Rome is Not Relevant to RG

[Krish872007]

As we know, best of 5 at the French is a totally different animal, so best not to put too much stock into what happens at Rome, other than to treat it as valuable match practice / hitting practice.

And you tend to learn more from losses than victories. They provide you with all the information you need on what went wrong in terms of execution or general approach and therefore what needs to be addressed when it comes to the Big Stage.

Onwards!

 

[Beckerserve]

As we know, best of 5 at the French is a totally different animal, so best not to put too much stock into what happens at Rome, other than to treat it as valuable match practice / hitting practice.

And you tend to learn more from losses than victories. They provide you with all the information you need on what went wrong in terms of execution or general approach and therefore what needs to be addressed when it comes to the Big Stage.

Onwards!

It is more relevant this year than any year previously. There will be night matches at FO this year and Nadal cannot hit through the court at night judging off what we saw today. And the balls will be wilson type 2.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Only Rafa is relevant to RG, and Rafa is RG... so... you are correct.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

It isn’t that is true. However, maybe this will make Nadal fans a bit less confident. Rafa is still favourite but conditions and circumstances in this strange 2020 don’t suit him. He’s come off a 6 month break with very little match tennis. The first test he had and he loses.

The conditions will be colder at this RG. There is a roof now, heavier balls used and different scheduling. Djokovic and Thiem have had strong years and will be confident. If thiem lands in Nadal‘s half that would make his task harder.

Plus other players could be dangerous floaters too. I think Rafa is still favourite but not massive like other years and this might be arguably one of the toughest french open he has to overcome. It makes it more compelling though.

 

[FRV3]

Yes, I believe he lost a couple of times on clay last year before RG as well. He should be OK at least until deep in the tournament as long as he doesn't run into Schwartzmann again, because Schwartzmann always plays against Nadal hard. I believe he trains at Nadal's academy or something as well.

 

[TheNachoMan]

Only Rafa is relevant to RG, and Rafa is RG... so... you are correct.

Roland Rafa Garros

 

[duaneeo]

As we know, best of 5 at the French is a totally different animal, so best not to put too much stock into what happens at Rome, other than to treat it as valuable match practice / hitting practice.

As we also know, Nadal is 34 and not match ready.

 

[Meles]

As we know, best of 5 at the French is a totally different animal, so best not to put too much stock into what happens at Rome, other than to treat it as valuable match practice / hitting practice.

And you tend to learn more from losses than victories. They provide you with all the information you need on what went wrong in terms of execution or general approach and therefore what needs to be addressed when it comes to the Big Stage.

Onwards!

 

[Krish872007]

It is more relevant this year than any year previously. There will be night matches at FO this year and Nadal cannot hit through the court at night judging off what we saw today. And the balls will be wilson type 2.

We'll find out soon enough - all depends on Nadal and his preparation. He can be sub-par and still be fine for the first 3 or 4 rounds, which would give him the opportunity to play himself into form. Even at night under a roof (we've seen him on DC indoor clay in the past).
Obviously serving at 35% probably won't get the job done, but you almost never see those kinds of numbers from him

 

[Krish872007]

It isn’t that is true. However, maybe this will make Nadal fans a bit less confident. Rafa is still favourite but conditions and circumstances in this strange 2020 don’t suit him. He’s come off a 6 month break with very little match tennis. The first test he had and he loses.

The conditions will be colder at this RG. There is a roof now, heavier balls used and different scheduling. Djokovic and Thiem have had strong years and will be confident. If thiem lands in Nadal‘s half that would make his task harder.

Plus other players could be dangerous floaters too. I think Rafa is still favourite but not massive like other years and this might be arguably one of the toughest french open he has to overcome. It makes it more compelling though.

This is true
Don't know about Thiem though

 

[socallefty]

This is an unusual year at the FO with a lot more uncertainties…roof, fall/autumn weather that is more overcast and cooler, some players with more rust than others, no clay season except for Rome, players in a hotel bubble, Wilson balls instead of Babolat, Thiem with a Grand slam trophy under his belt, Novak turning into an angry ‘Hulk’ in every match, very few fans on only the main court etc.

Rafa is a creature of habit and it remains to be seen how he adapts. Makes me feel like the FO might throw us a few curveballs we are not expecting. Will we see the same scene at the end with Rafa biting the trophy…who knows in this crazy year?

 

[UnforcedTerror]

Bull is still the favorite but he better pray he doesn't meet Djoker.

