Spin Diesel
Hall of Fame
If if if Nadal comes back in 2024 and plays well, would it mean something if if if Alcaraz beats him at RG? Or is it just a win over post-prime-injured Nadal then? What if if if Nadal beats Alcaraz?
If if if Nadal comes back in 2024 and plays well, would it mean something if if if Alcaraz beats him at RG?
- Thread starter Spin Diesel
- Start date
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
Nadal will always be the favourite at RG if he plays. I’d love to see a Nadal v alcaraz french final though. That would be awesome.
Spin Diesel
Hall of Fame
I would alone love to see the odds for that match.
ibbi
G.O.A.T.
With a questionable hip it will be a miracle if Nadal was seriously competitive. Like, he might be Murray-level at best. Not sure beating him will mean much. Would love to be wrong on this one, but bad hips are pretty much undefeated in tennis. He might get to play Alcaraz only because they might be able to meet in the first round
Spin Diesel
Hall of Fame
I don't know anything about this stuff but isn't it possibly a hip-problem from which he can fully recover from?With a questionable hip it will be a miracle if Nadal was seriously competitive. Like, he might be Murray-level at best. Not sure beating him will mean much. Would love to be wrong on this one, but bad hips are pretty much undefeated in tennis. He might get to play Alcaraz only because they might be able to meet in the first round
ibbi
G.O.A.T.
I guess so. He had surgery on it, so it had to be pretty serious. When players have tended to have serious hip issues over the years - Guga, Hewitt, Rios, Nalbandian, Murray - they are never really the same after it, and all those guys were much younger than Rafa is when it happened to them.
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
That match could happen in the first round considering Nadal is ranked 138 now.
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
True
messiahrobins
Legend
As much as i love Nadal i cant see how he would beat Alcaraz. Ive said why i cant see djokovic beat alcaraz over 5 sets . Same applies to Rafa. They are basically playing a version of themselves from 15 years ago.
messiahrobins
Legend
In a final there are no excuses. Its two guys playing well at their best or obviously close to it . If any other round excuses can be made about post prime etc but not a final.
If alcaraz tags Nadal in a RG final after he got novak at W he is on the fast track to goathood really. Wont take him 10 years to get the accolade.
jackson vile
G.O.A.T.
No!
NeutralFan
G.O.A.T.
Not true, at least not yet!
Djokovic_is_the_best#1
Bionic Poster
Same here really. I said this more out of past glory than current reality. The fact is alcaraz will be the huge favourite to win the French next year and most of the slams going forward.
NeutralFan
G.O.A.T.
Lol hopium is way too strong with some posters, majority of Rafans have already made a peace that he's as good as retired.
OldschoolKIaus
Hall of Fame
Bery tough question.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
Nadal isn't coming back.
Alcaraz won't be losing to him anywhere even if he does.
Nadal could barely handle an 18-year old Alcaraz in the first half of 2022 when he won the AO and FO, he has literally zero chance now when he's probably a fraction of that player (let alone peak Nadal) and Alcaraz is 10x better.
Alcaraz won't be losing to him anywhere even if he does.
Nadal could barely handle an 18-year old Alcaraz in the first half of 2022 when he won the AO and FO, he has literally zero chance now when he's probably a fraction of that player (let alone peak Nadal) and Alcaraz is 10x better.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
Fed's only coming back to join Nadal in doubles for Nadal's retirement match.
He said in one of his recent interviews that he hasn't played tennis in a year or something, but he'd probably need to hit the ball for an hour or two and he'll be good to go.
Sudacafan
Bionic Poster
I already know that it’s impossible. Unfortunately, you are right.
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
BauerAlmeida
Hall of Fame
Not much. FAA took him to 5 in his last RG. Whatever level he shows in 2024 it surely won't be anything compared to peak Nadal.
If Alcaraz beats Nadal - Nadal was injured.
If Nadal beats Alcaraz at RG - it’s nothing new. Lol
Unseeded Player
Hall of Fame
His situation is simmilar with Fed in 2021. He might come back on the court but no miracle is going to happen.
Wooly
Rookie
this. He will get it and play his last Rolland Garros and quit. And its totally ok.
It would mean Nadal isn't playing well well well
I Am Finnish
Bionic Poster
THUNDERVOLLEY
G.O.A.T.
Good point. Unless Nadal was treated by the best hip surgeons and therapists in the world (and we should assume a man in his position would seek that level of medical care), I see him having a sad, early exit at the 2024 French Open. Showing up just lose in early rounds is no way to leave the sport for a player of his historic level.
Vincent-C
Legend
With the aid of the Secret Sauce, one never knows.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/15/...uiry-haunts-spanish-sport-after-a-decade.html
Service Ace
Hall of Fame
According to Nadal fans, this is how it has worked for every one of Nadal’s opponents for his entire career though.
Vincent-C
Legend
Agreed: Nadal has only lost matches when "injured". AO v. Stan, who was already blowing the so-delicate, enhanced Spaniard off the court..
I am so glad Wawrinka won that match.
Last edited:
ElChivoEspañol
Hall of Fame
Imagine getting excited about the prospect of an almost retired Nadal vs the current 21 yr old #1.
I guess Nadal is like that broken OP character that needs nerfing for the game to get a bit entertaining lol.
CHillTennis
Hall of Fame
I am hoping for Rod Laver to come back and school these mugs.
Rafa4LifeEver
G.O.A.T.
Nadal 2008 would annihilate this 2023 Alcaraz.
DSH
Talk Tennis Guru
But it wouldn't be fair.
Alcaraz still lacks a couple of years to be able to establish a more realistic comparison between the two.
Unseeded Player
Hall of Fame
Nah, the sauce can't replace the foot or the hip.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Im so sorry it took you 20 years to pump your chest out about the demise of your daddy
optic yellow
Legend
Nadal 2008 = 2 years older than 2023 Alcaraz
NeutralFan
G.O.A.T.
True it can only be helpful for stamina
Unseeded Player
Hall of Fame
No, protective ranking only works for entering the tournament not for seeding. Nadal might meet Carlos in early round.
Sudacafan
Bionic Poster
OK. Wishing, not hoping.
accidental
Hall of Fame
If Nadal is actually playing pain free at the French open he will win it. Doesn’t matter who he plays on the way
TearTheRoofOff
G.O.A.T.
Nadal is sucks.
Rafa4LifeEver
G.O.A.T.
The post I quoted specifically mentioned "from 15 years ago"
Rafa4LifeEver
G.O.A.T.
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