weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
What Rafa has accomplished since 2015-2016 is nothing short of epic, something no one would have believed possible at the time. As Rudy T said, don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion.
Nadal three years ago today (December 31, 2016)
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What Rafa has accomplished since 2015-2016 is nothing short of epic, something no one would have believed possible at the time. As Rudy T said, don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
I thought u were gonna say it was the date of the hair transplant 
D
Deleted member 763691
Guest
Anyone who knows Rafa absolutely knew he was going to win slams after 2016.
I thought it was obvious in December 2016 that he'd win more slams in the coming years.
Its just that not many people know Rafa I guess
And if Rafa goes slamless again in 2021 or 2022, he'll be written off again by all the fools out there....
I thought it was obvious in December 2016 that he'd win more slams in the coming years.
Its just that not many people know Rafa I guess
And if Rafa goes slamless again in 2021 or 2022, he'll be written off again by all the fools out there....
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Anyone who knows Rafa absolutely knew he was going to win slams after 2016.
I thought it was obvious in December 2016 that he'd win more slams in the coming years.
Its just that not many people know Rafa I guess
And if Rafa goes slamless again in 2021 or 2022, he'll be written off again by all the fools out there....
#Epic #Slay
weakera
Talk Tennis Guru
Anyone who knows Rafa absolutely knew he was going to win slams after 2016.
I thought it was obvious in December 2016 that he'd win more slams in the coming years.
Its just that not many people know Rafa I guess
And if Rafa goes slamless again in 2021 or 2022, he'll be written off again by all the fools out there....
I knew Rafa wasn't finished, but I would be lying if I said I thought he would win 5 slams in three years after having won 1 slam in the prior three years. That is just outrageous, but then, so is Rafa.
Backspin1183
Talk Tennis Guru
Anyone who knows Rafa absolutely knew he was going to win slams after 2016.
I thought it was obvious in December 2016 that he'd win more slams in the coming years.
Its just that not many people know Rafa I guess
And if Rafa goes slamless again in 2021 or 2022, he'll be written off again by all the fools out there....
Yeah I remember you saying he will win Slams and become world number 1 again at the end of 2016. I loved all your posts from 2016.
Anyone who knows Rafa absolutely knew he was going to win slams after 2016.
I thought it was obvious in December 2016 that he'd win more slams in the coming years.
Its just that not many people know Rafa I guess
And if Rafa goes slamless again in 2021 or 2022, he'll be written off again by all the fools out there....
Ned could go slamess also in 2020 for all we know.
D
Deleted member 763691
Guest
I wasn't a member here in 2016, but I've been posting in the other well-known tennis forum (are we allowed to mention another forum by name here?) since 2014
Sport
G.O.A.T.
Yes, the slow (but clear) signs of Nadal' gradual recovery started to be visible in the clay season of 2016. For instance, Nadal lost to Djokovic in Rome 2016 but he had chances to win the first set and specially the second one (he missed 5 set points). Even if he lost, it was clear that he was gradually improving again. It is a similar situation with Rome 2018 where Djokovic lost to Nadal, but it was clear that Djokovic was gradually improving to come back. Then Nadal got the hand injured at RG 2016 and it affected his confidence and fitness again and destroyed the rest of 2016 for him. But as Nadal would start 2017 healthy, it was clear that it was a matter of time for him to win Majors again.Anyone who knows Rafa absolutely knew he was going to win slams after 2016.
I thought it was obvious in December 2016 that he'd win more slams in the coming years.
Its just that not many people know Rafa I guess
And if Rafa goes slamless again in 2021 or 2022, he'll be written off again by all the fools out there....
But them again he is a delusional Rafa fanboy who was right here.
Credit where credit is due, but that dude will continue saying Rafa is the best and epic and so on until the day he retires.
Pretty predictable.
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
SlayI thought u were gonna say it was the date of the hair transplant
HetTheGreaterer
Banned
The Nadal never gives up, be it point, game, set, match, tournament, season or career..Anyone who knows Rafa absolutely knew he was going to win slams after 2016.
I thought it was obvious in December 2016 that he'd win more slams in the coming years.
Its just that not many people know Rafa I guess
And if Rafa goes slamless again in 2021 or 2022, he'll be written off again by all the fools out there....
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
True!! Rafa seemed so lost it was tough to watch him. He fought his way back.
I remember those words from Rudi.
Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion.
What an inspiration Rafa is!! And I feel a bit shameful, even as a fan, I’ve underestimated him several times, for him to prove me wrong.
Happy new Year all Rafa fans out there!! Thank you for supporting Rafa
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
The Nadal never gives up, be it point, game, set, match, tournament, season or career..
Exactly
T
Tiki-Taka
Guest
After his run to the final of the Australian Open, I thought he would win a Slam again. But I never thought he could do so well in the last three seasons to potentially make his fans "forget" about the loss to Federer in that final.
More than anything I hope Rafa will be in good health in 2020 and beyond, as he still has more to offer.
More than anything I hope Rafa will be in good health in 2020 and beyond, as he still has more to offer.
