Nadal improving

[Gary20]

Big win today for Nadal agaisnt Raonic, if he beats Wawrinka tomorrow his confidnce should be restored as he will have beat two guys for whom conditions in Shanghai are more favourable.

Djokovic and Murray probably at the moment a bridge too far for Rafa, but if by the end of the year they the only guys beating him, 2016 may be a very special year for Rafa fans.

 

[GabeT]

Another Nadal Nole final? yes!!

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I'm not thinking about specific goals. At this moment I just appreciate seeing Nadal playing better and with more confidence. If that leads to something else, then great!

But Nadal could very well end this year at #5, which is definitely lackluster for him, although far from the type of decline that usually spells doom in a player's career. I think he will have his chances in the future, including slams.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Another Nadal Nole final? yes!!

I'd like to see them clash again this week. The dynamic is always a fun one.

 

[GabeT]

I'd like to see them clash again this week. The dynamic is always a fun one.

It's my favorite rivalry even if, as a Nole fan, I should probably just hope Nadal never recovers. If the Nadal beast reawakens 2016 may turn out very differently than currently expected.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

He has a real test in the quarterfinals. We never know which Stan will show up. But a Masters final on hard court is definitely possible for Rafa and it would mean something for him. Djokovic and Murray are too strong at this moment though...

 

[weakera]

The golden bull is rounding into form.

He would have lost both today and yesterday early in the season but stepped up in the big moments and showed no fear. His demeanour and confidence have improved by leaps and bounds. If he continues to progress at this rate, he will be back to his 2013 form sooner rather than later.

And that is bad news for the rest of the tour...

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

It's my favorite rivalry even if, as a Nole fan, I should probably just hope Nadal never recovers. If the Nadal beast reawakens 2016 may turn out very differently than currently expected.

Thank you for your honesty. Refreshing.

 

[ibbi]

Was another very good win today, and encouraging, but now he has to face someone with a proper ground game. Will be a whole other thing. Looking forward to seeing how it goes.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

It's my favorite rivalry even if, as a Nole fan, I should probably just hope Nadal never recovers. If the Nadal beast reawakens 2016 may turn out very differently than currently expected.

For me, I actually like Rafa quite a bit. He was never my favorite, but I didn't find myself actively rooting against him either. He's good for the game, along with Roger, Novak and Andy. We are not going to have them around forever, so all of them playing well can never be a bad thing for the sport.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

The golden bull is rounding into form.

He would have lost both today and yesterday early in the season but stepped up in the big moments and showed no fear. His demeanour and confidence have improved by leaps and bounds. If he continues to progress at this rate, he will be back to his 2013 form sooner rather than later.

And that is bad news for the rest of the tour...

He dropped way too low this year to be back to world number 1 again. Not to mention that Djokovic and Murray are at a higher level now than two years ago, especially Djokovic.
Nadal will improve and it is good news, but returning to past glory is too hard.

 

[Djokovic2011]

Thank you for your honesty. Refreshing.

I know exactly how he feels Rusty. Even though I've never liked Nadal, a part of me has felt sorry for him this year as I don't think it's nice seeing great champions struggle and it would be good to see more competitive Big 4 matches like we used to have. On the other hand, if Nadal regains his confidence and starts playing like it's 2013 all over again, Novak's chances of adding more majors to his resume would obviously decrease. Talk about feeling conflicted!

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I know exactly how he feels Rusty. Even though I've never liked Nadal, a part of me has felt sorry for him this year as I don't think it's nice seeing great champions struggle and it would be good to see more competitive Big 4 matches like we used to have. On the other hand, if Nadal regains his confidence and starts playing like it's 2013 all over again, Novak's chances of adding more majors to his resume would obviously decrease. Talk about feeling conflicted!

Well, thank you, Djokovic2011. I appreciate honesty, and in this case I think it's nice that you also have conflicted feelings due to Nadal's struggling form. Yes, ideally we'd all like to see all top players be in great shape, but when it comes to our favorite player, we'd also like them to have the best chances to add to their resume.

I still think Djokovic could spare 1 or 2 slams, no? I mean, he was within a mouse's whisker of winning the Grand Slam this year!

You (and all other Djokovic fans) must be in Seventh Heaven!

 

[Djokovic2011]

Well, thank you, Djokovic2011. I appreciate honesty, and in this case I think it's nice that you also have conflicted feelings due to Nadal's struggling form. Yes, ideally we'd all like to see all top players be in great shape, but when it comes to our favorite player, we'd also like them to have the best chances to add to their resume.

