The Age of Nadal

[wangs78]

Now that it is generally agreed that it is just a matter of time when Nadal reaches #1, it would be interesting to see how he handles his new ranking. Will he hold it for a long period of time (2+ years), or has he hit his peak in 2008 and have a less spectacular year in 2009? Even though I'm a big Fed fan, I think it's an interesting time now, to be on the verge of seeing how Nadal would handle himself as the #1. He definitely has that aura of invincibility that Fed has had for the last 4 years.

However long this Age of Nadal lasts, I think it's actually good for the sport as it is kind of a new Golden Age for the sport, with at least a couple (Nadal and Fed) of all-time greats playing high quality tennis. I was getting a bit tired of diehard Fed fans coming up with excuses for him all the time. He's had a good year by most standards, but his confidence is definitely pretty low right now. I hope he comes back to break the all-time GS record.

 

[Swissv2]

Hope its not a short Golden Age.

 

[cknobman]

Im going to say that Nadal will peak next year and then decline in 2010 losing number one by Wimbledon.

Father time catches everyone and Nadals physical game highly dependent on movement and court coverage will be affected more quickly than most realize.

 

[TheTruth]

I hope he's able to have a career that suits him and allows him to pause in his old age and say, I did what I set out to do.

 

[RoddickistheMan]

I think he wont be as dominant as federer. This is evident just by watching his matches. His court craft and shot making ability right now doesn't allow him to completely dominate his opponents like fed did when he was in his prime. I think nadal believe it or not still has a tough time with hard hitting opponents. An example of this was seen in his match with ernest gulbis at wimbledon for the first set gulbis hit him off the court. I think nadal will be a great number one player however hes more vulnerable than federer due to his style of play.

 

[TheTruth]

I think he wont be as dominant as federer. This is evident just by watching his matches. His court craft and shot making ability right now doesn't allow him to completely dominate his opponents like fed did when he was in his prime. I think nadal believe it or not still has a tough time with hard hitting opponents. An example of this was seen in his match with ernest gulbis at wimbledon for the first set gulbis hit him off the court. I think nadal will be a great number one player however hes more vulnerable than federer due to his style of play.

I don't think he will be as dominant as Federer either, because he won't have the luxury of playing old, burnt out, injured players and inexperienced newbies for his level of competition. Nope, he's going to get healthy peers who are nowhere near burnout and the newcomers are closer to his own age. Some would say rotten luck, but I think a champion is judged by the level of his competition. That will the knock on Federer's legacy for years to come!

 

[cknobman]

I don't think he will be as dominant as Federer either, because he won't have the luxury of playing old, burnt out, injured players and inexperienced newbies for his level of competition. Nope, he's going to get healthy peers who are nowhere near burnout and the newcomers are closer to his own age. Some would say rotten luck, but I think a champion is judged by the level of his competition. That will the knock on Federer's legacy for years to come!

That was about the most nearsighted, shallow, uneducated post Ive ever seen from you. Way below where I thought your repect for Fed and Nadal much less tennis in general were.

 

[JohnnySpot]

I don't think he will be as dominant as Federer either, because he won't have the luxury of playing old, burnt out, injured players and inexperienced newbies for his level of competition. Nope, he's going to get healthy peers who are nowhere near burnout and the newcomers are closer to his own age. Some would say rotten luck, but I think a champion is judged by the level of his competition. That will the knock on Federer's legacy for years to come!

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

I guess it sucks for your favorite player then, eh?

 

[r2473]

The Age of Nadal?

He's 22.

....

 

[2nd_Serve]

I think he may go for a year, maybe two. THen just drop.

 

[Nadal-GOAT]

Is there anyone who has a winning record over Nadal? Who is the person that Nadal has lost the most to? For example, Sampras lost to Agassi 16 times, and Agassi lost to Sampras 20 times, a nice rivalry, close to even. Nadal lost to Federer 6 times, and Federer lost to Nadal 12 times. Anyone else Nadal lost to multiple times? What is the win-loss record?

 

[TheTruth]

That was about the most nearsighted, shallow, uneducated post Ive ever seen from you. Way below where I thought your repect for Fed and Nadal much less tennis in general were.

Look, the field is what it is. It's not Federer's fault, but it's the truth anyhow.

 

[shawn1122]

Is there anyone who has a winning record over Nadal? Who is the person that Nadal has lost the most to? For example, Sampras lost to Agassi 16 times, and Agassi lost to Sampras 20 times, a nice rivalry, close to even. Nadal lost to Federer 6 times, and Federer lost to Nadal 12 times. Anyone else Nadal lost to multiple times? What is the win-loss record?

