Nadal out of Paris Masters

[TennisFan3]

The most important thing for Rafa is to win the WTF.
The clay/grass season is far away. There's plenty of time for that. After the AO there's another break.

Nadal is prioritizing the AO ahead of WTF and Davis cup. It's all about slams. Nadal would pick 1 slam over 3 WTF/DC titles in a heartbeat.

Anyway, Nadal's target probably is to start 2012 well with a decent AO, play himself into form and then peak during spring/summer of 2012 for the F.O/Wimb..

 

[batz]

Geez, relax! He isn't too old to win one. I think he has a good chance next year. Roger is definitely declining and we don't know where Nadal stands-as in, is he going to go back to his form of 2008 or '10 and the sort of confidence he had back then or is he going to stay where he is, or get worse? We don't know. Novak-again, who knows how long he can keep his form?
Andy's still 24, he WILL have time. He just has to be there mentally. He should've done better against Nadal at Wimbledon and maybe he will next year.
In short-cheer up, he'll be fine

Thanks for the pep talk Mandy

 

[CMM]

Nadal is prioritizing the AO ahead of WTF and Davis cup. It's all about slams. Nadal would pick 1 slam in 2012 over 3 WTF/DC..

Anyway, Nadal's target probably is to start 2012 well with a decent AO, play himself into form and then peak during spring/summer of 2012.

I don't see the connection. He can focus on winning the WTF and then on the AO. All of them are important. Davis Cup less in my opinion, but from what he says, winning it (again) matters a lot to him.

 

[TennisFan3]

I don't see the connection. He can focus on winning the WTF and then on the AO. All of them are important. Davis Cup less in my opinion, but from what he says, winning it (again) matters a lot to him.

The connection is that he won't win tons of titles every year as he did in 2008 and 2010. So yeah win WTF, DC, peak at AO/IW/Miami and the clay/grass sweep is unrealistic at this point in his career.

Nadal needs to chose. This is exactly what he is doing, picking his battles and focusing on the bigger picture. That is heartening news for his fans.

Furthermore, expectations of Nadal having a great WTF in 2011 are misguided. He will be rusty as hell there on what is without doubt the WORST court for his game on the ATP tour (yes worse than even Paris for Nadal).

Even in 2010 when Nadal was in far better form, Roddick should have beaten Nadal in their RR match. The American was a set and a break up but then gifted it away with suicidal net approaches. This yr, Nadal is going to need a lot of luck to get past the RR stage, given the lack of preparation.

Overall, Nadal needs to rest up before what will surely be an intense off season. He doesn't need to go all out at WTF or DC.
In fact, I'm already looking forward to Abu Dhabi , where he played excellent in 2010 and 2011. That must be his hope: To come firing in 2012, with some subtle changes and hope to carry the momentum through to F.O and Wimb..

 

[jackson vile]

Good for him, finally taking the rest that he is supposed to. Really he should skip WTF also, what is the point?

 

[TennisFan3]

Good for him, finally taking the rest that he is supposed to. Really he should skip WTF also, what is the point?

Exactly my point..

 

[Towser83]

Normally I'd be thinking "well this means a possible Djokovic Federer final!" but of course now with Murray at number 3 and thus 2nd seed, it means that Federer will probably be in the same half as Djokovic again.. :lol:

 

[batz]

Good for him, finally taking the rest that he is supposed to. Really he should skip WTF also, what is the point?[/QUOTE]

To ensure he maintains his top 2 ranking?

 

[CMM]

The connection is that he won't win tons of titles every year as he did in 2008 and 2010. So yeah win WTF, DC, peak at AO/IW/Miami and the clay/grass sweep is unrealistic at this point in his career.

Nadal needs to chose. This is exactly what he is doing, picking his battles and focusing on the bigger picture. That is heartening news for his fans.

Furthermore, expectations of Nadal having a great WTF in 2011 are misguided. He will be rusty as hell there on what is without doubt the WORST court for his game on the ATP tour (yes worse than even Paris for Nadal).

Even in 2010 when Nadal was in far better form, Roddick should have beaten Nadal in their RR match. The American was a set and a break up but then gifted it away with suicidal net approaches. This yr, Nadal is going to need a lot of luck to get past the RR stage, given the lack of preparation.

