Rafa's March to 17 GS, 31 M1000 & Return to #1

[Tennis_Hands]

No backpedalling - Rafa is the hot favourite for all clay events that he enters this year and any loss that he suffers will be a major upset. Are you disputing this?

I am not disputing the fact that he is in fact the favourite in any clay event that he enters this season.

The truth is that that is not what I said in my post that you reacted to, so, what were you reacting to in the first place?

You seem to be reluctant to answer this for a third post in a row.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I am not disputing the fact that he is in fact the favourite in any clay event that he enters this season.

The truth is that that is not what I said in my post that you reacted to, so, what were you reacting to in the first place?

You seem to be reluctant to answer this for a third post in a row.

I'll answer it again - he has no major challengers on clay. Any loss would be a major upset.

 

[NGM]

Nadal strategically tanked Sunshine Double to come back in full strength on clay.

He will sweep clay season as usual and get 5500 points minimum with Roland Garros + 3 Masters and Barcelona just for fun. By winning that he will take back number 1 crown for the rest of season.

 

[letstakeourshirtsoff]

more like Rafa's daily march to physio I'm afraid...

 

[letstakeourshirtsoff]

Nadal strategically tanked Sunshine Double to come back in full strength on clay.

He will sweep clay season as usual and get 5500 points minimum with Roland Garros + 3 Masters and Barcelona just for fun. By winning that he will take back number 1 crown for the rest of season.

Fedr gonna win 3 slams this year so no; no #1 for Bull I'm afraid

 

[Tennisanity]

I'm sure Federer will play Dubai.

Your tennis knowledge knows no bounds.

 

[Smasher08]

Nadal strategically tanked Sunshine Double to come back in full strength on clay.

He will sweep clay season as usual and get 5500 points minimum with Roland Garros + 3 Masters and Barcelona just for fun.

Possibly.

But one of two things will happen: either Nads comes back at 100% and makes like Fed did on grass last year, or this hip injury is really serious and potentially career-ending.

To the real Nadal fans: my condolences, it's brutal to watch your guy go through this with no guarantee he'll return. Hopefully like Fedr he'll come back strong and treat us all to more chapters of record-defining tennis.

 

[Smasher08]

I'll answer it again - he has no major challengers on clay. Any loss would be a major upset.

Just as with Rogr, Rfa's greatest challenger is Father Time, who unfortunately has an even more perfect record than Fedal x 10,000,000.

Whenever that loss does happen it'll be majorly upsetting, no ifs ands or buts.

But hopefully not for quite a while.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Just as with Rogr, Rfa's greatest challenger is Father Time, who unfortunately has an even more perfect record than Fedal x 10,000,000.

Whenever that loss does happen it'll be majorly upsetting, no ifs ands or buts.

But hopefully not for quite a while.

Hopefully - I wish we could reset Djoker, Fed & Rafa's aged back to 19 and do it all over again - they will be missed.

 

[Plamen1234]

Nadal strategically tanked Sunshine Double to come back in full strength on clay.

He will sweep clay season as usual and get 5500 points minimum with Roland Garros + 3 Masters and Barcelona just for fun. By winning that he will take back number 1 crown for the rest of season.

This depends on Federer actually.If he wins the sunshine double then Nadal cant overtake him on clay season even if he wins every tournament

 

[titoelcolombiano]

So # 1 is back on Monday - hopefully 31 Masters to follow in April and 17 majors in June

 

[tennisaddict]

I am hoping Thiem, Schwartzman, Goffin, Chung and Delpo would offer resistance to Nadal at least this time around.

 

[clayqueen]

I am hoping Thiem, Schwartzman, Goffin, Chung and Delpo would offer resistance to Nadal at least this time around.

They can try. Their only hope is an unfit Rafa and fingers crossed, he won't have any injury issues for the foreseeable future.

 

[clayqueen]

This depends on Federer actually.If he wins the sunshine double then Nadal cant overtake him on clay season even if he wins every tournament

In the end, it was Delpo and Kokk who decided Fed's fate.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Thiem to peak and show Rafa who the true “king of clay” is.


