Nadal: I don't have to Listen to Toni

[OddJack]

As suspected before, there are some rumors of a rift with Toni. Those of you who watched his matches this week saw a careless looking man with a sad smile on his face. Toni was not attempting any tele-coaching anymore (Nadal wasnt even looking at his box anyways, or was it because the stands were in the dark? : ) No emotions, no enthusiasm.

This "loss of passion" Rafa talks about could be a strategy and technique that has been tired to death by his uncle. Is it possible that Nadal blames his uncle for his shortcomings? That Toni hasnt been able to turn this around with improvements such as creating a new stroke?, instead of his usual traditional approach of his "body language"? ( in his book, Nadal mentions a sore moment when his uncle was not happy with his body language during a USO 2010 match)

Here is the link for that quote: " I don’t necessarily have to listen or take notice any more of what Toni says to me. I can make my own mind up now,” he said. “Am I frustrated? That’s not the right word. In a career you come back or you go down.



http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/286077/Rafa-Nadal-needs-to-rediscover-his-love-for-tennis

Whatever happens in 2012 it's unlikely that Toni will go away. But it's likely that a new guy will be added to his team. Other than his health, that's the only way, apparently, to change things around.

 

[aphex]

I think the final straw was the time that Toni told him to touch a burning frying pan and then loled his arse off at the mind-bogling stupidity of his nephew...

 

[Mike Sams]

Toni's a drill sergeant. He stunted Nadal's growth as an adult.

 

[Sentinel]

Rafa should keep listening to Toni, whatever he says. After all, it was Toni's brainwave that Rafa should play lefty, otherwise Rafa would today be ranked somewhere between Montanes and Hidalgo ...

they are coming in ... off to the telly.

 

[GOAT BAAH!!!]

I think Rafa should tell Toni to take a hike to work with Tony Roche and possibly get Jose Higueras to learn how to play better on clay.

 

[mandy01]

I thought we've seen a surprising change in Nadal in the last few months. He might've had a slightly worse year than the previous years but I find him much more outspoken now, than I ever have . Clearly, there seems some kind of a rift but it could even work in a positive way. Many people thought Toni virtually run Nadal's life even before his biography came out. If Nadal can take stock of what he does, it could be a good thing for him. Why act like a trained circus animal?

 

[JamieSafe]

Why act like a trained circus animal?

Because it got him this far already?

 

[mandy01]

Because it got him this far already?

It did. And credit to Toni for it. But Nadal's a grown person. He should be able to stand his ground if he sees things differently. Besides, you can always try and be yourself without hurting or cutting ties with the other person. Might be tough in the beginning. But I don't see how being more open could be a bad thing for him.

 

[Crisstti]

As suspected before, there are some rumors of a rift with Toni. Those of you who watched his matches this week saw a careless looking man with a sad smile on his face. Toni was not attempting any tele-coaching anymore (Nadal wasnt even looking at his box anyways, or was it because the stands were in the dark? : ) No emotions, no enthusiasm.

This "loss of passion" Rafa talks about could be a strategy and technique that has been tired to death by his uncle. Is it possible that Nadal blames his uncle for his shortcomings? That Toni hasnt been able to turn this around with improvements such as creating a new stroke?, instead of his usual traditional approach of his "body language"? ( in his book, Nadal mentions a sore moment when his uncle was not happy with his body language during a USO 2010 match)

Here is the link for that quote: " I don’t necessarily have to listen or take notice any more of what Toni says to me. I can make my own mind up now,” he said. “Am I frustrated? That’s not the right word. In a career you come back or you go down.



http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/286077/Rafa-Nadal-needs-to-rediscover-his-love-for-tennis

Whatever happens in 2012 it's unlikely that Toni will go away. But it's likely that a new guy will be added to his team. Other than his health, that's the only way, apparently, to change things around.

Good.

Interesting article. I wonder if it is from the Spanish presser after the match against Tsonga... (they insist that Rafa is "boycotting" Queens though).

I think it'd be very positive for Rafa to add a new guy to his team, but I don't see Rafa saying anything that points to that...

 

[Crisstti]

I thought we've seen a surprising change in Nadal in the last few months. He might've had a slightly worse year than the previous years but I find him much more outspoken now, than I ever have . Clearly, there seems some kind of a rift but it could even work in a positive way. Many people thought Toni virtually run Nadal's life even before his biography came out. If Nadal can take stock of what he does, it could be a good thing for him. Why act like a trained circus animal?

