Nadal after loss: "I think I wasn't 100 percent ready to play at this level"

[dwhiteside]

Hot off the presses. Check out some of these quotes. Thought he said he was 100% just a day ago or so?

CINCINNATI, Ohio (Reuters) - Rafael Nadal's semi-final exit at the Cincinnati Masters on Saturday had exceeded his own expectations, the former world number one said.

The Spaniard was outplayed 6-1 6-4 by fourth seed Novak Djokovic in the last four, admitting that beating the Serb was "a step too far" at this stage of his return. He was appearing in just his second tournament after two months out due to injury.

But Nadal said reaching the quarter-finals in Montreal last week and the last four in Cincinnati had been even better than he hoped for going into the U.S. Open that starts on August 31.

"This week is very important for me," he told reporters. "These two weeks, winning three matches here and two matches (in Montreal) winning five matches and playing seven matches in total, it's enough matches I think.

"I am happy for everything. Happy to be here and happy to be more ready for the U.S. Open than I expected before I came to this American tour."

Nadal was second-best throughout against an inspired Djokovic but the Spaniard said his confidence would not be affected.

"It's another step. Physically and mentally it's difficult for me to be ready," he said.

"But I think this match is going to be a good experience for me right now to try to make this step in the U.S. Open.

"I think I wasn't 100 percent ready to play at this level. I need to play at this level more than one time to be ready to compete another time at this level."

The tendonitis in both knees that forced Nadal to miss the defense of his Wimbledon title have eased and the Spaniard said he was playing without pain.

Competing over the best-of-five sets in the U.S. Open, though, would present him with an additional challenge.

"We will see how I am physically to play the five set matches," he said.

"I know when I am playing well I can play at this level. But you only can win against these top players when you are playing your best tennis."


http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE57M09E20090823

 

[Terr]

This makes sense. He was 100% to compete in tour events. Competing with a player like Djokovic means competing on another level. Nadal is not ready for that at this stage in his comeback.

Thinking about it, Nadal really should have known that there was more than a likely chance of him having to play someone like Djoker.

And he'd been saying he wouldn't compete unless he was 100%. Maybe he wasn't sure if he was 100% yet? It's not like we ever know what we're capable of until we're accomplishing our best feats.

I just hope he continues to improve so we can see the old Rafa on court.

 

[Agassifan]

Lol. I used to like Nadal, but he's become a whiner. Sad.

I wonder how he looks so good when he is winning (rounds 2 and 3 of the French for instance) and is hurt when he loses.

 

[settolove]

Nice - so it had nothing to do with Novak playing like a man possessed. Nadal wasn't 100%. Ok. Good to know that.

hmm are we meeting the real Nadal after all these years?

 

[namelessone]

He is referring to his game level.He said the other day his knees were good and he was very happy about that.The 100% means he need to be in his best form to beat the top guys and he isn't ready for this yet.Name one top guy Nadal has beat since his return.He felt good enough physically to come back but is way off his game.Not only hasn't he been beating the top guys but has been struggling against guys he would normally beat.

"I think I wasn't 100 percent ready to play at this level. I need to play at this level more than one time to be ready to compete another time at this level."

Do you hear the word "knees"? For him this break meant a reset.He had another break last year but it was towards the end of the season so it didn't matter that much.This break was in the middle of the season and he knew he had to come back this time during the season.He means he need to play guys like fed/murray/delpo/djoker/roddick a few times(even get beat those times) in order to get back into the groove because he was in their league before the injury.He can play the mathieu's and berdych's of the ATP all he wants,he's not gonna be pushed to raise his level like in a match with the top 5.His matches with delpo and djoker showed that in which he existed for only a set and ate a breadstick each time.The truth is that this is a watered down version of the Nadal we knew(and i am talking just about his game)so I am guessing many guys in the USO draw will be wanting to draw against Nadal.It's easier to beat him until he gets his game back.

@settolove,yeah,Nadal was probably acting the whole time...

