D
Deleted member 763691
Guest
Rafael probably holds serve better than any other leftie ever
Rafael probably holds serve better than any other leftie ever
I hope that Nadal and Federer finish in the first two places not only of the open era, but of all times.
I’m closer to that view than you may realize: my hope is they end up with the exact same number of slams. It seems unfair to me one should be anointed GOAT when both have given me the ride of my life.
What a bizarre post. And what of Djokovic?
I’m still working on my good luck for the season post for their thread. There might be a possibility I complete it by 2023.What a bizarre post. And what of Djokovic?
And he DIDN'T win it in 2017 so let's not be over-hopeful... if there IS such a thing. He only put himself in best possible position to do it.
And I jsut want to know how they determine all that junk.
Struff could be tough, I’m watching his match at the ASB classic against PCB right now, boy does he have some power. If he gets to Nadal and Rafa isn’t playing better than he was at the fast 4, we could see an upset.Nadal's draw at 2019 AO
R1: Duckworth
R2: Ebden/Struff
R3: De Minaur
R4: Edmund/Schwartzman
QF: Isner/Anderson
SF: Federer
F: Djokovic
Relatively easy until the SF IMO.
Struff could be tough, I’m watching his match at the ASB classic against PCB right now, boy does he have some power. If he gets to Nadal and Rafa isn’t playing better than he was at the fast 4, we could see an upset.
I agree. I’ve seen struff play. He can really hit that ballStruff could be tough, I’m watching his match at the ASB classic against PCB right now, boy does he have some power. If he gets to Nadal and Rafa isn’t playing better than he was at the fast 4, we could see an upset.
Struff can hit big, but not multiple big balls in a row. He deosn't really get hot and then makes every shot or anything.I agree. I’ve seen struff play. He can really hit that ball
Rafael got night sessions at 2017 US Open, and he and Federer were in the same half, so it makes no differencegood to see him moving better at the last practise videos. hope his health is ready for melbourne....and i think he must prepare of playing mostly the day sessions at until the quarters, because i think federer gets the night sessions spots.
.and i think he must prepare of playing mostly the day sessions at until the quarters, because i think federer gets the night sessions spots.
Stuart Fraser
@stu_fraser
·
3h
Roger Federer's Australian Open route just in...
R1: Qualifier (at night)
R2: Qualifier (at night)
R3: Qualifier (at night)
R4: Qualifier (at night)
QF: Qualifier (at night)
SF: Qualifier (at night)
F: Qualifier (at night)
The Rafa Team
Rafael Plaza, a Spanish journalist, confirms that Rafa has changed his service motion (the article is in Spanish):
https://www.atptour.com/es/news/nadal-cambio-saque-australian-open-2019
An excerpt:
"We are looking for more damage and for the ball to go a little faster," Moya tells ATPTour.com on his way to tennis courts at Melbourne Park early Wednesday afternoon. "We had always had the feeling that Rafa's ball was fast in the service, but when it bounced it stopped a bit. Now, with a more fluid movement, we want the ball to bounce and not lose all that speed." [Via Google Translate]
Rafael Plaza is a reliable journalist, who has a good relationship with the Rafa team. He has written good articles about Rafa & his team since at least 2015, and Rafa has praised him.
Why are Rafa's coaches spilling all his training methods? Why????????The ATP staff has translated Rafael Plaza's article from Spanish to English (and published it anonymously):
Struff could be tough, I’m watching his match at the ASB classic against PCB right now, boy does he have some power. If he gets to Nadal and Rafa isn’t playing better than he was at the fast 4, we could see an upset.
intimidation tactic, making others scared of his serve before they even face itWhy are Rafa's coaches spilling all his training methods? Why????????
Nadal had planned to test his tweaked service motion at the Rolex Paris Masters before being forced to withdraw from the event with an abdominal injury.
Hopefully.I knew it when I saw Rafa practising before Paris! This new serve will be brutal
Anderson is not easy for the QF IMO. Easy for a final but not for QF. And Schwartzmann somehow always makes difficult matches for Rafa.Nadal's draw at 2019 AO
R1: Duckworth
R2: Ebden/Struff
R3: De Minaur
R4: Edmund/Schwartzman
QF: Isner/Anderson
SF: Federer
F: Djokovic
Relatively easy until the SF IMO.
Anderson is not easy for the QF IMO. Easy for a final but not for QF. And Schwartzmann somehow always makes difficult matches for Rafa.
Anyhow, it could have been way worse. Thank God, Nadal avoided Khachanov, Cilic, Tsitsipas and Thiem before the SF.
Yep, Diego is a tough matchup. Hopefully he won’t make it to R4. Thanks God Rafa won’t play Tsonga/Wasrinka/Berdych in R2/R3.Anderson is not easy for the QF IMO. Easy for a final but not for QF. And Schwartzmann somehow always makes difficult matches for Rafa.
Anyhow, it could have been way worse. Thank God, Nadal avoided Khachanov, Cilic, Tsitsipas and Thiem before the SF.
after what happened last time they played here, you can bet Rafael will be at his best for redemptionhe can meet berdych in round 4.
rafa will be playin his first round on monday. 2nd match day session on rod laver.
So Nadal's half will play first?
Agree. Those are awesome!These two photos are magnificent.