 

[Beckerserve]

We'll find out soon enough - all depends on Nadal and his preparation. He can be sub-par and still be fine for the first 3 or 4 rounds, which would give him the opportunity to play himself into form. Even at night under a roof (we've seen him on DC indoor clay in the past).
Obviously serving at 35% probably won't get the job done, but you almost never see those kinds of numbers from him

Is it my eyes or does Rafa look a bit hunched in his back. He looks very stiff when he serves. Not much back bend.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

This is an unusual year at the FO with a lot more uncertainties…roof, fall/autumn weather that is more overcast and cooler, some players with more rust than others, no clay season except for Rome, players in a hotel bubble, Wilson balls instead of Babolat, Thiem with a Grand slam trophy under his belt, Novak turning into an angry ‘Hulk’ in every match, very few fans on only the main court etc.

Rafa is a creature of habit and it remains to be seen how he adapts. Makes me feel like the FO might throw us a few curveballs we are not expecting. Will we see the same scene at the end with Rafa biting the trophy…who knows in this crazy year?

It’s gonna be compelling viewing. The french open could be crazy this year.

 

[Beckerserve]

It’s gonna be compelling viewing. The french open could be crazy this year.

It will be. For a whole heap of reasons.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

It will be. For a whole heap of reasons.

3 potential winners. Very close between all 3. I feel there could some dangerous floaters for Nadal, Djokovic and Thiem to deal with too. Could be big upsets or very close to upsets.

 

[Standaa]

Rome, therefore irrelevant. - @Sport

 

[Krish872007]

Is it my eyes or does Rafa look a bit hunched in his back. He looks very stiff when he serves. Not much back bend.

Noticed this as well - not trying to find excuses here, but will probably put it down to rust.

 

[Beckerserve]

3 potential winners. Very close between all 3. I feel there could some dangerous floaters for Nadal, Djokovic and Thiem to deal with too. Could be big upsets or very close to upsets.

Shapolov is someone we should keep an eye on. Impressive transition to clay. Diego on that form will be tough.

 

[DSH]

Wawrinka !

 

[Bartelby]

Rafa's lost his legs, but it took a Schwartz to show that was the case even on clay.

 

[zipplock]

As we know, best of 5 at the French is a totally different animal, so best not to put too much stock into what happens at Rome, other than to treat it as valuable match practice / hitting practice.

And you tend to learn more from losses than victories. They provide you with all the information you need on what went wrong in terms of execution or general approach and therefore what needs to be addressed when it comes to the Big Stage.

Onwards!

Step 1: Rationalize
Step 2: Repeat Step 1 ...

 

[Subway Tennis]

i wonder what odds you could get on a Diamond-Age multibet of Ruud winning Rome and Thiem taking RG?

 

[Raul_SJ]

Rafa's lost his legs, but it took a Schwartz to show that was the case even on clay.

If Rafa has lost speed, that should be even more exploitable in a best of five.

But delusional Rafa fans here claiming he will do better in best of five.

 

[USO]

Thiem got crushed 6-2, 6-1 early in Cincinnati and he went on to win the USO. So who knows! I agree with those who say that this loss isn't a big deal for Rafa when it comes to the FO. He's still the favorite.

 

[Tmano]

This year Rome is relevant because it's ac crazy year!!!!

 

[MichaelNadal]

The FO will be Wrestlemania this year

 

[BeatlesFan]

Rafa's lost his legs,

No he hasn't.

 

[Sentinel]

No he hasn't.

Nole could tire himself out winning Rome.

 

[Bill Tilden]

If Rafa has lost speed, that should be even more exploitable in a best of five.

But delusional Rafa fans here claiming he will do better in best of five.

maybe he just did the loading phase in training

 

[TennisFan3]

It isn’t that is true. However, maybe this will make Nadal fans a bit less confident. Rafa is still favourite but conditions and circumstances in this strange 2020 don’t suit him. He’s come off a 6 month break with very little match tennis. The first test he had and he loses.

The conditions will be colder at this RG. There is a roof now, heavier balls used and different scheduling. Djokovic and Thiem have had strong years and will be confident. If thiem lands in Nadal‘s half that would make his task harder.

Plus other players could be dangerous floaters too. I think Rafa is still favourite but not massive like other years and this might be arguably one of the toughest french open he has to overcome. It makes it more compelling though.

Excellent post. Well summarized.

 

[-NN-]

Onwards? Please no.

 

[beard]

Rome, therefore irrelevant. - @Sport

Where is Sport?
He disappeared just like that. Hope he's ok...

