sbengte
G.O.A.T.
We are in the middle of yet another Nadal comeback and it has to be noted that the similarities between these comebacks are quite striking except that this one took a while longer than expected (but was never in doubt). All this while when some of us said it is only confidence that Nadal lacks and nothing else, people vehemently tried to deny it attributing it to decline, injury, loss of stamina etc saying 'this time is different'. So FWIW, here is the regular pattern, in case anyone has missed it. It is all about confidence and nothing else.
The 2010 comeback :
RG shock by Soderling in 2009-
Took several months to recover from that loss, skipping Wimbledon.
Various injury rumors from knee to stomach muscle tear.
Played poorly for the rest of the year (didn't win a single match at the WTF).
Many said he was done.
Once the clay season began, things suddenly started falling in place and his confidence was back. Fed,Murray,Djoker being in a slump helped a bit and he made the most of it and went from strength to strength sweeping the clay season, Wimbledon and USO.
The 2013 comeback :
Shock Wimbledon 2012 loss to Rosol in R2
Vague unconfirmed reports of knee injury etc
Sat out for the rest of the year including Olympics and then AO 2013.
Many said they'll believe he'll come back to the tour only when he enters a tournament.
Started slow on the 2013 SA clay , began notching up wins and picking up confidence. Was vulnerable due to lack of confidence in the initial stages, but there weren't too many players that could take advantage. Had some things falling into place with the draws and schedules and went on to win IW and Miami. Once he got on a roll, there was no stopping him and beast mode was unlocked. He outlasted Djokovic in the 5 set RG SF marathon even as his opponent had run out of stamina in the fifth set. With that momentum he went to sweep the summer HC season including the USO.
The 2016 comeback:
Shock loss to Wawrinka at AO '14
Losing to all and sundry on all surfaces, even clay
All time career lows losing to Fog after being two sets up at USO'15
Media and fans routinely talk of injury though 2015 is his only known injury-free year on record.
Most people said he is Finnish and there is an age related decline in his movement and stamina.
Tries to put together a string of good wins but is stopped by Djokovic on a couple of occasions.
Wins MC ceasing the opportunity after Djoker makes an early exit, with good wins over Stan,Murray,Monf
Wins Barcelona.
No stamina issues, no decline in movement now that his confidence is back. Looks invincible against everyone (but Djoker, since they haven't met on clay). They say the serve is a problem, but is already showing signs of improvement in Barcelona.
It will be fascinating to see what he goes on to do this clay season , if he will raise his level enough to beat Djoker with his new found confidence and if it will all culminate in RG #10 now that his clay aura is back. The next few weeks will tell.
(And can RG #10 propel him to something at Wimbledon this year ? I'm sounding like bullzie aka tennis commentator with that, but it is something to think about)
The 2010 comeback :
RG shock by Soderling in 2009-
Took several months to recover from that loss, skipping Wimbledon.
Various injury rumors from knee to stomach muscle tear.
Played poorly for the rest of the year (didn't win a single match at the WTF).
Many said he was done.
Once the clay season began, things suddenly started falling in place and his confidence was back. Fed,Murray,Djoker being in a slump helped a bit and he made the most of it and went from strength to strength sweeping the clay season, Wimbledon and USO.
The 2013 comeback :
Shock Wimbledon 2012 loss to Rosol in R2
Vague unconfirmed reports of knee injury etc
Sat out for the rest of the year including Olympics and then AO 2013.
Many said they'll believe he'll come back to the tour only when he enters a tournament.
Started slow on the 2013 SA clay , began notching up wins and picking up confidence. Was vulnerable due to lack of confidence in the initial stages, but there weren't too many players that could take advantage. Had some things falling into place with the draws and schedules and went on to win IW and Miami. Once he got on a roll, there was no stopping him and beast mode was unlocked. He outlasted Djokovic in the 5 set RG SF marathon even as his opponent had run out of stamina in the fifth set. With that momentum he went to sweep the summer HC season including the USO.
The 2016 comeback:
Shock loss to Wawrinka at AO '14
Losing to all and sundry on all surfaces, even clay
All time career lows losing to Fog after being two sets up at USO'15
Media and fans routinely talk of injury though 2015 is his only known injury-free year on record.
Most people said he is Finnish and there is an age related decline in his movement and stamina.
Tries to put together a string of good wins but is stopped by Djokovic on a couple of occasions.
Wins MC ceasing the opportunity after Djoker makes an early exit, with good wins over Stan,Murray,Monf
Wins Barcelona.
No stamina issues, no decline in movement now that his confidence is back. Looks invincible against everyone (but Djoker, since they haven't met on clay). They say the serve is a problem, but is already showing signs of improvement in Barcelona.
It will be fascinating to see what he goes on to do this clay season , if he will raise his level enough to beat Djoker with his new found confidence and if it will all culminate in RG #10 now that his clay aura is back. The next few weeks will tell.
(And can RG #10 propel him to something at Wimbledon this year ? I'm sounding like bullzie aka tennis commentator with that, but it is something to think about)
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