Nadal News 2.0

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Subway Tennis said:
Rafa this clay season has become his opponents' worst nightmare.

I think a lot of people thought Rafa's clay dominance hinged completely on his athleticism, and if that dulled, he would no longer dominate clay.

But Rafa's ability on clay (and, frankly, all surfaces) always had as much to do with his strategic approach to breaking down opponents, varying his weight of shot, and tactical nouse, besides just the eye-popping spin and athleticism.

What appears to have happened is that his athleticism has dropped (only slightly) but his mental approach and strategy has become even better with age (why should we not be surprised?).

He is starting to really routine even high quality claycourters in early rounds, conserving much-needed energy.

As a Rafa fan I am loving seeing this insane level of play again. For people who hate Rafa it must seem like a nightmare.
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I agree.

As someone that argued vociferously for Fed playing 2018 clay season, a big part of it was the belief this was the year he could take it to Rafa at the French.

After watching Monte Carlo, some small part of me is glad he decided to keep away.

This is becoming a tsunami.

He looks locked not only to take RG, but Wimbledon after that.

He’s made some of the minor tactical adjustments to play more offensively and shorten points, and going for it on second serves.

Not looking good at all for Fed who is doing God knows what at this moment.
 
Subway Tennis said:
Rafa this clay season has become his opponents' worst nightmare.

I think a lot of people thought Rafa's clay dominance hinged completely on his athleticism, and if that dulled, he would no longer dominate clay.

But Rafa's ability on clay (and, frankly, all surfaces) always had as much to do with his strategic approach to breaking down opponents, varying his weight of shot, and tactical nouse, besides just the eye-popping spin and athleticism.

What appears to have happened is that his athleticism has dropped (only slightly) but his mental approach and strategy has become even better with age (why should we not be surprised?).

He is starting to really routine even high quality claycourters in early rounds, conserving much-needed energy.

As a Rafa fan I am loving seeing this insane level of play again. For people who hate Rafa it must seem like a nightmare.
Click to expand...
I think it's true that Rafa did originally mostly rely on his superior athleticism more than his strategic approach and shotmaking, but as the years have gone on he has learnt he must be more strategical to compensate for his declining movement. This has actually translated to more success on hard courts than earlier in his career. However, the problem is he his prone to, in his matches, reverting back to what he did in his younger days - relying on his athleticism more than anything else. And this is what causes trouble for him. He must learn that this approach no longer works for him and it's do or die.
 
ADuck said:
I think it's true that Rafa did originally mostly rely on his superior athleticism more than his strategic approach and shotmaking, but as the years have gone on he has learnt he must be more strategical to compensate for his declining movement. This has actually translated to more success on hard courts than earlier in his career. However, the problem is he his prone to, in his matches, reverting back to what he did in his younger days - relying on his athleticism more than anything else. And this is what causes trouble for him. He must learn that this approach no longer works for him and it's do or die.
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The guy has so much firepower off both wings, it’s scary. All he needs to do is apply them all the time, win or lose. Just pull the trigger damn it!:)
 
Barcelona Open, ATP-500

April 25, 2018
R2, Rafa vs Roberto Carballes Baena

Into R3:
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Photo by Alex Caparros

In action:

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Photo by Xavier Bonilla

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Photo by Manu Fernandez

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Photo by Alex Caparros

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Photo by Alex Caparros

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Via Barcelona Open

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Via Barcelona Open

Fans:
BcnOpen BancSabadell: "Nadalmanía at the Barcelona Open after Rafa Nadal's victory [Translated from Spanish by Microsoft]: "
https://twitter.com/bcnopenbs/status/989168886930132993/video/1


Vamos Rafa!
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Rafa's former coach - Toni Nadal

April 25, 2018

The Barcelona Open website:

¤¤ The tournament pays tribute to Toni Nadal

The Central Court of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell would not bear its own name [Rafa Nadal] if it wasn't because of the fundamental contribution from Toni Nadal. His uncle and coach influenced him [Rafa] to start this sport in Manacor, instructed him and gave him the necessary values to succeed. Besides, he was the person who took Rafa as a kid to the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899, when Mallorca was not enough for him, so he could become the legend he is now.

Rafa Nadal has already won 10 titles in Barcelona and for all of them, he has had the support from his uncle Toni. In this year's edition, for the first time, Toni will not be with him sitting in a coach role on the bench, but the organization of Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell - Trofeo Conde de Godó has decided to honour him for his vital contribution to the growth of the tournament. At the end of the match between Rafa Nadal and Roberto Carballés, still, on the same court, Albert Costa, director of the tournament and Albert Agustí, president of the RCTB-1899, have given Toni a replica of the trophy and an emotional video has been displayed. ¤¤
https://www.barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com/en/news/tournament-pays-tribute-toni-nadal

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Vamos Uncle Toni!
 
