I've come to like Nadal

[Mortifier]

I've always been a Fed-fan and always stood by him in the rivalry against Nadal, however, I think this has come to change. I do not know if I am the only one (I know I'm not) that was annoyed by Nadal's habits and so on, and since I am a swede, Soderling has been my main-man, and no one was happier than me during Roland Garros last year.

But to the main point: Nadal seems to have changed his view on the public, or shall I say, the way he want's to be percieved. He seems more human and mature, paying respect even to guys like Soderling. The latter stages of '09 also showed us that he in fact wasn't indestructable.

I might aswell say that I've gone from a 100% Fed-fan to a 45-55% in Nadals favor. If they were to meet in the final, I would probably be rooting for him aswell.

So - am I the only one who thinks that Nadal has done a lot lately to get "more liked", caring about the media and what everybody else thinks?

 

[Blinkism]

TMOP, good to see you come around!

 

[Sentinel]

Nadal has always been a likeable person -- i don't see what he's done *lately*. He is a simple guy with no show or airs, doesn't bother about image. Heck, he doesn't even care what people say about his "habit" -- that takes a lot of courage.

Unfortunately, things here are very polarized. Anyway, its good to see you can appreciate both fellers.

 

[fedhingis515]

Yeah I used to despise Nadal. And not because he "owned" Federer. His grunts and butt picking and taking forever to serve really put me off. But after he won Wimbledon I started seeing him in a new light. He really grew on me and I enjoy watching him play now.

Federer is still my main man though

 

[rfedererfan]

I am a huge fan of Federer since Masters Cup 2003 i think and i hated Nadal a lot in 2006 and 2007 but i like him too now, i don't know why, maybe because Federer accomplished his goals.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

i've always hated nadal, and will always hate it.

 

[Docalex007]

I became a huge Fed fan back in 2003 and have never looked back. I pull for Fed no matter who he's playing and follow his matches religiously!

BUT... although being very anti-Nadal back in 2004-2007, I've not come to like Rafa in many ways. I really do respect him as a competitor and great champion. There's no question he is and was a physical beast like never seen before on a tennis court. This made him special.

I also think seeing him fall from grace last year after being on top of the world helped with me liking him more. It was heartbreaking to see, even if I didn't really take to him that much back then.

Anyway, I don't necessarily pull for him in all his matches (I pulled for Kohlschreiber earlier to take it to 5 and then win), but I do pull for him to do well most of the time as I have enjoyed the Fed/Nadal rivalry over the years and don't want to see it go just yet! Screw the other young guns trying to break through!

 

[sureshs]

Nadal has ditched the sleeveless shirts, for one thing. The TW posters who did not like him were jealous of his muscles. He has also become more mellow and respectful in victory. HE is just getting older.

 

[origmarm]

It's not possible to just be a fan of both and appreciate the tennis?

 

[babbette]

congratulations!

 

[mandy01]

I dont see him any differently than I have seen him .I always thought he was a nice guy .But 'image' is kind of secondary to me.I dont enjoy watching the guy on court so rooting for him is a tough task for me :lol:

I wouldnt root for someone just because they appear 'humble' and 'more mature' or whatever.
He's a good guy though and I do respect what he's been able to accomplish.

 

[Cyan]

He seems more human

He's always seemed human :shock:

 

[nikdom]

It's not possible to just be a fan of both and appreciate the tennis?

Sometimes. But at a visceral level, I prefer one over the other because of their different playing style, personalities and on court demeanor.

I just cannot stand Nadal pumping himself up on court. To me its very aggressive. Whether he does it to pump himself up and not get in the opponent's face is immaterial. Its just plain aggravating. So is that neanderthal forehand. Its effective, don't get me wrong, but its not a technique I appreciate.

Finally, I have my doubts about his physical gifts. Some people are ready to put it down to genes, others to a strenuous regimen. The man himself denies doing much in the weight room. I never saw a tennis player that ripped at 18. And so much of his greatness depends on that one factor alone - brute physical strength. There is no way I can prove anything so I will leave that there.

Other than that, yeah he's a normal fellow. He has some quirks and his PC answers are boring but hey that's him. His matches are entertaining but I would rather watch Roger in god mode than Nadal in his usual fist-pumping, labored mode.

 

[Fedex]

I know TheMagicianOfPrecision isn't going to like this but I have always liked Nadal, and I also like the Spanish apart from the Inquisition and the extermination of indigenous peoples in South America and Tenerife

 

[mandy01]

Sometimes. But at a visceral level, I prefer one over the other because of their different playing style, personalities and on court demeanor.