Overall, Nadal needs to rest up before what will surely be an intense off season. He doesn't need to go all out at WTF or DC.
In fact, I'm already looking forward to Abu Dhabi , where he played excellent in 2010 and 2011. That must be his hope: To come firing in 2012, with some subtle changes and hope to carry the momentum through to F.O and Wimb..

I agree with you, but only when it comes to Masters 1000 and 500 points tournaments. He can tank those or not give 100% there. He doesn't need any clay sweep and IW or Miami aren't as important as the WTF. This is the only big title that he hasn't won yet and winning it would mean a lot for his career. He's not injured and he says he's practicing hard. Not getting past RR would be a huge disappointment.

 

[Cup8489]

So how many does Federer qualify for? 1 and 2?

I believe so, certainly by the start of 2012. By mid august he will be exempt from any obligations to Masters 1000 events.

I wonder how many he'll play?

 

[beast of mallorca]

Bercy changed their surface to the fastest hardcourt on tour in 2010 so whether Nadal played it before 2010 is completely irrelevant.

Bercy is the fastest court on tour right now and Nadal skips it because he's afraid of getting humiliated and his one-dimensional game being badly exposed, plain and simple.

And people who are saying he's skipping it cause he's tired. How come Nadal plays Monte Carlo which is non-mandatory every damn year ? He could play Bercy and skip monte carlo instead?

All the top players play Bercy before the WTF so there's no excuse for Nadal to skip it.Enough with the "tired" excuse.

Roger and Nole skipped Shanghai. Did you make an uproar about it ? No.

So if Rafa wants to skip Bercy, whether because he's feeling lazy, or whatever reason that's his prerogative. Get over it muchacho !

 

[Homeboy Hotel]

Now, I wonder if Murray will skip Paris aswell if he's not so fussed about #2 (seeing as he defends zero after AO where'as Nadal is like 2000 points) and if Murray is more fussed about winning the WTF?

Murray has a relatively seriously injury, which if you take some googling, takes at least 2-3 weeks to recover from.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I'm glad he's skipping it. He needs to rest and recharge his batteries not worry about the #2 ranking he is bound to lose anyway.

And the people who are busting on him for pulling out of a tournie that he doesn't do well in anyway need to do the same to Roger and Cvac for skipping Shanghai. Nadal has played the most matches on tour this year and deserves a break. I did not see this type of outrage when Fed and Cvac decided they both needed a break.

The best post from you in a long time. I completely agree.

 

[GOAT BAAH!!!]

Im glad Nadal is finally attempting to pace himself...

also

...this paves the way for Llodra to win the tournament without dropping a set.

 

[Mainad]

I agree with you, but only when it comes to Masters 1000 and 500 points tournaments. He can tank those or not give 100% there. He doesn't need any clay sweep and IW or Miami aren't as important as the WTF. This is the only big title that he hasn't won yet and winning it would mean a lot for his career. He's not injured and he says he's practicing hard. Not getting past RR would be a huge disappointment.

Masters 1000s are big titles too though not as big as WTF. I'm sure he'd want to add Miami, Cincinnati and Paris to his CV some day to complete his sweep of Masters 1000 titles. For the moment,he's concentrating on getting fit for WTF and the Davis Cup final against Argentina.

 

[celoft]

Nadal is the only 8+ slam winner to never win the YEC. Interesting. It being played indoors where he has not won a title since he was a teen and only has one title in those conditions is self explanatory. I wonder if Niole can finish the year with 13 titles like JMac in 1984? Hmm.

 

[Carsomyr]

Correct. He has played more than 600 matches, so he gets to skip one Masters tournament.

I think in 2013 or 2014 he gets to skip one more (12 years of service).

The rule stipulates 600 matches at the start of the calendar year, which Nadal hadn't reached. Oh well, it's not like Nadal is likely to face punishment. In any case, Federer won't have to play any Masters at all, if he so chooses, in 2013.

 

[TopFH]

This could be a mistake because there is no way Nadal can withstand losing the #2 ranking. Being #2 is the only way he can ensure not meeting Djoker till the final. Without that safety net, adios muchachos.

