Nadal is the FAVOURITE to win RG this year

[uncooling]

The commentators just said Djokovic at his best wouldn't even get close to injured Nadal on clay at best of 5.

It's funny they said "Federer can never beat Nadal on RG" and "clay is the worst surface for Murray"

But the point is "Even absolute best form of Djokovic won't be close to Nadal on clay"

I guess we will never see Djokovic winning RG in his career

 

[Bender]

Whether you like it or not, Nadal's the favourite to win RG every year. It doesn't mean anything however, unless you're placing bets.

The only place so far that seems to differ are the polls here on TTW where Federer is picked to win everything, even if he had only one leg and played with a Walmart racquet.

Anyway, it's still to early to determine whether Nadal's in form yet - and I doubt he is - even if he bagelled Ferrer. I didn't watch the whole match, but I've gathered it's more about Ferrer playing terribly rather than Nadal playing well. Makes sense I guess, seeing how close their match was at Barcelona last year.

 

[Clarky21]

The commentators just said Djokovic at his best wouldn't even get close to injured Nadal on clay at best of 5.

It's funny they said "Federer can never beat Nadal on RG" and "clay is the worst surface for Murray"

But the point is "Even absolute best form of Djokovic won't be close to Nadal on clay"

I guess we will never see Djokovic winning RG in his career

That stuff is all bs. They know that Cvac is the favorite to win RG. I wish they would stop the crap for once and just be honest.

I also don't agree with what they said about Fed and Murray. These guys are champions and can beat anyone on any given day. That includes Nadal on clay.

 

[mbm0912]

The only commentator that knew anything about tennis picked the Serb to win.

 

[veroniquem]

When has Nadal not been the favorite to win RG

 

[WhiskeyEE]

If novak doesn't show up drunk again this year I would expect him to beat Rafa in straights.

 

[Clarky21]

When has Nadal not been the favorite to win RG

Since 2011. If Nadal makes it to Cvac at RG he's going to lose in straights. I actually hope he loses before he has to play any of the top players. Sure sounds better than the sound thumping he will receive otherwise.

 

[ledwix]

Djokovic is on a mission this year, so watch out. He has now progressed into a champion of a player, a great rather than just another challenger. That experience of having won six slams and played over 60 matches against Fedal could pay off big time in the clay court season.

 

[OddJack]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/05/sports/tennis/for-nadal-a-new-test-for-his-injured-knee.html?_r=0


Cliff Drysdale, an ESPN analyst, said Monday he would not consider Nadal, who is No. 5 in the world, the favorite at the French Open. Drysdale said he would put Nadal behind the top-ranked Novak Djokovic, whom Nadal defeated in a rain-interrupted final in 2012; Nadal’s dropped set in the final was the only set he lost in the tournament.

I agree with Drysdale...Djoker is in much better form

 

[cc0509]

Since 2011. If Nadal makes it to Cvac at RG he's going to lose in straights. I actually hope he loses before he has to play any of the top players. Sure sounds better than the sound thumping he will receive otherwise.

No he won't! More of your same stale predictions regarding Nadal's demise? Come on!

 

[cc0509]

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/05/sports/tennis/for-nadal-a-new-test-for-his-injured-knee.html?_r=0


Cliff Drysdale, an ESPN analyst, said Monday he would not consider Nadal, who is No. 5 in the world, the favorite at the French Open. Drysdale said he would put Nadal behind the top-ranked Novak Djokovic, whom Nadal defeated in a rain-interrupted final in 2012; Nadal’s dropped set in the final was the only set he lost in the tournament.

I agree with Drysdale...Djoker is in much better form

Drysdale is becoming senile. He recently predicted during the AO that Del Potro will win a slam this year and Murray won't and then he went on to say that Del Potro will shock everybody and win the AO.

 

[cc0509]

Djokovic is on a mission this year, so watch out. He has now progressed into a champion of a player, a great rather than just another challenger. That experience of having won six slams and played over 60 matches against Fedal could pay off big time in the clay court season.

Wasn't he on a mission last year as well to win the FO? What happened there?

 

[cc0509]

When has Nadal not been the favorite to win RG

Never. People don't know what they are talking about. You have Nadal haters on the one hand predicting Nadal won't win a thing and then we have crazy Nadal lovers (like you ) predicting Nadal will win everything he enters.

Objectivity is needed and I can be objective. Nadal is the favorite to win the FO until he is dethroned which has not happened yet.

 

[cork_screw]

I believe it. Nadal didn't look like he lacked movement when he played almagro and ferrer. He doesn't even really need full movement. He's just so good that he can beat tons of guys with his spin and his ball yank to wide outs. That is his key, he yanks it wide then comes in. The spin just makes the ball curve more and more wide. He doesn't win points with up and down tennis, that is the single greatest evolution that he has adopted in his game. If you look at older footage he doesn't really incorporate a yank wide like he does now. If you look at how many of his points are constructed that is the setup shot for an easy volley.

