Nadal : "This court has two and half problems"

[Deleted member 60695]

Nadal is far classier than most (or all) posters at Talk Tennis. Proof is everywhere.

This is about as important as saying Michael Chang has a better serve than most or all posters at talk Tennis.

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

Nadal has become a diva as of late. Good to see the humbilito facade starting to fade.

 

[DRII]

Race (more as a cultural concept than anything) might well be an element here. You speak as if speaking English is an obligation, and as if people who do speak it are somehow superior to those who don't. He "should" make an effort?, really?. Are you from an English speaking country?.
It could also be ridiculous snobism as well, of course.

You speak of alot of the common characteristics of Federer-fanatics/Nadal-haters that I notice as well...

They often speak to/refer to Nadal as an other, or something foreign and although Nadal is also European, I also sense racial overtones.

Quite strange, Federer-fanatics would definitely be on the side of Ceasar and not Spartacus!

 

[DjokovicForTheWin]

Ceasar? Who's that? Typo you say? Umm, don't even go there.

 

[Lsmkenpo]

Federer has no fear of Big Blue in Madrid

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j-V-Xg_VWpObH8TUQsc5-YwDO84Q?docId=CNG.96c23b7cb0ccfca98f279ebc9a06febf.5a1

There is still some waiting to do and matches are quite a bit different than practices. I have to wait for my match to come around to give a proper opinion. Roger Federer

Very sensible

"This is an innovation and every innovation has a risk," Nadal said on Sunday. "The courts are there and we have to adapt to them -- me also. Rafael Nadal

What exactly is this risk? That it may not be best for his game?

"This is about history. The earth is red, not blue. Tennis is not only about showbusiness. There are more things to appreciate -- history and tradition. Rafael Nadal

LMFAO, Earth the red planet.

 

[Bartelby]

There have been numerous Davis Cup ties on 'innovative' courts that have not worked out, but realistically I can't see how its going to play any differently

It does however look like bad hotel-lobby carpet.

 

[Lsmkenpo]

One good thing for Nadal is he didn't have to come up with another pre-tournament injury, he already has his excuse ready made with the court, if he doesn't win the tournament it is because the court is blue not red.

 

[Andres]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5j-V-Xg_VWpObH8TUQsc5-YwDO84Q?docId=CNG.96c23b7cb0ccfca98f279ebc9a06febf.5a1
Very sensible
What exactly is this risk? That it may not be best for his game?
LMFAO, Earth the red planet.

Bad translation. He said 'tierra', meaning 'tierra batida' (red clay). 'Planeta Tierra' is the name for 'Planet Earth'.

But yeah, that was one funny pun

 

[Bartelby]

Clay courts are the product of an industrial process and not something primordial.

I don't even know you could call the highly selected grass of Wimbledon natural either.

 

[Clay lover]

Yea they should play on real dirt

True men play on real earth

 

[Sentinel]

One good thing for Nadal is he didn't have to come up with another pre-tournament injury, he already has his excuse ready made with the court, if he doesn't win the tournament it is because the court is blue not red.

That sounds very racist to me. Being dark-skinned, I am a tad concerned.

 

[Crisstti]

"Tierra" as in clay, of course.

I'm not sure it's even a bad translation, cannot one say in English something like "I took some earth from the ground and kept in my hand" or whatever?.

 

[TopFH]

Race (more as a cultural concept than anything) might well be an element here. You speak as if speaking English is an obligation, and as if people who do speak it are somehow superior to those who don't. He "should" make an effort?, really?. Are you from an English speaking country?.
It could also be ridiculous snobism as well, of course.

I think this topic shouldn't be addressed so harshly. It's just some people who think one language is better than another. I say this as a soon to be tetra-lingual person.

 

[Lsmkenpo]

I doubt Nadal has ever played on a natural red clay court in his life they are very rare, all the courts he plays on are crushed brick not natural clay courts.

 

[Mainad]

well, it's his business

Yes, it is.

but I find it so embarrassing ...

That's your problem.

I'm so disappointing that Rafa in this world can hardly speak any English ... he should make an effort ... he sounds like an idiot

Some people are not good at learning foreign languages.So what?

Just out of interest, how's your Spanish? Do you speak any foreign languages?

 

[Clay lover]

Funny to see some anglocentric people even in the 21st century

 

[mandy01]

Yes, it is.



That's your problem.



Some people are not good at learning foreign languages.So what?

Just out of interest, how's your Spanish? Do you speak any foreign languages?

I speak around four languages (French not so well though) and imo English is the most ambiguous language I know. Ambiguous in the way it can be interpreted, that is. It is also the easiest to learn imo, but there are definitely better languages to learn And anyway, no one should be compelled to know a language, be it English or anything else.

 

[FlashFlare11]

I speak around four languages (French not so well though) and imo English is the most ambiguous language I know. Ambiguous in the way it can be interpreted, that is. It is also the easiest to learn imo, but there are definitely better languages to learn And anyway, no one should be compelled to know a language, be it English or anything else.