Nadal was at one point owned by Blake on hard courts, but now with Blake declining and Nadal on the rise towards his peak even that isn't a big deal. Nadal has a great win-loss record against every player, the problem is he always finds some random player to lose to at the Australian and US Opens. Not necessarily a player who he eventually loses to repeatedly, just a player that's on fire that he cannot handle.

 

[TheTruth]

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

I guess it sucks for your favorite player then, eh?

No, because I don't get off on identifying with Nadal's achievements. I don't like him because he wins. I like him because of his character, unless his character changes, I will be a happy camper unlike many fair weather fans who are only along for the ride. When you find a post of mine that disputes this view, post it for the board to see in an attempt to humiliate me, or you can save your fingers and quit posting silly comments, they only reveal much about your mental state.

 

[shawn1122]

I don't think he will be as dominant as Federer either, because he won't have the luxury of playing old, burnt out, injured players and inexperienced newbies for his level of competition. Nope, he's going to get healthy peers who are nowhere near burnout and the newcomers are closer to his own age. Some would say rotten luck, but I think a champion is judged by the level of his competition. That will the knock on Federer's legacy for years to come!

I don't know what knowledge of tennis history you have that allows you to say this, but I think you are way off. The field Federer had to play was far from a weak one. Roddick, Hewitt and Safin in their prime were absolutely no joke at all and no worse than any of the good players of the past. Federer was just a step above them. He was never a step above Nadal, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that Nadal's game is tailored to take advantage of Federer's few weaknesses. If I had a game where my only weakness was a huge topspin ball to my backhand that only one player in the world could hit, I'd be pretty happy.

 

[falcon12]

If Nadal finally get the number 1 this year(which won't be as easy as many people think).He will be a very deserved number 1 but I don't think either he'll be as dominant as federer because of his style of play.
Anyway Nadal has proven all wrong many times,so everything from him is expected.

 

[deme08]

That was about the most nearsighted, shallow, uneducated post Ive ever seen from you. Way below where I thought your repect for Fed and Nadal much less tennis in general were.

I don't know what knowledge of tennis history you have that allows you to say this, but I think you are way off. The field Federer had to play was far from a weak one. Roddick, Hewitt and Safin in their prime were absolutely no joke at all and no worse than any of the good players of the past. Federer was just a step above them. He was never a step above Nadal, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that Nadal's game is tailored to take advantage of Federer's few weaknesses. If I had a game where my only weakness was a huge topspin ball to my backhand that only one player in the world could hit, I'd be pretty happy.

No need to take that "TheTruth" chick seriously, she obviously has no idea whatsoever about tennis. She is in it all for Nadal's sex appeal, which is quite shallow IMO. Who was she trying to kid naming herself "TheTruth" lol.

 

[TheTruth]

I don't know what knowledge of tennis history you have that allows you to say this, but I think you are way off. The field Federer had to play was far from a weak one. Roddick, Hewitt and Safin in their prime were absolutely no joke at all and no worse than any of the good players of the past. Federer was just a step above them. He was never a step above Nadal, but a lot of that has to do with the fact that Nadal's game is tailored to take advantage of Federer's few weaknesses. If I had a game where my only weakness was a huge topspin ball to my backhand that only one player in the world could hit, I'd be pretty happy.

We disagree then. I think it's a weak field as I've stated numerous times.

 

[TheTruth]

No need to take that "TheTruth" chick seriously, she obviously has no idea whatsoever about tennis. She is in it all for Nadal's sex appeal, which is quite shallow IMO. Who was she trying to kid naming herself "TheTruth" lol.

I do tell the truth and you know it. That's why you're mad. You're always coming after me. It's funny!

 

[wangs78]

I do tell the truth and you know it. That's why you're mad. You're always coming after me. It's funny!

If you are a girl you should post your picture as your avatar so we can see if you are hot or not =p

 

[Hot Sauce]

Hope its not a short Golden Age.

That's what SHE said.

 

[TheTruth]

If you are a girl you should post your picture as your avatar so we can see if you are hot or not =p

You're a male? And no I won't post my picture. You know how many loonies there are in the world. Trust me when I say I'm hot. I always tell the truth!

 

[MichaelNadal]

Its a great time to be a tennis fan.

 

[TheTruth]

Its a great time to be a tennis fan.

Love your avatar. Too cute!