 

[P_Agony]

Didn't Nadal say just before the Berdych match he feels 100% and the knees are perfect?

 

[Sentinel]

C'mon guys, cut him some slack, How does he really know if he's 100%. It's just an interview anyway.

All this will be forgotten in a month or so when he's winning titles. Vamos Rafa !!

 

[namelessone]

Didn't Nadal say just before the Berdych match he feels 100% and the knees are perfect?

He is talking about his game,not about his knees.He needs to face the top 5 guys a few times to get his rhythm back because only those guys can push him to raise his level.It's a learning process for him.His shots are way off and he was struggling against players he would normally beat,even on HC.
The bolded quote is Nadal saying he is not ready yet to take on guys like the Djoker or the other top guys.Only small game for him until he can get some consistency in his shots.

By the way,was I right about Federer's payback or what?

 

[slice bh compliment]

Thinking about it, Nadal really should have known that there was more than a likely chance of him having to play someone like Djoker.

And he'd been saying he wouldn't compete unless he was 100%. Maybe he wasn't sure if he was 100% yet? It's not like we ever know what we're capable of until we're accomplishing our best feats.

I just hope he continues to improve so we can see the old Rafa on court.[/quote]

Of course he and his team know it's a tough level no matter who is in the semi. Are you saying he shouldn't have come back this soon?
He kind of had to ... to prepare for the Open.

I'm not saying he entered the tournament NOT to win it, but I believe his expectation was to get matches....and test the knees, and do what is necessary to [hopefully] play well in NY.

I am guesing he felt 100% in practice and some matches went well. Then he was up against a guy who truly went for his shots and ran like a gazelle. Djerkovic played his best tennis. Raf didn't. And now, Team Rafa is basically saying he did not push himself the way he would if he were totally fit. He treated it like the road to a slam rather than an actual slam.

I'm sure their spin machine is on, in a way.

ANyway, yeah man, I'm with you, Terr, I wish him well in Queens.

 

[rafan]

Didn't Nadal say just before the Berdych match he feels 100% and the knees are perfect?

Did he mention his knees?

 

[namelessone]

@slice bh compliment,when did Team Rafa say he didn't push himself like he would if he was totally fit?
Nadal said his knees were good.Ok,I don't think he will push them as before but physically he was good against djoker.Game-wise he wasn't.That is his problem now,not the knees.
Yes,he entered these 2 tournaments in order to gain matches as competitive practice for the USO.Now he has some idea of where he stands.
Seeing his matches the future,for this year at least,doesn't look so bright:

-BH was utter crap in most of his matches.He ripped one like he used to but it is a liability right about now because it hasn't improved much in these matches.
-FH started very crappy but got better as the matches progressed.It's his most improved shot since his coming back on tour.
-serve was always mediocre but it is an unreliable shot.Even at it's best it will not earn Nadal free points.
-movement is ok but I am dissapointed.I think we have seen the last of "lunging-going after every shot" Nadal.He will pace himself more.

So Nadal doesn't enter USO as a threat to other players,in fact I bet most players would want him in their part of the draw.Nadal doesn't know how it is to play 3 out of 5 in a competitive match after injury because he has played only 2 out of 3.I hope he doesn't find out the hard way.

I think Nadal will be back on track by the middle of September or so.When I will see him making those normal shots for him I'll know things are ok.But when he is spraying errors with the FH left and right and dumping BH into the net from easy positions,it's hard to say he is at his best.He is certainly not beating anybody in the top5 with this form.

 

[jwbarrientos]

something is happening with Rafa, he's not jumping when is serving, the rest is almost ok, those winners are here, probably missing here and there, but he game is ok.

 

[All-rounder]

BS from nadal as usual but Everyone on these forums See's nadal as an angel and everything he says is true. Had Federer said this, this thread would be on like page 10 by now

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Hot off the presses. Check out some of these quotes. Thought he said he was 100% just a day ago or so?

