Next Person to Beat Nadal at the French Open
- Thread starter BrooklynNY
- Start date
axel89
Banned
\
great post hitman you think janowicz got a chance?
RAFA2005RG
Banned
Funny thing about Berdych, he's lost 11 straight matches to Nadal, and only 3 were on clay.
Wilander Fan
Hall of Fame
I hope its Federer. I really do like Nadal but this is the last thing Federer needs to do before he can diminish into the night.
Wilander Fan
Hall of Fame
My predictions:
Sadly, I think this year we will see Federer's QF streak end as well as Nadal's FO streak. We will see someone come out of nowhere and take a slam. I dont see Fed winning a slam this year and predict Nadal to drop out of the top 10. Its going to be a weak year and someone like Tsonga/Ferrer will finally take a slam as well.
Sadly, I think this year we will see Federer's QF streak end as well as Nadal's FO streak. We will see someone come out of nowhere and take a slam. I dont see Fed winning a slam this year and predict Nadal to drop out of the top 10. Its going to be a weak year and someone like Tsonga/Ferrer will finally take a slam as well.
RAFA2005RG
Banned
2012 was his big chance. Nadal's knee was 100% numb in the final. All Federer had to do was beat Djokovic in that semi and he would have had his best chance ever to beat Nadal at Roland Garros.
Now, Nadal has declared he will play less hardcourt events and more clay events, and will only play when 100%. 2012 was the last opportunity for anyone to challenge Nadal at Roland Garros.
RAFA2005RG
Banned
You say this after we just saw Nadal take an injection to numb his knee 100% and Djokovic still couldn't beat him at RG? Its only going to get harder for the field now that Nadal is focusing on clay.
BrooklynNY
Hall of Fame
I think the only person who will beat him will be Djokovic.
Lol at anyone saying Murray, It has to do more with Murray's footing and movement on clay than anything else.
Although if Nadal is still at like 90% in his recovery, and Fed is playing great Fed can push him. I still think he will be in dominant form and I don't think he is done like other people are making it seem.
Lol at anyone saying Murray, It has to do more with Murray's footing and movement on clay than anything else.
Although if Nadal is still at like 90% in his recovery, and Fed is playing great Fed can push him. I still think he will be in dominant form and I don't think he is done like other people are making it seem.
batz
G.O.A.T.
Anyone that can create 18 BPs in 3 sets against Rafa (as Murray did in the 2011 RG semis) has a chance against him. Murray is also one of the few people to have taken a set off Rafa @ Monte Carlo.
Would Muray be a rank outsider? Definitely. Are his chances LOLworthy? Their previous record would suggest not.
Clarky21
Banned
batz
G.O.A.T.
I don't like to disappoint
, but unlike you - I don't post absolutist guff. Feel free to disagree with what I said and to point out your counter-arguments - it is a messageboard after all. But please don't start making stuff up like "You argued that Murray would win RG", there's a good lass.All I'm arguing is that Murray's chances against Rafa aren't LOLworthy. I've also stated why I don't think they're LOLworthy.
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And then they split up again in 2011?
Do you actually understand what it means for his knee to be '100% numb'? Like conceptually? You talk about it like it is a hindrance to his play in some way. It's not the same thing as, for example, your fingers being 100% numb.
See, the knee is a joint. It doesn't have any muscles in it. It's just a hinge. For Nadal, it was a hinge that wasn't broken as much as it was painful. His knee functioned, but it hurt him when it did so.
Now, the knee's bending or straightening is driven by two major muscle groups - the quads pull the leg straight, and the hamstrings pull it bent. Nadal didn't have any injuries to his quads or his hamstrings. So when Nadal's knee was 100% numb, it didn't mean he had impinged functioning of his leg in *any* way. What it meant was that he couldn't feel any pain in it. Which allowed him to play without hindrance. Ie, he was functionally 100% thanks to the injections.
Now I'm sure this won't stop you from repeating the same, tired old line anyway. However at least when you do so from now on you don't have the excuse of not having a clue what it actually means. You don't need to feel your knee to play tennis.
TennezSport
Hall of Fame
Great point.....
To add to this issue this may also be why Rafa tore his patella tendon when putting 4-6g of stress on every stop and turn. This has been a Rafa issue for 10 years now and knees never return to 100% with these kind of injuries (if real). He has been getting injured earlier every year and even on his CCS surface. Also, the heel issue has resurfaced so, 2013 will be a big test of how much Rafa can take if he continues to use his standard type of play. I didnt think that he would last this long (neither did Unc T), but I didnt count on all the kings horses and all the kings men puttiing Rafa-dumpty back together again :razz:
We will see; just have to wait.
Cheers, TennezSport
To add to this issue this may also be why Rafa tore his patella tendon when putting 4-6g of stress on every stop and turn. This has been a Rafa issue for 10 years now and knees never return to 100% with these kind of injuries (if real). He has been getting injured earlier every year and even on his CCS surface. Also, the heel issue has resurfaced so, 2013 will be a big test of how much Rafa can take if he continues to use his standard type of play. I didnt think that he would last this long (neither did Unc T), but I didnt count on all the kings horses and all the kings men puttiing Rafa-dumpty back together again :razz:
We will see; just have to wait.