 

[bbzz24]

He's had a good year by most standards, but his confidence is definitely pretty low right now..

help me understand 'most standards': he won in estoril (davydenko retired) and in halle (def. Kohlschreiber). his advancement in all other tournements was much more down to his ranking than anything else.

his mind is not on court, yet his anger and frustration with his play clearly are. is he back to his emotional rollercoaster days? it looks so.

if he sorts himself out mentally he can once again be the greatest and for at least 32 he can be up there due to the efortless style of play he used to practice in 2004-2007.

 

[Tarsier]

If you are a girl you should post your picture as your avatar so we can see if you are hot or not =p

If you are a boy you should post your picture a-la Verdasco-Robredo-Lopez Cosmo style as your avatar so we can see if you are hot or not =p

 

[Deleted member 21996]

You're a male? And no I won't post my picture. You know how many loonies there are in the world. Trust me when I say I'm hot. I always tell the truth!

Take this as lightly as you can since it is a joke ans it is suposed to make you have a laugh. but... have you looked at your sig?

 

[cknobman]

help me understand 'most standards': he won in estoril (davydenko retired) and in halle (def. Kohlschreiber). his advancement in all other tournements was much more down to his ranking than anything else.

his mind is not on court, yet his anger and frustration with his play clearly are. is he back to his emotional rollercoaster days? it looks so.

if he sorts himself out mentally he can once again be the greatest and for at least 32 he can be up there due to the efortless style of play he used to practice in 2004-2007.

Are you mentally hadicapped or something? LMAO "his advancement in all other tournaments was much more down to his ranking than anything else"???????

Yeah I would be ashamed of myself if I only managed to make 1 Grandslam semifinal, 2 grandslam finals, and 2 master series finals in a year. And yeah he got there only because of the fact he was already ranked #1, not like he had to WIN any matches.

LOL what a fool!

 

[BallzofSkill]

i don't think there will be an 'age of nadal' like there was a federer era. nadal will have to share the limelight with many rising stars. he won't be able to dominate the way federer has the last 4 years.

 

[The balls in your court.]

i don't think there will be an 'age of nadal' like there was a federer era. nadal will have to share the limelight with many rising stars. he won't be able to dominate the way federer has the last 4 years.

You are right he will be able to dominate even more.

 

[BallzofSkill]

You are right he will be able to dominate even more.

nah, he'll continue to dominate on the surface that no one else really cares about(clay) and do well on grass and hardcourts, but he won't go on streaks like federer did. I would even say that this is and will be his best year. It's all downhill from here.

 

[The balls in your court.]

nah, he'll continue to dominate on the surface that no one else really cares about(clay) and do well on grass and hardcourts, but he won't go on streaks like federer did. I would even say that this is and will be his best year. It's all downhill from here.

LOL....*******s have been saying that for four years now....and every year you are proved wrong.

 

[BallzofSkill]

LOL....*******s have been saying that for four years now....and every year you are proved wrong.

it's been true the last 4 years LOL. The year that federer is sick and nadal actually manages to win something besides RG. It's been a good and lucky year for nadal.

 

[The balls in your court.]

it's been true the last 4 years LOL. The year that federer is sick and nadal actually manages to win something besides RG. It's been a good and lucky year for nadal.

Actually I thought Fed was lucky to win last year. In any event Nadal is going to do something that Federer never will: WIN ON EVERY SURFACE.

Nadals chances of a caree slam are a hundred times better than Feds.

 

[tbini87]

Actually I thought Fed was lucky to win last year. In any event Nadal is going to do something that Federer never will: WIN ON EVERY SURFACE.

Nadals chances of a caree slam are a hundred times better than Feds.

i agree only because nadal is so dominant on clay. if nadal gets hurt before RG do you think fed wins it? i think that is about the only way fed will get a win on every surface.

however, i don't think nadal getting a career slam will be very easy for him. there are a lot of solid players he has to face on hard courts... where he doesn't exactly shine.

 

[cknobman]

Actually I thought Fed was lucky to win last year. In any event Nadal is going to do something that Federer never will: WIN ON EVERY SURFACE.

Nadals chances of a caree slam are a hundred times better than Feds.

Take off you rose colored glasses my friend. Nadal is far from having a hundred time better chance of getting the carrer slam, heck his chances arent even as good as Feds. Its pretty simple when you look at it. True Nadal is on a hot streak but the reality is that Nadal is far from the 1st or 2nd best hard court player out there right now and has never done squat at the USO. Now take Fed who is easily the 2nd best clay court player now and has been for 3 years. If anything ever happens to Nadal at FO time like an upset, injury, etc. you can just about count on Fed winning the FO. Now if Fed is out of the USO picture Nadal still has a handful of other players that are considerably better than him on hardcourts.

