Nadal's best surface
- Thread starter slicefox
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Nadal_Freak
Banned
Another lame thread from slicefox. Clay is Nadal's best surface because even when he is struggling, he can grind out matches by effort. Faster surfaces make him more vulnerable when he isn't striking the ball as well. It also doesn't suit his western grip that prefers higher bounces.
in some respect i kinda agree. typically one defines best tennis as that surface that suits the player best. in that respect, there are two ways to quantify this: how well his tennis seems, how well his results are. if you choose the latter, obviously clay is his strong suit. he is by far the greatest clay courter of this generation and imo "the best of the khjistory" ( 
)
As far as his most impressive tennis? I like agressive, all court tennis, and I think nadal does this best on grass. he doesn't have the tremendous movement advantage on grass over other players like he does on clay (where he is head and shoulders above everyone) but i find movement on grass inherently more fun to watch, and i love the way points are constructed on grass as compared to on a clay court. he definately returns better, and hits bigger on grass than on clay imo.
)As far as his most impressive tennis? I like agressive, all court tennis, and I think nadal does this best on grass. he doesn't have the tremendous movement advantage on grass over other players like he does on clay (where he is head and shoulders above everyone) but i find movement on grass inherently more fun to watch, and i love the way points are constructed on grass as compared to on a clay court. he definately returns better, and hits bigger on grass than on clay imo.
Chelsea_Kiwi
Hall of Fame
This. 10 char.
once again, best surface can be made subjective. the usual definition is "the best results." but i think nadal plays a more appealing, aggressive, complete style of tennis when on grass.
Nadal_Freak
Banned
Yeah it's amazing how well Nadal strikes the ball on grass. He does that occasionally on fast hardcourts as well. Just not the consistency that he finds on grass. But I'd rather watch Nadal on clay. I like seeing his shots kick up above shoulder height. Roland Garros is the perfect clay for watching Nadal on.
I know what you mean. there is definitely something beautiful about watching him play.
i really do feel like it's closer to a SW these days.
Antonio Puente
Hall of Fame
It is kind of boring watching him on clay because you know he's going to win.
I actually prefer watching him on hardcourts with some of the ridiculous angles he hits.
I actually prefer watching him on hardcourts with some of the ridiculous angles he hits.
RCizzle65
Hall of Fame
Yes, he plays a more aggressive game on grass, that does NOT make it his best surface, let's say I like Federer's clay game because I feel he plays more aggressive and complete on it (this is just an example), does that make it his best surface when he has never won the big one for clay? No it does not.
no i think you misunderstood my point. there is no doubt that clay is nadal's best surface because it is the surface he wins most comfortably and consistently on. my point is if you redefine the word "best surface" the way the OP has, to mean "the surface on which the player plays (subjectively) his highest quality tennis" then you can say other wise.
for example, sampras' best surface was grass, but I think he played more entertaining tennis when on hard court, and it brought out his "full repertoire" more consistently than the grass courts did. so I could call it his "best surface" under that definition.
well, to be fair, i'm not redefining it to something ridiculous. it's a reasonable redefinition from best results to best quality tennis. do you think that's an unfair definition?
it's definitely slow, i want to get that in now. i think some players are still missing a trick not playing at net more at wimbledon; although poly strings and big headsizes make passing shots easier, i still think there will be some joy for the brave S&Ver, hopefully Dent and Zverev will fly that flag a few rounds this year.
anyway, nadal's best surface would apparently be clay, he's taken the things you need in order to be a champion on that surface and maxed those qualities out. consistency, physicality, speed and spin.
Alafter
Hall of Fame
This is direct and to the point. I second it.
Slicefox, your definition of "play better" just don't cut it. Sorry.
D
Deleted member 3771
Guest
Grass and Clay. The Natural surfaces.
Federer_pilon
Professional
lol NF can't tell the difference between a SW and a western grip. He only "knows" about surfaces -.-
Turning Pro
Hall of Fame
I like watching Nadal on grass better than on clay. I know he pulls off ridiculous, superhuman shots on clay but last years Wimby Final and his performances at Queens were a joy to watch.
You have no idea of what moonballing is.
Nadal is also an aggressive player on clay, that's why he's able to dominate for 3 consecutive weeks dropping just one set.
ksbh
Banned
It's a personal thing but I agree. IMO, Rafa produces his best tennis on grass.
As regards clay, he doesn't often produce his best tennis there simply because he doesn't need to. Nobody's even close! But when he does produce his best tennis, the result is the 2008 FO final
As regards clay, he doesn't often produce his best tennis there simply because he doesn't need to. Nobody's even close! But when he does produce his best tennis, the result is the 2008 FO final
veroniquem
Bionic Poster
Clay and grass both bring the best in Rafa's game. The tactic is different but I enjoy both equally.
Alafter
Hall of Fame
Oh, we know. At least we can agree with you on this. Thanks for saving us time in pointing that out.
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