Nadal's worst ever performance....

[Rafa4LifeEver]

......In a clay court match.

For some reason it showed into my youtube feed. Rolling back the years, I still can't believe how nadal managed to play this bad, in a masters 1000 final, on clay, in Spain?? Couldn't manage to break Murray, couldn't hit many Forehands & backhands past his own courtside (yes, his own courtside) service box.

Yes, it was 2015, but this wasn't expected. While I give full credits to my countryman for capitalising and winning his first ever clay masters on the back of winning first clay title in Munich the week before.

This was where the 2015 decline of nadal (even on clay) was cemented, the false glimpse of hope we nadal fans got after that performance against Berdych in the semi was shattered.

Who would have thought that after probably the lowest part of his professional career (2015 clay season), he'd achieve additional 6 slams, 8 masters, 2 YE#1 which is more than entire careers of Del potro, Cilic, Wawrinka, Thiem COMBINED (only non big3+Mury slam winners in last 15 years or so)

So, lovely ladies and gentlemen, do you agree with me that it was the worst ever clay performance of Rafa the greatest warrior of tennis world? Please discuss here.

 

[Hitman]

While 2015 had a bad version of Nadal on absolutely every surface, if you take a look at the three guys who beat him in the clay masters, they were also the final three players left in RG.

Monte Carlo 2015 = Loses to The Earth's Mightiest Warrior
Madrid 2015 = Loses to Clayray
Rome 2015 = Loses to Stanimal

These three were the inform players that season, so it still took the best on clay that year to beat Nadal on that surface in the big events.

 

[Martin J]

Absolutely, regardless of Murray's level, I've never seen Nadal playing so poor on clay. It looked like someone had drugged him, was netting the balls endlessly or sending them into outer space and couldn't connect several good shots. Disastrous performance indeed.
And while I think he played an average match at best against Djokovic in Paris that year, the level he showed against Murray in Madrid was far below it.

 

[junior74]

This was Clayray aka Mudziah!

The loss at RG was a lot worse. Pet slam and didn't even lose to the champion.

 

[Martin J]

This was Clayray aka Mudziah!

The loss at RG was a lot worse. Pet slam and didn't even lose to the champion.

Against Djokovic, he had no forehand. Against Murray, he had absolutely nothing.

 

[Hitman]

Absolutely, regardless of Murray's level, I've never seen Nadal playing so poor on clay. It looked like someone had drugged him, was netting the balls endlessly or sending them into outer space and couldn't connect several good shots. Disastrous performance indeed.
And while I think he played an average match at best against Djokovic in Paris that year, the level he showed against Murray in Madrid was far below it.

Wierd thing is, he absolutely schooled Berdych the round before....

 

[junior74]

Against Djokovic, he had no forehand. Against Murray, he had absolutely nothing.

Perhaps. They were both terrible performances. I just think the RG is so much more significant. Not that he would have won, anyway.

 

[Martin J]

Wierd thing is, he absolutely schooled Berdych the round before....

Yeah, that is why I said it looked like he was high. It's hard to fathom how he managed to perform so bad.

 

[NatF]

Wierd thing is, he absolutely schooled Berdych the round before....

Says more about Berdych than Nadal lol.

 

[Hitman]

Yeah, that is why I said it looked like he was high. It's hard to fathom how he managed to perform so bad.

Maybe he felt guilty for winning last year. LOL

 

[Martin J]

Perhaps. They were both terrible performances. I just think the RG is so much more significant. Not that he would have won, anyway.

Still remember when they showed the stats after the match and Nadal had only three forehand winners off the ground. In BO5 match, on clay, at Roland Garros? Give me a break, lol.

 

[Martin J]

Maybe he felt guilty for winning last year. LOL

Haha, totally makes sense. Humbalito, most beautiful human being.

 

[Deleted member 770948]

I can't find the link, but there was an interview where Nadal said he wasn't even giving full effort in the 3rd Set of the 2015 Roland Garros QF vs. Djokovic.
He didn't care.

 

[MichaelNadal]

I thought my boy was done in 15 for sure. Looked like a guy that was very tired of playing tennis.

 

[Hitman]

I can't find the link, but there was an interview where Nadal said he wasn't even giving full effort in the 3rd Set of the 2015 Roland Garros QF vs. Djokovic.
He didn't care.

Well, when was the last time Nadal ever came back from 2-0 down in sets.....it was all the way back in 2007 against Youzhny at Wimbledon.

 

[junior74]

Still remember when they showed the stats after the match and Nadal had only three forehand winners off the ground. In BO5 match, on clay, at Roland Garros? Give me a break, lol.

Wow, that's "special". A few days later, Stan hit 36 forehand winners against the same Djokovic...

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

While 2015 had a bad version of Nadal on absolutely every surface, if you take a look at the three guys who beat him in the clay masters, they were also the final three players left in RG.

Monte Carlo 2015 = Loses to The Earth's Mightiest Warrior
Madrid 2015 = Loses to Clayray
Rome 2015 = Loses to Stanimal

These three were the inform players that season, so it still took the best on clay that year to beat Nadal on that surface in the big events.

When Berdych pushes you more in MC than 12 times winner, there is bound to be something wrong with Rafa.

When Raonic on clay pushes you more in Madrid than home hero and 5 times champ, there is bound to be something wrong with rafa.

When Dimitrov straight sets you twice in a row in clay masters, but you beat Nadal (worst matchup for you) on clay, there is bound to be something wrong with Rafa.


