Nadal might be too slow to win slams now

[ADuck]

I think Nadal's loss of footspeed has finally caught up with him and he will no longer be able to seriously contend for slam titles anymore. Saw highlights of his match today and nothing looked that different from his game last year. It's just a slow degradation of his physicality over time which may finally prove to be too much to overcome now unless he suddenly improves other aspects of his game in miraculous ways. Will continue watching and supporting him, but not going to have any grand expectations for him any longer. Winning a slam on HC is definitely off the table now (and that's the first time I say that), and even on clay is going to be a challenge if last year is of any indication, as being able to defend and move around the court is extremely important on clay, ballbashing alone isn't going to get the job done. Wimbledon is also a long shot but less so than on a hard court I think as the competition there is still relatively weaker than on hard courts.

 

[Tennis_Freak99]

His shotmaking is as good as ever, but yeah he has lost considerable footspeed as per Mubadala and Berankis match

 

[weakera]

Too soon to tell, in Rome 2020 he looked like he was moving in slow motion at times but he rounded into form quickly.

 

[merwy]

His shotmaking is as good as ever, but yeah he has lost considerable footspeed as per Mubadala and Berankis match

"As good as ever"? I don't think anything Nadal does right now is at peak level. I do think older Nadal's shotmaking was more aggressive than that of younger (pre-2010) Nadal but I also think that was a conscious decision that he made because of his deteriorating footwork.

 

[NatF]

It should have caught up with him years ago but the field was too inconsistent/immature, jury is still out on whether that's still the case.

 

[mike danny]

He is still the favorite for RG in my book unless I see otherwise. Djokovic's 2021 RG run was a miracle run that I doubt will be repeated. And I don't believe the younger guys have what it takes to beat Rafa in BO5 on clay.

The grass field is also terrible so if Rafa avoids an early round blunder he should contend.

HC I think is a step too far. Not happening anymore.

 

[Purestriker]

I think Nadal's loss of footspeed has finally caught up with him and he will no longer be able to seriously contend for slam titles anymore. Saw highlights of his match today and nothing looked that different from his game last year. It's just a slow degradation of his physicality over time which may finally prove to be too much to overcome now unless he suddenly improves other aspects of his game in miraculous ways. Will continue watching and supporting him, but not going to have any grand expectations for him any longer. Winning a slam on HC is definitely off the table now (and that's the first time I say that), and even on clay is going to be a challenge if last year is of any indication, as being able to defend and move around the court is extremely important on clay, ballbashing alone isn't going to get the job done. Wimbledon is also a long shot but less so than on a hard court I think as the competition there is still relatively weaker than on hard courts.

Time will tell. Right now he is still trying to get back into matchplay. But I can totally see that he is slower.

 

[pat200]

In his match today it was clear to see that his footspeed has decreased a lot. Need to see how his form improves by the time we reach the FO. This year's FO will be his last chance to win a GS.

 

[Krish0608]

His lateral movement has dropped quite a lot. He looked really slow today.

 

[NAS]

He is still the favorite for RG in my book unless I see otherwise. Djokovic's 2021 RG run was a miracle run that I doubt will be repeated. And I don't believe the younger guys have what it takes to beat Rafa in BO5 on clay.

The grass field is also terrible so if Rafa avoids an early round blunder he should contend.

HC I think is a step too far. Not happening anymore.

Just can't add or say anything more, perfect and reasonable answer

 

[The Blond Blur]

Man I miss Peakdal

 

[Pheasant]

Never rule Nadal out. He's a beast. Granted, a year like 2010 won't happen again. But he's a beast. A smart player with the heart of a lion is still dangerous against the field today; even though he's lost several steps.

It will certainly be tough for Nadal to win. But ruling him out is a mistake.

 

[NAS]

Man I miss Peakdal

Everybody does

 

[aman92]

Too early to judge after his first competive match post the injury... Let's see how he shapes up as the tournament goes

 

[Nicklo22]

People are delusional if they think he can’t win the Roland garros again . Last year it was a wild match , could you gone either way . Could you imagine tsitsipants beating Rafa , I can’t becoz he couldn’t even beat a subpar Rafa in Barcelona final . Zverev doesn’t even have top 10 win in gs . Med is useless on clay . Thiem we don’t know where he is . So realistically only nole can beat him and if Rafa catches fire and beats him in straights like he did in 2020( it’s entirety possible) . But if the match prolongs to 4 or 5 sets it will definitely favor nole . So in other words he is the favorite at French open this year and it will be case for Atleast 2 more years.

 

[NAS]

People are delusional if they think he can’t win the Roland garros again . Last year it was a wild match , could you gone either way . Could you imagine tsitsipants beating Rafa , I can’t becoz he couldn’t even beat a subpar Rafa in Barcelona final . Zverev doesn’t even have top 10 win in gs . Med is useless on clay . Thiem we don’t know where he is . So realistically only nole can beat him and if Rafa catches fire and beats him in straights like he did in 2020( it’s entirety possible) . But if the match prolongs to 4 or 5 sets it will definitely favor nole . So in other words he is the favorite at French open this year and it will be case for Atleast 2 more years.