It is quite clear that Toni more or less ran Nadal's life. He's clearly acting more outspoken and not allowing that that much now. I think it's good. It's good for him to have more of his independence and not to accept certain attitudes - from Toni and from others - that he just doesn't have why to accept. Whether it's good for his tennis I don't know, but it's good for him.

Because it got him this far already?

There's more to life than tennis, or professional life in general.

It did. And credit to Toni for it. But Nadal's a grown person. He should be able to stand his ground if he sees things differently. Besides, you can always try and be yourself without hurting or cutting ties with the other person. Might be tough in the beginning. But I don't see how being more open could be a bad thing for him.

True.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Nadal does not need Toni anymore, bc Toni hasn't brought a single new thing to the table in years. He needs a new coach that isn't going to try to allow Nadal to be passive and defensive.

 

[passive_aggressive]

It did. And credit to Toni for it. But Nadal's a grown person. He should be able to stand his ground if he sees things differently. Besides, you can always try and be yourself without hurting or cutting ties with the other person. Might be tough in the beginning. But I don't see how being more open could be a bad thing for him.

Nah, he's not a grown person, he's a circus act.

A freak who employs one tactic mechanically with no creativity or regard to circumstance or opposition (he tries to hit to DJokovic's backhand even though it is his strength), over and over.

That's what makes the guy fun to watch.

He shouldn't re-think his strategy.

Tennis is not a thinking man's game, he should just hit the gym hard, get faster, stronger, fitter, heavier, bigger, more explosive, more flexible and learn to hit both wings with double the topspin he hits now, and even Djokovic's backhand will break down. Don't think up a new strategy, just execute the existing one better.

 

[OddJack]

Nah, he's not a grown person, he's a circus act.

A freak who employs one tactic mechanically with no creativity or regard to circumstance or opposition (he tries to hit to DJokovic's backhand even though it is his strength), over and over.

That's what makes the guy fun to watch.

He shouldn't re-think his strategy.

Tennis is not a thinking man's game, he should just hit the gym hard, get faster, stronger, fitter, heavier, bigger, more explosive, more flexible and learn to hit both wings with double the topspin he hits now, and even Djokovic's backhand will break down. Don't think up a new strategy, just execute the existing one better.

First bold I agree with,

And I hope your just kidding with the second bold.

 

[Mike Sams]

(he tries to hit to DJokovic's backhand even though it is his strength), over and over.

Well I certainly don't think hitting to Djokovic's forehand is a better option. :lol:
By doing that, Nadal ends up having to defend his backhand side as Djokovic loves blasting crosscourt.

 

[ZeroSkid]

I think Rafa should hire roger for the indoor events and roger should hire rafa for the french open

 

[namelessone]

Nadal doesn't need Toni anymore not cause öf "OMG he was so bad to him as a kid and controlling him" BS but because he clearly can't or won't fix some major issues in Nadal's game. At least that's what 2011 told us.

 

[Mike Sams]

Nadal doesn't need Toni anymore not cause öf "OMG he was so bad to him as a kid and controlling him" BS but because he clearly can't or won't fix some major issues in Nadal's game. At least that's what 2011 told us.

It's the same game that won him a Slam this year and 3 Slams last year. Why fix something that ain't broke?

 

[namelessone]

It's the same game that won him a Slam this year and 3 Slams last year. Why fix something that ain't broke?

The BH is broken.
The serve is broken.
Court positioning on second serve is broken.
Nadal stands too far back and gets way too passive.

These are just a few things that are messing up Nadal's game. Watch Nadal from 2008/2010, compare him to 2011 version and tell me that's the same game. Nadal had maybe 2-3 matches in 2011 that reminded me of his old self.

 

[OddJack]

Nadal doesn't need Toni anymore not cause öf "OMG he was so bad to him as a kid and controlling him" BS but because he clearly can't or won't fix some major issues in Nadal's game. At least that's what 2011 told us.

I agree, he doesnt. But it could be too late to change anything.

I know you dont like the phrase" one dimensional" But that's true. What Nadal does the best is a Helicopter top spin FH to BH. He goes back to it again and again.

What can a new coach bring to his game?