IF Murray takes over Nadal (which is a big IF), I believe Nadal will start going even faster down, as he would not want to face Djokovic on a stage with less pressure for both of them, which means less pressure from Djokovic.

 

[bullfan]

IF Murray takes over Nadal (which is a big IF), I believe Nadal will start going even faster down, as he would not want to face Djokovic on a stage with less pressure for both of them, which means less pressure from Djokovic.

Huge IF, Murray could be injured.... and then Murray has to step up and Nadal step down big time. And if Nadal went to number 3 there's no saying which side of the draw he'd be in.

 

[Towser83]

Masters 1000s are big titles too though not as big as WTF. I'm sure he'd want to add Miami, Cincinnati and Paris to his CV some day to complete his sweep of Masters 1000 titles. For the moment,he's concentrating on getting fit for WTF and the Davis Cup final against Argentina.

And shanghai too

 

[monfed]

Roger and Nole skipped Shanghai. Did you make an uproar about it ? No.

So if Rafa wants to skip Bercy, whether because he's feeling lazy, or whatever reason that's his prerogative. Get over it muchacho !

Federer is 30 and has already won Shanghai ,he skipped it because he was genuinely tired. Nole skipped it because of his back problems and has already won Shanghai.

Nadal skipped Bercy due to strategic reasons which I've already mentioned in my previous post.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

Bercy changed their surface to the fastest hardcourt on tour in 2010 so whether Nadal played it before 2010 is completely irrelevant.

Bercy is the fastest court on tour right now and Nadal skips it because he's afraid of getting humiliated and his one-dimensional game being badly exposed, plain and simple.

And people who are saying he's skipping it cause he's tired. How come Nadal plays Monte Carlo which is non-mandatory every damn year ? He could play Bercy and skip monte carlo instead?

All the top players play Bercy before the WTF so there's no excuse for Nadal to skip it.Enough with the "tired" excuse.

Lol. What about Federer? Maybe Federer should take the hint from Rafa and start skipping Bercy as well. Losing to Benneteau in 2009? Monfils in 2010?

Yup, it seems to me that Federer sucks on fast courts and has a one-dimensional game that gets exposed by guys like Benneteau and Monfils, plain and simple.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

Roger and Nole skipped Shanghai. Did you make an uproar about it ? No.

So if Rafa wants to skip Bercy, whether because he's feeling lazy, or whatever reason that's his prerogative. Get over it muchacho !

Using Monfed's logic, it is absolutely clear that Federer skipped Shanghai this year because his one-dimensional game was exposed by Murray in a straight set beatdown at last years final.

 

[CMM]

The rule stipulates 600 matches at the start of the calendar year, which Nadal hadn't reached. Oh well, it's not like Nadal is likely to face punishment. In any case, Federer won't have to play any Masters at all, if he so chooses, in 2013.

The rule also stipulates this

Challenger and Futures matches played prior to 2010 will remain on the player’s record as relates to this commitment reduction rule.

He played 9 Challengers in 2003 and if we add them, he reached 600 matches at the end of last year.
He won't have to face any punishment.

 

[MixieP]

Poor Rafa, I think he's done for.

First clobbered repeatedly by Novak and then utterly humiliated by Andy in Tokyo. I hope he'll do well in London but I fear this is the beginning of a slippery slide down the rankings.

 

[Mainad]

Federer is 30 and has already won Shanghai ,he skipped it because he was genuinely tired. Nole skipped it because of his back problems and has already won Shanghai.

Delete post.

 

[Mainad]

Federer is 30 and has already won Shanghai ,he skipped it because he was genuinely tired. Nole skipped it because of his back problems and has already won Shanghai.

Neither Federer nor Djokovic have won Shanghai. Federer has only played it once in 2010 and lost in the final to Murray. Djokovic played it in 2009 and 2010 and lost in the semi-finals on both occasions.

Nadal is the only one of the top 4 players to have played every year of Shanghai since it started in 2009. He got to the final in 2009 but lost to Davydenko. The last two years he went out in early rounds.

