Rafael Nadal aims to be in "perfect" condition in 2012

Mainad

Bionic Poster
He's not planning to throw in the towel just yet!

Rafael Nadal plans to be in "perfect" condition for the start of 2012 after admitting his passion for tennis dropped towards the end of this year.

Nadal was knocked out of the season-end ATP World Tour Finals with defeat by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Thursday, his fourth defeat in 10 matches.

"I probably had a bit less passion for the game because I was more tired than usual," said the world number two.

"This was a tough year but I'll do all to be perfect for the start of 2012."

Nadal started 2011 top of the rankings but despite winning a sixth French Open crown, he was overtaken by Novak Djokovic during Wimbledon.

Match record won/lost: 66/13
Titles: 3 (French Open, Barcelona Open, Monte Carlos Masters)
Prize money: $6,363,218 (£4,115,381)

The Spaniard lost all six of his meetings with Djokovic - each in finals - and failed to win a non-clay court title for the first time since 2002.

After falling to the Serb at the US Open, he was beaten in the Tokyo final by Andy Murray - dropping the final set 6-0 - and succumbed to Florian Mayer in Shanghai.

He then took five weeks off ahead of the Tour Finals here at London's O2 Arena, where he scraped past Mardy Fish but was dispatched by Roger Federer and Tsonga.

He will represent Spain in the Davis Cup final against Argentina from 2-4 December before commencing his preparations for the new campaign.

"We can find excuses, we can find problems, but it's not the moment to say that - it's the moment to keep fighting," stated the 25-year-old. I have to work hard - working hard every day, morning, afternoon - if I'm going to have my chance to be competitive to win the big tournaments. My goal is there. My motivation, I hope, the same. I will do it."

"It's the moment to analyse what I did good, what I did bad, and know what I have to work on for the next month.

"The end of the year wasn't easy for me; that's hard to accept. But it gives me more of a goal for the beginning of 2012. I dream about arriving in 2012 with very good conditions."

When asked why his season tailed off after New York, Nadal told reporters he could spend an hour explaining.

But he preferred to focus on the future and his first goal is the Australian Open from 16-29 January.

"The only way to change the situation is to work more, think more about tennis, do everything in the right shape, do everything good inside the court, everything good outside the court," he added.

"I have to work hard - working hard every day, morning, afternoon - if I'm going to have my chance to be competitive to win the big tournaments.

"My goal is there. My motivation, I hope, the same. I will do it."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/15885323.stm
 

DragonBlaze

Hall of Fame
Hopefully his passion comes back. Wasn't really fun watching him play moonballs after moonballs post US Open.
 

Mainad

Bionic Poster
Nadal should work smart, not hard. If he works hard without fixing any of the issues that have been plaguing his game in 2011, what's the point? :confused:

He does say he has to THINK more as well:

"The only way to change the situation is to work more, think more about tennis..."
 

Sentinel

Bionic Poster
I have to work hard - working hard every day, morning, afternoon - if I'm going to have my chance to be competitive to win the big tournaments. My goal is there. My motivation, I hope, the same. I will do it."
Oh dear, now he can be tired even earlier in the season.

Anyway, that's just him, hopefully his "coach" will have a plan for 2012.
 

All-rounder

Legend
If Nadal has gone an entire season not even making a small amount of change. What makes you think he can make this change for 2012, especially when before the season starts he has to play David cup. Which is on clay where he will most likely play the same game he's been playing since. It wouldn't make sense for him to switch up his game then have to revert back on different surfaces. Especially for a guy like Nadal who has been playing like this for years now. I think it's not as easy as some may think, there may be a chance that parts of his game will suffer if he implements change.
 

MrFlip

Professional
Come on guys, Nadal has played so much tennis in the past two months......6 matches? And he is so tired always during this period. He can only dream of being able to be as well adjusted as Federer.
 
Of course not. How can someone lose with muscles like that?

It's quite ironic really, how he hides his true nature underneath a humble facade. His on court fist pumping and pathetic facial expressions are his saving grace as they allow for the time being for those true emotions to be released. However, I bet he will experience a lot of chronic pain in the future for repressing his true nature off the court once tennis is finished.
 
Not quite sure how more practice with help him. As many others have commented, working hard to improve a game that plays right into your stepping stones strengths just won't cut it.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
While Nadal sits on his clay-court throne, he'll always be a big force in tennis.

Have to agree with that, clay still belongs to Nadal though Novak could challenge him next year.

