Toni Nadal's reason for Nadal's recent bad results: "Tennis is faster"

Silverbullet96

Silverbullet96

Hall of Fame
'We have not started the year well despite training well. Am I the reason for my nephew's problems? I think they give me too much importance and in the end, I've to thank them. (But) if I am the cause of why he plays bad, I also have to be the reason for the 14 Slams he's won. Everyone can think what they want. Nowadays people speak about things they do not know and I do not think I am the cause of why he does not win like he did before. When (Juan Carlos) Ferrero dropped (his ranking) no one looked,' said Toni, who will not accompany Rafa to Indian Wells. Francis Roig will be there instead.

Toni also gave another reason for Rafa getting bad results. 'It's not that you win or lose because of only one reason. I've clear in my mind the reasons why Nadal stopped to win like he did before. Tennis is faster. We try to be more tactical. Now, first two shots are much more important in men's tennis. Without serving very well, before, Nadal played more aggressive easily. It's not an excuse, but confidence is lacking in the important moments (now). In sports like tennis or golf, you miss two shots and your confidence slips. It's happened to Woods and Ballesteros,' said Toni, before adding, 'Other sports change to suit new players and equipments, but in tennis, leaders are reluctant to do so. For players, who have a a strategy game it's tougher. For the crowd, this tennis is better because the best points in a season are the ones that come after long rallies. It's not an excuse. Changes have not been made to favour Nadal, but so that the next generation does not play similar tennis. I do not know if Rafa can adapt to this new tennis, but we are there. Our goal is to play at a good level in the clay season.'

http://www.**************.org/Toni-...the-cause-of-his-problems-articolo30734.html?

comment_ZSzIP6MyukHzLF0OSD6MM31W6CNAZOgf.jpg

 
I observed this myself when researching the Fed vs. Nadal post. Players hit a lot harder now, especially on clay. Nadal isn't the only big hitter out there. Everybody's rocking a big fearhand or backhand. In other words, as with all great players, the game passes them by.
 
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Oh look at this: Toni thinks tennis is faster these days than before. While people have been on and on how everything is slow nowdays :rolleyes: one of the biggest myths ever.
 
Is he talking balls, courts or string technology?
either way, I'm baffled.
RF-18 said:
Oh look at this: Toni thinks tennis is faster these days than before. While people have been on and on how everything is slow nowdays :rolleyes: one of the biggest myths ever.
Click to expand...
that courts are slow these days?
funny how you take Toni's words as gospel and everyone else as fake, ND-12 :D
 
As a mere follower of the sport, I find it pretty (almost weirdly) easy to disagree with pretty much everything Toni says there.

"Tennis is faster"? Here I was thinking one of the main talking points of the game today is actually "can tennis be any slower?" Where are these players who win matches with "the first two shots"? The leader of the pack at the moment is Djokovic who mainly eats up rhythm and defends like a wall - one reason he's the best now is that he's able play aggressively when he needs to or when the chance is there. That is exactly what Nadal does when he is at his best. The second ranked player is Murray, top 10 also includes players like Ferrer, Nishkori and Gasquet.

I think the misconception here is because Nadal has been at the receiving end of some red-lining, ball-bashing performances. But it's reaching to say that it is the norm. Far from it. You can argue those performances happened partly because Nadal allowed them to happen. I don't care what era you look into, if your cross court forehand or service return bounces on the service line and sits up on the other player's hitting zone, he's going to hit it hard and you won't be able to take control of the point. And if you can't protect a lead, finish off sets etc, you have a good chance to lose. Really, can anyone attribute his recent two losses on clay to his opponents' "faster" play?

I can only sigh at his ever-repeating "long points are better" (no, and again, where are the short points?) "tactical players have it tougher" (return from the tournament sign and forehand your opponent into submission?) lines, ultimately it sounds like Toni is overlooking the obvious issue: Nadal is not playing or moving well. And hey, he's still the No.5 player. Most "one-two punch" or S&V players (not that there are many, or any) can only dream of that spot.
 
Oh my, ain't Tio totally delusional? There is a reason Rafa has eaten so many amazing power performances from heaps of different guys and that is called decline. Both mental and physical. It's about time they accept reality and really try to do something. Darker days are coming for us Rafito lovers :(
 
Silverbullet96 said:
'We have not started the year well despite training well. Am I the reason for my nephew's problems? I think they give me too much importance and in the end, I've to thank them. (But) if I am the cause of why he plays bad, I also have to be the reason for the 14 Slams he's won. Everyone can think what they want. Nowadays people speak about things they do not know and I do not think I am the cause of why he does not win like he did before. When (Juan Carlos) Ferrero dropped (his ranking) no one looked,' said Toni, who will not accompany Rafa to Indian Wells. Francis Roig will be there instead.