I just cannot stand Nadal pumping himself up on court. To me its very aggressive. Whether he does it to pump himself up and not get in the opponent's face is immaterial. Its just plain aggravating. So is that neanderthal forehand. Its effective, don't get me wrong, but its not a technique I appreciate.
.

No offence to Nadal and his fans but this was funny :lol::lol:

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

I just cannot stand Nadal pumping himself up on court. To me its very aggressive. Whether he does it to pump himself up and not get in the opponent's face is immaterial. Its just plain aggravating. So is that neanderthal forehand. Its effective, don't get me wrong, but its not a technique I appreciate.

superb and accurate description !!!

 

[reversef]

I've always been a Fed-fan and always stood by him in the rivalry against Nadal, however, I think this has come to change. I do not know if I am the only one (I know I'm not) that was annoyed by Nadal's habits and so on, and since I am a swede, Soderling has been my main-man, and no one was happier than me during Roland Garros last year.

But to the main point: Nadal seems to have changed his view on the public, or shall I say, the way he want's to be percieved. He seems more human and mature, paying respect even to guys like Soderling. The latter stages of '09 also showed us that he in fact wasn't indestructable.

I might aswell say that I've gone from a 100% Fed-fan to a 45-55% in Nadals favor. If they were to meet in the final, I would probably be rooting for him aswell.

So - am I the only one who thinks that Nadal has done a lot lately to get "more liked", caring about the media and what everybody else thinks?

Nadal never changed. He was always a nice guy and has always been respectful. What you describe is actually what happens with most players: when they are new on the tour, many people tend to look at them with some bad eyes: they do this or they are like that. They come with their own personality, of course.
On the other hand, what you like for me is a struggling Nadal. You don't like him when he wins, but you like him when he's struggling with injuries or when he's blown off the court.

 

[Fedex]

So is that neanderthal forehand. Its effective, don't get me wrong, but its not a technique I appreciate.

That Neanderthal forehand as you call it is deceptively skillfull.
It maybe looks like that on tv but I think it is probably one of the most un coached shots in the game, full of natural talent.
You can't just club away at a tennis ball as hard as you can and expect it to land within the lines.
That takes extreme talent. Wish I could do that.
If you watch a young Nadal at say 12 you will see what I mean.
You can see he is one of the most gifted tennis players around.

 

[8PAQ]

i've always hated nadal, and will always hate it.

Nadal has always been been my favorite player, my favorite player I enjoy watching when he is losing. The 2009 WTF was by far my favorite Nadal's performance. 0 for 3 in matches won and 0 for 6 in sets won. Brilliant!!! I hope this year Nadal does even better by not qualifying for WTF.

 

[mandy01]

That Neanderthal forehand as you call it is deceptively skillfull.
It maybe looks like that on tv but I think it is probably one of the most un coached shots in the game, full of natural talent.
You can't just club away at a tennis ball as hard as you can and expect it to land within the lines.
That takes extreme talent. Wish I could do that.
If you watch a young Nadal at say 12 you will see what I mean.
You can see he is one of the most gifted tennis players around.

I think nikdom made it perfectly clear that he isnt disputing the effectiveness of Nadal's trechnique on the forehand :wink:
Its not the most enjoyable thing to watch though.Not for some of us atleast.For those who like it-good for them

 

[Fedex]

And when you look at Nadal at 12 he still looks far more developed than his age which maybe proves that he is unusally naturally developed for his age discounting the steroid theory for me.

 

[nikdom]

That Neanderthal forehand as you call it is deceptively skillfull.
It maybe looks like that on tv but I think it is probably one of the most un coached shots in the game, full of natural talent.
You can't just club away at a tennis ball as hard as you can and expect it to land within the lines.
That takes extreme talent. Wish I could do that.
If you watch a young Nadal at say 12 you will see what I mean.
You can see he is one of the most gifted tennis players around.

I never said its not skillful. I said its a technique I do not like or appreciate. Its also not worthy of emulating (nor can be emulated even if someone wanted to, because his kind of upper body strength is integral to that shot).

 

[Sentinel]

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showpost.php?p=3907254&postcount=6

LOL, oh my !!!! You guys certainly know how to hold grudges I've been hung over fire for this already, (by no less than the master blaster ksbh ) bro.