In my dreams.

 

[tennisaddict]

They can try. Their only hope is an unfit Rafa and fingers crossed, he won't have any injury issues for the foreseeable future.

Nadal was vulnerable in 2014-15

I am hoping things work out for Thiem and Chung

 

[Deleted member 688153]

They can try. Their only hope is an unfit Rafa and fingers crossed, he won't have any injury issues for the foreseeable future.

Indeed. He will surely win forever.

 

[Pagoo]

Indeed. He will surely win forever.

When is Rafa ever "unfit" on clay though?

 

[Deleted member 688153]

When is Rafa ever "unfit" on clay though?

Never.

But all good things must come to an end

 

[Pagoo]

Never.

But all good things must come to an end

Can we get an amen?

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Rafa to kick some srious tushy, expect him to dominate, win RG 18 and break masters record.

 

[Backspin1183]

Return to #1 must also motivate him to peform as good as he can on clay again. Playing Queens should also help his Wimbledon chances.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Rafa, the undisputed solar eclipse # 1

 

[fmadej]

Well, #1 basically fall into his lap, but to keep it he has to have a great clay season again. Time for Nadal to go to work

 

[Sudacafan]

Has Rafa confirmed he is playing Monte-Carlo?

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Well, #1 basically fall into his lap, but to keep it he has to have a great clay season again. Time for Nadal to go to work

It's probably more accurate to say that he is # 1 because he currently holds two slams and two M1000 titles and the closest is Fed who currently holds two slams and one M1000 title.

 

[Plamen1234]

It's probably more accurate to say that he is # 1 because he currently holds two slams and two M1000 titles and the closest is Fed who currently holds two slams and one M1000 title.

I dont think so.Federer lost the first position because he choked against Del Potro in the 10th game of the 3rd set.I expect Nadal to keep the number one position until the hard court season and then we will see can he defends the points there.He have over 3k to defend

 

[clayqueen]

When is Rafa ever "unfit" on clay though?

Rafa was unfit on clay in 2009, 2015 & 2016.

 

[Pagoo]

Rafa was unfit on clay in 2009, 2015 & 2016.

Sure, sure. We believe you.

 

[clayqueen]

I dont think so.Federer lost the first position because he choked against Del Potro in the 10th game of the 3rd set.I expect Nadal to keep the number one position until the hard court season and then we will see can he defends the points there.He have over 3k to defend

Will Federer defend Wimbledon? Last year Dolgo didn't turn up in the 1st round sparking a call for a change in the rules about players playing knowing they are unfit just to get the prize money. Then in the final, Cilic was in a state, crying like a 5yr old throughout the match so Roger had the title handed to him on a plate. Maybe he'll be lucky again this year but we shall see.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Return to # 1 - check
31 M1000 titles - check
bring on RG and # 17

Vamos!

 

[Plamen1234]

@titoelcolombiano - Instead of 31 M1000 in the title it should be 33 because this is how many Masters 1000 he will have before RG

 

[Feather]

Will Federer defend Wimbledon? Last year Dolgo didn't turn up in the 1st round sparking a call for a change in the rules about players playing knowing they are unfit just to get the prize money. Then in the final, Cilic was in a state, crying like a 5yr old throughout the match so Roger had the title handed to him on a plate. Maybe he'll be lucky again this year but we shall see.

The audacity is mind blowing.

In the last ten - fifteen years, I have not seen a cup cake draw than US Open 2017.. and you talking about Roger's luck.

 

[clayqueen]

The audacity is mind blowing.

In the last ten - fifteen years, I have not seen a cup cake draw than US Open 2017.. and you talking about Roger's luck.

Cupcake draw at the USO? You cannot be serious. Didn't Rafa have to beat Delpo in the SF after Delpo beat Roger in the QF?

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Cupcake draw at the USO? You cannot be serious. Didn't Rafa have to beat Delpo in the SF after Delpo beat Roger in the QF?

