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Hitman

Hitman

Bionic Poster
Rafa.the.Magnificent said:
Say more for people like me please....what do you conclude by his hitting in that video?
Click to expand...

Just going by what he is doing in that video with the way he is hitting that ball, I think he is being very very smart.

He looks to me that he is thinking not only about his game, but conditions at RG in late September and early October. At that time of the year, conditions are going to be a lot milder than they are in June meaning the ball isn't going to jump as high as much as he would like, the sun is going to be a lot lower, and he could even be playing in indoor conditions where trying to hit the with more top spin isn't always the best thing to do. The ball is going to be coming back at him much lower than normal also, which means Nadal is going to step more forward into the court and focus on more aggressive tennis but with a lower margin for error...kind of like what he did at Wimbledon 2018.

Another reason is, at his age and coming back from 8 to 9 months without competitive tennis means, it is very possible that he will not be ready for best of five wars of attrition, where he would be looking to extend rallies and then suffocate his opponents with his physicality and continuous top spin bouncing high. He will probably be looking to be ruthlessly aggressive, cutting the rallies down, and impose pressure first strike tennis on his rivals before they get a chance to do it to him. Smart if what I think he is going to do, is what's running through his mind in preparation.
 
Rafa.the.Magnificent

Rafa.the.Magnificent

G.O.A.T.
Hitman said:
Just going by what he is doing in that video with the way he is hitting that ball, I think he is being very very smart.

He looks to me that he is thinking not only about his game, but conditions at RG in late September and early October. At that time of the year, conditions are going to be a lot milder than they are in June meaning the ball isn't going to jump as high as much as he would like, the sun is going to be a lot lower, and he could even be playing in indoor conditions where trying to hit the with more top spin isn't always the best thing to do. The ball is going to be coming back at him much lower than normal also, which means Nadal is going to step more forward into the court and focus on more aggressive tennis but with a lower margin for error...kind of like what he did at Wimbledon 2018.

Another reason is, at his age and coming back from 8 to 9 months without competitive tennis means, it is very possible that he will not be ready for best of five wars of attrition, where he would be looking to extend rallies and then suffocate his opponents with his physicality and continuous top spin bouncing high. He will probably be looking to be ruthlessly aggressive, cutting the rallies down, and impose pressure first strike tennis on his rivals before they get a chance to do it to him. Smart if what I think he is going to do, is what's running through his mind in preparation.
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Wow, glad I asked! Thanks a lot for that, Hitman, I love that kind of analysis. Thanks for taking the time.
 
E36BMWM3

E36BMWM3

Hall of Fame
Hitman said:
Just going by what he is doing in that video with the way he is hitting that ball, I think he is being very very smart.

He looks to me that he is thinking not only about his game, but conditions at RG in late September and early October. At that time of the year, conditions are going to be a lot milder than they are in June meaning the ball isn't going to jump as high as much as he would like, the sun is going to be a lot lower, and he could even be playing in indoor conditions where trying to hit the with more top spin isn't always the best thing to do. The ball is going to be coming back at him much lower than normal also, which means Nadal is going to step more forward into the court and focus on more aggressive tennis but with a lower margin for error...kind of like what he did at Wimbledon 2018.

Another reason is, at his age and coming back from 8 to 9 months without competitive tennis means, it is very possible that he will not be ready for best of five wars of attrition, where he would be looking to extend rallies and then suffocate his opponents with his physicality and continuous top spin bouncing high. He will probably be looking to be ruthlessly aggressive, cutting the rallies down, and impose pressure first strike tennis on his rivals before they get a chance to do it to him. Smart if what I think he is going to do, is what's running through his mind in preparation.
Click to expand...
Very interesting take and without you pointing it out it would just be another practice video to me. It is true though that Nadal's much more aggressive during practice than come game-time, but the adjustments you pointed out make complete sense. Yea, atmospheric conditions will def impact the ball bounce thus his positioning on the court. I guess it escapes me just how detailed their training gets based on the situation that's being faced. Nadal's prepping to lift no. 20. Thank you for the thorough explanation @Hitman
 
octobrina10

octobrina10

Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor
Rafa Nadal Sports Centre in Manacor
The academy is part of the sports centre

Custom-made face masks with the sports centre logo are now available for the visitors of Rafa's sports centre/academy:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1297160679951147008

The director of communications at Rafa's sports centre/academy, Antonio Arenas, and Rafa's sister show off the masks:
unisex-adult-mask.jpg


You can also buy masks online:

ACCESSORIES

shop.rafanadalacademy.com shop.rafanadalacademy.com

:)
Vamos Rafa and his sports centre!
 
octobrina10

octobrina10

Talk Tennis Guru
irishnadalfan1983

irishnadalfan1983

Hall of Fame
Any chance of Rafa playing in Austria? Any mention of it anywhere? Difficulty to know with Covid/safety I understand but just wondering has anyone seen it mentioned somewhere as a possibility....
 