 

[namelessone]

I agree, he doesnt. But it could be too late to change anything.

I know you dont like the phrase" one dimensional" But that's true. What Nadal does the best is a Helicopter top spin FH to BH. He goes back to it again and again.

What can a new coach bring to his game?

That across the body finish that he does in practice would be a good start. Not as standard fh but it's good to mix it up on the fh side.

A new coach could also fix his BH which is broke. ANYBODY that has a good rally fh can absolutely maul that side now.

And if Nadal was a one trick pony(fh to opponent BH) it must have been some trick, to let you stay in the top 2 for 7 seasons. Or the ATP have some weak ass BH.

 

[aphex]

The BH is broken.
The serve is broken.
Court positioning on second serve is broken.
Nadal stands too far back and gets way too passive.

These are just a few things that are messing up Nadal's game. Watch Nadal from 2008/2010, compare him to 2011 version and tell me that's the same game. Nadal had maybe 2-3 matches in 2011 that reminded me of his old self.

Why are you such a Nadal-hater?

 

[namelessone]

Why are you such a Nadal-hater?

I just try to fit it around here.

Isn't this the Fed warehouse?

 

[OddJack]

namelessness, you are nominated to take over Nadal camp. How can you know so much and Toni nada?

 

[namelessone]

namelessness, you are nominated to take over Nadal camp. How can you know so much and Toni nada?

Or maybe Toni knows and doesn't give a crap anymore?

He has achieved all he wanted with Rafa except winning WTF and beating Roger's slam tally.

Rafa is already in the top 10 all time. Maybe he simply doesn't work on Nadal's game anymore.

 

[mandy01]

Nadal doesn't need Toni anymore not cause öf "OMG he was so bad to him as a kid and controlling him" BS but because he clearly can't or won't fix some major issues in Nadal's game. At least that's what 2011 told us.

Nadal is not a broken machine to fix.Toni can advise him. He can't play the match for him.

 

[nikdom]

Sure. If uncle Toni gives him permission to plug his ears.

 

[Mike Sams]

The BH is broken.
The serve is broken.
Court positioning on second serve is broken.
Nadal stands too far back and gets way too passive.

These are just a few things that are messing up Nadal's game. Watch Nadal from 2008/2010, compare him to 2011 version and tell me that's the same game. Nadal had maybe 2-3 matches in 2011 that reminded me of his old self.

It's Djokovic who broke Nadal to pieces and crapped all over his rep. Nobody else had a say. Let's just eliminate Djokovic and act like he never existed. Suddenly Nadal is possibly the greatest player in the game today. See how easy it is? :lol:
Take one guy out and all is lovely in Rafa-Land. Nothing broken, no reason to fix anything, nobody to spoil the party. It's that silly little Serbian that has done this.

 

[namelessone]

Nadal is not a broken machine to fix.Toni can advise him. He can't play the match for him.

Well that's the problem, just what exactly is he advising him on?

If he sees that his nephew's BH is deteriorating as the year progresses, why does he do nothing, make changes? And if he did do something, it sure as hell ain't showing. Nadal's BH was worse this WTF than the rest of the year and it wasn't that great back then either.

Is it such a HUGE tactical change for Nadal to not stand in the first row on SECOND SERVE?

Is it a HUGE tactical change to implement SOME of the across the body fh Nadal plays in his practices to matches?


These are things that you can see from an airplane yet the all knowing Tony has did NOTHING to adress this issues.

He had the PERFECT opportunity for Rafa to test some of these things in the asian swing(where Rafa is usually pretty meh so no pressure) yet we saw nothing new.

 

[OddJack]

namelessone Or maybe Toni knows and doesn't give a crap anymore?

Then Nadal should fire him right away and get someone who cares.

He has achieved all he wanted with Rafa except winning WTF and beating Roger's slam tally.

Laver, Emerson, Borg and Sampras will have something to say about that

Rafa is already in the top 10 all time. Maybe he simply doesn't work on Nadal's game anymore.

Or maybe he does but don't have clue what's wrong.

