If Nadal wins RG it will be a huge shock at 35

[Beckerserve]

35 years old!! Just think about it. He is eligible for seniors tour.
He has no business winning the hardest Major there is to win. Djokovic is yet to be 35 so really no excuses for him not winning the event.
No pressure on Nadal. He has won 20 Majors and leads the slam race with Federer. He can relax and just enjoy competing as he has nothing left in the game to achieve.
Popyrin is a brutal 1st round draw for Nadal. Easily hardest 1st round draw of the event. 21 v 35. Popyryn won Singapore. For me Popryn starts slight favourite. 14 year age gap is a massive advantage.
No pressure for Rafa. Just enjoy. Vamos

 

[alexio]

at 34 it wasn't huge but at 35 it's super huge, vamos!

 

[Beckerserve]

at 34 it wasn't huge but at 35 it's super huge, vamos!

35 the cut off point for seniors tour. So yes. Mega huge.

 

[Deleted member 748597]

"Djokovic is yet to be 35 so really no excuses for him not winning the event." - Beckerserve

 

[RF-18]

Didn't fed win a slam at 37? What are you on about with these threads.

 

[Sport]

Didn't fed win a slam at 37? What are you on about with these threads.

No.

 

[Hitman]

The guy with a 100-2 record at RG, having won 13 times, including the last four, who hasn't had a loss there in six years, having won the last time only seven months ago in straight sets is now going to give the tennis world a big shock by winning it again, because as soon as you hit 35 you start developing arthritis.

 

[RF-18]

No.

36 and a couple of months then

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

On the contrary. It will be one of the biggest shocks ever if he doesn’t win it.

 

[Tony48]

OP is clearly confused. It will be a shock if he doesn't win.

 

[weakera]

I have some goodies to bump if he wins.

 

[Tiki-Taka]

I don't think it's going to be easy, but we seriously don't need more StrongRules acting as Nadal winning Roland Garros would be a surprise.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

I don't think it's going to be easy, but we seriously don't need more StrongRules acting as Nadal winning Roland Garros would be a surprise.

That’s a fair analysis. Still after last year I think we need to see if anyone is capable of even getting a set off the king of clay first never mind trying to beat him at his domain.

 

[TheAssassin]

Yes, Nadal winning his favorite event at 35 would be a shock while Djokovic has no excuse not winning his least favorite Slam at the age of 34. What an underdog spin attempt lol...

 

[Yugram]

Nadal fanbase is the absolute worst.

 

[RF-18]

Nadal fanbase is the absolute worst.

Indeed.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

You could let Nadal start every round at RG 2 sets down and I’d still back him to win it.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Nadal fanbase is the absolute worst.

As a Djokovic fan I don’t want to go down that route. You are a respectable Rafa fan though and always give good analysis. I try to do the same as a Novak fan.

 

[Hitman]

Nadal fanbase is the absolute worst.

Its only certain 'educated' fans

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Yes, Nadal winning his favorite event at 35 would be a shock while Djokovic has no excuse not winning his least favorite Slam at the age of 34. What an underdog spin attempt lol...

Trying to spin nadal at RG as the underdog is like saying Kidderminster harriers are favourites to beat Bayern Munich haha.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

I thought the whole age thing had been debunked? Is 35 that significant?

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

I thought the whole age thing had been debunked? Is 35 that significant?

Not really these days. Especially with the programming and ways athletes can play for longer. Fed won Wimbledon 2017 at 36 so it’s not an issue. Plus this is Nadal at RG we talking about haha

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Not really these days. Especially with the programming and ways athletes can play for longer. Fed won Wimbledon 2017 at 36 so it’s not an issue. Plus this is Nadal at RG we talking about haha

Yeah. It's a new age. These guys could be winning in their early 40s. Federer maybe a bit unfortunate as he might not benefit from the advantages Nadal has at 35.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Yeah. It's a new age. These guys could be winning in their early 40s. Federer maybe a bit unfortunate as he might not benefit from the advantages Nadal has at 35.

Exactly right. Honestly even if Nadal at 35 started every round at RG a set or 2 sets down I’d still make him the favourite. That’s how ridiculously dominant he is at RG.

Maybe, they should try that to make the tournament more interesting haha

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Exactly right. Honestly even if Nadal at 35 started every round at RG a set or 2 sets down I’d still make him the favourite. That’s how ridiculously dominant he is at RG.

Maybe, they should try that to make the tournament more interesting haha

What's gonna happen when he wins RG #20? Will they have to say mandatory retirement age of 35? Lol.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

What's gonna happen when he wins RG #20? Will they have to say mandatory retirement age of 35? Lol.

Honestly we joke about it. However, he could realistically keep winning it for years to come. I mean by 40 he can have like close to 17 RG titles haha

 

[Deleted member 771911]

Honestly we joke about it. However, he could realistically keep winning it for years to come. I mean by 40 he can have like close to 17 RG titles haha

It's bad for the sport, imo. Need a shorter lifespan of top players so young guys want to have a go.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

It's bad for the sport, imo. Need a shorter lifespan of top players so young guys want to have a go.

I agree that much domination isn’t healthy for tennis. The problem is someone has to be good enough to dethrone him or Rafa lose his level. Neither looks likely anytime soon.

It seems the only way it ends is when Rafa finally had enough himself, or he gets a bad injury or Father Time gets him. As relying on someone to come through and be the new Nadal seems unlikely at moment.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

I agree that much domination isn’t health for tennis. The problem is someone has to be good enough to dethrone him or Rafa lose his level. Neither looks likely anytime soon.

