rallyjunkie
Banned
THis is only a theory. I say this with all due respect to Rafa who is the greatest player I have ever seen play this sport. But against Ferrer it seems he has lost that fraction of speed, the half step as they call it. He was moving well and fighting hard but unlike the past he was not able to get to those wide balls. Ferrer was hammering him. He is at that same age when Chang and Hewitt lost some of their blazing speed. Nadal is much bigger and heavier than them, so it's going to hurt his game more.
I don't think there realy was an injury. Rafa really doesn't understand why he really lost. His mind could have created some hamstring thigh ache which he can then rationalize as the reason why he lost the match. The great champion that he is must have a reason in his own mind of why he failed. SO he can come back next time and fight again with full belief. The loss of speed doesn't show against lesser players, only top players can exploit it.
Rafa of course is probably in denial that he has lost anything. Or was it that Ferrer just played out of his mind, or suddenly became a stronger player, who now has raised his game to a new level?
It's a good debate. Believe me, I am not trying to discredit Rafa in any way, just saying what I believe. I think he's lost that half step and he's having trouble dealing with it. Last year was an epic year and it took something out of him, long term, like the Olympics did from Massu. Nadal is paying the stiff price for all he achieved last year. And this is why he lost to Ferrer. The amazing Nadal speed could be gone. The great reign of Rafa Nadal could be over.
I don't think there realy was an injury. Rafa really doesn't understand why he really lost. His mind could have created some hamstring thigh ache which he can then rationalize as the reason why he lost the match. The great champion that he is must have a reason in his own mind of why he failed. SO he can come back next time and fight again with full belief. The loss of speed doesn't show against lesser players, only top players can exploit it.
Rafa of course is probably in denial that he has lost anything. Or was it that Ferrer just played out of his mind, or suddenly became a stronger player, who now has raised his game to a new level?
It's a good debate. Believe me, I am not trying to discredit Rafa in any way, just saying what I believe. I think he's lost that half step and he's having trouble dealing with it. Last year was an epic year and it took something out of him, long term, like the Olympics did from Massu. Nadal is paying the stiff price for all he achieved last year. And this is why he lost to Ferrer. The amazing Nadal speed could be gone. The great reign of Rafa Nadal could be over.