 

[Relinquis]

Of course Nadal is the favourite. It's Roland Garros! I know you guys are passionate about hating or loving him, but let's please be a little objective here.

If every thread is fanboi noise, there is not point in discussing the actual tennis being played, or matters that actually affect tennis online. We just go to the stadium, or sportsbar and cheer for our player/avatar/idol there.

 

[Clarky21]

No he won't! More of your same stale predictions regarding Nadal's demise? Come on!

I think he will. Who do you think is playing better tennis right now, Cvac or Nadal? I think anyone who puts Nadal as the favorite to win anything is jumping the gun big time. He hasn't done crap since he came back that warrants these predictions. I think a lot of Nadal haters are going to be pleasantly surprised when he doesn't win anything else for the rest of the year.

 

[cc0509]

I think he will. Who do you think is playing better tennis right now, Cvac or Nadal? I think anyone who puts Nadal as the favorite to win anything is jumping the gun big time. He hasn't done crap since he came back that warrants these predictions. I think a lot of Nadal haters are going to be pleasantly surprised when he doesn't win anything else for the rest of the year.

All I know is that I cannot pick Djokovic as the favorite over Nadal to win the FO, UNLESS Nadal surprises us and loses all of the clay tune-ups prior to the FO. I cannot discount Nadal as the favorite to win the FO until Nadal is dethroned there. Djokovic was convinced he would win the FO last year and that did not work out very well for him. Nadal is the better clay court player.

 

[Vegito]

Juan Martín Del Potro will win Roland Garros this year.

 

[Hawkeye7]

Never. People don't know what they are talking about. You have Nadal haters on the one hand predicting Nadal won't win a thing and then we have crazy Nadal lovers (like you ) predicting Nadal will win everything he enters.

Objectivity is needed and I can be objective. Nadal is the favorite to win the FO until he is dethroned which has not happened yet.

No one can be completely objective, but I agree with your assessment. Nadal is the favourite at RG until someone dethrones him there or he starts failing in all the clay events leading up to it.

 

[Fiji]

The only commentator that knew anything about tennis picked the Serb to win.

Let's hope that commie is right since the Serb is 1-11 or is it 1-12 in sets won/lost vs. the Spaniard at RG. I think the Serb won 1 set and lost 11 or 12 sets at RG vs. the Spaniard. Can't remember if the 2006 encounter went to 3 sets or the Serb retired after/during the second set.

Also we need a fresh Djokovic when he meets Nadal, this means Djokovic has to avoid going to 5 sets at RG vs. the likes of Seppi and Tsonga.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Nadal is the King at RG. Until someone actually defeats him, that will remain the case. So yes, he is still the favorite, but Djokovic is a strong second favorite.

 

[Clarky21]

Nadal is the King at RG. Until someone actually defeats him, that will remain the case. So yes, he is still the favorite, but Djokovic is a strong second favorite.

Someone has beaten him at RG. So I guess he's not the King there anymore, and hasn't been since 2009.

 

[President]

Someone has beaten him at RG. So I guess he's not the King there anymore, and hasn't been since 2009.

Has any player in history ever been as good at a major as Nadal has been at RG? There is your answer.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Someone has beaten him at RG. So I guess he's not the King there anymore, and hasn't been since 2009.

Agreed that he has lost a match. But look what he did the following three years. 2010 wins it with dramatic defense and without the loss of a set. 2011, despite playing poorly than years gone by, he beats Soderling, Murray and Federer in succession. And last year was arguably his most dominant showing yet.

Surely, even you have to admit that if Nadal isn't King of RG, then currently no one else is either.

 

[sbengte]

Someone has beaten him at RG. So I guess he's not the King there anymore, and hasn't been since 2009.

But SoderKing is out of action this year, so....

 

[Fiji]

Agreed that he has lost a match. But look what he did the following three years. 2010 wins it with dramatic defense and without the loss of a set. 2011, despite playing poorly than years gone by, he beats Soderling, Murray and Federer in succession. And last year was arguably his most dominant showing yet.

Surely, even you have to admit that if Nadal isn't King of RG, then currently no one else is either.

The King of RG? Hmmm. Decugis has 8 titles there. So does Rosewall.:twisted:

 

[Start da Game]

barring 2009 RG injury loss, rafa has not lost a best of 5 sets tennis match on clay all his life........it's not for nothing that defeating him at roland garros is the ultimate challenge in the history of tennis.......

djokovic can try in 2015 if he is still fit and not limping.......until then get off nadal's path if you don't want to get destroyed in roland garros finals.......

 

[Deleted member 77403]

The King of RG? Hmmm. Decugis has 8 titles there. So does Rosewall.:twisted:

Ok then, how about King of RG out of the active players? :twisted:

 

[Murrayfan31]

Djokovic is beating Nadal this year on clay. Djokovic will win the French Open.

 

[monfed]

Yup,there's no stopping Ralph at RG this year.

