Nadal: "Kyrgios is handicapped"
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ScentOfDefeat
G.O.A.T.
No one can accuse me of being a Kyrgios fan, but Toni Nadal's entrenched conservatism is showing here.
He has too many certainties about how the game should be played (while being a good coach means inviting doubt, willingness to keep learning, adaptability) , but refuses to acknowledge that some players can reach very high levels (there isn't much higher than reaching a Slam final) without fitting into his playbook.
What Kyrgios lacks in sound positioning or concentration, he more than compensates with a degree of inventiveness and shot-making that most players can't produce on a regular basis - but he can. Granted, he's not a member of the big 3, but 99.99999% of players on the ATP Tour aren't (or haven't been) like them either.
However, if there's one player who has been able to make the spectacular repetitive (i.e., keep coming up with spectacular and unpredictable solutions), it is Kyrgios.
And it seems to be working for him based on recent results.
He has too many certainties about how the game should be played (while being a good coach means inviting doubt, willingness to keep learning, adaptability) , but refuses to acknowledge that some players can reach very high levels (there isn't much higher than reaching a Slam final) without fitting into his playbook.
What Kyrgios lacks in sound positioning or concentration, he more than compensates with a degree of inventiveness and shot-making that most players can't produce on a regular basis - but he can. Granted, he's not a member of the big 3, but 99.99999% of players on the ATP Tour aren't (or haven't been) like them either.
However, if there's one player who has been able to make the spectacular repetitive (i.e., keep coming up with spectacular and unpredictable solutions), it is Kyrgios.
And it seems to be working for him based on recent results.
mike danny
Bionic Poster
Aren't you guys slways saying early round Djokovic isn't at his best?
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
Is he saying that Kyrgios is a handicapped person who plays tennis?
NoleFam
Bionic Poster
Come on man. You are insulting Djokovic. When in the last 13 years besides a fluke in 2016 did he lose before the QF? There is a clear difference in Djokovic's return on grass and Nadal's, and Nick's stats outside the serve in 2014 versus 2022 are virtually the same.
I'm not sure what everyone else apparently thought they saw but Nick should have had much easier service holds if he'd have come in on more of his down the T bombs. Djokovic was getting them back but full stretched, gumbied and half falling over. There were easy volleys to be had and the pressure would have switched onto Djokovic not just to get there but to do something with it. The 2nd/3rd sets were a failure of tactics, not skills. Kyrgios got frustrated with the baseline exchanges and forgot that grass courts have other options.
Fabresque
Legend
Show me the scathing analysis of Ruud after he got embarrassed in RG Final, then.Amazing how fast ultronians turned an assessment we all see and feel about Nick from a coach echoing the reasons his game doesn't bring him results, to Toni being mad about the slam race
mike danny
Bionic Poster
Who has he faced before the QF in the last 3 years with any chance of troubling him?
Marco Rotim
Semi-Pro
2014 Kyrgios beat 2014 Nadal but Mike says 2014 Nadal can beat 2022 Kyrgios, thats like saying Kyrgios is degrading every year and now is far worse than he was 8 years ago.
This is pure fan fiction, Mike strongly believes that all the super heavyweights in Tennis lived in the 2000s and early 2010s, they clashed against each other, now we are left with bad set of players after 2015, it is like saying GODs lived on earth 1000s of years ago, fought and destroyed each other and left earth to humans. Pure fiction as I said.
Antonio Puente
Hall of Fame
That line probably sums up why the younger generation fails better than anything could. They're looking for instant gratification, unwilling or unable to do the ordinary for 5 sets over 7 matches. It's the carryover into life effect of refreshing the Twitter account every 5 seconds.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
''His messy ways of understanding the game'' is a highlight.
NoleFam
Bionic Poster
Hurkacz in 2019, potentially Anderson in 2021 and TVR in 2022. Hurkacz was a tough match and TVR, who was on a roll this grass season, took a set.
Marco Rotim
Semi-Pro
If 2022 Novak plays 2014 Wimbledon replacing his younger self then the only player who can beat him would be the finalist Roger Federer and perhaps Cilic too.
2002 Novak would still win vs Dimitrov, Raonic, Kyrgios etc etc.
2002 Novak would still win vs Dimitrov, Raonic, Kyrgios etc etc.
RelentlessAttack
Hall of Fame
Toni and Djokovic fans are both right here.