I still think Djokovic could spare 1 or 2 slams, no? I mean, he was within a mouse's whisker of winning the Grand Slam this year!

You (and all other Djokovic fans) must be in Seventh Heaven!

Thank you Rusty And I like the avatar - I gather that's what you'd like to do to certain posters on here!

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

Thank you Rusty And I like the avatar - I gather that's what you'd like to do to certain posters on here!

Like to? I do it all the time!

 

[mistik]

Sad reality about Rafa is after all the crap of this season everything seems to be some kind improvement.

 

[ultradr]

Sad reality about Rafa is after all the crap of this season everything seems to be some kind improvement.

yeah, you have to hit bottom.
then almost everything will be a gradual confidence booster.

a few years later, we might realize #10 was quite high bottom.

consider agassi, injured/long break, dropped from #1 to #140, come back from challenger tour, all the way back to #1. this whole thing took 2-3 years.

 

[The Green Mile]

It will be an interesting match, Nadal vs Wawrinka. Playing a player with one of the best ground games in the business this time. He did well against Ivo and Milos, forehand looking great, many passing shots, mentally strong throughout. Looks confident. Wawrinka is a much different player than either of those two though. This will test where his game truly is, imo (especially ground game).

 

[dlk]

Nadal's got me impressed. I agree with Green Mile, if Nadal can take this match, I consider him nearly back in contention. As his confidence grows, look out.

 

[MichaelNadal]

C'mon Nadal.

 

[OddJack]

He is improving until he meets the Wall of China,

Who is also the Wall of Australia,

And then the Wall moves to Paris.

So who cares if beating Raonic is improving.

Let me know when he beats the Wall.

 

[vanioMan]

One match at a time, fellas

 

[Dolgopolov85]

He is improving until he meets the Wall of China,

Who is also the Wall of Australia,

And then the Wall moves to Paris.

So who cares if beating Raonic is improving.

Let me know when he beats the Wall.

That's kind of how I feel. Fedal have gotten old now. No matter if Nadal too improves and resumes beating Fed in the slams to stop him from reaching all these finals. Ultron is their common enemy. Beijing was a real beatdown. This was not the old Ultron counterpunching and retrieving like mad, making Nadal play one more ball. He was just pushing him back with groundstrokes of brutal depth and rarely missing opportunities to go for winners. Which is sort of what he has been doing to Fed in their slam encounters (or on clay or slow hard, for that matter). Maybe less overwhelming because Fed serves well. But basically it's too late now to figure out Ultron. Having been in their shadow when he was younger, he is now the dominant male lion of tennis, nudging the older ones towards the exit and keeping would be kings at bay.

 

[Gary20]

Another Nadal Nole final? yes!!

Not sure...think Murray will beat your man, and my man if my man gets past a resurgent Tsonga. Murray has looked on a different level this week .Thing is Murray can look like this one week, then the next week look worse than me. Rafa and Djokovic once on a roll tend to win everything. I guess that why they are double digit major winners as opposed to lanuishing on 2.

I wonder if Murray will be happy with his career or think he has underachived given wha trafa and Djokovic, his contemporaries have achieved?

 

[Gary20]

That's kind of how I feel. Fedal have gotten old now. No matter if Nadal too improves and resumes beating Fed in the slams to stop him from reaching all these finals. Ultron is their common enemy. Beijing was a real beatdown. This was not the old Ultron counterpunching and retrieving like mad, making Nadal play one more ball. He was just pushing him back with groundstrokes of brutal depth and rarely missing opportunities to go for winners. Which is sort of what he has been doing to Fed in their slam encounters (or on clay or slow hard, for that matter). Maybe less overwhelming because Fed serves well. But basically it's too late now to figure out Ultron. Having been in their shadow when he was younger, he is now the dominant male lion of tennis, nudging the older ones towards the exit and keeping would be kings at bay.

Nadal in Beijing was nowhere near at the level he is now in Shanghai. Nadal looks alot quicker than he has all year and is improving. I dont expect him to be able to beat Murray or djokovic yet on a hard court (although on this form he would on clay) but for Rafa it is all about building for the AO and reaching his very peak level at FO for LE DECIMA

 

[scotus]

I am hoping for an epic final between Novak and Rafa at Roland Garros in 2016.

 

[Gary20]

I am hoping for an epic final between Novak and Rafa at Roland Garros in 2016.

If both fit and in form and in opposite sides of the draw its a certainty, no hope needed!!

