Nadal desperate to prove himself indoors at ATP Finals

[duaneeo]

True, but when I said all ATG's have their weaknesses, I was thinking more specific things:

1. Fed blowing 22 matches in his career while holding MP or MP's
2. Rafa never winning YEC
3. Novak's overheads and volleys
4. Fed never solving Rafa's spin until 2017 off clay
5, Sampras on clay

It's not just about being an ATG/double-digit slam winner. All players who have ended the year #1 multiple times (Connors, Borg, McEnroe, Lendl, Edberg, Sampras, Hewitt, Federer, Djokovic) has won the YEC except Nadal.

 

[clayqueen]

Did he qualify in 2016? (Serious question, i know he dropped to 9-10 at some point)

He did. Although he ended the year as #9 at the time of the WTF he was #8.

 

[ND-13]

He did. Although he ended the year as #9 at the time of the WTF he was #8.

FO + MC + Barcelona = 3500
One of Rome and Madrid = 1000

4500 points makes it to YEC every year and twice on a leap year.

 

[Clay lover]

The only people who claim not to care are his fanatics. Same goes for the Olympics which the big three obviously hold in high regard but whose importance some deny

 

[Third Serve]

The only desperate hopes around here are from the fans, hoping Federer will emerge from behind the curtain, squeaking a little, before crushing all cruising through the Melesian mindfields and into the semis.

surprisemotherf***er.gif

beautiful

 

[Winners or Errors]

I'm not holding my breath for Nadal to win at the O2. Just nothing about it suits him.

 

[clayqueen]

FO + MC + Barcelona = 3500
One of Rome and Madrid = 1000

4500 points makes it to YEC every year and twice on a leap year.

Such dominance as never seen before and possibly never to be seen again. Shame that the hardcourters haven't managed it despite there being far more h/c tournaments in the season.

 

[Nadal_Django]

Well, competition on HC >>> competition on CC, if we are completely honest.

There are just 3-4 meaningful clay court tournaments per year, so majority of the Top players, don't even bother to develop some CC skills, quite understandably, tbh...

 

[demrle]

This is like going into a bar with 20 chicks, four "9s", one "5" and fifteen "4s", and bragging about how you landed the "fifth hottest girl in the bar".

Accurate: yes

Misleading: definitely

Especially if someone else has scored with thirteen "4s"

 

[demrle]

Rafa should be given a special award like a Gold Medal for qualifying for 16 consecutive years for the WTF.

He gets one honorary win at the tournament every 15 years that he qualifies. It counts the same as the fair win.

 

[clayqueen]

Well, competition on HC >>> competition on CC, if we are completely honest.

There are just 3-4 meaningful clay court tournaments per year, so majority of the Top players, don't even bother to develop some CC skills, quite understandably, tbh...

Yet Rafa has been able to dominate clay for 15 years however hard everyone tries, they can't get a look in unless Rafa is less than 100% fit. To win 100 out of 102 matches at RG alone beating the very best players year after year after year speaks for itself.

 

[PeoplesChamp]

"It's so important, after the Slams, if you're a great and you don't have this in your pocket, then you're missing something.

"For Rafa, you're the guy who's missing this the most. It's something in your resume that you desperately want to win.

- Greg Rusedski

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1327260995643797504

 

[PeoplesChamp]

The lone indoor hard title was won in 2005. Many say 2005 Rafa was a baby, which would mean adult Rafa has never won an indoor hard title.

 

[Born_to_slice]

Unaware of a "big 4" but I take your point regardless.

In fact, the ATP Finals was recently voted the event "Most Likely to Induce Salt."

Going 0 for 9 will do that!

Does that mean he's going for 'La Decima' this year?

 

[FrontHeadlock]

"It's so important, after the Slams, if you're a great and you don't have this in your pocket, then you're missing something.

"For Rafa, you're the guy who's missing this the most. It's something in your resume that you desperately want to win.

- Greg Rusedski

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1327260995643797504

This from a guy whose two biggest titles by far are on indoor hard court, so maybe not the most neutral authority.

 

[D.Nalby12]

2006 WTF is the best I've seen Nadal playing indoors. Not sure why he doesn't rate this performance on top.

 

[PeoplesChamp]

This from a guy whose two biggest titles by far are on indoor hard court, so maybe not the most neutral authority.

Rusedski's best result on tour was being a finalist at the 1997 USO which is an outdoor HC.

 

[Beckerserve]

"We can find excuses or reasons but at the end of the day the numbers are the numbers," Nadal said.

SuperSport

supersport.com

Man 20 Majors really not sitting well with the Nadal hate mob. Does make N20dal a lot sweeter though lol.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Nadal was the moral winner of the ATP Finals last year, the only one to beat the eventual champion. Also, won RG under the roof this year. Rafa is an ATG at indoor tennis

 

[PeoplesChamp]

 

[Deleted member 743561]

.

 

[Kiam]

"I think I am able to play a little bit better the last couple of years indoors than what I did at the beginning of my tennis career without a doubt but that's the numbers and I can't say something different. I hope to change that this week."

D E S P E R A T E

I don't think he will do as well as he has in the past at the YEC this year. Teh competition is too stiff....guys who really are great fast-court players. I'll be surprised if he makes it to the semis.

 

[myth]

He can still win it...
He played well...only lost in 2 tie breaks...
Some have won the event after losing in the RR.....