BeatlesFan

BeatlesFan

Bionic Poster
Hitman said:
Just going by what he is doing in that video with the way he is hitting that ball, I think he is being very very smart.

He looks to me that he is thinking not only about his game, but conditions at RG in late September and early October. At that time of the year, conditions are going to be a lot milder than they are in June meaning the ball isn't going to jump as high as much as he would like, the sun is going to be a lot lower, and he could even be playing in indoor conditions where trying to hit the with more top spin isn't always the best thing to do. The ball is going to be coming back at him much lower than normal also, which means Nadal is going to step more forward into the court and focus on more aggressive tennis but with a lower margin for error...kind of like what he did at Wimbledon 2018.

Another reason is, at his age and coming back from 8 to 9 months without competitive tennis means, it is very possible that he will not be ready for best of five wars of attrition, where he would be looking to extend rallies and then suffocate his opponents with his physicality and continuous top spin bouncing high. He will probably be looking to be ruthlessly aggressive, cutting the rallies down, and impose pressure first strike tennis on his rivals before they get a chance to do it to him. Smart if what I think he is going to do, is what's running through his mind in preparation.
Click to expand...
Fantastic analysis, Hitman, thanks. Jim Courier was mentioning yesterday while commentating on the Murray-Zverev match that clay conditions at RG will be "significantly different" in late Sept-early Oct because of the weather. He mentioned Rafa's spin "won't explode off the court" as it does in late spring in Paris.
 
irishnadalfan1983

irishnadalfan1983

Hall of Fame
BeatlesFan said:
Fantastic analysis, Hitman, thanks. Jim Courier was mentioning yesterday while commentating on the Murray-Zverev match that clay conditions at RG will be "significantly different" in late Sept-early Oct because of the weather. He mentioned Rafa's spin "won't explode off the court" as it does in late spring in Paris.
Click to expand...

Interesting from both....Will it matter that much I wonder? He can probably best most guys in RG at about 70%.....Pretty much only Nole or Thiem can challenge him these days there unless I am maybe forgetting someone...
 
clayqueen

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
octobrina10 said:
Rafa Nadal Academy in Manacor
Rafa Nadal Sports Centre in Manacor
The academy is part of the sports centre

Custom-made face masks with the sports centre logo are now available for the visitors of Rafa's sports centre/academy:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1297160679951147008

The director of communications at Rafa's sports centre/academy, Antonio Arenas, and Rafa's sister show off the masks:
unisex-adult-mask.jpg


You can also buy masks online:

ACCESSORIES

shop.rafanadalacademy.com shop.rafanadalacademy.com

:)
Vamos Rafa and his sports centre!
Click to expand...
Just ordered a face mask from the RNA.
 
Beckerserve

Beckerserve

Legend
Hitman said:
Just going by what he is doing in that video with the way he is hitting that ball, I think he is being very very smart.

He looks to me that he is thinking not only about his game, but conditions at RG in late September and early October. At that time of the year, conditions are going to be a lot milder than they are in June meaning the ball isn't going to jump as high as much as he would like, the sun is going to be a lot lower, and he could even be playing in indoor conditions where trying to hit the with more top spin isn't always the best thing to do. The ball is going to be coming back at him much lower than normal also, which means Nadal is going to step more forward into the court and focus on more aggressive tennis but with a lower margin for error...kind of like what he did at Wimbledon 2018.

Another reason is, at his age and coming back from 8 to 9 months without competitive tennis means, it is very possible that he will not be ready for best of five wars of attrition, where he would be looking to extend rallies and then suffocate his opponents with his physicality and continuous top spin bouncing high. He will probably be looking to be ruthlessly aggressive, cutting the rallies down, and impose pressure first strike tennis on his rivals before they get a chance to do it to him. Smart if what I think he is going to do, is what's running through his mind in preparation.
Click to expand...
Except September will be likely warmer and drier than it is in late may early june. I expect Nadal will revert to pre 2010 Nadal to ensure he hammers the field by playing proper clay court tennis like he used to. In recent years he has played more hard court type tennis on clay and consequently has lost more games in sets than he would if playing his old game. As for judging him in practice , given i have seen him practice up close numerous times and in matches i can tell you he hits the FH very differently.
 
Beckerserve

Beckerserve

Legend
BeatlesFan said:
Thiem has been demolished every time he's played Rafa at the FO and Djokovic only beat 2015 injured/bad Rafa on Chatrier.
Click to expand...
If Nadal plays his old clay game which he may well do given its the last Major this year he should win FO without losing a set. The sad reality is the standard on the mens tour now is abysmal. No question Federer had a much harder era in his pomp than Rafa is facing now.
 