While I agree with you, but really 2015 saddens me, gentleman.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Still remember when they showed the stats after the match and Nadal had only three forehand winners off the ground. In BO5 match, on clay, at Roland Garros? Give me a break, lol.

Absolutely, even a decent average version of nadal would hit atleast 6 winners in a SET on clay

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

I can't find the link, but there was an interview where Nadal said he wasn't even giving full effort in the 3rd Set of the 2015 Roland Garros QF vs. Djokovic.
He didn't care.

He ran out of gas for sure, sir.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Well, when was the last time Nadal ever came back from 2-0 down in sets.....it was all the way back in 2007 against Youzhny at Wimbledon.

Nearly did it against Muller in 2017 Wimbledon, but what happened, happened no!!!

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

This was Clayray aka Mudziah!

The loss at RG was a lot worse. Pet slam and didn't even lose to the champion.

He still managed to break novak 2 times and pushed him all the way for the first set and half.
I've yet to see a clay match (other than 2015 vs mury) where he couldn't break his opponent, sir.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Wierd thing is, he absolutely schooled Berdych the round before....

Sorry gentleman, but there's no other highlight video available.

And on a side note, is it only me who believes that ATP highlights video system with narration was better than current system? (They scrapped narrated highlights videos after 2017 afaik)

 

[ADuck]

@StrongRule thoughts?

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Maybe just maybe RAFA's performance had something to do with England's Brave Andy Murray?

 

[MichaelNadal]

Maybe just maybe RAFA's performance had something to do with England's Brave Andy Murray?

"Clayray"

 

[Hitman]

Maybe just maybe RAFA's performance had something to do with England's Brave Andy Murray?

He's Scottish. So more Braveheart than King Arthur.

 

[Krish872007]

Clayray demolishing peak Ned, nothing to see here

/jk

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

He's Scottish. So more Braveheart than King Arthur.

He's Scotland's Cowardly Andy Murray when he loses.

 

[Hitman]

He's Scotland's Cowardly Andy Murray when he loses.

Ah yes, British when he wins, and Scottish when he loses.

 

[mike danny]

Wierd thing is, he absolutely schooled Berdych the round before....

You mean Bendych? The guy was losing to every good player with a pulse that year.

 

[Deleted member 748597]

Murray haters everywhere. @Mainad

 

[Deleted member 771911]

One of the few shameful Nadal Clay moments. Forever he must hang his head when this chapter is mentioned in his presence.

 

[mike danny]

Still think RG 2015 was worse because it was a slam.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Still think RG 2015 was worse because it was a slam.

The only thing good was dat Kit

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Maybe just maybe RAFA's performance had something to do with England's Brave Andy Murray?

No

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

You mean Bendych? The guy was losing to every good player with a pulse that year.

Berdych ended the year ranked inside top8, gentleman.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Murray haters everywhere. @Mainad

Le mury be like

J/k his highness sir @Mainad

 

[mike danny]

Berdych ended the year ranked inside top8, gentleman.

It means he was only consistent, but never a threat.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

It means he was only consistent, but never a threat.

 

[MadariKatu]

2019 Monte Carlo vs Fognini deserves a mention

Well, when was the last time Nadal ever came back from 2-0 down in sets.....it was all the way back in 2007 against Youzhny at Wimbledon.

How often has he been 2-0 down in sets since? It could be that he didn't manage to come back ever since, or that he was very few times in that situation...

 

[mike danny]

2019 Monte Carlo vs Fognini deserves a mention


How often has he been 2-0 down in sets since? It could be that he didn't manage to come back ever since, or that he was very few times in that situation...

I guess it's a matter of perception here. Sure, Federer coming back so often from 2 sets to love down is impressive, but it's also impressive that Nadal has rarely been in this position, which means he did a great job avoiding it.

Goes to show how hard it is to take the first 2 sets off Nadal.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

I don't understand this thread... it's one of my favorites!

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

2019 Monte Carlo vs Fognini deserves a mention


How often has he been 2-0 down in sets since? It could be that he didn't manage to come back ever since, or that he was very few times in that situation...

At slams
AO 08, 10, 11, 14, 15, 19, 20
RG 15
Wimbledon 13, 17
USO 08, 09, 11, 18

 

[The Blond Blur]

You could pick any match from 2015 and say it was the worst match RAFA has ever played...that’s how bad he was that year

 

[NatF]

You could pick any match from 2015 and say it was the worst match RAFA has ever played...that’s how bad he was that year

The man saved his best for the majors and peaked in Basel.

 

[MichaelNadal]

You could pick any match from 2015 and say it was the worst match RAFA has ever played...that’s how bad he was that year

Last appearance of a Grassdal title tho

 

[daphne]

RG 2020 F by far!

 

[daphne]

Last appearance of a Grassdal title tho

If there is an exhibition match organised by porn industry and he wins it, and if the trophy is a big *****, is he going to take a bite on it for the photographers?

 

[mike danny]

Last appearance of a Grassdal title tho

Nadal's worst year brought him a Mercedes. I want such a bad year too.

 

[Gizo]

2015 was basically the first time in Nadal's career that he had a disappointing (for his ultra-high standards) season; before then it had been nothing but one successful year after another for him. 2 grand slam quarter-final appearances and 3 ATP titles across 2 different surfaces would be amazing for almost everyone else though.

2002, 2003 and 2004 were all very successful seasons for him given his age at the time and for his development, and of course he had won at least 1 grand slam title and at least 1 masters series title every year from 2005-2014.