Nobody is beating Rafa at RG this year, he is out for blood

 

[wangs78]

Med and Zed have yet to show the consistency of making it into the final weekend (SF/F) of every slam so Nadal definitely still has a shot. If those two are upset, then Nadal moves into the frontrunner’s spot. The gap narrows every year of course and any number of young players can upset Rafa but I would say he is still the favorite against everyone outside of the twin towers (my new nickname for Med and Zed) and, of course, Djokovic.

 

[Nuclear]

Too soon to tell, in Rome 2020 he looked like he was moving in slow motion at times but he rounded into form quickly.

Hmmm. At times, during the Rome tournament, Nadal moved like the humans in Wall-E.
Then he turned into Quicksilver, beat Djoker in Rome and destroyed everyone during the first week of RG.
Afterwards... he decided to start moving like Jabba the Hutt... right on time for his SF against Novak??

 

[Adam Copeland]

Man I miss Peakdal

Peakdal (movement wise) was a freak of nature.
I think that freak was last seen in 2010? or maybe in 2009.
The freak has constantly slowed down over the last decade or more.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Peakdal (movement wise) was a freak of nature.
I think that freak was last seen in 2010? or maybe in 2009.
The freak has constantly slowed down over the last decade or more.

Madrid 2009 was the end of his peak movement. And I still stand by that RAFA 2005-2009 was the best mover the game has ever seen.

 

[Adam Copeland]

Nobody is beating Rafa at RG this year, he is out for blood

If he wins this slam then definetly he wins FO, but if not then nobody knows what will happen if he meets Novak.

Novak will be 10 times angry on Rafa now than he has ever been, I guess Novak himself will be out for blood

 

[MichaelNadal]

Verémos

 

[weakera]

Hmmm. At times, during the Rome tournament, Nadal moved like the humans in Wall-E.
Then he turned into Quicksilver, beat Djoker in Rome and destroyed everyone during the first week of RG.
Afterwards... he decided to start moving like Jabba the Hutt... right on time for his SF against Novak??

Im talking Rome 2020, not 2021

 

[Adam Copeland]

Madrid 2009 was the end of his peak movement. And I still stand by that RAFA 2005-2009 was the best mover the game has ever seen.

Yes, from the second half of 09 onwards I too noticed a huge slow in speed.
The Nadal of 2010 was also not the same, considerably slower but a much improved player.
He was easily the fastest of this century.

 

[The Blond Blur]

Yes, from the second half of 09 onwards I too noticed a huge slow in speed.
The Nadal of 2010 was also not the same, considerably slower but a much improved player.
He was easily the fastest of this century.

Wouldn't go that far lol, but he has compensated more and more with increased aggression.

 

[TennisFan3]

It's painfully obvious Nadal's slam winning days are OVER.
The rest of the tour has progressed and improved. Nadal OTOH lost speed and power.
He could have a last shot at RG 2022. But if he does NOT win RG 2022 - you can bet he will finish at 20 slams.

 

[Kralingen]

Wouldn't go that far lol, but he has compensated more and more with increased aggression.

I am envisioning a very fun thread idea.

 

[The Blond Blur]

I am envisioning a very fun thread idea.

You have to ask @RS for permission first

 

[Rafa24]

Never rule Nadal out. He's a beast. Granted, a year like 2010 won't happen again. But he's a beast. A smart player with the heart of a lion is still dangerous against the field today; even though he's lost several steps.

It will certainly be tough for Nadal to win. But ruling him out is a mistake.

It will take a little luck in the draw or some epic play by nadal for him to win another slame. RG is possible but now there are 3 really good clay players in Zverev, Stistsi and Thiem. Although Thiem went AWOL last year.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Hmmm. At times, during the Rome tournament, Nadal moved like the humans in Wall-E.
Then he turned into Quicksilver, beat Djoker in Rome and destroyed everyone during the first week of RG.
Afterwards... he decided to start moving like Jabba the Hutt... right on time for his SF against Novak??

How you just letting me see like 2 millimeters of the pizza like that

 

[NAS]

You have to ask @RS for permission first

AO09 final Rafa vs UsO 10 final Rafa

 

[Kralingen]

AO09 final Rafa vs UsO 10 final Rafa

Obviously very close, but it’s ‘10 for me because he had that serve, and because I generally think he’s more comfortable at the USO with the livelier court.

Hell, ‘09 Nadal almost lost to a Fed who served like complete and utter garbage. ‘10dal had more power and that bazooka serve.

 

[The Blond Blur]

AO09 final Rafa vs UsO 10 final Rafa

The good tennis wins

Spoiler

 

[NAS]

Obviously very close, but it’s ‘10 for me because he had that serve, and because I generally think he’s more comfortable at the USO with the livelier court.

Hell, ‘09 Nadal almost lost to a Fed who served like complete and utter garbage. ‘10dal had more power and that bazooka serve.