There is a difference in liking a person, and in enjoying someone's style of play. I do not enjoy the style of play that unfortunately most players today adopt. That does not mean i hate them. Can one understand the difference, please.

Nadal is a gem of a human, and most of us who are simple blokes (like myself) love him for that. That said, and not to change the topic, under the flashy modell-ish exterior of Federer (which i hardly like) is a genuine, caring human, too.

Anyway, I hope we can stay positive and not turn this into another Federer-Nadal thread.

Nice catch, Babolastic !!! I hope you did not waste much time finding it, I am really not worth that much attention. I am a seasonal troll ;-)

 

[nikdom]

And when you look at Nadal at 12 he still looks far more developed than his age which maybe proves that he is unusally naturally developed for his age discounting the steroid theory for me.

I don't know where you're getting that from, but good for you. As I said, I and a lot of others who have been watching tennis for a long time have our doubts.

 

[mandy01]

^^ The above post just put Sentinel in running with zagor and blinky.

 

[Sentinel]

i've always hated nadal, and will always hate it.

I understand that you hate the fact that you hate Nadal. That's a good start, at least

 

[mandy01]

I understand that you hate the fact that you hate Nadal. That's a good start, at least

actually,I'm not sure thats what the poster meant.But lets not get into details here

 

[Fedex]

I never said its not skillful. I said its a technique I do not like or appreciate. Its also not worthy of emulating (nor can be emulated even if someone wanted to, because his kind of upper body strength is integral to that shot).

I think if you watched Nadal from a different angle or actually saw him live at a matchfrom the stands and not on tv you might change your mind.
That's all I'm saying.
TV can give the wrong perspective on things sometimes.

 

[Marshredder]

I find it hilariously pathetic that some of you guys enjoy watching people lose. Really, take a look at yourself, its pathetic, juvenile behaviour. LOL HE LOST. Seriously, its really pathetic, its like you're so **** at your own life that you have to watch people come across losses in their own to make you feel like less of a loser, which is what you are, grow up?

 

[Fedex]

I don't know where you're getting that from, but good for you. As I said, I and a lot of others who have been watching tennis for a long time have our doubts.

I had my doubts too but knowing that he was naturally far more developed for his years as a child makes more sense for me unless he was doing steroids as a child which would be really disturbing

 

[slice bh compliment]

Nadal never changed. He was always a nice guy and has always been respectful. ....

Yeah, I agree. I have always liked his character/persona/image, but I have only recently started to like his game. That is what has changed a little bit each year.
He's no longer a heavytopspin defensive player.

He's no Federer (in terms of the beautiful game), but he's definitely grown on me as he has developed some finishing skills, good hands at net, a good slice BH and a serve that is fun to watch.

I cannot wait for him and Muzzer to mix it up in the quarters in Melbourne.

 

[Sentinel]

^^ The above post just put Sentinel in running with zagor and blinky.

zagor and blinky when in warmup are waaaay better than me in God mode (if i've ever reached there that is), haha.

 

[mandy01]

I think if you watched Nadal from a different angle or actually saw him live at a matchfrom the stands and not on tv you might change your mind.
That's all I'm saying.
TV can give the wrong perspective on things sometimes.

I think this is about taste.While its true that watching live gives you a better idea I dont think it will do a whole lot to change the overall image of his game.

 

[mandy01]

zagor and blinky when in warmup are waaaay better than me in God mode (if i've ever reached there that is), haha.

Sure but you're getting there mate

edit-I like your humble as well.Zagor will be pleased to have your company.Not sure about that arrogant blinky though.

 

[nikdom]

There is a difference in liking a person, and in enjoying someone's style of play.

I don't know the man personally to love him or hate him. On a tennis board "like" and "dislike" are largely related to a player's tennis persona which encompasses their style of play, their physicality, on-court behavior and tennis-related activities.

If you want to draw conclusions about their "real" self based on some interviews, media events and the little that they expose of themselves to the world, you're welcome to. If you don't believe me, there is this athlete named Tiger Woods.... (you know the rest)

That does not mean i hate them. Can one understand the difference, please.

Again hate is an adjective. Its important to realize what that adjective is being applied to, not just the word itself. That said, I did not use the word hate in my post anywhere, so if you're implying me, you're barking up the wrong tree.

 

[nikdom]

I think if you watched Nadal from a different angle or actually saw him live at a matchfrom the stands and not on tv you might change your mind.
That's all I'm saying.
TV can give the wrong perspective on things sometimes.