 

[Mike Sams]

namelessone, I see you never addressed the fact that Nadal served 91% first serves against Djokovic in Wimby final in that first set, perhaps a level beyond even his encounter with Federer in Wimby 2008, and STILL Djokovic broke his serve. :lol:
Yes, I'm sure Nadal is the one doing something wrong as opposed to his opponent doing something right. :-|

 

[namelessone]

It's Djokovic who broke Nadal to pieces and crapped all over his rep. Nobody else had a say. Let's just eliminate Djokovic and act like he never existed. Suddenly Nadal is possibly the greatest player in the game today. See how easy it is? :lol:
Take one guy out and all is lovely in Rafa-Land. Nothing broken, no reason to fix anything, nobody to spoil the party. It's that silly little Serbian that has done this.

Look at my posts about bits of Nadal's game when Nadal was winning MC and Barcelona. As I said, Nadal is well on his way to becoming a more defensive Moya.

 

[mandy01]

Well that's the problem, just what exactly is he advising him on?

Find out and then talk. Also perhaps communication has been a bit of a problem if there has been a rift between the two.

 

[Mike Sams]

Then Nadal should fire him right away and get someone who cares.



Laver, Emerson, Borg and Sampras will have something to say about that


Or maybe he does but don't have clue what's wrong.

I know what's wrong. Nadal has found a guy who plays like Nadal minus the silly topspin. That's what's wrong. Just imagine if you had to play yourself, perhaps a slightly faster version of yourself, maybe a little younger and a little hungrier version...you'd probably struggle too.
Nadal is playing Nadal 2.0. That's the problem here.

 

[Mike Sams]

Look at my posts about bits of Nadal's game when Nadal was winning MC and Barcelona. As I said, Nadal is well on his way to becoming a more defensive Moya.

Nadal was just as flawed in 2010 as he is now. You think suddenly we all forgot that he got wiped off the court by Ljubicic, Roddick, Murray, Baghdatis, etc and had to go to 5 set wars with the likes of Haase and Petschener and was struggling against that clown Gulbis. All the while Djokovic was in the slump of his life, Federer couldn't win anything, Murray was down and out mentally, and Del Potro was sitting at home favouring his shattered wrist. Who was there to step in Nadal's way and challenge him?
He had NO rival!!! That's the plain truth. Nobody was out there to challenge him and his USO draw was a joke. You know you've got a joke draw when your semifinal opponent is Mikhail Youzhny. Please! :lol: Round that off with clowns like Lopez and Verdasco who are Nadal's lapdogs and then that other fellow Gilles Simon who had to make the 8pm flight to see his kid but instead was stuck on the court with Nadal. The USO was junk. Also Tomas Berdych, the world's biggest choke artist as a Wimbledon finalist? :lol: That's hilarious! Nadal was loving 2010. Just lapping up the silverware while the rest of the tour was in peril. Rafa fans were definitely loving every minute of it. Why the sad faces now? Because he finally ran into a guy that doesn't crap himself at the mere sight of the mighty Rafa? :lol:

 

[aphex]

2011 Ralph would never lose against mugs like GGL...

 

[Crisstti]

namelessone, I see you never addressed the fact that Nadal served 91% first serves against Djokovic in Wimby final in that first set, perhaps a level beyond even his encounter with Federer in Wimby 2008, and STILL Djokovic broke his serve.
Yes, I'm sure Nadal is the one doing something wrong as opposed to his opponent doing something right.

It doesn't have to be just one or the other, you know.

Nadal was just as flawed in 2010 as he is now. You think suddenly we all forgot that he got wiped off the court by Ljubicic, Roddick, Murray, Baghdatis, etc and had to go to 5 set wars with the likes of Haase and Petschener and was struggling against that clown Gulbis. All the while Djokovic was in the slump of his life, Federer couldn't win anything, Murray was down and out mentally, and Del Potro was sitting at home favouring his shattered wrist. Who was there to step in Nadal's way and challenge him?
He had NO rival!!! That's the plain truth. Nobody was out there to challenge him and his USO draw was a joke. You know you've got a joke draw when your semifinal opponent is Mikhail Youzhny. Please! Round that off with clowns like Lopez and Verdasco who are Nadal's lapdogs and then that other fellow Gilles Simon who had to make the 8pm flight to see his kid but instead was stuck on the court with Nadal. The USO was junk. Also Tomas Berdych, the world's biggest choke artist as a Wimbledon finalist? :lol: That's hilarious! Nadal was loving 2010. Just lapping up the silverware while the rest of the tour was in peril. Rafa fans were definitely loving every minute of it. Why the sad faces now? Because he finally ran into a guy that doesn't crap himself at the mere sight of the mighty Rafa?