 

[TheTruth]

Take this as lightly as you can since it is a joke ans it is suposed to make you have a laugh. but... have you looked at your sig?

Very funny!.....

 

[The balls in your court.]

Take off you rose colored glasses my friend. Nadal is far from having a hundred time better chance of getting the carrer slam, heck his chances arent even as good as Feds. Its pretty simple when you look at it. True Nadal is on a hot streak but the reality is that Nadal is far from the 1st or 2nd best hard court player out there right now and has never done squat at the USO. Now take Fed who is easily the 2nd best clay court player now and has been for 3 years. If anything ever happens to Nadal at FO time like an upset, injury, etc. you can just about count on Fed winning the FO. Now if Fed is out of the USO picture Nadal still has a handful of other players that are considerably better than him on hardcourts.

Fed winning the FO??? Its been 10 years now that he has been trying.....give up!

Now even if your ******* prayers were answered and something happened to Nadal it would not matter as his fragile mind has now been stomped on. He wont be back....he is on his way to burn out...the writing is on the wall......and if he loses at the USO this year I predict feds career will be over...he will just quit.

 

[BallzofSkill]

Actually I thought Fed was lucky to win last year. In any event Nadal is going to do something that Federer never will: WIN ON EVERY SURFACE.

Nadals chances of a caree slam are a hundred times better than Feds.

nah, that's part of the game and both were very healthy. this year mono kept fed from hoisting at least 2 of the 3 slams, if novak deserved aussie O federer would have at least had wimby if not for sickness that surely delayed his forum. so it's this year that 'luck' had the most to do with whoever was hoisting the trophy. let's face it, nadal's been very lucky to have such a good year. LOL.

 

[cknobman]

Fed winning the FO??? Its been 10 years now that he has been trying.....give up!

Now even if your ******* prayers were answered and something happened to Nadal it would not matter as his fragile mind has now been stomped on. He wont be back....he is on his way to burn out...the writing is on the wall......and if he loses at the USO this year I predict feds career will be over...he will just quit.

Again you missed the point of my post. I dont think Fed has a good chance of winning the FO.

The point of the post was that Nadal's chances of winning the USO are less than Feds chances of winning the FO and thats just plain reality. Until Nadal is clearly one of the 3 best hard court players you simply have no argument.

 

[Nadal_Freak]

Take off you rose colored glasses my friend. Nadal is far from having a hundred time better chance of getting the carrer slam, heck his chances arent even as good as Feds. Its pretty simple when you look at it. True Nadal is on a hot streak but the reality is that Nadal is far from the 1st or 2nd best hard court player out there right now and has never done squat at the USO. Now take Fed who is easily the 2nd best clay court player now and has been for 3 years. If anything ever happens to Nadal at FO time like an upset, injury, etc. you can just about count on Fed winning the FO. Now if Fed is out of the USO picture Nadal still has a handful of other players that are considerably better than him on hardcourts.

Are you serious? Fed is the third favorite now at the FO. Djokovic had quite a showing this year and he'll only get better. The age is another factor as Nadal will have many more chances to win the career slam. Fed's time is ticking.

 

[wangs78]

help me understand 'most standards': he won in estoril (davydenko retired) and in halle (def. Kohlschreiber). his advancement in all other tournements was much more down to his ranking than anything else.

his mind is not on court, yet his anger and frustration with his play clearly are. is he back to his emotional rollercoaster days? it looks so.

if he sorts himself out mentally he can once again be the greatest and for at least 32 he can be up there due to the efortless style of play he used to practice in 2004-2007.

Agree with your 2nd and 3rd paragraphs. By most standards I mean any other player would be very happy to have made it to the Aussie semi's, FO final and Wimby final and be #2 in the ATP race. Anyone except him, and of course Nadal himself.

 

[wangs78]

You're a male? And no I won't post my picture. You know how many loonies there are in the world. Trust me when I say I'm hot. I always tell the truth!

Yes, I'm a doooood. If I'm a dude and you're a dame, what say we...... never mind.

I'll grow up now. =)

 

[Nadal_Freak]

Yes, I'm a doooood. If I'm a dude and you're a dame, what say we...... never mind.

I'll grow up now. =)

A lot of messed up guys in this worlds so I don't think she will take that chance. Nothing wrong with that thought though.