I've seen him play at the USO.

 

[Fedex]

I've seen him play at the USO.

Can't argue with that.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

I understand that you hate the fact that you hate Nadal. That's a good start, at least

not that i particularly love my hate, but i don't hate it either.
(hating hatred sounds so much illogical)
anyway... i'm sure you know what "it" meant in the first sentence.

Nadal has always been been my favorite player, my favorite player I enjoy watching when he is losing. The 2009 WTF was by far my favorite Nadal's performance. 0 for 3 in matches won and 0 for 6 in sets won. Brilliant!!! I hope this year Nadal does even better by not qualifying for WTF.

i really loved that "0-6" (a relatively rare performance) at the masters but what you wrote would be even more enjoyable !

 

[Mortifier]

On the other hand, what you like for me is a struggling Nadal. You don't like him when he wins, but you like him when he's struggling with injuries or when he's blown off the court.

Well, you're not completly wrong in some matter. I do not like his injuries and all that, but I like it when he is pushed to the limit and sometimes that means not winning. Like the claycourt season last year, he was far to dominant the first month for me to appreciate him. In the tournaments followed by RG I was actually rooting for him, Shanghai and Bercy were bad performances tennis-wise, but as a competitor he was a monster, savings MP's everywhere.

Im going for Nadal to lift the AO10, all the way.

By the way, Federer had the exactly same thing in 2008 where he sucked and still grew on me. Although his dominance in Grand Slams 2009 put him right back in the same old spot... Also came to think of TMC 05 where I somewhat enjoyed Nalbandian performance against the Fed. It's nice to see that it doesn't get too easy, you got to have reference-points.

 

[jazzyfunkybluesy]

I find it hilariously pathetic that some of you guys enjoy watching people lose. Really, take a look at yourself, its pathetic, juvenile behaviour. LOL HE LOST. Seriously, its really pathetic, its like you're so **** at your own life that you have to watch people come across losses in their own to make you feel like less of a loser, which is what you are, grow up?

Spoken like a true *******. Well done sir.

 

[klementine]

More importantly... Nadal has come to like YOU-

 

[nikdom]

I would like to say that I do not enjoy Nadal NOT being at his best. Why? Because I would like to see players whose style I like, beat him when he's in good form.

I like aggressive baseliners with a good net game. I like folks that have a well rounded game with a reliable serve, good groundstrokes with the ability to mix things up, good touch at the net, good understanding of court positioning, constructing points and playing to their strengths. Examples, Roger Federer, Tsonga, Djokovic, JMDP, Nalbandian etc

Appreciate good serve and volley players too. Stepanek and Dent for example. And players with one handers.

So Nadal being injured or not in good form is not good enough. I've really enjoyed Tsonga beating Nadal at the AO, Nalbo beating him at one of the indoor master's (bercy I think), Davy beating him in Miami and this past wtf. And also DelPo beating him at the USO.

 

[2slik]

I find it hilariously pathetic that some of you guys enjoy watching people lose. Really, take a look at yourself, its pathetic, juvenile behaviour. LOL HE LOST. Seriously, its really pathetic, its like you're so **** at your own life that you have to watch people come across losses in their own to make you feel like less of a loser, which is what you are, grow up?

schadenfreude

 

[reversef]

Well, you're not completly wrong in some matter. I do not like his injuries and all that, but I like it when he is pushed to the limit and sometimes that means not winning. Like the claycourt season last year, he was far to dominant the first month for me to appreciate him. In the tournaments followed by RG I was actually rooting for him, Shanghai and Bercy were bad performances tennis-wise, but as a competitor he was a monster, savings MP's everywhere.

Im going for Nadal to lift the AO10, all the way.

By the way, Federer had the exactly same thing in 2008 where he sucked and still grew on me. Although his dominance in Grand Slams 2009 put him right back in the same old spot... Also came to think of TMC 05 where I somewhat enjoyed Nalbandian performance against the Fed. It's nice to see that it doesn't get too easy, you got to have reference-points.