BTW Mustard I just realized today this is the first year since 2003 that Nadal ended the year without a single HC title, strange stat.
 

Mustard

Bionic Poster
Have to agree with that, clay still belongs to Nadal though Novak could challenge him next year.

We shall see.

BTW Mustard I just realized today this is the first year since 2003 that Nadal ended the year without a single HC title, strange stat.

He didn't win a hardcourt title in 2004 either. His only tournament win that year was on the clay-courts of Sopot. But yes, just 3 titles for Nadal this year, all on clay.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
We shall see.



He didn't win a hardcourt title in 2004 either. His only tournament win that year was on the clay-courts of Sopot. But yes, just 3 titles for Nadal this year, all on clay.

Didn't he win Auckland in 2004 beating Stepanek in the final?
 

BeHappy

Hall of Fame
Not quite sure how more practice with help him. As many others have commented, working hard to improve a game that plays right into your stepping stones strengths just won't cut it.

Well if the practice consists of learning to consistently flatten out his shots then it will help.
 
Well if the practice consists of learning to consistently flatten out his shots then it will help.

no, he should hit with MORE topspin than he does now.

If he's at 3200rpm average forehand, he should bump it to 6400rpm. Not even Djokovic's backhand will handle the spin if every ball is jumping 20ft over his head.
 

OddJack

G.O.A.T.
Nadal should work smart, not hard. If he works hard without fixing any of the issues that have been plaguing his game in 2011, what's the point? :confused:

Nadal should work smart.

It appears that you know what's wrong. "Strategy"

I am just hoping you are not considering "deeper balls" an strategy Nadal needs to fix. Why don't you just explain the best strategy he needs to employ and turn this around?


His brain is toast. He is mentaly tired, most of all of his uncle toni. I had never seen such an indifferent attitude from his uncle, and less from his father Sebastian, on court. Toni had only a sad smile on his face, as if accepting defeat.

Do you know why toni was smiling? I can only guess. He blames Nadal for the negativity he shows on court. What happened to pumping fist/leg combinations? Remember he would thrust his pelvis back and forth like he could screw you from other side of the net? What happened to the body language that showed he will not go away unless the match was called? He is not even much interested in time wasting anymore! Not even a look at his coach for some tips!



It's time you fans accept the inevitable. That his best days are over. That years of grinding took its toll. He will not be the clear favorite going into FO next year and you know that.

So why not be a little more reasonable than this vague "strategy" and "smart" you are throwing around?
 
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nikdom

Guest
Davis cup could be a boost to Nadals's spirits like it was to Djokovic last year.
 

GammaNu

Banned
Quote from mr. nadal.

"Hi everybody, thank you very much for your messages of encouragement, last year I played better, I'll keep working to improve my results in this competition the next year. Today I have rest at London, tomorrow I'll travel to Sevilla for the Davis Cup's final with my teammates. We'll win at Sevilla!! "
 

namelessone

Legend
Nadal should work smart.

It appears that you know what's wrong. "Strategy"

I am just hoping you are not considering "deeper balls" an strategy Nadal needs to fix. Why don't you just explain the best strategy he needs to employ and turn this around?


His brain is toast. He is mentaly tired, most of all of his uncle toni. I had never seen such an indifferent attitude from his uncle, and less from his father Sebastian, on court. Toni had only a sad smile on his face, as if accepting defeat.

Do you know why toni was smiling? I can only guess. He blames Nadal for the negativity he shows on court. What happened to pumping fist/leg combinations? Remember he would thrust his pelvis back and forth like he could screw you from other side of the net? What happened to the body language that showed he will not go away unless the match was called? He is not even much interested in time wasting anymore! Not even a look at his coach for some tips!



It's time you fans accept the inevitable. That his best days are over. That years of grinding took its toll. He will not be the clear favorite going into FO next year and you know that.

So why not be a little more reasonable than this vague "strategy" and "smart" you are throwing around?

What post have you been reading, Jack? I said all of the above(past his prime/shaky on clay/indifference of his team etc.) in different threads. Have you not been reading them?

Nadal's main problem, besides motivation and mental burnout, IS strategy or should I saw unwillingness to work on weaknesses in his game. Most posters here will agree that Nadal played worse tennis in 2011 than in 2010/2008. However, he somehow made finals. Basically through grit even while playing like absolute s**t in some rounds.