CINCINNATI, Ohio (Reuters) - Rafael Nadal's semi-final exit at the Cincinnati Masters on Saturday had exceeded his own expectations, the former world number one said.

The Spaniard was outplayed 6-1 6-4 by fourth seed Novak Djokovic in the last four, admitting that beating the Serb was "a step too far" at this stage of his return. He was appearing in just his second tournament after two months out due to injury.

But Nadal said reaching the quarter-finals in Montreal last week and the last four in Cincinnati had been even better than he hoped for going into the U.S. Open that starts on August 31.

"This week is very important for me," he told reporters. "These two weeks, winning three matches here and two matches (in Montreal) winning five matches and playing seven matches in total, it's enough matches I think.

"I am happy for everything. Happy to be here and happy to be more ready for the U.S. Open than I expected before I came to this American tour."

Nadal was second-best throughout against an inspired Djokovic but the Spaniard said his confidence would not be affected.

"It's another step. Physically and mentally it's difficult for me to be ready," he said.

"But I think this match is going to be a good experience for me right now to try to make this step in the U.S. Open.

"I think I wasn't 100 percent ready to play at this level. I need to play at this level more than one time to be ready to compete another time at this level."

The tendonitis in both knees that forced Nadal to miss the defense of his Wimbledon title have eased and the Spaniard said he was playing without pain.

Competing over the best-of-five sets in the U.S. Open, though, would present him with an additional challenge.

"We will see how I am physically to play the five set matches," he said.

"I know when I am playing well I can play at this level. But you only can win against these top players when you are playing your best tennis."


http://www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE57M09E20090823

The guy clearly is an idiot who says what fits him at the right moment, i think we can count him OFF as a major contender for the USO, im just surprised that noone else stepped up against him, he is human!! You see? Soderling showed it in FO! Del Po showed it in Miami AND in Montreal! Djokovic here in Cincy, too the rest of the guys on the ATP-tour, step up against him for gods sake!!:evil::evil:

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

BS from nadal as usual but Everyone on these forums See's nadal as an angel and everything he says is true. Had Federer said this, this thread would be on like page 10 by now

Totally agree, except the page 10 thing, try page 76 instead!

 

[carlos djackal]

I think Rafa didn't expect to be this physical good after the layoff......he must have underestimated his comeback progress.........

 

[varsity8993]

Your knees will never be 100% again for pro level tennis with a year long schedule. Best bet is a Venus/Serena type schedule.

 

[GraniteHoosier]

Nadal has turned into a drama queen regarding his alleged 'injuries'; it's really irritating. Everyone on the tour has physical issues from time to time, that's part of the job, yet Rafa is the only one who ALWAYS refers to it when he loses.
I really have lost some respect for him in the last 6 months.

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Nadal has turned into a drama queen regarding his alleged 'injuries'; it's really irritating. Everyone on the tour has physical issues from time to time, that's part of the job, yet Rafa is the only one who ALWAYS refers to it when he loses.
I really have lost some respect for him in the last 6 months.

Great post, couldnt agree more!

 

[malakas]

Of course he and his team know it's a tough level no matter who is in the semi. Are you saying he shouldn't have come back this soon?
He kind of had to ... to prepare for the Open.

I'm not saying he entered the tournament NOT to win it, but I believe his expectation was to get matches....and test the knees, and do what is necessary to [hopefully] play well in NY.

I am guesing he felt 100% in practice and some matches went well. Then he was up against a guy who truly went for his shots and ran like a gazelle. Djerkovic played his best tennis. Raf didn't. And now, Team Rafa is basically saying he did not push himself the way he would if he were totally fit. He treated it like the road to a slam rather than an actual slam.

I'm sure their spin machine is on, in a way.

ANyway, yeah man, I'm with you, Terr, I wish him well in Queens.

I agree with this.
He wanted to win,but maybe he wasn't able to perform as well as he could with more matches on his feet,against a guy playing his best game.
But in the end all the interviews about one day being 100% the next not 100% etc etc are getting tiring and annoying.He should stop.