Cheers, TennezSport
Those people write that because it's what they'd like to see. Since no one can see into the future, the "predictions" in these type of threads are actually wishes.
D
Deleted member 77403
Guest
I don't know, perhaps. 99.5% of the time, Nadal will cream these guys just by being a superior player. However, there will always be that day when he gets up on the wrong side of the bed, and his opponent catches lightning in a bottle, and with a nothing to lose attitude, shocks the world.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
People aren't giving Federer enough credit on these boards. The fact that he's played Nadal 5 times at the French and lost every encounter doesn't mean that we should give the nod (aka the benefit of the doubt) to someone who hasn't played Nadal at the FO yet. So does Berdych stand a better chance against Nadal at the FO than Federer? Don't make me laugh.
As for the question itself - I ain't gonna be creative. If there's anyone who has a remote chance of beating Nadal at the FO - it's Djokovic and only him.
As for the question itself - I ain't gonna be creative. If there's anyone who has a remote chance of beating Nadal at the FO - it's Djokovic and only him.
Nadal was asked about his retutrn to tennis in a recent interview.
Quote taken from Diario de Mallorca
„Son lesiones diferentes, pero a Del Potro le ha costado mucho volver a ser el que era. ¿Teme que le pueda pasar lo mismo?
„Pasará lo que tenga que pasar. Es lo bonito de la vida en general, es un reto para mí. Sé que me costará volver a conseguir todo lo que he logrado en los últimos años. Haré todo el trabajo que sea necesario, siempre pensando en positivo.
Translated it says:-
Q: "These are different injuries, but Del Potro had struggled a lot returning to what he was. Are you afraid the same might happen to you?“
A: "What has to happen, will happen. It’s the beauty of life in general, it’s a challenge for me. I know it will be difficult to be winning again all that I have obtained in recent years. I will put in all the necessary work, always thinking positively.“
N
NadalAgassi
Guest
I agree with you there. Even Federer has more chance of beating Nadal at the French (as extremely miniscule as that is, especialy at this stage) than Berdych. Pink bunnies will fly in the sky before Berdych who hasnt beaten Nadal on any surface since 2006, and who has never given him a decent match on either clay or even grass, only on hard courts, who has a major mental block with Nadal ever since the 07 Wimbledon beatdown, and who admits to being scared of Nadal, will ever beat Nadal at RG. Heck even Andy Murray has a better chance to beat Nadal at RG than Berdych does.
Your last part is right. The only one with a remote chance right now really is Djokovic and only Djokovic.
in order ,
djokovic
delpo
federer
big hitter/server like raonic/isner/janowicz etc and not named berdych
ferrer
hell put in simon just in case he manages to hypnotize rafa through his play , although that's a bit far fetched .....
I agree with this.. Djoko is the favorite to do so, because in 2011 when he dominated Nadal on every surface even clay. I would add Murray in there though as an outside chance. Only time will tell though
Carsomyr
Legend
I don't know if it's very brilliant for Nadal to play a larger number of clay events (Acapulco, Vina del Mar, and whatever else he may add) in preparation for the French Open, it could mean one of two negatives. First, he could win both (or more) of the events, which means more wear and tear. I know clay is easier on the body, but it's still a lot of running, especially if he's rusty and not tearing through the field as easily as before. And he's not getting any younger. Second, the more events he plays, the more he opens himself up for defeat. I know, he's Rafa "The Impossible" Nadal, but the possibility of losing to one of the mugs that play on the Golden Swing could really blast a hole in his aura of invincibility on clay.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
Also, if Nadal loses again i don't think he's gonna be dethroned in an epic fashion like an 8-6 final set in the final. As long as he can move fairly well he'll keep on winning - plain and simple. I rather see him losing to someone unexpected in an early round when his knees flare up again - the question is when is that gonna happen? Next year? In 3 years? Or maybe never when Nadal feels he no longer has it in his legs to run out 7 matches at the French? It's really hard to tell. That's why I'm really curious to see what Nadal brings to the table in 2013.
Clarky21
Banned
I don't like to disappoint
All I'm arguing is that Murray's chances against Rafa aren't LOLworthy. I've also stated why I don't think they're LOLworthy.
I was referring to your neverending defense of Andy, which I KNEW was coming when BrooklynNY posted what they did. :lol: I never said he had no chance of beating Nadal at RG so dial it back, lad.
Candide
Hall of Fame
"As long as he can move fairly well he'll keep on winning..." I can't agree with this. Surely Nadal's game is the one most dependent on his great speed and turning ability more than any other top player of recent times (except maybe Djokovic). I would think that a 2% drop off in his movement would have greater effect than almost any other player.
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
You mean you don't agree with me and then you agree with me?
tennis_pro
Bionic Poster
Towser83
G.O.A.T.
