ESPN showed average spin rate of Nadal's forehand in the Verdasco match at IW.
He started match with about 3000 rpm (1st game), then it went up like ~3200 rpm during 2nd set.
And ESPN also showed the average was (only) ~3000 rpm in entire Mueller match (but it is hard to gauge since it was very windy day).
These seems to be low. Verdasco started the match at ~3200 rpm in 1st game.
Nadal before 2014 used to hit 3300-3400 rpm AFAIK. and clocked at 5000 rpm at peak.
Would this be one of key reasons why Nadal is still struggling to find a form?
Maybe this is why other players attacking Nadal with much more ease?
I think this is consistent with Santoro's comments in January that Nadal is trying add more spin.
He started match with about 3000 rpm (1st game), then it went up like ~3200 rpm during 2nd set.
And ESPN also showed the average was (only) ~3000 rpm in entire Mueller match (but it is hard to gauge since it was very windy day).
These seems to be low. Verdasco started the match at ~3200 rpm in 1st game.
Nadal before 2014 used to hit 3300-3400 rpm AFAIK. and clocked at 5000 rpm at peak.
Would this be one of key reasons why Nadal is still struggling to find a form?
Maybe this is why other players attacking Nadal with much more ease?
I think this is consistent with Santoro's comments in January that Nadal is trying add more spin.