 

[Sentinel]

He did say a few days ago that he did not expect to go deep at Cinci.

Your knees will never be 100% again for pro level tennis with a year long schedule. Best bet is a Venus/Serena type schedule.

Yeah he certainly made Joker "look like a champion" today. What's more Rafa "played at only about 5 percent today".

 

[raiden031]

The guy deserves a break. He was out two months, much of which he wasn't even using his legs because of physical therapy. Of course he's not going to be competing his best.

The only issue I have is that people keep giving Nadal credit as being the true #1 even though he's not good enough to compete right now. Injuries and recovery is all part of the game. If you aren't able to compete good enough to out-play your opponents both on the court and in the rankings, then you don't deserve to be ranked higher than them.

So people cannot say Nadal is currently better than Fed or Djoker if he gets his butt kicked by them. Until he regains form (which maybe its possible he will not), then he's just another player.

 

[namelessone]

@raiden031,thank you for your post.Finally someone with something to add to the discussion,not just another user spewing garbage at Nadal,when many of them didn't even understand that he wasn't talking about knees,but about his game level post-injury.He said novak played very good,very aggresive and it was too much for him.What more do you want?

I agree with everything you said.Nadal has to start all over again so until he gets his game back he's vulnerable.And seeing as he is coming back on his worst surface he is even more vulnerable.And there is no such thing as true nr.1,nr,2,nr.3.Ratings show where you are and they are fair in my opinion.

 

[zagor]

I don't think he said anything bad in this interview to be honest.It's the common interview from the top player who was out for a while and is rusty in some aspects of his game when he comes back which is exposed when he faces another top player(I mean players of Nadal caliber can still get past the early rounds even when not in top form).

However I also think that Novak playing at the level he displayed in the first set can beat Nadal on fast HC even when Nadal isn't rusty from a long layoff(for example Cincy last year when Nadal was winning everything in sight but still lost to Novak by similar score).

 

[NamRanger]

Nadal was referring to his game level not his physical fitness. Come on guys, he doesn't speak English as his first language.

 

[GraniteHoosier]

Nadal was referring to his game level not his physical fitness. Come on guys, he doesn't speak English as his first language.

You're right, and I tend not to take that into account like I should when I see his interviews in print. However, he (or his camp) still does talk about his ailments when he loses way too much.

 

[Cloudy]

Nice - so it had nothing to do with Novak playing like a man possessed. Nadal wasn't 100%. Ok. Good to know that.

hmm are we meeting the real Nadal after all these years?

How is it an excuse he is saying he wasn't ready to play at that level, so acknowledging that Novak was playing at a level above him.

He isn't saying I was ****e, Novak was average is he.

 

[namelessone]

You're right, and I tend not to take that into account like I should when I see his interviews in print. However, he (or his camp) still does talk about his ailments when he loses way too much.

He gets asked about his ailments after every match.What's he supposed to do? He said his knees are fine 2 days ago but I'm sure he will be asked about it in the USO press conferences and so on.That's the way reporters are.

 

[theroleoftheunderdog]

novak hadn't played a top 4 player since either madrid, the same time as nadal. he must not be "100 percent ready to play at this level" either.

 

[rafan]

The guy clearly is an idiot who says what fits him at the right moment, i think we can count him OFF as a major contender for the USO, im just surprised that noone else stepped up against him, he is human!! You see? Soderling showed it in FO! Del Po showed it in Miami AND in Montreal! Djokovic here in Cincy, too the rest of the guys on the ATP-tour, step up against him for gods sake!!:evil::evil:

You sound so desperately anti-Nadal - what is your agenda?

 

[crosscourt]

What a lot of pointless unpleasantness there is in this thread.

 

[Terr]

Of course he and his team know it's a tough level no matter who is in the semi. Are you saying he shouldn't have come back this soon?
He kind of had to ... to prepare for the Open.

I'm not saying he entered the tournament NOT to win it, but I believe his expectation was to get matches....and test the knees, and do what is necessary to [hopefully] play well in NY.