Really? You found English easy to learn? I'm a native English speaker (but speak two other languages) and see why English is difficult to learn for non-native speakers. It has so many exceptions to rules or instances where "it is just because it is" with little to no explanation as to why that's the case. I found French to be relatively easy to learn in terms of grammatical rules in comparison to English.

But I do think that if one had to choose just one language to learn, English would be the most useful.

 

[IvanisevicServe]

I'm much more interested in Djokovic's comment than Nadal's.

WTF? Federer...power player with less defined footwork?

 

[Magnus]

When did Nadal ever resort to violence?


I think that you probably made up some hate-driven fake memories about Nadal in which he was clubbing baby seals or trying to bring about global annihilation of all species.

Nadal jumping in from of his opponent, scaring him on coin toss or threatning players (as Monfils coach said) before the match or fist pumping and yealling on an opponnent UE, I consider it as near violence. Needless to say, he's being a bully in his interviews by talking trash about his fellow players.

 

[jokinla]

On the one hand I'm sick of Nadal complaining, on the other, why is Nad's home country Masters series doing something he doesn't like, wouldn't they want to create a winning environment for him.

 

[mandy01]

Really? You found English easy to learn? I'm a native English speaker (but speak two other languages) and see why English is difficult to learn for non-native speakers. It has so many exceptions to rules or instances where "it is just because it is" with little to no explanation as to why that's the case. I found French to be relatively easy to learn in terms of grammatical rules in comparison to English.

But I do think that if one had to choose just one language to learn, English would be the most useful.

If you try learning a language, be it any, by strict grammatical rules, you're never going to learn it properly imo. What helps is reading, listening to people speaking the language (I had a bit of a disadvantage here compared to some others but it worked out fine in the end), listening to songs in that language, etc. That's a more natural process and it works.

 

[Clay lover]

Nadal jumping in from of his opponent, scaring him on coin toss or threatning players (as Monfils coach said) before the match or fist pumping and yealling on an opponnent UE, I consider it as near violence. Needless to say, he's being a bully in his interviews by talking trash about his fellow players.

You sir are mistaken. He is responsible for every single crime known to men. It's absurd how you haven't figured that out.

 

[Clay lover]

If you try learning a language, be it any, by strict grammatical rules, you're never going to learn it properly imo. What helps is reading, listening to people speaking the language (I had a bit of a disadvantage here compared to some others but it worked out fine in the end), listening to songs in that language, etc. That's a more natural process and it works.

Am working on my teaching degree and I completely agree.

 

[Magnus]

You sir are mistaken. He is responsible for every single crime known to men. It's absurd how you haven't figured that out.

He's responsible for ruining tennis, I can't accuse him of anything else I haven't seen with my own eyes. I'd like to think he's at least a decent person off-duty, but its hard to even imagine that.

 

[sbengte]

Really? You found English easy to learn?

I think any language is easy to learn as a child. The older you grow, the more difficult it becomes to pick up a language. I think I picked up the 4 languages I speak within the age of 10 or 11.

 

[FlashFlare11]

If you try learning a language, be it any, by strict grammatical rules, you're never going to learn it properly imo. What helps is reading, listening to people speaking the language (I had a bit of a disadvantage here compared to some others but it worked out fine in the end), listening to songs in that language, etc. That's a more natural process and it works.

That's true, and I think that's why many people are put off when it comes to taking on a second language. It seems overwhelming at the beginning, especially if it's through formal schooling, where grammatical errors in writing and speaking are greatly pronounced and expressed (in order to not commit them). But, if learning language is your goal, then naturally, through conversation and music, is, like you said, the most effective way to learn (I listen to a lot of Japanese music, despite not knowing a word of Japanese, and have picked up more than a few words and phrases).

 

[Evan77]

Really? You found English easy to learn? I'm a native English speaker (but speak two other languages) and see why English is difficult to learn for non-native speakers. It has so many exceptions to rules or instances where "it is just because it is" with little to no explanation as to why that's the case. I found French to be relatively easy to learn in terms of grammatical rules in comparison to English.

But I do think that if one had to choose just one language to learn, English would be the most useful.

I just think that can't avoid it ... if you don't speak English, you just can't really get around ... like it or not. I do believe in education. Again, sorry to repeat my self so much, but I'm impressed with intelligent people. I admire to both Fed and Djoko being able to speak English fluently ... plus other languages. Djoko speaks English, Italian, German ... Roger too ...

Rafa can speak a gibberish English only ... it's not about his accent, it's just so painful to listen to his interviews ... I'm not judging, all I'm saying is get a teacher and work things out ...

 

[FlashFlare11]

I think any language is easy to learn as a child. The older you grow, the more difficult it becomes to pick up a language. I think I picked up the 4 languages I speak within the age of 10 or 11.

Yeah, I agree. I regret waiting until much later to learn a third language. But an older, non-native speaker, I imagine, would find learning English (especially writing English) more difficult than a lot of other languages.

