RAFA2005RG
Banned
Nadal has won their last 5 meetings at slams (2 on hardcourt, 2 on clay, 1 on grass). The most recent was 2012 Australian Open. Federer was on a 26 match winning streak heading into that semi-final, and even won the first set, but Nadal took him out in 4 sets, despite Nadal claiming before the AO that he had not adapted to his heavier racquet and would need all of February to practice with it before he was ready. Federer still couldn't beat him. So does Federer even have a chance?
I don't think so. Maybe in when Nadal was playing injured there was a chance. But this year Nadal and Uncle Toni both said "there will be no bandaid solutions from now on" and that "Rafa will only play when he is 100% from now on".
So whenever Federer faces Nadal, Nadal will be 100% fit. Nadal refuses to play from now on unless he's 100%. If this were 2009, Nadal would have played the US Open. But now, only 100%.
In fact, Nadal's knee troubles in 2012 began at Indian Wells (and he played Federer there), and the following week he withdrew from Miami semis and said "I should not have played Miami". We won't see Nadal play injured again.
I don't think so. Maybe in when Nadal was playing injured there was a chance. But this year Nadal and Uncle Toni both said "there will be no bandaid solutions from now on" and that "Rafa will only play when he is 100% from now on".
So whenever Federer faces Nadal, Nadal will be 100% fit. Nadal refuses to play from now on unless he's 100%. If this were 2009, Nadal would have played the US Open. But now, only 100%.
In fact, Nadal's knee troubles in 2012 began at Indian Wells (and he played Federer there), and the following week he withdrew from Miami semis and said "I should not have played Miami". We won't see Nadal play injured again.