 

[GabeT]

Not sure...think Murray will beat your man, and my man if my man gets past a resurgent Tsonga. Murray has looked on a different level this week .Thing is Murray can look like this one week, then the next week look worse than me. Rafa and Djokovic once on a roll tend to win everything. I guess that why they are double digit major winners as opposed to lanuishing on 2.

I wonder if Murray will be happy with his career or think he has underachived given wha trafa and Djokovic, his contemporaries have achieved?

Well, if Murray can win good for him. But it won't be easy.

 

[Gary20]

Well, if Murray can win good for him. But it won't be easy.

It wont be but he is in form at the moment. Just looks like the best in the field this week.

 

[Omega_7000]

Vamos Tsonga!

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

It wont be but he is in form at the moment. Just looks like the best in the field this week.

Nobody is in a better form than Djokovic at this moment. Not saying he will win every match, but now he is always a favorite.

 

[Gary Duane]

Nadal in Beijing was nowhere near at the level he is now in Shanghai. Nadal looks alot quicker than he has all year and is improving. I dont expect him to be able to beat Murray or djokovic yet on a hard court (although on this form he would on clay) but for Rafa it is all about building for the AO and reaching his very peak level at FO for LE DECIMA

But doesn't this mean the whole "quickness/movement" thing is more a product of confidence than a player "getting a step slow"?

Nadal has never looked slow to me. To me to me it just looks like he forgets how to move when he gets down on himself, and I think of that as panicking, which happens to any athlete when confidence is missing.

 

[Gary20]

Nobody is in a better form than Djokovic at this moment. Not saying he will win every match, but now he is always a favorite.

This week Murray and Nadal have played much better tennis than Djokovic. Djokovic has left his best form in Beijing it seems. If Nadal beats Tsonga i think Murray will beat Djokovic.

Murray and Djokovic could well prevent each other being competitive in the final. If they play three hours then Nadal or Tsonga have won the trophy.

 

[Gary20]

But doesn't this mean the whole "quickness/movement" thing is more a product of confidence than a player "getting a step slow"?

Nadal has never looked slow to me. To me to me it just looks like he forgets how to move when he gets down on himself, and I think of that as panicking, which happens to any athlete when confidence is missing.

If im honest i dont think Nadal has been fit all season. He was sweating so much most of the year that some have speculated he had a viral infection like mono or something. He is not sweating as much in China and looks alot fitter.

If Nadal wins Shanghai he will have been 5th best player this year which i think would be amazing given how far below his best he has been all year. And in astrange way that could make his aura even bigger as if playing hopeless most of the year he finishes 5th in the Race, then imagine what will happen when he gets back to his best.

However Tsonga also looks rejuvenated so dont be surprised if Tsonga beats Rafa tomorrow.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

This week Murray and Nadal have played much better tennis than Djokovic. Djokovic has left his best form in Beijing it seems. If Nadal beats Tsonga i think Murray will beat Djokovic.

Murray and Djokovic could well prevent each other being competitive in the final. If they play three hours then Nadal or Tsonga have won the trophy.

It is usually a rule that Djokovic raises his game as things get harder. Why play out of this world to beat weaker opponents? While Fed, Rafa and Andy peak in semis/earlier stages, Novak peaks in the final most of the time. Nadal beating Tsonga/Tsonga beating Nadal will have no effect on the other semifinal.
Interesting observation about preventing each other. But I am predicting that the winner of Djoko/Murray match will win Shanghai.

 

[Nostradamus]

is nadal headed for another beatdown by novak at Shanhai ?

 

[roger presley]

It is usually a rule that Djokovic raises his game as things get harder. Why play out of this world to beat weaker opponents? While Fed, Rafa and Andy peak in semis/earlier stages, Novak peaks in the final most of the time. Nadal beating Tsonga/Tsonga beating Nadal will have no effect on the other semifinal.
Interesting observation about preventing each other. But I am predicting that the winner of Djoko/Murray match will win Shanghai.

Djoko yes,but Murray hardly.

 

[Gary20]

It is usually a rule that Djokovic raises his game as things get harder. Why play out of this world to beat weaker opponents? While Fed, Rafa and Andy peak in semis/earlier stages, Novak peaks in the final most of the time. Nadal beating Tsonga/Tsonga beating Nadal will have no effect on the other semifinal.
Interesting observation about preventing each other. But I am predicting that the winner of Djoko/Murray match will win Shanghai.

I disagree. Djokovic normally declines the harder the competition. Ive lost count of the number of times in Majors he has swept all before him up to the SF then the FH has got less consistent and against Nadal in the final gone AWOL. Even this season Djokovic has not played that well in the final of the majors, he played much better in the earlier rounds.