DSH

DSH

Talk Tennis Guru
If circumstances permit, 2 of the next 3 GS to be played would be in Paris.
Golden opportunity for Nadal and reach the mythical 21.
:cool:;)
 
clayqueen

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
BeatlesFan said:
Fantastic analysis, Hitman, thanks. Jim Courier was mentioning yesterday while commentating on the Murray-Zverev match that clay conditions at RG will be "significantly different" in late Sept-early Oct because of the weather. He mentioned Rafa's spin "won't explode off the court" as it does in late spring in Paris.
Click to expand...
Rafa has played on clay in DC numerous times in the autumn and he's never lost a match. These commentators just say things without any basis.
 
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irishnadalfan1983

irishnadalfan1983

Hall of Fame
BeatlesFan said:
Thiem has been demolished every time he's played Rafa at the FO and Djokovic only beat 2015 injured/bad Rafa on Chatrier.
Click to expand...

True but still feel they are his closest challengers and Rafa is a year older....I’m just not sure how much of a difference playing RG in September/October will make to him...Hopefully we get to see tournament
 
irishnadalfan1983

irishnadalfan1983

Hall of Fame
Also I wonder what this break has done for Rafa...Kind or hoping/thinking mid break at 34 would be good for him - give the body a complete break/get rid of any niggles...Might really pay off for the next 12/18 months - that is what I am hoping anyway!
 
Hitman

Hitman

Bionic Poster
BeatlesFan said:
Fantastic analysis, Hitman, thanks. Jim Courier was mentioning yesterday while commentating on the Murray-Zverev match that clay conditions at RG will be "significantly different" in late Sept-early Oct because of the weather. He mentioned Rafa's spin "won't explode off the court" as it does in late spring in Paris.
Click to expand...

I guess we'll see. :)
 
octobrina10

octobrina10

Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa's coach - Carlos Moya

Carlos Moya turns 44 today.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1298908713600901120

Besides playing tennis, C. Moya keeps himself in shape in many different ways:

- Carlos and his wife Carolina Cerezuela are training together at the Profitness gym (in his hometown of Palma) they own:
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- water activities:
Click the forward icon to see both pictures:

Happy birthday to Carlos Moya!
 
vernonbc

vernonbc

Legend
Some snippets from a GQ interview translated by @genny_ss. I don't think Rafa's going to play clay season either. His head is just not in the game of tennis. :(


Rafa on lockdown: "Everything sports related goes to the background when there are so many people suffering, so many families have lost loved ones. Truth is that it's something I'm not worried about & I'm saying it w/ my heart. I don't care if the sports break's been good or bad.

During these months I've hardly thought of tennis. I think there have been much more important things & enough misfortunes to think of something that I think is secondary. When things are OK, I trust I'll once again be fully ready to return to action & keep on being competitive."

Rafa on a possible return to competition: "I can't tell yet because I'm still on the lookout for how things evolve. When the time comes, I'll take a decision & I'll do it after speaking with my family & my team. Together we'll take the decision we think is most suitable for us."

Rafa on retirement: "Everything has a beginning and everything has an end, and I am not one of those people who are afraid of the end. I think I feel respect for it, yes, but no fear. When the end comes it will be time to accept it and continue looking for motivations in life."
 
vernonbc

vernonbc

Legend
Genny has translated some more quotes from the GQ Spain interview. I've loved Rafa for many years and he's still not letting me down. He's so thoughtful and kind and intelligent and wise about life and love and tennis. :love:

Rafael Nadal on the cover of the GQ Spain magazine / September 2020 @genny_ss

Q. Do you think he [RF] hasn't retired yet because he fears you could beat his GS record?

Rafa: "I don't think so. I believe Roger doesn't play either because of me or anybody. He plays tennis because he likes playing tennis, is passionate about this sport and enjoys keeping on playing tennis. So, the reason is simple: because he loves doing what he does."

Rafa on Toni: "As far as my sportive life is concerned, Toni's the most important person in my life w/o any doubt. Without Toni, I'd not even be a tennis player. It was him who decided that he wanted to step aside & focus more on the RNA or spending more time at home. I never had any issue with that, everything has always been good with him. I've always said that being his nephew comes before being his pupil. And he's my uncle long before being my coach."

Q. Family is very important for you and you got married not long ago. Do you see yourself as a father in the future?

Rafa: "Yes, God willing, yes. Yes, I'm person who likes children and, due to my education (upbringing), it'd be difficult for me to understand life without starting a family."

Q. Maybe when you retire & live with more calm?

Rafa: "I don't know. That's something that affects my partner & me [laughs]. I don't even speak about this with my father or my mother, so I won't give an answer to you [laughs]."

