Nadal recuperation on track- "...whether that is in two weeks or in three or four."

[RAFA2005RG]

I'm not sure this is true. Fed fixed his backhand in 2011. He devastated Nadal in the WTF and Indian Wells. Fed's problem now seems to be that of a normal player that hits big. Like Murray and Berdych.

In between the 2011 WTF and 2012 Indian Wells I saw this match at the 2012 Australian Open. Federer was on a 26 match winning streak, and faced Nadal in the semis. Federer won the 1st set. That is all Federer won, as Nadal won in 4 sets.

Like I said, 5 straight wins for Nadal over Federer at the slams. 2 on hardcourt, 2 on clay, 1 on grass. And yeah, Federer has had regular wins over Nadal in best-of-3-set format, nothing new there.

 

[RAFA2005RG]

This board is way more worried about Rafa than Rafa himself!

Exactly, this board is an insane asylum, to say the least.

 

[RF20Lennon]

Exactly, this board is an insane asylum, to say the least.

LOL the lovers think he will spring out and win 2013 like nothing ever happened!! and the haters think he will be confined to a wheelchair for his entire life!. Hilarious really....

 

[Sentinel]

Says he'll be back before start of next season.

 

[Zarfot Z]

Not a fan of Nadal, but I have to admit tennis is much more boring without him.

 

[tusharlovesrafa]

This board is way more worried about Rafa than Rafa himself!

LOOOL..So true!!

 

[Clarky21]

Says he'll be back before start of next season.

No he didn't. He has not even given a date to when he will start practicing again so how could he have given a date to when he will return to the tour?

 

[RF20Lennon]

No he didn't. He has not even given a date to when he will start practicing again so how could he have given a date to when he will return to the tour?

I think he means the poker tour :twisted:

 

[Mike Sams]

In between the 2011 WTF and 2012 Indian Wells I saw this match at the 2012 Australian Open. Federer was on a 26 match winning streak, and faced Nadal in the semis. Federer won the 1st set. That is all Federer won, as Nadal won in 4 sets.

Like I said, 5 straight wins for Nadal over Federer at the slams. 2 on hardcourt, 2 on clay, 1 on grass. And yeah, Federer has had regular wins over Nadal in best-of-3-set format, nothing new there.

Djokovic has crunched Federer in straights twice at the AO and dumped him out of the USO twice. Berdych likewise has taken Federer out of 2 Slams now on Federer's best surfaces.
So Nadal or no Nadal, Federer has enough trouble winning Slams. Nadal likewise is having trouble winning anything off clay. Heck Nadal isn't even a lock on clay at times if the tournament is played at altitude.

 

[Mike Sams]

Not a fan of Nadal, but I have to admit tennis is much more boring without him.

Yeah, I like watching Nadal/Djokovic matches. Even on clay.

 

[RF20Lennon]

Djokovic has crunched Federer in straights twice at the AO and dumped him out of the USO twice. Berdych likewise has taken Federer out of 2 Slams now on Federer's best surfaces.
So Nadal or no Nadal, Federer has enough trouble winning Slams. Nadal likewise is having trouble winning anything off clay. Heck Nadal isn't even a lock on clay at times if the tournament is played at altitude.

Or it's blue!

 

[RAFA2005RG]

Djokovic has crunched Federer in straights twice at the AO and dumped him out of the USO twice. Berdych likewise has taken Federer out of 2 Slams now on Federer's best surfaces.
So Nadal or no Nadal, Federer has enough trouble winning Slams. Nadal likewise is having trouble winning anything off clay. Heck Nadal isn't even a lock on clay at times if the tournament is played at altitude.

But Nadal is a lock to win Roland Garros, unless his parents divorce.

 

[CMM]

Apparently Rafa will return to practice in a little over a week.

http://www.lequipe.fr/Tennis/Actualites/Nadal-va-reprendre-la-raquette/316063

Hope it's true. Toni was invited to Argentina and Brazil for some press conferences next week, so Rafa will probably start practicing again when he'll be back.

 

[batz]

Apparently Rafa will return to practice in a little over a week.
http://www.lequipe.fr/Tennis/Actualites/Nadal-va-reprendre-la-raquette/316063

Hope it's true. Toni was invited to Argentina and Brazil for some press conferences next week, so Rafa will probably start practicing again when he'll be back.

Excellent news - let's hope it's right.

 

[Prisoner of Birth]

Federer has lost 5 straight slam matches to Nadal. Is there any wonder?

Were Nadal fans afraid of Djokovic when he was slapping Nadal silly on all surfaces?

