The Evolution of Nadal's game.

[onehandbh]

He's never been one of my favorite players to watch, but
the improvement of his game over the years is impressive.

- He's hitting his serve much harder now and with good placement. It's no longer easily attackable.

- He takes the ball earlier now and isn't always so far behind
the baseline. He's able to dictate a lot more points now.

- With his FH he can literally hit any spot from anywhere.

- His volleys are very effective. His transition game to the
net is much better. He's not as susceptible to the low slices
anymore.

- He hasn't lost any of his competitive fierceness. Many
thought he'd burn out. In this sense, he's a bit like Jordan
or Kobe. You can never rule them out. He will do everything
within the rules (and outside) and whatever it takes to win.

Seems like eventually he'll win the US Open b/c it's getting
harder and harder to hit him off of the court now and
increasingly difficult to play a high risk game long enough to
beat him.

 

[Serendipitous]

The Evolution of Nadal's Knees:

1986:

2004: :neutral:

2006: :evil:

2009:

 

[AlpineCadet]

The Evolution of Nadal's Knees:

1986:

2004: :neutral:

2006: :evil:

2009:

That's hilarious!

 

[meg0529]

He's never been one of my favorite players to watch, but
the improvement of his game over the years is impressive.

- He's hitting his serve much harder now and with good placement. It's no longer easily attackable.

- He takes the ball earlier now and isn't always so far behind
the baseline. He's able to dictate a lot more points now.

- With his FH he can literally hit any spot from anywhere.

- His volleys are very effective. His transition game to the
net is much better. He's not as susceptible to the low slices
anymore.

- He hasn't lost any of his competitive fierceness. Many
thought he'd burn out. In this sense, he's a bit like Jordan
or Kobe. You can never rule them out. He will do everything
within the rules (and outside) and whatever it takes to win.

Seems like eventually he'll win the US Open b/c it's getting
harder and harder to hit him off of the court now and
increasingly difficult to play a high risk game long enough to
beat him.

Ah I had been searching for something like this. I absolutely agree. I also think his backhand has changed a good amount. Some backhand shots of his from 2008 has his body in really awkward positioning, and now I think he does it with more fluidity. A good thing if he plans on maximizing his career.

 

[Justdoit10]

The Evolution of Nadal's Knees:

1986:

2004: :neutral:

2006: :evil:

2009:

lol you are the man.

 

[sureshs]

Evolution of Nadal's butt-picking

Obvious butt-picking followed by smelling fingers

Bothered by media attention

Realizing he cannot stop doing it, starts joking about his famous ass

Stops the smelling part

Refines the picking to a quick non-commital sweep of the area relying on molecular forces between finger and textiles rather than brute force

Now doesn't care about it as he is the GOAT

 

[Serendipitous]

Obvious butt-picking followed by smelling fingers

Bothered by media attention

Realizing he cannot stop doing it, starts joking about his famous ass

Stops the smelling part

Refines the picking to a quick non-commital sweep of the area relying on molecular forces between finger and textiles rather than brute force

Now doesn't care about it as he is the GOAT

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[byealmeens]

He's never been one of my favorite players to watch, but
the improvement of his game over the years is impressive.

- He's hitting his serve much harder now and with good placement. It's no longer easily attackable.

- He takes the ball earlier now and isn't always so far behind
the baseline. He's able to dictate a lot more points now.

- With his FH he can literally hit any spot from anywhere.

- His volleys are very effective. His transition game to the
net is much better. He's not as susceptible to the low slices
anymore.

- He hasn't lost any of his competitive fierceness. Many
thought he'd burn out. In this sense, he's a bit like Jordan
or Kobe. You can never rule them out. He will do everything
within the rules (and outside) and whatever it takes to win.

Seems like eventually he'll win the US Open b/c it's getting
harder and harder to hit him off of the court now and
increasingly difficult to play a high risk game long enough to
beat him.

I agree, but I think you should add the BH to this list. His two-hander has improved quite possibly more than any other shot from ANY player over the last 5 years. I have never seen someone take a liability and turn it into such a weapon. He also added/improved the slice to increase his variety, especially on grass.

Personally, I am a Federer fan, but whether you like Nadal or not, you cannot deny how much work he's put in and what amazing strides he's made. He's gone from what some considered a mediocre player early in his creer, to a good player, to a great clay court player, and now to one of the greatest of all time.

 

[muzza123]

I've seen enough now to admit that Nadal's average 1st serve speed has definitely picked up.

He hit quite a few 127mph serves against Murray, but they were only marginally out. It seems he can now hit 120mph with ease, which certainly wasn't the case 3 years ago.

He's even managing 120mph out wide, which is HUGE progress for him.

Evolving he is.

 

[Limpinhitter]

I have a lot of admiration and respect for Nadal's game and competitiveness. But, frankly, it's sad that there are no genuine S&V'ers out there to compete for the grass court title. IMHO, neither Nadal nor Federer could consistently beat a great S&V'er (ie: Sampras, Edberg, Becker, McEnroe, etc.), on grass. Unfortunately, there aren't any around now.

 

[TennezSport]

What Grass????

But, frankly, it's sad that there are no genuine S&V'ers out there to compete for the grass court title.

What grass court, even Rafa stated that it's just like a clay court now.

Cheers, TennezSport