Q. Would you encourage your children to follow a career like yours?

Rafa: "I wish! Without any doubt, it'd be great for any of my children, if I'm lucky enough to have them, to have the career I've had. I'm saying this because things have gone very well for me for many years, thus I'd of course like this life for my children. I've been very lucky, as I've been able to live unforgettable experiences thanks to the sport & live many things that, without my tennis career, I'd not have ever been able to live or know. I guess my children will do what they want, but I'd of course like them to be involved in sports. In the end, I believe that being in the sport world, from an educational point of view, is something positive."
 
Beckerserve

Beckerserve

Legend
irishnadalfan1983 said:
Also I wonder what this break has done for Rafa...Kind or hoping/thinking mid break at 34 would be good for him - give the body a complete break/get rid of any niggles...Might really pay off for the next 12/18 months - that is what I am hoping anyway!
Click to expand...
There is a lot of panic about Nadal getting no.20. It looks very likely now though. Even on hard courts the players are all looking way off. On clay they will be all over the place with so little time to prepare. Djokovic will not be a threat and will not be surprised if he pulls out if he wins US open as he is already looking spent and has a neck issue so he is definitely not going to win the FO. Thiem is the biggest danger but unclear what form he is in.
Really Nadal should win FO without dropping a set. Everything has fallen perfectly for him. If he plays that is.
 
vernonbc

vernonbc

Legend
Still not sure what this whole GQ interview is all about but it sounds like it was a big deal. GQ apparently got editors of 20 different GQ International magazines together and they decided that in this crazy world, they needed to put together an unprecedentedly important magazine for September and they needed a superstar to represent this 'global manifesto' they were creating, and Rafa was the perfect person for this.(y)

I think this is probably a google translation as it sounds a little clunky to me, but kudos to Rafa for being the person they wanted to represent them in this important initiative.

The initiative, accompanied by a global manifesto, has the clear objective of "launching a message of unity and inspiration about what it means for us to accompany our readers in a world that forces us to be constantly changing to face new problems and challenges", according to Daniel Borrás, director of GQ Spain. "He insists on the need to be fairer, more committed, more empathetic. This union also allows us to be stronger and stronger and offer content of the highest quality and relevance in different formats 24 hours a day. We have already been time embracing change, but we never tire of squeezing it: our shape is given by their fingers.

A campaign of such relevance and scope needs an example at the height of its life to put a face on it, and we are sure we have found him: Rafa Nadal. The best Spanish athlete in history does not need an introduction, but Nadal is much more than that. When we looked for a character to symbolize the motto of this very special issue, Change is Good: when we set out to find a man who would have the charisma, passion, resilience and adaptability to overcome the adversity that these times require; When, in short, we thought about who could embody all those values that define us as a publication and that we need as a society, only one name came to mind; his.
 
vernonbc

vernonbc

Legend
Beckerserve said:
There is a lot of panic about Nadal getting no.20. It looks very likely now though. Even on hard courts the players are all looking way off. On clay they will be all over the place with so little time to prepare. Djokovic will not be a threat and will not be surprised if he pulls out if he wins US open as he is already looking spent and has a neck issue so he is definitely not going to win the FO. Thiem is the biggest danger but unclear what form he is in.
Really Nadal should win FO without dropping a set. Everything has fallen perfectly for him. If he plays that is.
Click to expand...
Don't get your hopes up. Did you even read the recent interviews with Rafa? I'll be surprised if he'll even play the FO.
 
octobrina10

octobrina10

Talk Tennis Guru
Relaxing Time

This weekend Rafa participated in the Hexagonal Autovidal 2020 golf tournament organized by the Balearic Golf Federation.
The Rafa Nadal Academy team, consisting of 4 golfers, finished the tournament tied for 2nd place among 41 teams.

Here are a few photos taken during the tournament held at the Pula Golf Resort in Mallorca (via Federacion Balear de Golf):

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118884212_3280105945387941_8303485653769093318_o.jpg


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Vamos Rafa!
 
haqq777

haqq777

Legend
"He's going to come out like a raging bull", says Jim Courier on Tennis Channel feeling sorry for the player Rafa has to play in the 1st round in Rome.

I have been missing that raging bull like you guys won't believe! Will be glued to my seat for all of Rafa's matches :)
 
MichaelNadal

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
haqq777 said:
"He's going to come out like a raging bull", says Jim Courier on Tennis Channel feeling sorry for player Rafa has to play in the 1st round in Rome.

I have been missing that raging bull like you guys won't believe! Will be glued to my seat for all of Rafa's matches :)
Click to expand...

c700x420.jpg


Me too man, miss seeing my boy hit dat ball :D
 
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