 

[6-1 6-3 6-0]

Can't wait for Nadal's arrival at the Davis Cup (Final) 2012. If Nadal wins both his singles rubbers, he'll (once again) hold the (Open Era) record for the highest winning percentage (the record is currently held by Bjorn Borg). Nadal is setting new records with almost every match he plays. And when Nadal arrives at the 2013 clay-court season, he can steadily win all his pet tournaments (Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome and Roland Garros), where he can really pull away with the record for highest win percentage in Open Era history.

 

[6-1 6-3 6-0]

Were Nadal fans afraid of Djokovic when he was slapping Nadal silly on all surfaces?

Since 2007, Federer has showed little signs of improvement against Nadal in a slam. If anything, he has got worse. AO 2012 was a great example of how Nadal learns to adapt to his opponent (took it to a fifth set), and gain a mental edge. He was up 4-2 30-15, and I don't recall Federer ever being up 4-2 30-15 at AO 2009. So Nadal showed improvement against Djokovic (finally beat him at Roland Garros 2012, which involved the most tense 4th set in world history, where Nadal would extend his record to 52-1 and win his 7th Roland Garros, making him the only king of a slam at 50 titles), whilst Federer does not (has only been able to win a set in recent slam encounters, and it is usually a 7-5 or 7-6 set).

 

[cluckcluck]

Just because he's practicing again, doesn't mean he'll play tournaments. He hasn't picked up a tennis racquet since Wimbledon so the quote of him potentially not returning until AO or after could very well be true.

 

[Mike Sams]

Just because he's practicing again, doesn't mean he'll play tournaments. He hasn't picked up a tennis racquet since Wimbledon so the quote of him potentially not returning until AO or after could very well be true.

Nadal's keeping himself in the news and acting like tennis is on his mind just as a way to please his sponsors and keep his fans interested. He knows that if he gives up tennis, the bandwagon empties and the sponsorship money is gone. NOBODY cares about retired athletes, period!

 

[Clarky21]

Apparently Rafa will return to practice in a little over a week.

http://www.lequipe.fr/Tennis/Actualites/Nadal-va-reprendre-la-raquette/316063

Hope it's true. Toni was invited to Argentina and Brazil for some press conferences next week, so Rafa will probably start practicing again when he'll be back.

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[R.Federer]

rafa is on the mend we just dont know how long the mend will be

 

[cluckcluck]

Nadal's keeping himself in the news and acting like tennis is on his mind just as a way to please his sponsors and keep his fans interested. He knows that if he gives up tennis, the bandwagon empties and the sponsorship money is gone. NOBODY cares about retired athletes, period!

Case in point, Andy Roddick who?

 

[Prisoner of Birth]

Case in point, Andy Roddick who?

People still talk about Pete Sampras and Rod Laver. And they will 100 years from now. I don't know what you two are getting at.

 

[tennis_pro]

Since 2007, Federer has showed little signs of improvement against Nadal in a slam. If anything, he has got worse. AO 2012 was a great example of how Nadal learns to adapt to his opponent (took it to a fifth set), and gain a mental edge. He was up 4-2 30-15, and I don't recall Federer ever being up 4-2 30-15 at AO 2009. So Nadal showed improvement against Djokovic (finally beat him at Roland Garros 2012, which involved the most tense 4th set in world history, where Nadal would extend his record to 52-1 and win his 7th Roland Garros, making him the only king of a slam at 50 titles), whilst Federer does not (has only been able to win a set in recent slam encounters, and it is usually a 7-5 or 7-6 set).

Federer was exactly 4-2 30-15 up in the first set. Won the second. Had two 0-40's at 4-4 and 5-5 in the third set, won the fourth.

 

[tennis_pro]

Just because he's practicing again, doesn't mean he'll play tournaments. He hasn't picked up a tennis racquet since Wimbledon so the quote of him potentially not returning until AO or after could very well be true.

If he starts practicng in just over a week that means he skips Shanghai. I assume he doesn't play Basel (nor Valencia) as he never has which means he's got 2 more possible tournaments to participate in - the Paris Masters and the Tennis Masters Cup without much success in neither of the 2 (1 final reached in both).

Seriously, what's the point? If I were him I'd take the rest of the year off (possibly play the DC final if he feels OK), fully recuperate and start 2013 with a bang.

 

[6-1 6-3 6-0]

Federer was exactly 4-2 30-15 up in the first set. Won the second. Had two 0-40's at 4-4 and 5-5 in the third set, won the fourth.

I meant in the fifth set. And Nadal proved that in a fifth set, it's Nadal who can raise his level. (Since Wimbledon 2007.)

 

[merlinpinpin]

I meant in the fifth set. And Nadal proved that in a fifth set, it's Nadal who can raise his level. (Since Wimbledon 2007.)

Just like he did against Djokovic at the AO or against Rosol in Wimbledon, you mean? Right.

 

[6-1 6-3 6-0]

Just like he did against Djokovic at the AO or against Rosol in Wimbledon, you mean? Right.