 

[cc0509]

I just think that can't avoid it ... you don't speak English, you just can't really get around ... like it or not. I do believe in education. Again, sorry to repeat my self so much, but I'm impressed with intelligent people. I admire to both Fed and Djoko being able to speak English fluently ... plus other languages. Djoko speaks English, Italian, German ... Roger too ...

Rafa can speak a gibberish English only ... it's not about his accent, it's just so painful to listen to his interviews ... I'm not judging, all I'm saying is get a teacher and work things out ...

There are players worse than him though. Have you listened to Del Potro or Ferrer? I defy you to understand one word they utter in English. Nadal seems like the Einstein of the English language compared to those two.

 

[mandy01]

Yeah, I agree. I regret waiting until much later to learn a third language. But an older, non-native speaker, I imagine, would find learning English (especially writing English) more difficult than a lot of other languages.

I don't think so. Not if it's learnt in the right way. I personally find French tough to master because of how fast the natives speak and how ill-defined their pronunciations are. I can read and understand it. But if you ask me to have a conversation with a native I'd probably be lost.

 

[FlashFlare11]

I just think that can't avoid it ... if you don't speak English, you just can't really get around ... like it or not. I do believe in education. Again, sorry to repeat my self so much, but I'm impressed with intelligent people. I admire to both Fed and Djoko being able to speak English fluently ... plus other languages. Djoko speaks English, Italian, German ... Roger too ...

Rafa can speak a gibberish English only ... it's not about his accent, it's just so painful to listen to his interviews ... I'm not judging, all I'm saying is get a teacher and work things out ...

Well, they all grew up in different environments. If you look at Switzerland, they speak Swiss German, German, Italian, French and English all in that tiny country. In addition to that, Federer's mother is South African. Novak has stated (multiple times, I believe) that he's fascinated by languages, and I'm sure that drives him to learn as much as he can. Nadal, up until becoming a high-profile professional tennis player, hasn't really needed English, nor is his home country as exposed as Switzerland. Besides, everyone Nadal surrounds himself with also speaks Spanish, so he hasn't needed it much beforehand.

I think Nadal knows enough that allows him to get around if he ever needed to. He's always with others and isn't in "English-only" nations that long.

 

[Bobby Jr]

There are players worse than him though. Have you listened to Del Potro or Ferrer? I defy you to understand one word they utter in English.

I disagree. I have spoken with Ferrer when he practised at a venue I was at a couple of years ago and his English was easily understood, and he understood fine also. He does seem a little more bewildered sometimes in on-court interviews than he did in person.

 

[FlashFlare11]

I don't think so. Not if it's learnt in the right way. I personally find French tough to master because of how fast the natives speak and how ill-defined their pronunciations are. I can read and understand it. But if you ask me to have a conversation with a native I'd probably be lost.

Yes, but I think speaking with a native speaker is always intimidating because their level or proficiency over the spoken language is much more natural. I can't speak anywhere near the level as a native French speaker.

 

[mandy01]

Well, they all grew up in different environments. If you look at Switzerland, they speak Swiss German, German, Italian, French and English all in that tiny country. In addition to that, Federer's mother is South African. Novak has stated (multiple times, I believe) that he's fascinated by languages, and I'm sure that drives him to learn as much as he can. Nadal, up until becoming a high-profile professional tennis player, hasn't really needed English, nor is his home country as exposed as Switzerland. Besides, everyone Nadal surrounds himself with also speaks Spanish, so he hasn't needed it much beforehand.

I think Nadal knows enough that allows him to get around if he ever needed to. He's always with others and isn't in "English-only" nations that long.

Roger learnt French after he was 14. I think it's a matter of liking. If you're open to learning a language, you can do it. But it's not a necessity. If you really need to use a language, try and get a hang of the basics and let it flow thereafter. I think one thing Roger said about learning French is that he was never afraid to make mistakes. I think that's necessary. The less afraid you are to make mistakes, the faster you can learn. But then, shy people for instance, often can be apprehensive about going wrong so...

 

[mandy01]

Yes, but I think speaking with a native speaker is always intimidating because their level or proficiency over the spoken language is much more natural. I can't speak anywhere near the level as a native French speaker.

Oh it's not intimidating. It's just annoying because it's tough to understand them.

 

[Andres]

I doubt Nadal has ever played on a natural red clay court in his life they are very rare, all the courts he plays on are crushed brick not natural clay courts.

You do realize those red bricks are made of... clay, right?

That's why they call them 'clay'. In fact, in Argentina, the surface is called 'polvo de ladrillo', translated 'pulverized brick', while in France and Spain it's called 'terre battue' and 'tierra batida', meaning 'stirred/shaken ground'.

'Crushed bricks' courts are called claycourts as the bricks are made of clay. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't know if har-tru courts are made of clay. I never played on the surface. Maybe that's exactly the reason.

I have never seen a clay court made of natural clay. It would be a hard surface. Every red claycourt is made from pulverized bricks. They use clay to bake bricks, therefore 'clay' courts.

Edit: Har-tru courts are made of basalt, not clay.