The words strategy and smart are reasonable in this case. When I use them I talk about the things Nadal CAN improve, if we were willing to go in that direction.

Would it be such a huge undertaking to stop returning second serves from the first row?

Would it be such a huge undertaking to hit SOME fh across the body like he normally does in practice?

These two things alone could make a pretty big difference, especially on non-clay surfaces. Nevermind getting his BH to a reasonable level(at least one where he doesn't moonball off it) and upping the serve speed so that we don't see WTA speeds.

Going by your words, Nadal should just retire, he is already past his prime, why tweak ANYTHING in his game, he is going downhill and he should do NOTHING to slow it down.
 

Clarky21

Banned
What post have you been reading, Jack? I said all of the above(past his prime/shaky on clay/indifference of his team etc.) in different threads. Have you not been reading them?

Nadal's main problem, besides motivation and mental burnout, IS strategy or should I saw unwillingness to work on weaknesses in his game. Most posters here will agree that Nadal played worse tennis in 2011 than in 2010/2008. However, he somehow made finals. Basically through grit even while playing like absolute s**t in some rounds.

The words strategy and smart are reasonable in this case. When I use them I talk about the things Nadal CAN improve, if we were willing to go in that direction.

Would it be such a huge undertaking to stop returning second serves from the first row?

Would it be such a huge undertaking to hit SOME fh across the body like he normally does in practice?

These two things alone could make a pretty big difference, especially on non-clay surfaces. Nevermind getting his BH to a reasonable level(at least one where he doesn't moonball off it) and upping the serve speed so that we don't see WTA speeds.

Going by your words, Nadal should just retire, he is already past his prime, why tweak ANYTHING in his game, he is going downhill and he should do NOTHING to slow it down.



The bolded is exactly what *******s like Oddjack want. They are relishing in Nadal's struggles this year while failing to realize the struggles of their own hero for most of the season bar a few great matches from him here and there. Roger didn't win a thing since Doha until he won Basel many,many months later. Where were these fruitcakes when he wasn't doing jack until the indoor season? Should Roger have just thrown in the towel and not even tried to improve anything in his game since he is past his prime as well? It's all so predicatable with these folks.
 
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namelessone

Legend
The bolded is exactly what *******s like Oddjack want. They are relishing in Nadal's struggles this year while failing to realize the struggles of their own hero for most of the season bar a few great matches from him here and there. Roger didn't win a thing since Doha until he won Basel many,many months later. Where were these fruitcakes when he wasn't doing jack until the indoor season? Should Roger have just thrown in the towel and not even tried to improve anything in his game since he is past his prime as well? It's all so predicatable with these folks.

I could understand it some degree since we are talking about fandom and everybody has their petty little wars around here(and obviously *******s would like nothing more than to see Nadal fall badly since that's their thing) but I find it stupid to say that Nadal shouldn't/can't change stuff in his game that would be pretty damn easy to fix(talking about minor changes), even moreso considering the good it could bring him, the now past his prime Nadal.

But again, I have to question the willingness to address these issues by his team.
 
I do not want Nadal to retire at all. I hope he continues playing his best. The problem really lies with the *********s who seem to for some reason assume that Nadal's best level cannot be outdone by anyone. And that's why they hate Djoker so much.
 

Crisstti

Legend
It's quite ironic really, how he hides his true nature underneath a humble facade. His on court fist pumping and pathetic facial expressions are his saving grace as they allow for the time being for those true emotions to be released. However, I bet he will experience a lot of chronic pain in the future for repressing his true nature off the court once tennis is finished.

Not sure if you're just trolling, or if you really are just so ignorant about what being humble means. A hint: it doesn't mean you don't want to do things well and win.

Davis cup could be a boost to Nadals's spirits like it was to Djokovic last year.

Yeah, but since he's won it many times already... Hope I'm wrong though.

The bolded is exactly what *******s like Oddjack want. They are relishing in Nadal's struggles this year while failing to realize the struggles of their own hero for most of the season bar a few great matches from him here and there. Roger didn't win a thing since Doha until he won Basel many,many months later. Where were these fruitcakes when he wasn't doing jack until the indoor season? Should Roger have just thrown in the towel and not even tried to improve anything in his game since he is past his prime as well? It's all so predicatable with these folks.
That's a pleasant change, reading a positive post from you about Rafa :)

I could understand it some degree since we are talking about fandom and everybody has their petty little wars around here(and obviously *******s would like nothing more than to see Nadal fall badly since that's their thing) but I find it stupid to say that Nadal shouldn't/can't change stuff in his game that would be pretty damn easy to fix(talking about minor changes), even moreso considering the good it could bring him, the now past his prime Nadal.