It seems the only way it ends is when Rafa finally had enough himself, or he gets a bad injury or Father Time gets him. As relying on someone to come through and be the new Nadal seems unlikely at moment.

God I hope not. I would hate my tennis fan life to have been two thirds Nadal and a clone. I love Nadal but I love a quick turnover better. Makes things more interesting. I know some guys who watch tennis now and then and they say to me, what, Nadal is still winning? Hey?

 

[dr325i]

Not winning would be huger

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

God I hope not. I would hate my tennis fan life to have been two thirds Nadal and a clone. I love Nadal but I love a quick turnover better. Makes things more interesting. I know some guys who watch tennis now and then and they say to me, what, Nadal is still winning? Hey?

True we need new characters and new stories to help keep the sport exciting. However, so far no one is stepping up meaning Nadal and Djokovic are still dominating the sport.

 

[BeatlesFan]

He has won 20 Majors and leads the slam race with Federer.

When did Rafa win #21? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[The_Order]

The guy with a 100-2 record at RG, having won 13 times, including the last four, who hasn't had a loss there in six years, having won the last time only seven months ago in straight sets is now going to give the tennis world a big shock by winning it again, because as soon as you hit 35 you start developing arthritis.

Why would anyone take the OP serious when he's put Popyrin as the "slight favourite"?

 

[Deleted member 771911]

True we need new characters and new stories to help keep the sport exciting. However, so far no one is stepping up meaning Nadal and Djokovic are still dominating the sport.

Of course. It is what it is.
However it is a shame this is what has come about. There is no need for any sport to have the same guys at the top for so long. Conditions should be to push the young ones through.

 

[Martin J]

LOL, the OP is hilarious.
Popryn is a tricky opponent, I agree. With the lighter balls and on grass, he could take a set off Rafa.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

I'll cheer Popyrin on. That would be an upset for the ages.

 

[tennis_pro]

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Of course. It is what it is.
However it is a shame this is what has come about. There is no need for any sport to have the same guys at the top for so long. Conditions should be to push the young ones through.

To many of these younger players don’t have the dedication or motivation the big 3 have. They go on social media to often or are distracted by other perks of being a tennis player.

The big 3 are extremely talented but they also work damn hard. They want it more than anyone else and will die on court to get it. Despite all they won they still not satisfied. We need more players like that.

 

[Deleted member 771911]

To many of these younger players don’t have the dedication or motivation the big 3 have. They go on social media to often or are distracted by other perks of being a tennis player.

The big 3 are extremely talented but they also work damn hard. They want it more than anyone else and will die on court to get it. Despite all they won they still not satisfied. We need more players like that.

Of course. I don't deny that.
But I don't want to blame the young kids. I want the tennis tours to think about how to get the young kids motivated. One way to do that would be to make it so that they had the advantage in their youth to break through. They don't have that now.

 

[Beckerserve]

To many of these younger players don’t have the dedication or motivation the big 3 have. They go on social media to often or are distracted by other perks of being a tennis player.

The big 3 are extremely talented but they also work damn hard. They want it more than anyone else and will die on court to get it. Despite all they won they still not satisfied. We need more players like that.

Spot on. They have not partied or slept with multiple women etc. They all married childhood sweethearts.

 

[pointbreak]

the man is crazy , he will win at 45 still=)

 

[Martin J]

I'll cheer Popyrin on. That would be an upset for the ages.

At best, he can do what Brands did in 2013. To take a set off him and make another one competitive.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Spot on. They have not partied or slept with multiple women etc. They all married childhood sweethearts.

Exactly they don’t have all those unnecessary distractions. They are a special trio and very professional. They are true tennis ambassadors to the sport.

 

[Deleted member 770948]

I won't be shocked if he wins it at age 40.
We've never seen anything like Nadal at Roland Garros.

 

[Beckerserve]

Exactly they don’t have all those unnecessary distractions. They are a special trio and very professional. They are true tennis ambassadors to the sport.

Exhibit A today...Dominic!!!

 

[terribleIVAN]

A lot of records at stake here if Rafa wins.

Slam record
Oldest RG winner ever
14 RG = Pete's career

 

[thrust]

35 years old!! Just think about it. He is eligible for seniors tour.
He has no business winning the hardest Major there is to win. Djokovic is yet to be 35 so really no excuses for him not winning the event.
No pressure on Nadal. He has won 20 Majors and leads the slam race with Federer. He can relax and just enjoy competing as he has nothing left in the game to achieve.
Popyrin is a brutal 1st round draw for Nadal. Easily hardest 1st round draw of the event. 21 v 35. Popyryn won Singapore. For me Popryn starts slight favourite. 14 year age gap is a massive advantage.
No pressure for Rafa. Just enjoy. Vamos

Novak does have a good excuse not to win this FO, Nadal

 

[Breakpointerer]

Anyone looking for a new signature can take their pick from the OP

 

[skip1969]

35 the cut off point for seniors tour. So yes. Mega huge.

Seriously, dude . . . how old are you? Cos I don't think you have a real grasp of how the whole 'age' thing works.

You don't instantly become a 'man' at 18 or 21. You don't become 'peak' you at 25 or 27. And you don't become 'past it' the moment you turn 35 and waddle off onto the senior's tour.

 

[Beckerserve]

Seriously, dude . . . how old are you? Cos I don't think you have a real grasp of how the whole 'age' thing works.

You don't instantly become a 'man' at 18 or 21. You don't become 'peak' you at 25 or 27. And you don't become 'past it' the moment you turn 35 and waddle off onto the senior's tour.

Well you do bud as the cut off is 35 for senior tour. Lmao