Third Serve
Talk Tennis Guru
You can. MTF, right?I wasn't a member here in 2016, but I've been posting in the other well-known tennis forum (are we allowed to mention another forum by name here?) since 2014
clout
Hall of Fame
Yeah I won’t lie I thought Rafa was done back then. I thought his decline was the decline we all knew would happen but it turns out he still had a lot left to give to tennis. 5 more majors, 2 more year end number ones, plenty more titles and weeks at number one and he’s now 1 GS shy of Federer’s record with a ton of promise heading into 2020.
I’ll be the first admit I’m wrong as I never would’ve though he’d be so productive post-2017.
I’ll be the first admit I’m wrong as I never would’ve though he’d be so productive post-2017.
StrongRule
Talk Tennis Guru
He didn't reach a slam semifinal since RG 2014 and didn't reach a slam 1/4 final since RG 2015. The decline was for such a long time that he definitely looked finished. Nothing to be ashamed of. Saying he was done in 2016 was not underestimating him, it was just following logic and simple facts. What happened in 2017-2019 is something nobody could ever predict.True!! Rafa seemed so lost it was tough to watch him. He fought his way back.
I remember those words from Rudi.
Don’t ever underestimate the heart of a champion.
What an inspiration Rafa is!! And I feel a bit shameful, even as a fan, I’ve underestimated him several times, for him to prove me wrong.
Happy new Year all Rafa fans out there!! Thank you for supporting Rafa
StrongRule
Talk Tennis Guru
His game was so bad in most of 2014 and then in 2015-2016. He was getting tired after 2 hours of play most of the time. I remember the terrible feeling when he withdrew from RG 2016. I was sure it was the end of his career and just hoped he understands it too and will retire at the end of the year. And then 2017 happened when he suddenly started playing 5 hours matches again. It was absolutely shocking. Now he won 5 more slams and got two more YE#1.
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
The only real confusion is what was the injury that caused Nadal to pull out of the Paris Masters hours before the Shapovalov match? He said he felt something when serving during practice but he was just fine a few days later and nothing came of the injury since. Everyone was really looking forward to the Nadal/Djokovic final.
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
His 2014 was tough probably because of his epic 2013. He probably pushed his body beyond its limits and overplayed.
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
Nadal won't have a moment's rest in 2020. It's basically on from the word 'go' with thousands of points to defend all the way to the very end of the season. His 2019 was so successful across all parts of the season. It will take some real mental and physical toll to finish #1 in 2020. If there's anyone who can do it, it's probably Nadal. But from seeing previous seasons, it's going to be very difficult. Especially as he approaches 34.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Epic
The only thing we need him to do between now and retiring is win 2 slams
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
Not really. His clay season last year wasn't as good as previous years and he hasn't got much to defend from IW and Miami.
BringBackSV
Hall of Fame
Except Rafa has stated what the issue was, which you can choose to accept or reject but at the end of the day what does it matter?
titoelcolombiano
Legend
To #20 in '20 - vamos!
StrongRule
Talk Tennis Guru
Don't be naive. Federer isn't going to give up so easy. I doubt Federer is done winning slams.Epic
The only thing we need him to do between now and retiring is win 2 slams
Fabresque
Legend
This may be a stretch. I’m not sure he’s mentally in it anymore to win slams. He may still be a favorite but Rafa and Novak look far from done. And considering Medvedev, Thiem, and Tsitsipas are only getting better (especially Thiem on clay) it’s just going to get harder and harder for Fed, who’s going to turn 39(!!) next year, to keep up.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Federer is not going to win a slam at 39. He should have won Wimbledon. Unless he somehow wins the AO it's over.
kevaninho
Hall of Fame
Probably. Although he started off 2014 great winning Doha, and then he should've won his 2nd AO, although Stan deserved it in the end.
The problems started at the sunshine double, where he was unlikely to defend IW anyway, but he didn't look great for sure.
Miami he received a bit of a beatdown by Djokovic, and by this point, he did look like he needed a rest, which resulted in a lacklustre clay season.
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
You are "confused" because you don't read information.
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
His 2014 was tough because he suffered injuries in 2014 and was diagnosed with appendicitis at the beginning of October (on the eve of the Shanghai Masters).
D
Deleted member 763691
Guest
That's not true actually.
Rafa didn't win anything in the 2019 clay season, until Rome.
So from January-June Rafa has a HUGE opportunity to have a WAY better 2020 than 2019, simply by delivering his bread and butter
Rafa seemed to lack a bit of confidence in 2019 (no surprise, he was recovering from the ankle surgery that he'd had at the end of 2018), and that's why he kept making the SF and losing on clay.....and confidence should not be a problem in 2020.
Also, the Australian Open, we know there is a HUGE chance Rafa will make the Final (since 2012, Rafa has made 4 Australian Open Finals, despite not even playing in 2013), and Djokovic is awfully unreliable these days......so Rafa may win the AO.
TheGhostOfAgassi
Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa got the number 1 with less clay points than any other year number 1 of his.That's not true actually.
Rafa didn't win anything in the 2019 clay season, until Rome.