 

[PeoplesChamp]

He can still win it...
He played well...only lost in 2 tie breaks...
Some have won the event after losing in the RR.....

He can still win it although his win percentage there has taken another dive from 56 to 55 %

 

[BeatlesFan]

Rafa should be given a special award like a Gold Medal for qualifying for 16 consecutive years for the WTF.

Never mind he didn't play it for 9 or 10+ years even when qualifying (you can do the math on that one, ClayQ).

 

[Clay lover]

This really might be his best chance yet if Djoko fails to make it out of his group. Fedovic have practically owned him on the surface when it mattered.

Against the others he might not be naturally more suited to the surface but he has the edge in experience and confidence (except against Thiem for some reason).

 

[MichaelNadal]

It would be really nice for Nadal to finally bag this thing.

 

[Mainad]

There will be no better opportunity for him to plug this particular gap in his resumé than here and now. Short season leaving him fitter and less injured than he normally is at this time of year, his chief rival Djokovic seemingly not in top form and with a commanding H2H over everybody else taking part. It's almost his title to lose!

 

[Rafa.the.Magnificent]

He has tough hurdles ahead, but Nadal is definitely motivated to the max! Hope he’s successful!

 

[JaoSousa]

Rafa should be given a special award like a Gold Medal for qualifying for 16 consecutive years for the WTF.

Qualifying doesn't matter. Only winning does. Your words, not mine.

 

[blablavla]

Qualifying doesn't matter. Only winning does. Your words, not mine.

you know, it depends.
If it is your favorite player, then everything qualifies.
If it is a player that you hate, especially because this player prevents your player from looking even better, then of course only winning matters, but not vs weak era, unmotivated opponents, etc., only winning vs prime ATG peers, and ideally on the worst surface

 

[abmk]

There will be no better opportunity for him to plug this particular gap in his resumé than here and now. Short season leaving him fitter and less injured than he normally is at this time of year, his chief rival Djokovic seemingly not in top form and with a commanding H2H over everybody else taking part. It's almost his title to lose!

Nadal is 9-6 vs Thiem, Thiem winning the last 3 of their 4 matches. Would not call that a commanding h2h.

 

[clayqueen]

Never mind he didn't play it for 9 or 10+ years even when qualifying (you can do the math on that one, ClayQ).

Qualifying for the WTF means that he's been in the top 8 for 16 consecutive years. Considering 2015 is the only complete season he's played since 2012 and other seasons before that.

 

[Silverbullet96]

I'm sure he knows and feels that he would never be able to call himself the best when he's never won the tournament of the best. He needs this tournament more than any other and he needs it now, it's only getting tougher for him year after year.

Now that isn't true, we can see by his results he's still the same level or improving on grass and indoors. Peak still yet to come for the injured/half dead person who plays Tennis.

 

[clayqueen]

I'm sure he knows and feels that he would never be able to call himself the best when he's never won the tournament of the best. He needs this tournament more than any other and he needs it now, it's only getting tougher for him year after year.

No one can be the best without a singles Olympic Gold Medal either.

 

[bhpower]

He's playing great, I think he has a really good to win here, specially if Djokovic is beat by Zverev.
But Medvedev will be really tricky in the semis with his big serve and consistent low flat balls.

 

[octobrina10]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1329715355179126784

 

[PeoplesChamp]

There will be no better opportunity for him to plug this particular gap in his resumé than here and now. Short season leaving him fitter and less injured than he normally is at this time of year, his chief rival Djokovic seemingly not in top form and with a commanding H2H over everybody else taking part. It's almost his title to lose!

It really is now or never.

No Excuses!!

 

[PeoplesChamp]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1329715355179126784

Federer looks much better doing it.

 

[PeoplesChamp]

Qualifying for the WTF means that he's been in the top 8 for 16 consecutive years. Considering 2015 is the only complete season he's played since 2012 and other seasons before that.

Living off clay season points usually

 

[MichaelNadal]

Living off clay season points usually

The part of the season that takes the most energy epic

 

[clayqueen]

Living off clay season points usually

Who is stopping anyone from living off hard courts?

 

[octobrina10]

Federer looks much better doing it.

Tsitsi beat your beloved player Fed last year in London.

 

[Winner]

Living off clay season points usually

Yet again the argument is that Rafa is to good. Don't you think Federer also lived off points he won on his best surface?

 

[Mainad]

Nadal is 9-6 vs Thiem, Thiem winning the last 3 of their 4 matches. Would not call that a commanding h2h.

Thiem is probably the one most likely to give him the most trouble providing he's in form of course. Medvedev on current form will be interesting to watch too.

 

[clayqueen]

Federer looks much better doing it.

Looks being the operative word and even then that's very subjective. At least Rafa won the point which is the important bit.

 

[PeoplesChamp]

Yet again the argument is that Rafa is to good. Don't you think Federer also lived off points he won on his best surface?

Which one? There's actually a variety

 

[PeoplesChamp]

Tsitsi beat your beloved player Fed last year in London.

Tsits beat your beloved player Rafa last year in his own home country.

 

[PeoplesChamp]

Looks being the operative word and even then that's very subjective. At least Rafa won the point which is the important bit.

Cadillac > Chevy

 

[octobrina10]

Tsits beat your beloved player Rafa last year in his own home country.

The title of this thread is: "... ATP Finals."