Nadal's 2017 Grand Slam Semis

Fedeonic

Hall of Fame
Rafael Nadal has reached 3 SF in a season since 2011. Also, Rafa reached both AO and USO SF in the same season since 2009. If he were to win against Del Potro, he'll be the 8th player to reach both HC Slams finals in the same season (Wilander 88, Lendl 89, Edberg 92, Sampras/Agassi 95, Chang 96 Federer 04, 06, 07, 09, Djokovic 11, 12, 13, 15, 16).

Discuss.
 
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fmadej

Professional
I think it proves that when cirscumstances are favourable for him, he is still a threat on hard court slams
 

Waspsting

Hall of Fame
I see Nadal principally as being misunderstood

Over his career, Nadal's been a great hard courter.

He doesn't get the credit and respect he should for two reasons that I can see

Reason 1) He's overshadowed by two GOAT level players on that surface.... hardly a reasonable basis of comparison

Not nearly as good as either, but still genuinely Great, in my book.

Reason 2) He's overshadowed by his own clay accomplishments. .. again, hardly a fair basis of comparison

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At this stage in his career, he should be a "Dangerous Threat" type of player, like say Agassi in 2004 or Sampras in 2002... a guy you don't back to dominate, a guy who isn't the favourite but a guy you're wary of, underestimate at your peril and don't be shocked if he pulls out a Big title from out of left field.... kind of like del Potro, coincidentally

But because he still does it on it clay and because Federer and Djokovic have set expectations so high... people expect unreasonably much off him on hard courts
and are thus, harsh in their judgement of him

(Note some are equally harsh on Roger Federer on clay, similarly unfairly in my opinion)

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One small correction/addition

Michael Chang also reached both Hard Slam finals in 1996 and Nadal's looking to be the 9th player to do that
 

TheAverageFedererFan

Professional
That is impressive. Considering how he hadn't made a Grand Slam Semifinal in 2015 or Grand Slam Quarterfinal in 2016 he has managed to reach Three Semifinals. At the AO, RG and USO. Reaching the Final in AO and winning RG.
 

TennisATP

Professional
That is impressive. Considering how he hadn't made a Grand Slam Semifinal in 2015 or Grand Slam Quarterfinal in 2016 he has managed to reach Three Semifinals. At the AO, RG and USO. Reaching the Final in AO and winning RG.

Injuries... injury at the end of 2014, was rusty when back in 2015, then again injury in the middle of 2016... Nadal's main obstacle was always his health.
 

Rago

Hall of Fame
Injuries... injury at the end of 2014, was rusty when back in 2015, then again injury in the middle of 2016... Nadal's main obstacle was always his health.
Reaching a 4th round or QF is better than skipping tournaments and getting 0 match wins.
Well too bad then; being fit is part of being competitive. He wasn't good enough to sustain a high level for long periods of time because of his physically taxing style of play. You don't get moral wins.

Looks like he should've taken trying to stay uninjured more seriously rather than spending more time on playing golf and fishing.
 
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