I am guesing he felt 100% in practice and some matches went well. Then he was up against a guy who truly went for his shots and ran like a gazelle. Djerkovic played his best tennis. Raf didn't. And now,Team Rafa is basically saying he did not push himself the way he would if he were totally fit. He treated it like the road to a slam rather than an actual slam.
I'm sure their spin machine is on, in a way.

ANyway, yeah man, I'm with you, Terr, I wish him well in Queens.

Woah, man. What happened to that quote? LOL.

Of course I'm not saying he shouldn't have come back so soon. If he felt like he was ready to come back, even if it was just to test out his knees, then it was right for him to come back.

I just hope he's not doing himself more bad than good.

Nadal has turned into a drama queen regarding his alleged 'injuries'; it's really irritating. Everyone on the tour has physical issues from time to time, that's part of the job, yet Rafa is the only one who ALWAYS refers to it when he loses.
I really have lost some respect for him in the last 6 months.

How are they 'alleged injuries'? I didn't know they weren't real. And I think he gets asked about it a lot, so he has to say something about it. It's relevant, isn't it?

Totally agree, except the page 10 thing, try page 76 instead!

LOL. That's probably true.

The guy clearly is an idiot who says what fits him at the right moment, i think we can count him OFF as a major contender for the USO, im just surprised that noone else stepped up against him, he is human!! You see? Soderling showed it in FO! Del Po showed it in Miami AND in Montreal! Djokovic here in Cincy, too the rest of the guys on the ATP-tour, step up against him for gods sake!!:evil::evil:

Where did this shameless Nadal bashing come from????? Word to yer mother!

What a lot of pointless unpleasantness there is in this thread.

This is a Nadal thread, what did you expect? It's bound to be riddling with *******s/*******s battling it out over not really very much... Makes for killing time I guess.

Whatever happend to Lennon's vision of a world without war?

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

Woah, man. What happened to that quote? LOL.

Of course I'm not saying he shouldn't have come back so soon. If he felt like he was ready to come back, even if it was just to test out his knees, then it was right for him to come back.

I just hope he's not doing himself more bad than good.



How are they 'alleged injuries'? I didn't know they weren't real. And I think he gets asked about it a lot, so he has to say something about it. It's relevant, isn't it?



LOL. That's probably true.



Where did this shameless Nadal bashing come from????? Word to yer mother!

And to yours
It came from my heart.

 

[namelessone]

novak hadn't played a top 4 player since either madrid, the same time as nadal. he must not be "100 percent ready to play at this level" either.

Two VERY different situations.Nadal didn't play for 2 months and lost points,consistency in his shots and confidence.Djokovic was playing but got outplayed by lesser players in that period of time so he only lost confidence.And djokovic came on his favourite surface against a 2 months off Nadal.He was the clear favourite even if Nadal was in his 2008 form.How would a 2 months off Djokovic match up against a in-form Nadal on clay? Not very well.

Nadal needs more matches against top guys,even if he loses them,so he can feel like what it's like at the top again.He can learn more from these encounters than beating the mathieu's and berdych's of the ATP.

 

[Djumex]

The guy surely deserves a break.
It is very clear to me what he meant to say.....it's an honest statement from a great sportsman!
He may have been 100% healthy.....but being healthy and being in top form are not the same thing.....that's what he said basically.

I wish him a speedy return to his old form....tennis is just not the same without him....100% ready to "die" for every single point ..... I an not very fond of his style...but you have to respect him for what he stands for.....and he stands for a lot as a sportsman.