So from January-June Rafa has a HUGE opportunity to have a WAY better 2020 than 2019, simply by delivering his bread and butter
Rafa seemed to lack a bit of confidence in 2019 (no surprise, he was recovering from the ankle surgery that he'd had at the end of 2018), and that's why he kept making the SF and losing on clay.....and confidence should not be a problem in 2020.
Also, the Australian Open, we know there is a HUGE chance Rafa will make the Final (since 2012, Rafa has made 4 Australian Open Finals, despite not even playing in 2013), and Djokovic is awfully unreliable these days......so Rafa may win the AO.
He got a good chance to stay number 1 for many weeks in 2020. Maybe up to USO if he stays healthy.
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Your post again reminds me where Fed's parents worked...
StrongRule
Talk Tennis Guru
Federer was written off so many times, and every time he came back. I'm not going to do that mistake. He was extremely close to winning Wimbledon this year, and went far in RG as well. I don't see a reason to think he will suddenly decline this year.
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Rafa's quote you posted is from his post-final press conference in Abu Dhabi at the end of 2016:
Rafa was optimistic then. Carlos Moya, who joined the Rafa Team in December 2016, was sure that Rafa could win GS tournaments again and regain the world No.1 ranking. Before joining the team, Moya asked Rafa if the latter wanted to work towards these goals. Rafa replied "yes".
An excerpt from Moya's interview with El Espanol in January 2017 (Translated from Spanish via Google; a link to the original article is below):
¤¤ Question: "How did the opportunity to coach Nadal appear?"
C. MOYA: "Toni Nadal called me when I was playing the IPTL. He knew that I was no longer with Raonic and asked if I wanted to be part of the Rafa team and also academy. My answer was "yes" in principle, but I said I needed to talk to Rafa. I needed to know if he was willing to do everything to win again Grand Slam tournaments, to become the world's number one again ... And yes, he did have a hunger to win. For me, that was fundamental."¤¤
Carlos Moyà: "Entrenar a Nadal es el mayor reto que voy a tener nunca"
El ex número uno habla con EL ESPAÑOL en Melbourne sobre su nueva etapa como entrenador del campeón de 14 grandes.
www.elespanol.com
In the interview with ABC in December 2016 (link below, in Spanish), Moya says he is sure that Rafa can again win GS tournaments and become the world No.1. He says that a star player is always the most important figure, but a coach can give a 1% improvement that makes the difference between being the world's No. 1 or 2 - which is a lot. A coach can provide tactics, technique.
Carlos Moyá: «Soy su amigo, pero voy a exigir a Nadal más que nadie»
El primer español que fue número uno del mundo en el tenis se ha sumado al equipo técnico del campeón de catorce grandes para refrescar sus habilidades
www.abc.es
Rafa and C.Moya have done a good job!
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
Nadal made finals of AO.That's not true actually.
Rafa didn't win anything in the 2019 clay season, until Rome.
So from January-June Rafa has a HUGE opportunity to have a WAY better 2020 than 2019, simply by delivering his bread and butter
Rafa seemed to lack a bit of confidence in 2019 (no surprise, he was recovering from the ankle surgery that he'd had at the end of 2018), and that's why he kept making the SF and losing on clay.....and confidence should not be a problem in 2020.
Also, the Australian Open, we know there is a HUGE chance Rafa will make the Final (since 2012, Rafa has made 4 Australian Open Finals, despite not even playing in 2013), and Djokovic is awfully unreliable these days......so Rafa may win the AO.
Won Rome and FO.
Made the SF at Wimbledon.
Won Canada and USO.
He was strong and fairly consistent throughout the season.
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
Did you think Federer was really injured that he couldn't play Djokovic in that WTF final in 2014?
Mike Sams
G.O.A.T.
True. Federer would need a clear path and even that is no sure thing since he can lose to anyone well outside the top 10 if he's not in top form, physically. Any of Monfils, Dimitrov, Cilic, Del Potro, etc could beat him.
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Yes, you remind us at least 6 times a day where they worked... Oh, the irony.
Your statistics means that I reply at least 6 times a day to your comrades' posts that remind me "where they worked".
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
This is a Rafa thread.
helterskelter
G.O.A.T.
I find this thread rather confusing. How was it at all surprising that a man coming off a year in which he won the calendar Slam yet again without even breaking a sweat (and despite the desperate attempts of the tour organizers to cheat him so as to create some semblance of competition) would roll to three more straight years winning the calendar Slam again without even breaking a sweat?
The_Order
G.O.A.T.
That's not true actually.
Rafa didn't win anything in the 2019 clay season, until Rome.
So from January-June Rafa has a HUGE opportunity to have a WAY better 2020 than 2019, simply by delivering his bread and butter
Rafa seemed to lack a bit of confidence in 2019 (no surprise, he was recovering from the ankle surgery that he'd had at the end of 2018), and that's why he kept making the SF and losing on clay.....and confidence should not be a problem in 2020.
Also, the Australian Open, we know there is a HUGE chance Rafa will make the Final (since 2012, Rafa has made 4 Australian Open Finals, despite not even playing in 2013), and Djokovic is awfully unreliable these days......so Rafa may win the AO.
Must you keep repeating this same thing in just about every thread like a parrot?
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