1) Kyrgios did play pretty well, better than I expected for sure given his track record
2) Despite that, the outcome was never in doubt because at this point Kyrgios has too many limitations
3) Toni is right that Kyrgios is too unfocused during and between tournaments and hasn’t prioritized the right parts of his training
I see Kyrgios as not that different than Matteo at this point - some good weapons, good player, but too limited to be a slam threat. Nick has some more natural talent than Matteo, but Matteo has the better work ethic, fitness, training regimen, and focus so it balances out
1) Kyrgios did play pretty well, better than I expected for sure given his track record
2) Despite that, the outcome was never in doubt because at this point Kyrgios has too many limitations
3) Toni is right that Kyrgios is too unfocused during and between tournaments and hasn’t prioritized the right parts of his training
I see Kyrgios as not that different than Matteo at this point - some good weapons, good player, but too limited to be a slam threat. Nick has some more natural talent than Matteo, but Matteo has the better work ethic, fitness, training regimen, and focus so it balances out
heftylefty
Hall of Fame
I think Toni Nadal is spot on. I think Nick does have an issue with problem solving when things don't go well. If he had a team like Gilbert and Reyes, he could do some great things in Slams. But Nick needs to want to do that.
mental midget
Hall of Fame
totally spot on. Kyrgios plays offensive tennis, but really, his whole game is a defensive reaction.
optic yellow
Legend
Kyrgios yapping to his box or whatever is definitely his way of staying focused. Maybe he takes it to the point it becomes a hindrance rather than a help but otherwise I don't see it as much different than the obnoxious "emotional" yelling some players like to do. He's just someone who needs to talk a lot to sort through the **** in his brain.
Omega_7000
Legend
So what's wrong with FAA then?
Beacon Hill
Hall of Fame
Just ask Roddick.
That would be fine, except that he doesn't stay focused on the match when he does it.
heftylefty
Hall of Fame
Felix Auger-Aliassime has been a pro for 5 years; currently at a career high of 9, and is only 21 years old. Since training with Toni Nadal he's improved and finally broke through winning a tournament after 9 tries.
What makes you think there is something wrong.?
jm1980
Talk Tennis Guru
WTF, this guys literally ran Toni's piece through Google Translate. Very lazy journalismToni Nadal has provided a pretty scathing analysis of Nick Kyrgios' "understanding of tennis" in the wake of the Australian's defeat to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.
Kyrgios was able to reflect on his best performance in a Grand Slam singles event so far in his career, but Toni Nadal believes he still has a long way to go if he is to truly understand what it takes to be a great champion on the biggest stages the sport has to offer.
“In the decisive moments, he was unable to control his anxiety that, again, degenerated into constant rebukes to his team as if they were to blame for the undesired paths the scoreboard was taking for him," he told El Pais.
“The match lacked great brilliance, mainly because there were too many unplayed points. The lack of perseverance of the Australian, especially in regards to maintaining his aggressiveness, revealed the main problem that, in my opinion, his game possesses.
“He has a bad habit of hitting too many balls in any way, basically without paying attention and in a bad position.
“In today’s tennis, due to the speed at which the ball goes, there is no choice but to look for a good position to have good control.
“The great players measure their steps well, seek a good position, and from there, try to hit a good shot and increase the chances of victory.
“Nick Kyrgios, with his messy way of understanding the game, is handicapped not so much by what he does with the ball, but by the way he wants to do it.
“It is very difficult for him to achieve the continuity that requires scoring points. Tennis is a sport of repetition, rather than the spectacular.”
:focal(809x494:811x492)/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2022/07/10/3408462-69649408-2560-1440.jpg)
Kyrgios 'has a bad habit, messy way' says unimpressed Toni Nadal
Toni Nadal has provided a pretty scathing analysis of Nick Kyrgios' "understanding of tennis" in the wake of the Australian's defeat in the Wimbledon final.www.eurosport.com
El tenis es, ante todo, repetición
Kyrgios pagó su falta de constancia, los malos ajustes y su ejecución intuitiva. Todo lo que no estuvo dispuesto a hacer, es justo lo que suele proponer Djokovic
elpais.com
Crisstti
Legend
Why? He needs to analyze every big three opponent in a final o none at all?
Crisstti
Legend
Are you talking about RG? Why would Toni question Rafa's competition there? He played Novak. The final being against Ruud was just a result of the draw.
He should be questioning why Ruud was do god damned weak and awful in the final and Rafa could have won with his eyes shut. If Nick had played as bad against Novak in final he would have been demolished in straight sets, but hey Uncle Toni turns a blind eye to that lol
Humphrey20133
Semi-Pro
What exactly do you think Ruud could have done to hurt Rafa in that final? What weapons does he have that would have made a dent against Rafa on Chatrier?
asifallasleep
Hall of Fame
Eh, his comments are actually a very small part of why Nick lost. The fact that so many of your are eating it up show how you don't understand tennis at all.
The only reason Kyrios doesn't consistently win is all mental. That's it. If he keeps his focus on those two 0-40 games he could have won the match. His talent is monumental enough to win even as a part time player with questionable decisions in specific moments. He still had a chance. That's a testament to his talent. If he
could stay calm, he'd be number 1 in the world. So many guys with far less talent have won so much more, due to a much better temperament. Shapo has the same problem. Nick is super insecure, his bravado is to cover up those insecurities, all this because he was bullied as a kid, grew up poor, and dared play a privileged sport
where he and his kind were not welcome. So yeah, hugely insecure, with a massive chip, and still not feeling he belongs. Damaged goods!!