So, there are no cupcake draws?

Good.

I will hold you to your words next time you start singing another tune.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Cupcake draw at the USO? You cannot be serious. Didn't Rafa have to beat Delpo in the SF after Delpo beat Roger in the QF?

He didn’t have to face a single top 25 player.

If that’s not a cupcake draw then nothing is.

 

[clayqueen]

He didn’t have to face a single top 25 player.

If that’s not a cupcake draw then nothing is.

Federer couldn't even beat a player ranked #28.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Federer couldn't even beat a player ranked #28.

Federer was foolish for playing Montreal, he hurt his back and pretty much exhausted himself before USO.

Hopefully he’s smarter this time.

 

[clayqueen]

Federer was foolish for playing Montreal, he hurt his back and pretty much exhausted himself before USO.

Hopefully he’s smarter this time.

Federer is foolish to stay on tour if he can't hack it on clay.

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Federer is foolish to stay on tour he can't hack it on clay.

He’s won 3 of the 5 last slams...

Lmao, you let hatred of a player blind you, I don’t really like Nadal but people who bash him as a player are deluded.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Federer couldn't even beat a player ranked #28.

That is OK.

He was 36 and met an in form #28.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

Federer is foolish to stay on tour he can't hack it on clay.

That is why he isn't playing clay, but then the likes of you blast him for not playing.

What would Nadal's standing have been, if Federer had stopped!!!

Ouch

 

[clayqueen]

He’s won 3 of the 5 last slams...

Lmao, you let hatred of a player blind you, I don’t really like Nadal but people who bash him as a player are deluded.

Well, why can't Fedfans be happy with that? Why do they have to rubbish Nadal's achievements in order to feel good about Federer?

 

[Deleted member 756486]

Well, why can't Fedfans be happy with that? Why do they have to rubbish Nadal's achievements in order to feel good about Federer?

Nadal and Djokovic fans do the same, it’s just casual fanboyism, happens with all fans of any sport star. Federer and Nadal fans are actually really nice to each other when compared to Messi and Ronaldo fans...

Most people here have a favorite but can appreciate both players while we have them, such as me.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Well here we are - one more game and Rafa has ticked off my bucket list in this thread:

32 masters
Return to # 1
just need that 17th GS title

One more win and Rafa has held serve on clay in terms of defending ranking points, then the pressure will shift to Fed at Wimby.

With Rafa playing Stuttgart and likely Queens this year, he could effectively defend his 180 Wimbledon points from 2017 before arriving at Wimbledon - then all of the points at Wimby are gravy.

 

[Sudacafan]

Rafa has done brilliantly.
Nuff said.

 

[Sudacafan]

Rafa playing on clay: the inevitability of the final result.

 

[Backspin1183]

Well here we are - one more game and Rafa has ticked off my bucket list in this thread:

32 masters
Return to # 1
just need that 17th GS title

One more win and Rafa has held serve on clay in terms of defending ranking points, then the pressure will shift to Fed at Wimby.

With Rafa playing Stuttgart and likely Queens this year, he could effectively defend his 180 Wimbledon points from 2017 before arriving at Wimbledon - then all of the points at Wimby are gravy.

Wait. Is Rafa playing Stuttgart this year? Isn't Federer also playing this event? Not sure if a good idea to play both Stuttgart and Queens. But, what an event it would be for Stuttgart to have both Nadal and Federer.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Wait. Is Rafa playing Stuttgart this year? Isn't Federer also playing this event? Not sure if a good idea to play both Stuttgart and Queens. But, what an event it would be for Stuttgart to have both Nadal and Federer.

I'd heard rumours but just checked the line-up and it doesn't appear he will compete. I agree with you, it is a good decision as he needs to rest after a long clay season. It looks like Rafa will play Queens and Fed will play Stuttgart & Halle.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Return to # 1 - check
31 M1000 titles - check (32 now)
17 slam titles - check

end thread