I'm comparing Nadal vs Djokovic to Federer vs Nadal. (Nadal has a better 5-set record than Federer by a wide margin, by the way.) Nadal vs Rosol isn't relevant here (it's unlikely they'll ever meet again, since Rosol is too terrible a player to even qualify for main draws).

 

[merlinpinpin]

I'm comparing Nadal vs Djokovic to Federer vs Nadal. (Nadal has a better 5-set record than Federer by a wide margin, by the way.) Nadal vs Rosol isn't relevant here (it's unlikely they'll ever meet again, since Rosol is too terrible a player to even qualify for main draws).

No reason why he wouldn't be. As long as you're talking about RNadal's record in 5th sets in slams, then Rosol is definitely relevant, as he beat him in five in his last official match (in fact, RNadal lost his last two five-set matches, who knows when that trend will ever end, if ever?)

 

[RAFA2005RG]

If he starts practicng in just over a week that means he skips Shanghai. I assume he doesn't play Basel (nor Valencia) as he never has which means he's got 2 more possible tournaments to participate in - the Paris Masters and the Tennis Masters Cup without much success in neither of the 2 (1 final reached in both).

Seriously, what's the point? If I were him I'd take the rest of the year off (possibly play the DC final if he feels OK), fully recuperate and start 2013 with a bang.

Nah. The matches Rafa plays this year are preparation for the Australian Open. Doha alone won't be enough. If he starts playing in January he probably won't be in great condition for the Australian Open, regardless of training. He needs match practice, and he needs it now.

 

[PrinceMoron]

Nah. The matches Rafa plays this year are preparation for the Australian Open. Doha alone won't be enough. If he starts playing in January he probably won't be in great condition for the Australian Open, regardless of training. He needs match practice, and he needs it now.

He needs to retire or change his technique or change his schedule. None of those are going to happen so catch him while you can.

 

[RAFA2005RG]

He needs to retire or change his technique or change his schedule. None of those are going to happen so catch him while you can.

Actually twice since the US Open Rafa has said he will play less hardcourt events from now on and he even said he will add more clay events (the South American season) to his schedule. Don't forget, his only career goal is the 2016 Olympics. No other goals. So you will see him do whatever it takes to make those Olympics, even if it means only playing Roland Garros and Wimbledon (though I suspect he will play all the slams, just not all the masters).

 

[PrinceMoron]

Actually twice since the US Open Rafa has said he will play less hardcourt events from now on and he even said he will add more clay events (the South American season) to his schedule. Don't forget, his only career goal is the 2016 Olympics. No other goals. So you will see him do whatever it takes to make those Olympics, even if it means only playing Roland Garros and Wimbledon (though I suspect he will play all the slams, just not all the masters).

Well it would be good for him to defend a major other than FO, that seems a reasonable goal.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Actually twice since the US Open Rafa has said he will play less hardcourt events from now on and he even said he will add more clay events (the South American season) to his schedule. Don't forget, his only career goal is the 2016 Olympics. No other goals. So you will see him do whatever it takes to make those Olympics, even if it means only playing Roland Garros and Wimbledon (though I suspect he will play all the slams, just not all the masters).

I LOL every time, when I think about Nadal, being motivated to carry on just to participate in a tourney on HC.

:lol:

 

[RAFA2005RG]

Well it would be good for him to defend a major other than FO, that seems a reasonable goal.

I don't see the appeal personally. But each to their own. I'd rather see Rafa win 12 Roland Garros titles than defend a different major. He won slams on clay-grass-hard in 2010. Who else can say that?

 

[Mike Sams]

Actually twice since the US Open Rafa has said he will play less hardcourt events from now on and he even said he will add more clay events (the South American season) to his schedule. Don't forget, his only career goal is the 2016 Olympics. No other goals. So you will see him do whatever it takes to make those Olympics, even if it means only playing Roland Garros and Wimbledon (though I suspect he will play all the slams, just not all the masters).

What's so special about the 2016 Olympics?

 

[RAFA2005RG]

What's so special about the 2016 Olympics?

It is Rafa's only goal. He didn't carry the flag in 2008, so he wants to in 2016.

 

[Mike Sams]

It is Rafa's only goal. He didn't carry the flag in 2008, so he wants to in 2016.

Why didn't he carry it in 2012 Olympics? All he had to do was walk down the track with it. :lol:

 

[RAFA2005RG]

Why didn't he carry it in 2012 Olympics? All he had to do was walk down the track with it. :lol:

I think you have to be a competitor at the Olympics in order to qualify for the carrying.

 

[Mike Sams]

Nadal won't be considered as a flag bearer in 2016 Olympics. He'll be 30, his Slam winning days will be long over and other players will be at the forefront. There will be better spanish athletes given the honor of carrying the flag. 4 years for a tennis player is a long time away, especially for Nadal who is getting up in age for a tennis player coupled with all his injuries.