I understand, but it has never been easy with Nadal. It's something that could be said much more about Federer. He used to win everything (or almost everything) and most of the time, very easily. Nadal has never done that. Believe me. Of course, he won many things, but always painfully. The only exception : some clay tournaments. Like RG 2008, of course. He looked the AO, but he was not dominant. He won Wimbledon, but he was not dominant either. You can see how much he suffers to win those titles.
In the beginning of 2009, people found him dominant, but the guy who wins IW saved MP's in the QF and then lost in Miami. The same for 2008. He didn't win anything before the clay season started. He was destroyed by Tsonga and Davydenko. At the end of the season, he was injured and couldn't play the MC and the DC final.
So, I don't know if you understand what I mean, but Nadal has never given me the impression of being too dominant. Maybe just on clay. Sure, when he plays at his best level on that surface, he's unbeatable. But he doesn't always play at his best level, of course.
Federer was a very dominant player, but Nadal has never been like that for me.

 

[icedevil0289]

Sure but you're getting there mate

edit-I like your humble as well.Zagor will be pleased to have your company.Not sure about that arrogant blinky though.

what about me. Am I in the running? Am I not troll worthy?

 

[mandy01]

what about me. Am I in the running? Am I not troll worthy?

you're a retired legend ..:mrgreen:
malakas was retired too but she's trying to make a comeback.:roll:

 

[Mortifier]

I understand, but it has never been easy with Nadal. It's something that could be said much more about Federer. He used to win everything (or almost everything) and most of the time, very easily. Nadal has never done that. Believe me. Of course, he won many things, but always painfully. The only exception : some clay tournaments. Like RG 2008, of course. He looked the AO, but he was not dominant. He won Wimbledon, but he was not dominant either. You can see how much he suffers to win those titles.
In the beginning of 2009, people found him dominant, but the guy who wins IW saved MP's in the QF and then lost in Miami. The same for 2008. He didn't win anything before the clay season started. He was destroyed by Tsonga and Davydenko. At the end of the season, he was injured and couldn't play the MC and the DC final.
So, I don't know if you understand what I mean, but Nadal has never given me the impression of being too dominant. Maybe just on clay. Sure, when he plays at his best level on that surface, he's unbeatable. But he doesn't always play at his best level, of course.
Federer was a very dominant player, but Nadal has never been like that for me.

I know where you are getting at. And I can agree, Federers dominance was far greater than Nadal's, but on the other hand he didn't come up at such early age. Nadal was winning RG at the age of 18 and was still improving, took four consecutive titles there, which must be labelled as "dominant", as far as for clay. He has got almost as many Masters as Fed aswell. And surely, he wasn't that dominant before the mid stages of '08. After the AO last year people were talking everywhere that Nadal was the new GOAT, taking on Rogers records an all that -and it didn't sit well with me to be honest, making such predictions is both ignorant and stupid. However, after the RG, all that sh-t was ended and people started praising Federer again...

When I come to think of it, I liked Roger because of his elegance, nice style of play and sportsmanship, NOT his dominance. Nadal does not play "ugly" tennis, it's simply not as great as Rogers - that combined with grunting, gamedelay and nasty habits - Nadal wasn't a guy who was hard to dislike.

Now when he has shown some good sides, willing to change his apperences on court for the better, dropping the dispute with Soderling, he seems like a good guy. Combine that with him not being a dominant force, being beaten on his surface and all, making a strong comeback in 2010 - it's truly remarkable what a fighter we're dealing with.

Bad explanations from me perhaps, but that is just the way I feel. It's a lot of things that makes me like him in the end, completly different areas where a person can make impressions.

 

[Marshredder]

Spoken like a true *******. Well done sir.

Its not just Nadal, its anyone that "enjoys watching players lose". I mean, sitting there giggling as a player gets beaten, you honestly think thats not a really pathetic thing to do?

I enjoy watching Nadal win, that much makes me a *******, but I dont enjoy watching anyone lose.

schadenfreude

Yup, and a lot of studies show that people that get pleasure from others misfortunes have very low self esteem and enjoy it because it somehow makes them look better.

 

[nikdom]

I enjoy watching Nadal win, that much makes me a *******, but I dont enjoy watching anyone lose.

By enjoying watching Nadal win, aren't you enjoying watching his opponent lose?

 

[Marshredder]

By enjoying watching Nadal win, aren't you enjoying watching his opponent lose?

Not really, its a totally different thing watching a match and being happy because your player is winning, and watching a match and being happy because a player is losing, one scenario is being a fan and supporter, the other is laughing at anothers misfortune.

I dont get pleasure out of seeing anyone lose, every guy on the ATP or WTA or any other sports leagues/tournaments deserve to be where they are, laughing at them lose is petty.