 

[Zildite]

Neither Federer nor Djokovic have won Shanghai. Federer has only played it once in 2010 and got to the final (lost to Murray). Djokovic played it in 2009 and 2010 and lost in the semi-final on both occasions.

Maybe he is confusing the masters tournament with the 2005-2008 TMC...Or maybe just winning in a specific location is all that counts.

 

[TMF]

I think part of Nadal's decision had to do with his motivation since he knows he can't catch Nole for the year end #1. If it's still a tight race, very possible he'll play. Nadal is very competitive.

 

[TopFH]

^Nole has assured his YE#1 already.

 

[Carsomyr]

The rule also stipulates this



He played 9 Challengers in 2003 and if we add them, he reached 600 matches at the end of last year.
He won't have to face any punishment.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that.

 

[NadalAgassi]

Yep. It makes perfect sense that the guy with 1 indoor title to his name and a winning % of 64.5 has a better chance of winning an indoor title (WTF) than the guy with 9 indoor titles and a winning % of 79.1

Yet one has made the final of the WTF while the other has not. One is also a big match performer and player while the other is not.

 

[TMF]

^Nole has assured his YE#1 already.

Novak Djokovic to finish 2011 as No. 1

 

[tenniselbow1]

Yet one has made the final of the WTF while the other has not. One is also a big match performer and player while the other is not.

Nadal fans will be in for a big surprise this year. I can't see Rafa beating Murray on a indoor hard court again. That tokyo match was as one sided as i've seen any of their matches. Murray took him close last year, expect him to take it to the next step. If Roger tanks the Paris semis, gives Murray a ride to the finals and Murray somehow wins that final against Novak (on an indoor court) watch out. I'd suggest pure panic mode as the last thing Rafa wants at the moment is to be ranked below Murray and have Novak in every other semifinal.

 

[nadalwon2012]

Nadal fans will be in for a big surprise this year. I can't see Rafa beating Murray on a indoor hard court again. That tokyo match was as one sided as i've seen any of their matches. Murray took him close last year, expect him to take it to the next step. If Roger tanks the Paris semis, gives Murray a ride to the finals and Murray somehow wins that final against Novak (on an indoor court) watch out. I'd suggest pure panic mode as the last thing Rafa wants at the moment is to be ranked below Murray and have Novak in every other semifinal.

Quoted for lunacy. 4-1 h2h 2011 :lol:

 

[vernonbc]

Quoted for lunacy. 4-1 h2h 2011 :lol:

But but but....Murray won one match!! Therefore that's proof that Murray's a better tennis player and Nadal is some schmuck that just lucked his way into 10 slams and a career slam and the second best career winning percentage across all surfaces in the open era and domination of the GOAT and winner of most masters tournaments and and and... I mean they've slowed down every tennis court in the world just so the lucky schmuck could win and they've given him the easiest draws in the history of the ATP and everyone he played against either had mono or had played twelve sets the match before, but his luck has run out now and he'll be lucky to win a match on the Challenger's Tour. C'mon, get with the program!!! :roll:

 

[abmk]

Nadal fans will be in for a big surprise this year. I can't see Rafa beating Murray on a indoor hard court again. That tokyo match was as one sided as i've seen any of their matches. Murray took him close last year, expect him to take it to the next step. If Roger tanks the Paris semis, gives Murray a ride to the finals and Murray somehow wins that final against Novak (on an indoor court) watch out. I'd suggest pure panic mode as the last thing Rafa wants at the moment is to be ranked below Murray and have Novak in every other semifinal.

you didn't see IW 2009 finals then ?

rafa can absolutely beat murray on an indoor HC. Though murray's game is better suited for indoor HC, rafa is the better big match player ...

Just as a side-note, slightly odd that no one so far has mentioned that nadal completed the career grand slam over murray with the win at the USO this year !

 

[abmk]

Yet one has made the final of the WTF while the other has not. One is also a big match performer and player while the other is not.

funnily, murray blew his chance to win the YEC in 2008 by exhausting himself in the federer match

 

[Eternity]

you didn't see IW 2009 finals then ?

rafa can absolutely beat murray on an indoor HC. Though murray's game is better suited for indoor HC, rafa is the better big match player ...