Well, Rafa knew then what Fed felt for years of his career

 

[Tennis_Monk]

So , Rafa wins only One slam and suddenly it is a bad season and decline for him?.

Based on some of the posts in this thread (and this forum), it sounds like every aspect of Rafa's game is broken and basically he needs to go to Bollitieri's or etc and work for a few years to get them fixed. It was around this time last year when we saw threads of Rafa about him winning Aus Open and finishing with 4 trophies at same time.

Some things never change in this forum.

 

[Rjtennis]

Toni's a drill sergeant. He stunted Nadal's growth as an adult.

Completly agree. Rafa is not as mature as a typical 25 year old and seems very uncomfotable when he is not on the tennis court. I dont believe Rafa is a very confident guy off the court and i think a lot of that is Toni's fault.

 

[Sentinel]

Please lets not wash the Nadal dirty linen in public. All this should go into the Nadal News thread so the rest of us decent people don't have to be subject to it.

 

[ViscaB]

Nadal just needs to take a break from it all after the DC. Feign an injury, go fishing for a few months and return in the clay season.

As others have mentioned it hasn't been a bad season at all. He has won a slam and possibly will ad a DC. That's two trophies more than his arch rival.

 

[OddJack]

Please lets not wash the Nadal dirty linen in public. All this should go into the Nadal News thread so the rest of us decent people don't have to be subject to it.

Nadal news thread is not about news.

It's where his fans, usually after a loss, gather and discuss it till they reach an unanimous conclusion on cause of defeat. Once they have it, they relax and release pressure off their hips by posting threads such as " Nadal strong come back in 2012" or the like.

As an example, there was an emergency meeting right after Nadal's 63 60 loss to Federer, where ********* chief strategist and lead comedian namelessone, claimed the loss as " lack of strategy and short balls", or maybe it was short of strategy and lack of balls.
At any rate, there is no good news to be heard in that thread, or anywhere else.

 

[nikdom]

Nadal news thread is not about news.

It's where his fans, usually after a loss, gather and discuss it till they reach an unanimous conclusion on cause of defeat. Once they have it, they relax and release pressure off their hips by posting threads such as " Nadal strong come back in 2012" or the like.

As an example, there was an emergency meeting right after Nadal's 63 60 loss to Federer, where ********* chief strategist and lead comedian namelessone, claimed the loss as " lack of strategy and short balls", or maybe it was short of strategy and lack of balls.
At any rate, there is no good news to be heard in that thread, or anywhere else.

ROFLMAO

 

[DoubleDeuce]

Toni will be replaced next year, they have reached to a point that all they can do is to blame each other for the losses. The only way out is a new guy.

 

[Mike Sams]

The world's going to end in 2012 so not much time left for Nadal to regain his ranking and break the Slam count.

 

[OddJack]

Maybe it's his world that ends in 2012

 

[Mike Sams]

Maybe it's his world that ends in 2012

:lol: nice one

 

[RF20Lennon]

I just try to fit it around here.

Isn't this the Fed warehouse?

you guys make me LOL

 

[Sentinel]

Who is forcing the Nadal to listen to Toni Braxton.

He should be listening to Justin Beiber like others of his age.

 

[wangs78]

The fact is Toni was critical in molding Nadal into the champion that he was/is. And a lot of it did have to do with the drill sergeant approach and getting Rafa to do what he was told. This isn't good for Rafa's overall growth as a person, but it did get him to 10 slam titles. Rafa's "growing up" will be good for him as a person, but it is in fact quite possible that growing up to become his own man could result in zero slam titles. I think it is quite possible.

 

[tennis_pro]

Nadal news thread is not about news.

It's where his fans, usually after a loss, gather and discuss it till they reach an unanimous conclusion on cause of defeat. Once they have it, they relax and release pressure off their hips by posting threads such as " Nadal strong come back in 2012" or the like.

As an example, there was an emergency meeting right after Nadal's 63 60 loss to Federer, where ********* chief strategist and lead comedian namelessone, claimed the loss as " lack of strategy and short balls", or maybe it was short of strategy and lack of balls.
At any rate, there is no good news to be heard in that thread, or anywhere else.

haha you nailed it