 

[Mike Sams]

I think you have to be a competitor at the Olympics in order to qualify for the carrying.

Why didn't he compete then? All he had to do was show up on grass, get smashed out or just quit while losing?

 

[RAFA2005RG]

Nadal won't be considered as a flag bearer in 2016 Olympics. He'll be 30, his Slam winning days will be long over and other players will be at the forefront. There will be better spanish athletes given the honor of carrying the flag. 4 years for a tennis player is a long time away, especially for Nadal who is getting up in age for a tennis player coupled with all his injuries.

Well his days of winning Roland Garros won't be over by 2016. And the clay season alone will keep him in the top 5.

 

[RAFA2005RG]

Why didn't he compete then? All he had to do was show up on grass, get smashed out or just quit while losing?

Because he cares about his country. He wanted a healthy athlete to represent Spain.

 

[Mike Sams]

Well his days of winning Roland Garros won't be over by 2016. And the clay season alone will keep him in the top 5.

He'll be in his 30s! He won't be winning on clay forever! Even a slight decrease in movement or speed would decrease his chances of winning while increasing the chances of his opponents who will be younger and stronger than him. Do you think Nadal wins clay matches serving out bagels? He has difficult matches on clay. Look at his Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome matches against players like Wawrinka, Federer, Murray, Berdych, Djokovic, etc. He's losing sets or going into tiebreakers. He's not EASILY winning matches on clay. And then fast forward to 4 years later where his body will be even weaker, his knees will be worse, his speed, quickness and stamina will be less....
Nobody gets better at age 30 in tennis, especially a player who started playing at age 16-17 and plays a violent rigorous style like Nadal.
Don't kid yourself into thinking that Nadal is going to easily win all clay tournaments for years and years. Everything is going to be a struggle. The competition is going to get stronger against him.

 

[RF20Lennon]

Anyone know who carried the flag for Spain??

 

[Mike Sams]

Anyone know who carried the flag for Spain??

Gasol, the spanish basketball player

 

[Mike Sams]

Because he cares about his country. He wanted a healthy athlete to represent Spain.

And how does Nadal know he'll be healthy in 2016 Olympics at age 30? :shock:

 

[RAFA2005RG]

He'll be in his 30s! He won't be winning on clay forever! Even a slight decrease in movement or speed would decrease his chances of winning while increasing the chances of his opponents who will be younger and stronger than him. Do you think Nadal wins clay matches serving out bagels? He has difficult matches on clay. Look at his Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome matches against players like Wawrinka, Federer, Murray, Berdych, Djokovic, etc. He's losing sets or going into tiebreakers. He's not EASILY winning matches on clay. And then fast forward to 4 years later where his body will be even weaker, his knees will be worse, his speed, quickness and stamina will be less....
Nobody gets better at age 30 in tennis, especially a player who started playing at age 16-17 and plays a violent rigorous style like Nadal.
Don't kid yourself into thinking that Nadal is going to easily win all clay tournaments for years and years. Everything is going to be a struggle. The competition is going to get stronger against him.

So you think Rafa will go from dropping only ONE set at Roland Garros (and no dropped sets at Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome) to not even being a favorite in 4 years? Which year does he stop being a favorite? 2015? 2014? Next year? :lol:

You are making the mistake of comparing Federer's decline at the US Open to Rafa at Roland Garros. Federer was NEVER as dominant at the US Open as Rafa is at Roland Garros. And Federer was never as dominant at Wimbledon as much as Rafa is at Roland Garros. Rafa has won SEVEN titles in EIGHT years at Roland Garros.

It never came as naturally to Federer. Federer had to endure multiple 1st Round losses at Wimbledon. Next year when Rafa has his 9th STRAIGHT slam-winning year, it will set the record. And as Rafa gets older you will see even more longevity records smashed.

Rafa is simply better on clay than any man has ever been on any surface. So don't judge him by what you've seen from others. Nobody in history has anything to do with Rafa. He is going places nobody has gone before.

 

[VPhuc tennis fan]

Boy, NSK used to claim RG is Rafa's for the next 6 yrs. Lately Rafa2005RG has taken up the trumpet. My question,"Why stop at 5 or 6 RG titles? Why not the next dozen? Or the next hundred?" Quite delusional!
Who says that Djoker or even Murray won't give a spanking to Rafa, right next FO? Djoker seems to be healthy, 1 year younger than Rafa, and OWNED Rafa in 2011. So who says he won't own Rafa again in 2013. Unless Fed spanks him out, then Rafa should have Fed's name along with his on the next RG title! LOL

 

[RAFA2005RG]

Djokovic owned nobody in 2011 Roland Garros. It's just not his thing.