Nadal's Monte Carlo run is proof he will sweep the rest of clay season

thomasferrett

Hall of Fame
Nadal is getting fatigued easily running out to early leads and then fatiguing and losing them, is now less fit than Djokovic, and Djokovic has proven throughout this season that he just bagels opponents in deciding sets if they dare to take a set off him (best of 3 or 5) - and Nadal couldn't even beat Djokovic in best of 3, yet somehow everyone is claiming that he will beat Djokovic in best of 5?

I don't get the logic.

And yet, I agree with it.

I think that Nadal will continually improve throughout the clay season (he has already shown vast improvement) whereas Djokovic will decline through it, and if that pattern continues, Nadal will beat Djokovic quite easily at the French Open.

I think Nadal will win Barcelona, Madrid (beating Djokovic), Rome (beating Djokovic), and cap it all off with a 10th French Open (beating Djokovic).

Last year he lost to Ferrer in Monte Carlo, yet still won the French. And this year he BEAT Ferrer in Monte Carlo, which suggests he will win the French more easily this year than last year (and last year he won it easily as well).
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
Nadal is not less fit. He's just no longer capable of matching it with a more youthful opponent, even if by only a year.
 
D

Deleted member 688153

Guest
In a battle between you and tennis_commentator, who would win?
Him in four close ones, I feel.

Also you haven't said why it's proof, you're just saying that you think he'll win XYZ event.
I was expecting terrible reasoning, but instead I've been presented with non-existent reasoning. :(

This raises an interesting point.
Is it better to lose in the 1R or not play?
 

dr325i

G.O.A.T.
Nadal is getting fatigued easily running out to early leads and then fatiguing and losing them, is now less fit than Djokovic, and Djokovic has proven throughout this season that he just bagels opponents in deciding sets if they dare to take a set off him (best of 3 or 5) - and Nadal couldn't even beat Djokovic in best of 3, yet somehow everyone is claiming that he will beat Djokovic in best of 5?

I don't get the logic.

And yet, I agree with it.

I think that Nadal will continually improve throughout the clay season (he has already shown vast improvement) whereas Djokovic will decline through it, and if that pattern continues, Nadal will beat Djokovic quite easily at the French Open.

I think Nadal will win Barcelona, Madrid (beating Djokovic), Rome (beating Djokovic), and cap it all off with a 10th French Open (beating Djokovic).

Last year he lost to Ferrer in Monte Carlo, yet still won the French. And this year he BEAT Ferrer in Monte Carlo, which suggests he will win the French more easily this year than last year (and last year he won it easily as well).

You sound like the Fed fans unable to accept the reality...
I bet you if Borg were to come back now, he would have swept the clay season with ease at 58 ;)
I miss that guy...
 

sbengte

G.O.A.T.
In a battle between you and tennis_commentator, who would win?

me_v_myself.jpg
 
O

OhYes

Guest
Let Nadal first pass Barcelona. We will talk about Madrid, Rome and Paris later. ;)
 

JanowiczJ

Professional
Nadal is getting fatigued easily running out to early leads and then fatiguing and losing them, is now less fit than Djokovic, and Djokovic has proven throughout this season that he just bagels opponents in deciding sets if they dare to take a set off him (best of 3 or 5) - and Nadal couldn't even beat Djokovic in best of 3, yet somehow everyone is claiming that he will beat Djokovic in best of 5?

I don't get the logic.

And yet, I agree with it.

I think that Nadal will continually improve throughout the clay season (he has already shown vast improvement) whereas Djokovic will decline through it, and if that pattern continues, Nadal will beat Djokovic quite easily at the French Open.

I think Nadal will win Barcelona, Madrid (beating Djokovic), Rome (beating Djokovic), and cap it all off with a 10th French Open (beating Djokovic).

Last year he lost to Ferrer in Monte Carlo, yet still won the French. And this year he BEAT Ferrer in Monte Carlo, which suggests he will win the French more easily this year than last year (and last year he won it easily as well).


Guys, I think this gentleman here have a point!
 

Crionics

Semi-Pro
One should already be more than happy if Nadal wins one of the tune-up events and RG. That would already be a massive achievement considering his poor form.
 
D

Deleted member 77403

Guest
I am sure Rafa is going to rebound, it is obvious he is on an upward curve. So things look good for him...I am not sure though he will sweep everything else during clay season.
 

LapsedNoob

Professional
So based on evidence that he can't win on clay as the tournaments get bigger you are assuming he'll win the rest of the clay season?

Okay.
 
... The only 'sweeping' Nadal will be doing during the rest of the clay season is 'sweeping the courts' with a broom if you give him one.

Otherwise he won't be doing what you're dreaming about and will probably lose at least 1 or even 2 more times before this clay season is over.
 

spinovic

Hall of Fame
I don't think Nadal had any issues hanging with Djokovic physically. Novak was just the superior player, more effective and efficient with his shots.

Also, I expect him to get more comfortable with the new racquet and get the forehand dialed in.

If they meet at RG, I'd favor Nadal because of his dominance there and recent history with Novak. But, it's close. Djokovic is perfectly capable of beating Nadal, even if he's playing well. Whoever wins, IMO, it won't be easy.