Lol I was joking as the blond blur said good tennis win

 

[The Blond Blur]

Lol I was joking as the blind blur said good tennis win

 

[NAS]

Lol, It was typo and I already corrected

 

[DIMI_D]

I think Nadal's loss of footspeed has finally caught up with him and he will no longer be able to seriously contend for slam titles anymore. Saw highlights of his match today and nothing looked that different from his game last year. It's just a slow degradation of his physicality over time which may finally prove to be too much to overcome now unless he suddenly improves other aspects of his game in miraculous ways. Will continue watching and supporting him, but not going to have any grand expectations for him any longer. Winning a slam on HC is definitely off the table now (and that's the first time I say that), and even on clay is going to be a challenge if last year is of any indication, as being able to defend and move around the court is extremely important on clay, ballbashing alone isn't going to get the job done. Wimbledon is also a long shot but less so than on a hard court I think as the competition there is still relatively weaker than on hard courts.

Yes totally agree, his serving helps more than it use to but for sure his speed and movement has declined considerably, that’s just natural due to time, wear and tear. Also stamina has taken a hit, I was kind of at the place you are now before RG troubling signs all of 2021 and really even from WTF 2020 loss to med but needed more validation. My expectations very low now I just like to watch him fingers crossed he can raise his level for 1 more FO would be epic!!

 

[Deleted member 788697]

Looked the opposite of too slow at last year's RG, even with the injured foot. OP drunk much?

 

[NAS]

Looked the opposite of too slow at last year's RG, even with the injured foot. OP drunk much?

I think that is why his injury came or became worst, Novak made him to play one extra shot in that match, Rafa was gone by after third set

 

[GabeT]

Man I miss Peakdal

Yet he never seems to reach the ball!

 

[Deleted member 788697]

I think that is why his injury came or became worst, Novak made him to play one extra shot in that match, Rafa was gone by after third set

And yet, do you seriously think Djokovic would have won the match if Nadal converted Set Point in the 3rd Set? I don't, and the majority who have commented on this match don't either.
Anyway, the foot is better, so who can beat Nadal at RG now? Probably see a repeat of 2020, 60 62 75.

 

[Hitman]

Yet he never seems to reach the ball!

Outdone by the greatest dropshot in the history of mankind. LOL

 

[weakera]

Rafa is Rocky in Rocky 6? No speed left, just blasting winners?

You know all there is to know about fightin', so there's no sense us going down that same old road again. To beat this guy, you need speed. You don't have it. And your knees can't take the poundin', so hard runnin's out. And you've got arthritis in your neck, and you've got calcium deposits on most of your joints, so sparrin's out. So what we'll be callin' on is good old fashioned blunt force trauma. Horsepower! Heavy duty, cast-iron, pile-driving punches that'll have to hurt so much they'll rattle his ancestors! Every time you hit him with this shot (*smack*) it's gotta feel like he tried kissin' the express train! (*TWO neck cracks*) Yeah! Let's start buildin' some hurtin' bombs!

 

[RS]

AO09 final Rafa vs UsO 10 final Rafa

My detractors would say don’t like comparing across different slams

 

[miko]

Novak will be 10 times angry on Rafa now than he has ever been, I guess Novak himself will be out for blood

Angry about what? Stating the obvious?

Besides, the way things are going, unless Novak fundamentally changes his standing, he won't be at FO22 to compete.

 

[MurraysMetalHip]

At least he will be in the correct country, so a better chance than some other notable players.

 

[Mustard]

Novak will be 10 times angry on Rafa now than he has ever been, I guess Novak himself will be out for blood

For pointing out the obvious? Nadal was warning him back in 2020 that players would need to be vaccinated if it was mandated.

 

[MeatTornado]

Probably. The 2019 USO certainly had the feeling of a last hurrah off clay. He looked so old and slow there and it took absolutely everything he had to win that one, including shortening the points as much as possible to avoid getting into a defensive grindfest with guys like Schwartzman and Medvedev.

But unless he's legit crippled, that topspin forehand will still be enough to give him a legitimate shot at RG for years to come.

 

[BeatlesFan]

His shotmaking is as good as ever.

When you've lost footspeed, your shot making is always degraded. In order to hit the perfect FH or BH, you have to arrive to the ball on time. Once Fed lost his explosive first step, his groundstrokes immediately deteriorated. The same thing has been happening to Rafa since 2017. There are some matches where he still looks to be playing with tremendous speed, but they are few and far between. Totally normal for a guy who will be 36 in June.

 

[octobrina10]

If he wins this slam then definetly he wins FO, but if not then nobody knows what will happen if he meets Novak.

Novak will be 10 times angry on Rafa now than he has ever been, I guess Novak himself will be out for blood

I wonder what is Djoko angry about?

When asked about Djoko’s situation, Rafa replied to journalists:" But I can’t have a clear opinion on everything because I don’t have all of the details, honestly."
"...The only clear thing for me is if you are vaccinated, you can play in the Australian Open and everywhere..."

Asked if he felt sorry for Djoko, Rafa responded: “I don’t have an opinion on that. I think that if he wanted, he would be playing here in Australia without a problem. He made his own decisions, and everyone is free to make their own decision, but then there are some consequences."