 

[Nadal_King]

It is more relevant this year than any year previously. There will be night matches at FO this year and Nadal cannot hit through the court at night judging off what we saw today. And the balls will be wilson type 2.

Nadal may play 1 or at best 2 night matches and chatrier is nadal's den

 

[SonnyT]

Yep, night matches is the key, the bounces won't be as high.

May Nadal-Djokovic and Djokovic-Thiem matches all occur after 8 pm!

 

[Krish0608]

Nadal is the heavy favorite for RG unless proven otherwise. He has had multiple seasons when heading into RG after Masters losses, but has always flipped the script and won RG. RG is his fortress and it will take a hell of a performance to take sets off him, let alone win against him. But an interesting build up to the RG for sure.

 

[Hitman]

Rafa is the fav, no questions, but he is no lock for the title anymore IMO.

 

[Mike Lambresi]

Don't take anything away from Schartzman.

 

[StrongRule]

Nadal is the heavy favorite for RG unless proven otherwise. He has had multiple seasons when heading into RG after Masters losses, but has always flipped the script and won RG. RG is his fortress and it will take a hell of a performance to take sets off him, let alone win against him. But an interesting build up to the RG for sure.

Troll, yesterday you repeated like 400 times that Schwartzman will not beat Nadal. And now this?

Funniest thing is that when Djokovic loses a set (even when it's clear he will still win) you start writing how pathetic he is and so on. But when Nadal loses a match he is fine? I understand you are a Nadal hater, but everything has limits.

 

[StrongRule]

Rafa is the fav, no questions, but he is no lock for the title anymore IMO.

Is this an attempt of Djokovic fans to put less pressure? We all know Djokovic is the big favorite, probably a lock for the title. I mean, how can he not be when he lost 1 match during the year (and only because of a DQ) and won 5 of the last 8 slams?

 

[FatHead250]

Rafa looking great. Will lose to Sinner in first round

 

[Krish0608]

Troll, yesterday you repeated like 400 times that Schwartzman will not beat Nadal. And now this?

Funniest thing is that when Djokovic loses a set (even when it's clear he will still win) you start writing how pathetic he is and so on. But when Nadal loses a match he is fine? I understand you are a Nadal hater, but everything has limits.

We have seen Diego be a set and a break up on Rafa before on clay. And then he lost in 4. Nobody should ever bet against Rafa on clay. It's bloody common sense, unless you are a neurotic poster who believes in jinxes and voodoo. Rafa is still pretty much the overwhelming favorite, maybe not a 100% lock to win, like he usually is. But tomorrow in an RG final against a Nole, I will still say Rafa in 4. That's how good he is at RG. Rafa at RG is the Mt. Everest and if you were not such a troll, you would have more faith in the guy.

 

[StrongRule]

We have seen Diego be a set and a break up on Rafa before on clay. And then he lost in 4. Nobody should ever bet against Rafa on clay. It's bloody common sense, unless you are a neurotic poster who believes in jinxes and voodoo. Rafa is still pretty much the overwhelming favorite, maybe not a 100% lock to win, like he usually is. But tomorrow in an RG final against a Nole, I will still say Rafa in 4. That's how good he is at RG. Rafa at RG is the Mt. Everest and if you were not such a troll, you would have more faith in the guy.

Nadal is 34 years old. Federer was also dominating Wimbledon in his prime, but now he is being owned by Djokovic there. Nadal is not the player he once was. Djokovic won 5 of the last 8 slams and didn't lose a match this year except for a DQ. This includes a title in Rome. How can he not be the favorite?

Using your logic Nadal also should have been the favorite for RG in 2015-2016. But he clearly wasn't.

 

[Krish872007]

BUMP.

Any updated thoughts?
Chance to put the "Rome is not relevant to RG" statement to the test if Rafa makes it through to the semis for a revenge match with Diego.

 

[WildRevolver]

It’s crazy how the FO is nearing the Semifinals and we still don’t have a great sense for all the questions we had going into it. RG 2020 is the most 2020 thing that has happened in the sport this year.

 

[vladap]

try to explain that to Diego

 

[Krish872007]

It’s crazy how the FO is nearing the Semifinals and we still don’t have a great sense for all the questions we had going into it. RG 2020 is the most 2020 thing that has happened in the sport this year.

Good point - it's one of those "you only know when you know" moments

 

[Krish872007]

Sofia Kenin - double bagelled in Rome, now in her 2nd Slam final of 2020!