Djokovic was in control of the MC SF, but he had to work for that win. Nadal was playing excellent defense and making Djokovic hit multiple shots to end rallies. It was a relatively comfortable win, but I would not go so far as to call it easy.
 

insideguy

G.O.A.T.
LOL. What is going to happen to these guys when Nadal finally fails. I dont know. All they have to hang onto right now is clay. And its hanging by a thread.
 

bjsnider

Hall of Fame
If failure predicts success, then Ernie Gulbis will no doubt be the #1 player by the end of the season.
 

jm1980

Talk Tennis Guru
He's #2 seed at Barcelona behind Nishikori. Wait...what???

Weird, isn't it? When was the last time Nadal was seeded #2 in a clay tournament behind someone other than Federer or Djokovic?

What??? OMG Rafa dropped to #5. He'll probably regain #4 after Barcelona though. I highly doubt Nishi will defend his title.

Nadal will be #4 on Monday (tomorrow).

Of course he can solidify his ranking if he denies Nishikori the title
 
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DolgoSantoro

Professional
Nadal is not less fit. He is still peaking but competition is better now.

lol

Just goes to show that everyone declines at some point :)

Nadal needs to play with heart and bravery again if he wants to win. Attack the ball, push opponents back, do something more than tracking balls down and waiting for opponents to implode. Doing that is the bare minimum of what he's capable of and while it might be enough against most people, it'll come up lacking against any player of quality.

Not even a Rafa fan, but it saddens me to see him like this.
 
N

Nathaniel_Near

Guest
lol

Just goes to show that everyone declines at some point :)

Nadal needs to play with heart and bravery again if he wants to win. Attack the ball, push opponents back, do something more than tracking balls down and waiting for opponents to implode. Doing that is the bare minimum of what he's capable of and while it might be enough against most people, it'll come up lacking against any player of quality.

Not even a Rafa fan, but it saddens me to see him like this.

Hardly. What's the bother.

He's just reached two semi-finals of Masters 1000 series tournaments. He's at the top end of the rankings and he's putting in some good matches. Many still see him as the best bet to win RG.

"The highs and lows of Rafa"

Yeah, whatever. The guy is a dream to back, especially on the clay.
great while longer. Right now, TheRafa is fine.
 
V

VexlanderPrime

Guest
The funny part is ThomasFerret makes some Non-Facepalm posts in the tennis instruction section. He just goes full troll in Gen Player Discussion.
 

ultradr

Legend
I think Ferrer match was very benefitial.

Nadal's slice serve from ad court, down the line forehand, pace of backhand are not sharp/strong enough yet, IMHO.

He also needs some match with Federer to further sharpen up strokes and possibly gain more confidence, I think.
 

West Coast Ace

G.O.A.T.
Also you haven't said why it's proof, you're just saying that you think he'll win XYZ event.
I was expecting terrible reasoning, but instead I've been presented with non-existent reasoning. :(
Yep. Nadal Children are so cute when they're typing stuff on the internet. Like a puppy standing next to the torn up sofa when you get home with the 'I didn't do it look'.

Adults and real tennis fans see through these threads: young people can't handle the truth that Nadal is not the top dog, and never will be again.

If Djokovic wins RG, the Hand Wringing will be incredible. A force this 3rd rock from the Sun has never seen. Harness it and we'll never need another drop of oil...
 

Boom-Boom

Legend
I think that Nadal will continually improve throughout the clay season (he has already shown vast improvement) whereas Djokovic will decline through it, and if that pattern continues, Nadal will beat Djokovic quite easily at the French Open.

I think Nadal will win Barcelona, Madrid (beating Djokovic), Rome (beating Djokovic), and cap it all off with a 10th French Open (beating Djokovic).

wow another epic FAIL :mrgreen:
 

D.Nalby12

G.O.A.T.
It's quite possible this will turn into Nadal's first (?) season in which he couldn't win a single title in European Clay Swing
 
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veroniquem

Bionic Poster
Still early days. He won 2 last year and his game wasn't all there. With a little luck, he'll win 1 this year ;)
 

sbengte

G.O.A.T.
Still early days. He won 2 last year and his game wasn't all there. With a little luck, he'll win 1 this year ;)

Yeah, I have said it before and I'll say it again. Nadal only really needs to play one real match at RG and that is if he ends up facing Djoko (which in itself is not a certainty). The other 6 players in his draw will find a way to beat themselves when Nadal is on the other side of the net.

And I am sure Nadal will play himself into form if he gets to a stage (semi or better) where he has to play Djoko. And there is no telling if Djoko himself will turn into one of the other mugs when he plays Nadal at RG ;-)
 

rsmith

Rookie
Eek. The way he looked today, especially on break points, it seems like he'll go on to win zilch the remainder of the year!
 

ultradr

Legend
Still early days. He won 2 last year and his game wasn't all there. With a little luck, he'll win 1 this year ;)

Nadal is not holding his service game well. This is a serious problem.
Nadal is increasingly relying on breaking other's serve.

You know Nadal used to be #2 on the tour, in terms of holding his serve, only after all time high % of John Isner.

I think this has potential that make Nadal's entire game crumble, IMHO.
 
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