 

[Clarky21]

Yup,there's no stopping Ralph at RG this year.

Cvac says hi.

 

[ivan_the_terrible]

I can't fathom for the life of me how a guy with busted knees, did rehab/didn't play for 8 months and just barely won his first tournament, could be considered the favourite.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Someone has beaten him at RG. So I guess he's not the King there anymore, and hasn't been since 2009.

Come on Clarky this is just a dumb statement.

 

[Steve0904]

Come on Clarky this is just a dumb statement.

You didn't really expect anything else did you?

 

[Steve0904]

Has any player in history ever been as good at a major as Nadal has been at RG? There is your answer.

It's world history President. My god, when will you ever learn? I knew that, and I haven't been here half as long as you.

On topic, well of course Nadal is the favourite to win RG right now. For one he's played 3 clay tournaments while the top 3 haven't played any. For another the clay masters are not here yet, and Nadal is at that ridiculous point where until he actually loses he's the favourite at RG.

 

[dafinch]

barring 2009 RG injury loss, rafa has not lost a best of 5 sets tennis match on clay all his life........it's not for nothing that defeating him at roland garros is the ultimate challenge in the history of tennis.......

djokovic can try in 2015 if he is still fit and not limping.......until then get off nadal's path if you don't want to get destroyed in roland garros finals.......

Jesus, you're STILL trotting out that "injury" alibi from the FO???? Give a rest, he lost, it happens...

 

[Clarky21]

Come on Clarky this is just a dumb statement.

All I did was point out that he has lost at RG, so he must not be King there anymore. I am just tired of the touting of Nadal's record there as if that means anything when the new year starts. He is not the favorite there, and it is downright ridiculous to say he is.

 

[MichaelNadal]

All I did was point out that he has lost at RG, so he must not be King there anymore. I am just tired of the touting of Nadal's record there as if that means anything when the new year starts. He is not the favorite there, and it is downright ridiculous to say he is.

He's won the title 7 out of 8 years, he's the clay GOAT, it's safe to say he's the king of RG. It by no means, guarantees he's a lock for the title, but every year except 2009 was a new year, and the result was the same. He's showing good form again on clay and it's not ridiculous to say he's the favorite in a best of 5 match at RG. If Djokovic beats him in the clay masters leading up to it, then sure, he isn't. But right now, to be the man you have to beat the man.

 

[Tony48]

Why are you all engaging Clarky?

The Evil Eye won't allow her to say that Nadal is the favorite.

 

[cork_screw]

Whether you like it or not, Nadal's the favourite to win RG every year. It doesn't mean anything however, unless you're placing bets.

The only place so far that seems to differ are the polls here on TTW where Federer is picked to win everything, even if he had only one leg and played with a Walmart racquet.

Anyway, it's still to early to determine whether Nadal's in form yet - and I doubt he is - even if he bagelled Ferrer. I didn't watch the whole match, but I've gathered it's more about Ferrer playing terribly rather than Nadal playing well. Makes sense I guess, seeing how close their match was at Barcelona last year.

I saw the whole match, as well as the almagro match. They played the same way they did as in previous matches on their way to get to the semis/finals and they played nadal in the same form and Ferrer got killed and Almagro just disappointed. Ferrer looked like he was playing wiffle ball and nadal looked like randy johnson. Nadal is the favorite in a 5 setter. Whether you guys like it or not. I would love a change up at RG, but I still have doubts that an even injured nadal can be defeated unless someone is playing lights out like soderling did in '09.

 

[The_Order]

I saw the whole match, as well as the almagro match. They played the same way they did as in previous matches on their way to get to the semis/finals and they played nadal in the same form and Ferrer got killed and Almagro just disappointed. Ferrer looked like he was playing wiffle ball and nadal looked like randy johnson. Nadal is the favorite in a 5 setter. Whether you guys like it or not. I would love a change up at RG, but I still have doubts that an even injured nadal can be defeated unless someone is playing lights out like soderling did in '09.

Djokovc has got that capacity to play lights out though, and that's the reason many predict if anybody is going to knock Rafa out at RG it'll be him.

Del Potro has a slight chance, he grew up on clay and is capable of playing well up there, he also has played tight contested matches against Rafa on clay and grass before as well.

Apart from those 2, I don't think anyone's got a chance. Fed has proven he just cannot do it, Murray no chance, Tsonga doubt it, Berdych no chance, Ferrer and Almagro LOL, anyone else hasn't got much chance either.

Novak has only made it to one RG final though, so he will have his work cut out to make it there unless he's drawn to play Nadal in the quarters or semis.

Nadal's nightmare RG draw would be to face Novak in the quarters and if he wins that, then Del Potro in the semis (if Delpo can manage to get past Ferrer). If he can get through those 2, then he'll be taking number 8.

At the same time if he gets into Fed and Murray half, he'll most likely be making the final against Novak. After beating Fed and Murray, he'll be too tough for Novak imo.