Toni also gave another reason for Rafa getting bad results. 'It's not that you win or lose because of only one reason. I've clear in my mind the reasons why Nadal stopped to win like he did before. Tennis is faster. We try to be more tactical. Now, first two shots are much more important in men's tennis. Without serving very well, before, Nadal played more aggressive easily. It's not an excuse, but confidence is lacking in the important moments (now). In sports like tennis or golf, you miss two shots and your confidence slips. It's happened to Woods and Ballesteros,' said Toni, before adding, 'Other sports change to suit new players and equipments, but in tennis, leaders are reluctant to do so. For players, who have a a strategy game it's tougher. For the crowd, this tennis is better because the best points in a season are the ones that come after long rallies. It's not an excuse. Changes have not been made to favour Nadal, but so that the next generation does not play similar tennis. I do not know if Rafa can adapt to this new tennis, but we are there. Our goal is to play at a good level in the clay season.'

http://www.**************.org/Toni-...the-cause-of-his-problems-articolo30734.html?

comment_ZSzIP6MyukHzLF0OSD6MM31W6CNAZOgf.jpg
Click to expand...
What an utter load of b*llocks. If Rafa was in any doubt he needed a new coach, that article is Exhibit A!!

So, basically according to Fat Boy toni its nothing to do with Nadal he is now useless but its the fault of the game being changed to suit other players?

If Rafa believes such sh*t...ill repeat the advice...RETIRE NOW!
 
There is truth in this. Ao 2012 they began to speed everything up. The ppwers did not want a repeat of that. Murray nadal and Djokovic nearly killed themselves in that sf and final. I still think some of Djokovic's struggles over 2012-2014 were due to adapting to quicker pacing.
 
swordtennis said:
There is truth in this. Ao 2012 they began to speed everything up. The ppwers did not want a repeat of that. Murray nadal and Djokovic nearly killed themselves in that sf and final. I still think some of Djokovic's struggles over 2012-2014 were due to adapting to quicker pacing.
Click to expand...

But that would mean that Nadal was doing just fine on the "faster" tour.

Having in mind 2013 and all, no?

:cool:
 
Then why the hell does he not have 7 wimbledons 5 us opens and 6 aos? Do not feed me the injury line of bull **** either.
 
swordtennis said:
There is truth in this. Ao 2012 they began to speed everything up. The ppwers did not want a repeat of that. Murray nadal and Djokovic nearly killed themselves in that sf and final. I still think some of Djokovic's struggles over 2012-2014 were due to adapting to quicker pacing.
Click to expand...
Sources??
 
Steve0904 said:
In reality, tennis is not faster. Nadal is just slower.
Click to expand...
Present day speed isn't any different to that of 2 years ago. Uncle Toni doesn't seem like the kind of guy that would just open up about Rafa and his game like this. He wants a press interview, or maybe to subtly shoot out a message to the younger guys, like Thiem who beat Nadal recently.
 
Silverbullet96 said:
"if I am the cause of why he plays bad, I also have to be the reason for the 14 Slams he's won."

I've clear in my mind the reasons why Nadal stopped to win like he did before. Tennis is faster.

Changes have not been made to favour Nadal, but so that the next generation does not play similar tennis. I
Click to expand...

Assuming this is a real quote.... MY F'ing GOD. FIRE THIS GUY RAFA.... WTF. Is he serious?!?!?!? Holy hell.
 
bjsnider said:
I observed this myself when researching the fed vs. Nadal post. Players hit a lot harder now, especially on clay. Nadal isn't the only big hitter out there. Everybody's rocking a big fearhand or backhand. In other words, as with all great players, the game passes them by.
Click to expand...

Not sure about this but haven't compared myself. Just watching in general he seems slower.
 
RF-18 said:
Oh look at this: Toni thinks tennis is faster these days than before. While people have been on and on how everything is slow nowdays :rolleyes: one of the biggest myths ever.
Click to expand...

.... are you joking right now....

like, c'mon man...
 
Sartorius said:
As a mere follower of the sport, I find it pretty (almost weirdly) easy to disagree with pretty much everything Toni says there.

"Tennis is faster"? Here I was thinking one of the main talking points of the game today is actually "can tennis be any slower?" Where are these players who win matches with "the first two shots"? The leader of the pack at the moment is Djokovic who mainly eats up rhythm and defends like a wall - one reason he's the best now is that he's able play aggressively when he needs to or when the chance is there. That is exactly what Nadal does when he is at his best. The second ranked player is Murray, top 10 also includes players like Ferrer, Nishkori and Gasquet.

I think the misconception here is because Nadal has been at the receiving end of some red-lining, ball-bashing performances. But it's reaching to say that it is the norm. Far from it. You can argue those performances happened partly because Nadal allowed them to happen. I don't care what era you look into, if your cross court forehand or service return bounces on the service line and sits up on the other player's hitting zone, he's going to hit it hard and you won't be able to take control of the point. And if you can't protect a lead, finish off sets etc, you have a good chance to lose. Really, can anyone attribute his recent two losses on clay to his opponents' "faster" play?