Just as a side-note, slightly odd that no one so far has mentioned that nadal completed the career grand slam over murray with the win at the USO this year !

oh yeah he did too. I sometimes forget they played each other at the 2007 AO.

 

[batz]

you didn't see IW 2009 finals then ?

rafa can absolutely beat murray on an indoor HC. Though murray's game is better suited for indoor HC, rafa is the better big match player ...

Just as a side-note, slightly odd that no one so far has mentioned that nadal completed the career grand slam over murray with the win at the USO this year !

The one played in 60 mph winds? Yeah - I remember it, but to be honest, their Wimby 2008 QF was even more one sided - Rafa completely owned Murray that day. That said, Murray did get more than 4 points in each of the sets BTW that is Murray's only defeat in a MS final, where is is 8/9 - which only makes his 0-3 slam final record look worse.

I think Murray leads the bagel H2H 2-0 although to be fair, one of them happened when Rafa had only one functioning knee.

 

[TennisFan3]

The one played in 60 mph winds? Yeah - I remember it, but to be honest, their Wimby 2008 QF was even more one sided - Rafa completely owned Murray that day. That said, Murray did get more than 4 points in each of the sets BTW that is Murray's only defeat in a MS final, where is is 8/9 - which only makes his 0-3 slam final record look worse.

I think Murray leads the bagel H2H 2-0 although to be fair, one of them happened when Rafa had only one functioning knee.

Murray has always been a tough matchup for Nadal right from 2007 when they played in AO. However, Murray has not been able to play his best, consistently, against Nadal in the past couple of years. Nadal has had the upper hand in their most important matches.

Once could argue that the Tokyo beatdown of 2011 could be a watershed for in the Nadal-Murray rivalry, but I would still wait until their next slam match. Nadal was low in confidence and sub-par in Tokyo, Shanghai. Clearly the UsOpen 2011 defeat was on his mind, not just because of the loss but in the manner which he lost..

 

[batz]

Murray has always been a tough matchup for Nadal right from 2007 when they played in AO. However, Murray has not been able to play his best, consistently, against Nadal in the past couple of years. Nadal has had the upper hand in their most important matches.

Once could argue that the Tokyo beatdown of 2011 could be a watershed for in the Nadal-Murray rivalry, but I would still wait until their next slam match. Nadal was low in confidence and sub-par in Tokyo, Shanghai. Clearly the UsOpen 2011 defeat was on his mind, not just because of the loss but in the manner which he lost..

Only a silly person would make that argument IMO. I certainly don't see it as a turning point for Murray. As you say, he's always had the tools to give Rafa a good match, but has only been able to match his mental strength on a limited number of occasions. I don't expect that to change. Rafa will always be favourite to win when they play.

 

[nadalwon2012]

Murray, Blake, Cilic, Tsonga, Gonzo, Del Potro, all guys who have thrashed Nadal but simply aren't good enough to maintain their form. Wooptie dooo.....you can say the same about guys who thrashed Agassi too, and that includes Vince Spadea!

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Although I was looking forward to watching Rafa play again, I think it is good that he is taking a break. The guy has played an incredible amount of tennis this year, and has not skipped a single event that I can think of this year. Hopefully he will be 100% to have strong finish to the season by having a good campaign in London and the DC Final.

 

[abmk]

The one played in 60 mph winds? Yeah - I remember it, but to be honest, their Wimby 2008 QF was even more one sided - Rafa completely owned Murray that day. That said, Murray did get more than 4 points in each of the sets BTW that is Murray's only defeat in a MS final, where is is 8/9 - which only makes his 0-3 slam final record look worse.

I think Murray leads the bagel H2H 2-0 although to be fair, one of them happened when Rafa had only one functioning knee.

yeah, wimby 2008 was almost as one-sided .

 

[Sentinel]

Poor Rafa, I think he's done for.

First clobbered repeatedly by Novak and then utterly humiliated by Andy in Tokyo. I hope he'll do well in London but I fear this is the beginning of a slippery slide down the rankings.

Tragic. Totally. He's got his sights set for doing a Novak in 2012 !