 

[helterskelter]

I disagree. Djokovic normally declines the harder the competition. Ive lost count of the number of times in Majors he has swept all before him up to the SF then the FH has got less consistent and against Nadal in the final gone AWOL. Even this season Djokovic has not played that well in the final of the majors, he played much better in the earlier rounds.

So he played better in the Wimbledon 4th round in which he almost lost against a man who'd never been further than that stage before in any Slam than he did in the final in which he was almost always on top against a 7-time champion?

(Same question at US Open: did he really play better against Bautista-Agut and Lopez than in the last two rounds? Surely his semi-final was by far his best performance of the tournament).

I agree with you that Djokovic used to sometimes perform as you say. But I don't think he has done so this year.

 

[BeatlesFan]

2016 may be a very special year for Rafa fans.

Not if he meets Novak in any match in any tournament. If Nole remains in his current form, Nadal is not beating him, regardless of surface. Yes, I mean Roland Garros as well.

Don't judge Nadal's form against a disinterested and clearly tired Stan. And read nothing into his demolition tomorrow of Jo Willy.

His true form will be revealed on Sunday, when his ass is handed to him on a plate by Nole, who is playing right now better than Nadal EVER has on a HC.

 

[Gary20]

is nadal headed for another beatdown by novak at Shanhai ?

Djokovic fans will be desperately hoping so as i sense a bit of concern amongst the Serbian fanbase at Rafa's sudden improvement. If Nadal even gets a set off Djokovic in the final if that match takes place, then i cannot see Djokovic beating Rafa before June next year except in Miami and Monte Carlo.

rafa has just dismantled wawrinka on a low bouncing court. if Rafa can consistently paly like this on the higher bouncing courts he will be unstoppable as in 2013. can he keep it up though? That is the question.

Having said all that murray is playing well and i think may give djokovic a beat down tomorrow.

 

[Gary20]

Not if he meets Novak in any match in any tournament. If Nole remains in his current form, Nadal is not beating him, regardless of surface. Yes, I mean Roland Garros as well.

Don't judge Nadal's form against a disinterested and clearly tired Stan. And read nothing into his demolition tomorrow of Jo Willy.

His true form will be revealed on Sunday, when his ass is handed to him on a plate by Nole, who is playing right now better than Nadal EVER has on a HC.

Lol....that is a bitter jealous post. Id say Nadal was more disinterested in Beijng than wawrinka was today. Until Djokovic beats an in form Nadal at a Major then ill always back an in form Nadal over Djokovic. Djokovic has not beat Nadal at his best in a Major since 2012, that is 4 years!! Nadal has always said that he feels much more comfortable against djokovic in best of 5 set matches.

 

[BeatlesFan]

that is a bitter jealous post

LOL...I'm a Fed fan, boy. I don't give a damn who wins the match, I call them as I see them.

I'll always back an in form Nadal over Djokovic

Psst...me too. News for you: Nadal is not "in form." He hasn't been "in form" since 2013.

Nadal has always said that he feels much more comfortable against djokovic in best of 5 set matches.

Additional news for you: Sunday's final is best of 3.

 

[booson]

But doesn't this mean the whole "quickness/movement" thing is more a product of confidence than a player "getting a step slow"?

Nadal has never looked slow to me. To me to me it just looks like he forgets how to move when he gets down on himself, and I think of that as panicking, which happens to any athlete when confidence is missing.

A professional player that have thousands and thousands of hours on a court under his belt 'forgets how to move'? Seriously?

What's next? Nadal didn't get tired faster during months a while ago, he just lost confidence in his lungs? You guys think too much (way TOO MUCH) inside the box.

 

[Gary20]

LOL...I'm a Fed fan, boy. I don't give a damn who wins the match, I call them as I see them.



Psst...me too. News for you: Nadal is not "in form." He hasn't been "in form" since 2013.



Additional news for you: Sunday's final is best of 3.

Lol i think you just proved my point!!! I did say you were bitter!!

Im not fussed whether nadal wins Shanghia, it makes no difference to his legacy. It is all a building process for next season. First target, get the double CGS that injury robbed him of in 2014 at AO, then get LA DECIMA at FO. Once he gets those jobs done, i dont really care what else he does next season apart from getting another Gold at Olympics.

 

[Gary Duane]

A professional player that have thousands and thousands of hours on a court under his belt 'forgets how to move'? Seriously?

What's next? Nadal didn't get tired faster during months a while ago, he just lost confidence in his lungs? You guys think too much (way TOO MUCH) inside the box.

