadal comeback would make 2024 one of the most memorable and dramatic tennis years in the last decade.





vamos

Nadal vs Djokovic off clay? you're joking right, gotta go back to 2013 to see Nadal win one of them

 

[ultimathule]

Well, as Hemingway writes, "Isn't it pretty to think so?"

 

[DSH]

Exactly lol, Vive barely posts anymore

Vive is saddened by the indefinite absence of the Spanish bull.

 

[fuzzyballs21]

Don’t like Nadal. World love to make some joke about butt picking, but I just wish him good health.

 

[jm1980]

Much as I want to see such a legend go out on his own terms, realistically he’s only got a few tournaments of top level play left in him.

What the game needs is a viable Alcaraz rival in his own generation, not the final swansongs of men 15 years his senior.

I still do truly believe that old Nadal who rehabs and comes into clay season without serious injury issues will win RG though. Old habits die hard.

Nadal is 17 years older, Djokovic 16 years

 

[jimmy8]

Nadal is pretty old and he has a very gnarled foot. Joker might win us open and Australian open.

I'd rather see martina hingis and/or Justine Henin comeback.

 

[MichaelNadal]