 

[FedNad316]

I also feel looking at Nadal play is that he seems to be lacking self belief.......Somehow ever since his loss to Soderling at F.O, his confodence has been severely dented.....and yes his kness are injured and he has patellar tendonitis.......But his last 2 loses to Del po and to Nole have shown that he isnt as sure of himself confidencewise yet competing at the highest level......so even though he could be 100% (or not) with his knees and game....he certainly needs to beat the top 5 guys a few time to regain his self belief....This is an aspect that is ignored...he isnt 100% in his head for sure

 

[theroleoftheunderdog]

Two VERY different situations.Nadal didn't play for 2 months and lost points,consistency in his shots and confidence.Djokovic was playing but got outplayed by lesser players in that period of time so he only lost confidence.And djokovic came on his favourite surface against a 2 months off Nadal.He was the clear favourite even if Nadal was in his 2008 form.How would a 2 months off Djokovic match up against a in-form Nadal on clay? Not very well.

Nadal needs more matches against top guys,even if he loses them,so he can feel like what it's like at the top again.He can learn more from these encounters than beating the mathieu's and berdych's of the ATP.

everything is always "different" for nadal. djokovic came to cincy with 1 month off, and when was djokovic "in-form" before his match with nadal? and nope nadal was a favorite with the bookies, and considering the way djokovic was playing against simon, there was a good reason he was a favorite

 

[skyzoo]

If nadal stopped playing, I would be able to sleep at night. no questions asked

 

[Terr]

He was the clear favourite even if Nadal was in his 2008 form.How would a 2 months off Djokovic match up against a in-form Nadal on clay? Not very well.

Nadal needs more matches against top guys,even if he loses them,so he can feel like what it's like at the top again.He can learn more from these encounters than beating the mathieu's and berdych's of the ATP.

Agreed. That there is the word.

 

[Fedfan1234]

I keep forgetting which player was arrogant again???
This is really a new kind of low for Nadal, just admit Djokovic is better and move on. Pretending to have an injury or say that you are not at 100% when you clearly were is getting kind of boring. Nadal played really well last night, Djokovic was just on fire. There is no shame in losing against players like Djokovic, certainly on HC. Hope Nadal is not going to keep doing this, just retire already if it is that bad.

 

[Terr]

And to yours
It came from my heart.

I keep forgetting which player was arrogant again???
This is really a new kind of low for Nadal, just admit Djokovic is better and move on. Pretending to have an injury or say that you are not at 100% when you clearly were is getting kind of boring. Nadal played really well last night, Djokovic was just on fire. There is no shame in losing against players like Djokovic, certainly on HC. Hope Nadal is not going to keep doing this, just retire already if it is that bad.

I just watched a video of the match. Nadal played well? Do you remember what he used to play like? What was up with that 3.0 rated serve! It was atrocious! I know he doesn't fair well on fast HC like this, but I hope he has a good reason to be playing like a fool.

And I completely agree. I didn't see any of the interviews afterwards, but there's no shame in losing to a player like Djoker even if Nadal had played his best game. I think Djokovic would have still come out on top.

 

[skyzoo]

Nice - so it had nothing to do with Novak playing like a man possessed. Nadal wasn't 100%. Ok. Good to know that.

hmm are we meeting the real Nadal after all these years?

And Novak would have won no matter how good Nadal was playing. Novak could have beaten up on a ******** chimp, which is a scary thought.

 

[slice bh compliment]

@slice bh compliment,when did Team Rafa say he didn't push himself like he would if he was totally fit?....

Sorry, I am saying that that is what his spin machine is having him imply in the pressroom.

My take on it is that this is a tough time to be Team Rafa. Raf himself wants to be humble and tell it like it is. His team, including his PR guy, his agent and his uncles want to make totally sure that it does not get out that he's got the knees of a 35-40 year old former athlete.

Basically, I think he'll always be an absolute beast on the court, but the condition of his knees has to be perfect for him to win consistently leading up to slams...and also win slams.

This takes preparation, some medication, a lot of physio work and of course a little spin.

I personally think this is the only element of dramaqueen in the guy. In the old days, a guy in his position would just suck it up, rest, recover and come back later. Things are different now. He wants to play, but the ATP and the machine URGE him to play. He needs matches. So he plays, but not perfectly, so they serve up a few words to diffuse the situation....and offer hope for his fans, potential fans and ... for the sports marketing industry. It's a lose-win situation.