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Barcelona Open, ATP-500

April 26, 2018
R3, Rafa vs Guillermo Garcia-Lopez

Through to QFs:
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Via RHFB

In action:

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Photo by Alex Caparros

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Photo by Alex Caparros

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Photo by Manu Fernandez


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Photo by Alex Caparros

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Photo by Alex Caparros

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Photo by Alex Caparros

31402677_1689147937817091_7633564663602479104_o.jpg

Photo by Xavier Bonilla


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Via Quality Sport

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Photo by Manu Fernandez

Protected by bodyguards:
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Via RHFB

Vaamoos Rafa!
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Short and sweet. Rafa's attitude about his game, from his post-win Monte Carlo presser. Gotta luv this guy. :)

RAFAEL NADAL: My goal is always the same thing: be healthy, because if I am not healthy, I cannot have any goal; second goal is be happy. That's it. Then if I am healthy, I'm happy, I know that normally I have good chances to play good tennis. If I play good tennis, then I normally have opportunities. Then you win, you lose. That's sport.
 
Nadal actually owns five of the seven longest clay-court set streaks in the Open Era:

- 40 sets in a row: Rafael Nadal (2017-2018)

- 35 sets in a row: Guillermo Coria (2003-2004)

- 34 sets in a row: Ilie Nastase (1973)

- 32 sets in a row: Rafael Nadal (2010-2011)

- 31 sets in a row: Rafael Nadal (2007-2008)

- 30 sets in a row: Rafael Nadal (2012)

- 30 sets in a row: Rafael Nadal (2006-2007)

But this one has been especially dominant—the 10-time French Open champion has lost a total of just 84 games across these 40 sets, meaning he’s winning those sets by an average score of 6-2.

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2018...-winning-streak-16-matches-and-40-sets/73522/
 
Quite a match. I preferred the first set to the second. :P Actually, the second set was compelling tennis with some amazing shots, although if Rafa hadn't gifted that first game, it probably would have been quite different but we sure got to see Rafa's determination and competitive attitude. He really is an amazing tennis player.
 
vernonbc said:
Quite a match. I preferred the first set to the second. :p Actually, the second set was compelling tennis with some amazing shots, although if Rafa hadn't gifted that first game, it probably would have been quite different but we sure got to see Rafa's determination and competitive attitude. He really is an amazing tennis player.
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It was needed, lest he forgets what saving set points feel like on a clay court.
 
Barcelona Open, ATP-500

April 27, 2018
QF, Rafa vs Martin Klizan

Into SF:

31396085_1689986987733186_8690072785298391040_o.jpg

Photo by Manu Fernandez

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Photo by Manu Fernandez

In action:

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Via Diario Sport

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Via RNKOTFB

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Via Barcelona Open

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Photo by Alejandro García

Match point!
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Via Ashish TV

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Vaaamooos Rafa!!!
 
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Some Statistics

ATP World Tour‏@ATPWorldTour 44 minutes ago
Another milestone for Rafael Nadal
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The World No. 1 earns his 400th tour-level clay-court victory against David Goffin at the Barcelona Open!

Read Tribute: http://bit.ly/2KkulWB

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Eurosport.es‏ @Eurosport_ES 54 minutes ago
¡@RafaelNadal alcanza la final del @bcnopenbs! Con la de hoy suma 400 victorias sobre tierra batida... ¡Que bestia!
La crónica: http://bit.ly/2FoU6Ry

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https://twitter.com/TennisChannel/status/990274450670092289/photo/1
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Vaaaamoooos Rafa!!!!
 
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octobrina10 said:
Some Statistics

ATP World Tour‏@ATPWorldTour 44 minutes ago
Another milestone for Rafael Nadal
1f64c.png
The World No. 1 earns his 400th tour-level clay-court victory against David Goffin at the Barcelona Open!

Read Tribute: http://bit.ly/2KkulWB

Db4aDxpWsAEmW-k.jpg:small



Eurosport.es‏ @Eurosport_ES 54 minutes ago
¡@RafaelNadal alcanza la final del @bcnopenbs! Con la de hoy suma 400 victorias sobre tierra batida... ¡Que bestia!
La crónica: http://bit.ly/2FoU6Ry

Db4Z8ZoXkAE-iZd.jpg:small



Vaaaamoooos Rafa!!!!
Click to expand...
Becoming the first man in the Open Era to win 400 matches on both - clay and hard courts.
 
As Bjorn Borg, a winner of 30 clay crowns - including six at Roland Garros - told ATPWorldTour.com, “To win on clay you have to practise your positioning a lot, how you strike the ball to set up a point and your movement.

"Nadal has worked so hard to develop his backhand, particularly the crosscourt shot, which is not only a winner shot but also an attacking stroke in defence. He plays with tremendous intensity as if every point is a match point. Nadal has excellent footwork, so he's able to position himself in good time and rarely gets into trouble. He is quick to move up the court. His serve often sets up the point, while the pace and placement of his forehand enable him to finish points.”

http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/news/nadal-400-clay-court-match-wins-tribute


That's why Rafa is so lucky.
 
Abhinandan said:
Becoming the first man in the Open Era to win 400 matches on both - clay and hard courts.
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A little more detail, from a comment on that ATP story.


Sean Masami Shimamoto ·
Honolulu, Hawaii
I am really surprised that they didn’t mention that Rafa’s the first player, male or female, in the Open Era to win 400+ hard court matches and 400+ clay court matches. No male has come even close, and Chris Evert is the closest woman (478 hard/382 clay). This record is even more impressive than when Rafa won 35+ hard court and 35+ clay court matches in the same season, 2013.
 
Rafa's former coach - Toni Nadal

Toni Nadal has a busy life. He travelled from Barcelona to Munich, Germany, to hold the Rafa Nadal Academy camp during the BMW Open:

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:)
 
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