The only reason Kyrios doesn't consistently win is all mental. That's it. If he keeps his focus on those two 0-40 games he could have won the match. His talent is monumental enough to win even as a part time player with questionable decisions in specific moments. He still had a chance. That's a testament to his talent. If he
could stay calm, he'd be number 1 in the world. So many guys with far less talent have won so much more, due to a much better temperament. Shapo has the same problem. Nick is super insecure, his bravado is to cover up those insecurities, all this because he was bullied as a kid, grew up poor, and dared play a privileged sport
where he and his kind were not welcome. So yeah, hugely insecure, with a massive chip, and still not feeling he belongs. Damaged goods!!
eldanger25
Hall of Fame
Definitely some venting in there, though he also tells no lies. Was an enjoyable final, and Kyrgios is to be commended for giving the best version of himself on the biggest stage.
That said, the result was never in doubt. Nobody's gonna win Wimbledon against somebody as great and unruffled as Novak with such a poor ROS and little idea of what he wanted to do when actual rallies commenced.
That doesn't detract from the win at all. You play who is in front of you, and lord knows Djokovic has navigated his share of difficult draws on his way to 21 slams and 7 Wimbledons. For me, what was most impressive was the Sampras-like set and match construction from Novak on Sunday. Kept his head down, took his chances, never made himself into a target for Kyrgios emotionally. Really impressive stuff.
Kygrios played very well. I wish that he had not played that lose game being up 40-0 in the third set; the match could have gotten even more interesting.
Candide
Hall of Fame
Candide
Hall of Fame
Sorry, just corrected your misspelling above for the sake of clarity. Oh, dang - they censored the other S.
guanzishou
G.O.A.T.
In one point, a player hit the ball into the court one more time but he lost the point.
Because he touched the net.
optic yellow
Legend
All of us have crutch habits we need to get rid of.
Tshooter
G.O.A.T.
guanzishou
G.O.A.T.
At least Nick didn't lecture his opponent about grunting.
If Kyrgios did grow up poor he's one of few living in Canberra who did so. Even fewer of whom attended Canberra Grammar as he did.
socallefty
G.O.A.T.
His mom is a computer engineer and a member of the Malay royal family. The pics of the suburban elementary, middle and high schools Kyrgios attended looks like first rate facilities. Why do people think he was born poor because he has never given the impression that he was poor?
Is it his street clothing fashion and tattoos which are making people draw inferences that are plain wrong and likely prejudiced?
Beacon Hill
Hall of Fame
If a finalist who loses in four sets is not a threat, who is?
roysid
Legend
He is spot on. But then what can u expect from kyrgiosToni Nadal has provided a pretty scathing analysis of Nick Kyrgios' "understanding of tennis" in the wake of the Australian's defeat to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.
Kyrgios was able to reflect on his best performance in a Grand Slam singles event so far in his career, but Toni Nadal believes he still has a long way to go if he is to truly understand what it takes to be a great champion on the biggest stages the sport has to offer.
“In the decisive moments, he was unable to control his anxiety that, again, degenerated into constant rebukes to his team as if they were to blame for the undesired paths the scoreboard was taking for him," he told El Pais.
“The match lacked great brilliance, mainly because there were too many unplayed points. The lack of perseverance of the Australian, especially in regards to maintaining his aggressiveness, revealed the main problem that, in my opinion, his game possesses.
“He has a bad habit of hitting too many balls in any way, basically without paying attention and in a bad position.
“In today’s tennis, due to the speed at which the ball goes, there is no choice but to look for a good position to have good control.
“The great players measure their steps well, seek a good position, and from there, try to hit a good shot and increase the chances of victory.
“Nick Kyrgios, with his messy way of understanding the game, is handicapped not so much by what he does with the ball, but by the way he wants to do it.
“It is very difficult for him to achieve the continuity that requires scoring points. Tennis is a sport of repetition, rather than the spectacular.”
Kyrgios 'has a bad habit, messy way' says unimpressed Toni Nadal
Toni Nadal has provided a pretty scathing analysis of Nick Kyrgios' "understanding of tennis" in the wake of the Australian's defeat in the Wimbledon final.
guanzishou
G.O.A.T.
In the press conference Kyrgios said that he felt that Djokovic did nothing really special. He said that Djokovic was just very composed and not easily rattled.
johnmccabe
Hall of Fame
This is not wrong. But it's also why Nadal can win a few more RG and many will still think Federer is the goat.
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Start da Game
Hall of Fame
in retrospect, he just blew a once in a life time chance to win a slam....needless to say he is such a mental mess....uncle toni is right as always.....
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