 

[tlm]

I know there are many *******s here, but it is amazing how stupid they really are. Rafa said he is not 100% ready to play at this level yet.He did not say anything about not being physically ready.

Nadal missed 2 months of tennis he has come back+ is doing pretty good, but he is not ready to play at his top level yet.Which anyone with a half of a brain would be able to understand.

There is no excuse making, he is just stating the obvious.The same would be true for any athlete in any sport.You can only realize were your game is at when you play other top players.After nadal has played a couple of the better players, he knows he is not 100% ready for that level.Which part of this do you idiots Not understand?

 

[namelessone]

This takes preparation, some medication, a lot of physio work and of course a little spin.

I personally think this is the only element of dramaqueen in the guy. In the old days, a guy in his position would just suck it up, rest, recover and come back later. Things are different now. He wants to play, but the ATP and the machine URGE him to play. He needs matches. So he plays, but not perfectly, so they serve up a few words to diffuse the situation....and offer hope for his fans, potential fans and ... for the sports marketing industry. It's a lose-win situation.

I didn't understand the bolded part.What is THE ONLY element of dramaqueen in Nadal? I don't think the ATP wants him back like this.Nadal wanted to come back.As soon as he felt his knees were good enough for a masters event he entered montreak,with low expectations obviously.

 

[Terr]

I know there are many *******s here, but it is amazing how stupid they really are. Rafa said he is not 100% ready to play at this level yet.He did not say anything about not being physically ready.

Nadal missed 2 months of tennis he has come back+ is doing pretty good, but he is not ready to play at his top level yet.Which anyone with a half of a brain would be able to understand.

There is no excuse making, he is just stating the obvious.The same would be true for any athlete in any sport.You can only realize were your game is at when you play other top players.After nadal has played a couple of the better players, he knows he is not 100% ready for that level.Which part of this do you idiots Not understand?

I can't help but feel that there'd be less controversy surrounding Rafa's statements if his English was a bit better, no?

Federer can really elaborate his opinions when he speaks, but Rafa is so one worded. Everything he says is very shallow (for lack of a better word.)

 

[mzzmuaa]

He's physically "100%" and his knees are fine. That's what he said exactly. That's also what we saw, aside from some short-lived, but minor stomach problem last night.
He never said his game was 100%. We saw that too. He could hang with Djokovic playing normally, but when Djokovic got more aggressive and confident, he had no response.

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

I can't help but feel that there'd be less controversy surrounding Rafa's statements if his English was a bit better, no?

Federer can really elaborate his opinions when he speaks, but Rafa is so one worded. Everything he says is very shallow (for lack of a better word.)

Thats very true, but it is also hard to elaborate someone else`s opinions (Uncle T of course)

 

[FedNad316]

I didn't understand the bolded part.What is THE ONLY element of dramaqueen in Nadal? I don't think the ATP wants him back like this.Nadal wanted to come back.As soon as he felt his knees were good enough for a masters event he entered montreak,with low expectations obviously.

What I dont understand that everybody is gung-ho and upbeat and talking about Nadal being back when he wins......but when he loses.....a totally different spin machine PR gets underway and I dont like what he says during his interviews at times.....Its as if its only about how nadal plays that determines the fate of a match.....the opponent has to rely on nadal being 100% or not to win/lose......If nadal could give more credit to the opposition and then state that he may not be 100% I got no problem....

 

[namelessone]

I can't help but feel that there'd be less controversy surrounding Rafa's statements if his English was a bit better, no?

Federer can really elaborate his opinions when he speaks, but Rafa is so one worded. Everything he says is very shallow (for lack of a better word.)

Actually in this particular quote there is no controversy.Nothing can be interpreted.All Nadal said was that he is not ready to take on the big guys and yet this was painfully obvious in his matches with delpo and djokovic.
But a lot of ****s just read the title,saw 100% part and thought it was about knees,or thought it as some kind of excuse from Nadal and spurted out nonsense from their keyboards.