But again, I have to question the willingness to address these issues by his team.

He could use at least some changes in his team. Completely agree that there are things he should change in his game...
 
D

decades

Guest
How will we know if rafito is in "perfect" condition? if he wins a tournament. How will we know when rafito is playing with an injury? simple. He will have lost and in his presser he will hint vaguely that there is something "wrong" with him physically.
 
Not sure if you're just trolling, or if you really are just so ignorant about what being humble means. A hint: it doesn't mean you don't want to do things well and win.

Not trolling at all, just pointing out the truth. Nadal's humble attitude is fake. What part of that don't you understand?
 
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Wel he always keeps improving. Right now he doesn't bend his arm enough and he bends his upper body way too much when he serves. He needs confidence so he can go for his shots a bit more and play more special. Maby daviscup will give him confidence and if he is healthy he can win AO next year. The surface suits him very well, specially against Fed. He needs to play deeper and with more variation. But he deffinetly can win AO. He really wants it and he is hungry and motivated for it. He has the will, desire and pasion to improve. I think that he can win AO. He is my pick for it.
 

Outbeyond

Legend
I do not want Nadal to retire at all. I hope he continues playing his best. The problem really lies with the *********s who seem to for some reason assume that Nadal's best level cannot be outdone by anyone. And that's why they hate Djoker so much.

Nah, we don't hate Djoker. We really don't. He's deserving of his excellent year and worked hard to get there. And I find his mimic antics hilarious!

As usual, it's not the player we find annoying so much as his think-they-know-it-all ****s. :twisted:

But I also find you amusing, anyway.
 

sureshs

Bionic Poster
The truth is that only Slams count in tennis, and he has won 1, Djokovic 3, and Federer nil this year. Whatever Federer does in the WTF is like, WTF. The important matches have already been played and Nadal did well where it counted. The late season is like a consolation prize for people who haven't done well at the important moments.
 
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nikdom

Guest
The truth is that only Slams count in tennis, and he has won 1, Djokovic 3, and Federer nil this year. Whatever Federer does in the WTF is like, WTF. The important matches have already been played and Nadal did well where it counted. The late season is like a consolation prize for people who haven't done well at the important moments.

then 16 > 10


Why do you keep denigrating Roger because he has a bad h2h with Nadal?


The truth is, your considerations keep changing with the weather and the performance of your muscled lover boy. That's the definition of a ****.
 

cc0509

Talk Tennis Guru
The truth is that only Slams count in tennis, and he has won 1, Djokovic 3, and Federer nil this year. Whatever Federer does in the WTF is like, WTF. The important matches have already been played and Nadal did well where it counted. The late season is like a consolation prize for people who haven't done well at the important moments.

Why on earth do they allow you computer access from the asylum?

If that is what makes you get through your catatonic state daily, fine, but that is not the real tennis world view. The fact is Nadal wants to win the WTF but he can't because he is terrible indoors. All top players want to win the WTF. Djokovic has already won it.

Now go take your meds. ;)
 

cc0509

Talk Tennis Guru
then 16 > 10


Why do you keep denigrating Roger because he has a bad h2h with Nadal?


The truth is, your considerations keep changing with the weather and the performance of your muscled lover boy. That's the definition of a ****.

Not just a **** but a delusional one.
 
N

nikdom

Guest
Sureshs gives expression to his inner teenaged girl on these forums.
 
You obviously need a dictionary then.

How exactly is that his humble attitude is fake?. Enlighten us, please.

A humble person does not grimace in anguish every time his opponent hits a winner which he had no chance on. Those grimaces reveal that he feels he has the right to win every point and should win every point because he is god's gift to tennis. Then off the court, "oh Roger is the best of all time". He just blurts it out without even being asked. The lack of sincerity is appalling. If you can't read between the lines there just because your head is stuck up Nadal's asss, then I feel sorry for you.
 
N

nikdom

Guest
I think he's just trying to get a rise out of you guys and by the looks of it is succeeding quite well.

Yes, he's been voted as the Greatest Troll of All Time on these boards. Will have to search the threads to find it. Keeps going strong year after year just like Roger. And sureshs is a dad of grown kids too.... so that tells you fatherhood did not slow down his trolling.
 
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