There is nothing wrong with Nadal's lungs, or his legs, or his body right now. He's had a far more healthy year than many other years in which he won slams.

I'm not saying this only about Nadal, and he's not the first player to look awkward and tentative for no easily explaneable reason. It's what happens when you stop believing everything works, so you start think about things you should need to think about. What is automatic and natural suddenly isn't.

It's also not just about sports.

How else do you explain why a top player suddenly has an off day, or an off month, or an off year?

When a player is fine in practice but suddenly starts to freeze like a deer in headlights, there is no easy explanation.

Confidence is one of the most mysterious things in life, and when a great player has it, everything else works. Other times confidence falls, and everything is a little off.

 

[Gary Duane]

If im honest i dont think Nadal has been fit all season. He was sweating so much most of the year that some have speculated he had a viral infection like mono or something. He is not sweating as much in China and looks alot fitter.

I don't remember a time when sweat has not dripped off his nose like a small water faucet in heat and humidity. To be honest I've never seen a guy sweat more. So I don't think that is new this year.

But fear and nerves can make that even worse.

If Nadal wins Shanghai he will have been 5th best player this year which i think would be amazing given how far below his best he has been all year. And in astrange way that could make his aura even bigger as if playing hopeless most of the year he finishes 5th in the Race, then imagine what will happen when he gets back to his best.

However Tsonga also looks rejuvenated so dont be surprised if Tsonga beats Rafa tomorrow.

I never make predictions. But I think Nadal has looked more like 2013 than any time I can remember since then. It's all about whether or not he can keep it up.

He is starting to serve with more pace, and better spots. He has never had a great serve, but at his best he had fine serving games. The rest of this year he has looked like a grinder to me, unable to hit outright winners, but recently he seems to be finally standing in closer at the baseline, and that gives his groundstrokes way more penetration, and he's getting to the net.

I think his chances against Tsonga are good. Tsonga just barely won, in three hard sets. He should be far more tired.

 

[Gary20]

I don't remember a time when sweat has not dripped off his nose like a small water faucet in heat and humidity. To be honest I've never seen a guy sweat more. So I don't think that is new this year.

But fear and nerves can make that even worse.

I never make predictions. But I think Nadal has looked more like 2013 than any time I can remember since then. It's all about whether or not he can keep it up.

He is starting to serve with more pace, and better spots. He has never had a great serve, but at his best he had fine serving games. The rest of this year he has looked like a grinder to me, unable to hit outright winners, but recently he seems to be finally standing in closer at the baseline, and that gives his groundstrokes way more penetration, and he's getting to the net.

I think his chances against Tsonga are good. Tsonga just barely won, in three hard sets. He should be far more tired.

great point about the sweating and nerves. You are spot on and i hadnt thought of that. Well done, good analysis.

Also it will be interesting to see if he can maintain this tomorrow.

 

[Gary Duane]

great point about the sweating and nerves. You are spot on and i hadnt thought of that. Well done, good analysis.

Also it will be interesting to see if he can maintain this tomorrow.

I'm aware of that because it happens to me. If I am embarrassed or highly stressed I sweat bullets.

Normally I do not sweat much at all except when I run, and then I am totally drenched in high humidity. In South Florida our dew point is insanely high, never dropping much lower than 75 for most of the year. So when I go out to run or even walk two fast miles, late at night, with a temperature around 76 I feel great for about a couple hundred yards, then the sweat starts. The idea of doing what these top players do when the humidity is high horrifies me.

Yet someone like Fed barely looks like he is sweating. I think that is 100% genetic.

I've never understood why Nadal does not cramp!

 

[Gary20]

I'm aware of that because it happens to me. If I am embarrassed or highly stressed I sweat bullets.

Normally I do not sweat much at all except when I run, and then I am totally drenched in high humidity. In South Florida our dew point is insanely high, never dropping much lower than 75 for most of the year. So when I go out to run or even walk two fast miles, late at night, with a temperature around 76 I feel great for about a couple hundred yards, then the sweat starts. The idea of doing what these top players do when the humidity is high horrifies me.

Yet someone like Fed barely looks like he is sweating. I think that is 100% genetic.

I've never understood why Nadal does not cramp!

Well he did fall off his chair under the table once!!!!!!!!!! I hate playing when its humid. I love the dry heat. I can imagine if i had any talent Indian Wells would be my fav tournament...Miami would be a nightmare.

Federer not a fan of humidity i dont think either. Murray seems to quite like it which is a bit odd given where he comes from.