Every draw for Nadal at RG is a cakewalk really, because there isn't a hope that anyone prior to the semis has a chance to beat him and even there it's a slim chance. Only in 2009 did this not hold true.
His draw in 2010 was laughable, but even with a hard draw he probably had a 90% of winning.
The GOAT of clay. Who needs it to be the right colour to get past the Fiasco Verdasco :lol:
Wimbledon has a different seeding system based on your last 2 years on grass, they don't have a preference for Federer. In 2009 Nadal was seeded number 1 but pulled out.
Nadal has won Madrid on clay, once out of 4 events. The odds actually say he won't win. Also since Nadal's parents break up caused such a dip in form, we can conclude Djokovic's garndfather's death was the only reason he lost to Nadal in clay season. Think about it. 2011, Nadal's parents together, Djokovic's grandfather alive and Djokovic beat Nadal in straight sets in Rome and Madrid, going unbeaten vs nadal and not even losing a set. This year only thing that has changed is Nole's grandfather died and he loses. Maybe next year he will be over it. Nadal can only hope he isn't.
Even Federer's chances have been almost LOLworthy. Lots of people take a set off Nadal on clay, only one person has taken 3 in one match. Murray is a great player but I'd want to see him beat nadal on HC in a slam or at Wimby before I even consider him beating Nadal at RG.
Towser83
G.O.A.T.
I see these possibilities:
Djokovic beats Nadal in 2013 or afterwards
Delpo has an amazing match in slightly faster conditions and hits Nadal off court
Nadal gets injured and loses to random player
Nadal retires in a couple of years without another RG loss (might skip RG one year too)
Djokovic beats Nadal in 2013 or afterwards
Delpo has an amazing match in slightly faster conditions and hits Nadal off court
Nadal gets injured and loses to random player
Nadal retires in a couple of years without another RG loss (might skip RG one year too)
batz
G.O.A.T.
Murray has twice beaten Rafa in a hardcourt slam - I take your point though, I'm not saying Murray would be anything other than a rank outsider.
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Towser83
G.O.A.T.
yeah I mean again. Last time they met Nadal won that one and I honestly thought Murray would come close to winning at least. They've not played in over a year now, so next meeting would be interesting.
batz
G.O.A.T.
Fair comment. At the risk of appearing to make excuses (OK, I'm making excuses) IIRC Murray had played 3 matches in 3 days - with a tough 4 setter v Isner in the QFs the day before.
Their next match on hardcourts will be interesting - but at the moment they can only meet in finals.
Towser83
G.O.A.T.
I just felt Murray has to be in a certain frame of mind to beat Nadal anywhere, when he is he can be deverstating (as in that final in Aisa somewhere) but if not Nadal just edges himat the important times.
I guess they can meet in a semi if one of Djokovic or Federer pull out of an event. They could meet in the semis of Miami since Fed is not playing meaning if the rankings are the same, Murray would be 2nd seed and nadal could be in his half.
Crisstti
Legend
To add to this issue this may also be why Rafa tore his patella tendon when putting 4-6g of stress on every stop and turn. This has been a Rafa issue for 10 years now and knees never return to 100% with these kind of injuries (if real). He has been getting injured earlier every year and even on his CCS surface. Also, the heel issue has resurfaced so, 2013 will be a big test of how much Rafa can take if he continues to use his standard type of play. I didnt think that he would last this long (neither did Unc T), but I didnt count on all the kings horses and all the kings men puttiing Rafa-dumpty back together again :razz:
We will see; just have to wait.
Cheers, TennezSport
Where did you hear that?, I've heard nothing of the sort...
D
Deleted member 307496
Guest
That doesn't make sense at all. Families are usually tight-knit, given that we're struggling through a financial crisis and need all the help we can get to prosper and grow as a whole.
Gonzo_style
Hall of Fame
This makes sense, DelPo played great against Nadal in DC finals in Spain on clay! But of course, Djokovic has a better chance against Nadal at Roland Garros...
Did they separate again when he lost 7 straight finals to Nole in 2011?
abmk
Bionic Poster
ha ha, lol, giving NSK a dose of his own medicine :lol:
cork_screw
Hall of Fame
I think Nadal will continue to be strong. And I don't know if he'll be the same, but he won't be weak or in any sorry state. If he was 98/100 before this injury, I expect him to perform around 88-92, maybe not as good, but still good enough to get gs victories. I think on any dirt surface, you would be hard pressed to beat nadal. He might be rusty for the aussie open, but moving forward, he'll be pretty strong and I think it'll be his year like in 2010. I just hope roger can win wimby, that will put him at 18 and that is a nice even number to have.
BrooklynNY
Hall of Fame
I suspect this thread might become relevant soon - or it will have to wait another year or 2
SQA333
Hall of Fame
BrooklynNY
Hall of Fame
MAJOR PROPS TO ME for this awesome and entirely accurate prediction.
Not bad, eh?
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