I can only sigh at his ever-repeating "long points are better" (no, and again, where are the short points?) "tactical players have it tougher" (return from the tournament sign and forehand your opponent into submission?) lines, ultimately it sounds like Toni is overlooking the obvious issue: Nadal is not playing or moving well. And hey, he's still the No.5 player. Most "one-two punch" or S&V players (not that there are many, or any) can only dream of that spot.
Click to expand...

excellent analysis
 
swordtennis said:
There is truth in this. Ao 2012 they began to speed everything up. The ppwers did not want a repeat of that. Murray nadal and Djokovic nearly killed themselves in that sf and final. I still think some of Djokovic's struggles over 2012-2014 were due to adapting to quicker pacing.
Click to expand...

Do you have anything to support this? Not attacking you, just asking honestly.

I see no difference in the speed at AO'12 compared to AO'15/16, Djoker was just better, Andy not quite as good.
 
swordtennis said:
Then why the hell does he not have 7 wimbledons 5 us opens and 6 aos? Do not feed me the injury line of bull **** either.
Click to expand...
To be fair he has two w and two USO which is the same as edberg so I think would qualify as an all time great fast/medium court player . The balls at w though are a joke! Have u ever felt how soft they Are? I couldn't believe it when I felt one....im talking tennis ball obviously!!
 
I think what uncle toni is trying to say here is that because of the slower surfaces, more players get the chance to take time needed to hit the ball harder (thus faster). However the bounce is still high and slow on most courts. At least I hope he means that. Else he must be tripping on some of nadals leftover needles most likely.
 
Am I the reason for my nephew's problems? I think they give me too much importance and in the end, I've to thank them. (But) if I am the cause of why he plays bad, I also have to be the reason for the 14 Slams he's won.

I stopped reading after that sentence. 14 slams is not by luck, he definitely knows more about Rafa than anybody else, who are we to criticize.
 
I don't really agree with him at all. The reality of the situation is that Rafa's game is worse across the board. Not drastically worse, mind you, but worse enough in every area that there is a full decline. He has gotten older and the evidence of this is, well, evident.

His power is down - doesn't get the same force on groundstrokes.
His serve is worse - getting broken more frequently.
His speed is declined - can't extend rallies like he used to and get in position as quickly when on offense to take advantage of rallies in which he has the advantage. Run around forehand has suffered most as a result of this.
His confidence has suffered - he struggles in the big moments of matches that he once thrived in.

Is any of this correctable? Yes... not fully correctable but the confidence is probably the biggest problem he faces, we've seen him struggle so often in big moments over the last 14 months, and that's all in his head. He can fix that. Whether he does actually fix it remains to be seen, although things don't look good or promising.

With all of this being said, again... I don't agree with Toni that the problem is that the game has changed. Rafa is the one who has changed in the last three years - he has gotten worse. There is no doubt in my mind that Rafa of 2013 would still be competing to the end of every tournament and playing dominant Tennis today. Don't believe me, go back and watch the tape. He was a different player.
 
Rafa is worse in every area now, but if it is a matter of playing faster, then just switch to a man's racket and start smacking the ball faster.
 
VexlanderPrime said:
Do you have anything to support this? Not attacking you, just asking honestly.

I see no difference in the speed at AO'12 compared to AO'15/16, Djoker was just better, Andy not quite as good.
Click to expand...
+ if anything, Andy should have an advantage on faster courts in their rivalry and he's received nothing but spankings from Djoko in the past 2 years (surgery and Lendl could have more to do with that than the court speeds, but it's an indication, court speed hasn't gone up).
 
Tio Toni should read Einstein's special theory of relativity to determine why tennis now appears "faster."

Einstein wrote in 1905 that..... "as Uncle Toni and Rafa approach the speed of light in their spaceship "The Non Compos Mentis", it appears to them as though time and reality outside their spaceship has "sped up" and is moving much faster than normal; when in reality it is their own time and reality aboard their ship that has slowed inexorably to a crawl, much like Rafa's movement around the court". *

(*taken from Einsteins "Special Theory of Relativity", chapter 7, verse 3)
 
Steve0904 said:
In reality, tennis is not faster. Nadal is just slower.
Click to expand...
And we have a winner!

My goodness. Does Tio even realize that there actually was tennis before 2000, when players had to play on ultra-fast courts (carpet!!!)? Just imagine how "well" Nadal would've performed on those...
And besides this, tennis hasn't 'changed' at all during the past decade. If Rafa was able to contend perfectly well in these circumstances during 2005 - 2012, but can't do so anymore, here's the ultimate conclusion: Nadal is aging.
Sh1te, but happens to us all.

Please, please get rid of that tio... darn what an irritating guy.
 
Oh yeah. This perfectly explains his losses to players like Cuevas and Thiem(two of the biggest and most explosive hitters the game has ever seen), on clay(clay today is much faster than Cincinatti was in 2013). Thanks for clearing that up, Toni :)
 
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