Watch Out For New Rafa Next Year!!!!

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Magnificent!

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I always find these boards amusing, how quickly the top players are written off if they are not firing on all cylinders. Federer's being written off again, this time for being too old. Admittedly, he is the oldest of the top four, but he would have beaten Djokovic at the U.S if he had been mentally tougher. I don't think Federer's strongest asset is his mental strength, I believe he was that much better than the rest of the field, his mental strength was rarely challenged.
Watch out for Nadal next year because whatever anyone says, he hasn't played as well as he is capable this year. He has been struggling with his own game and it has coincided with Djokovic finally fulfilling his potential, consistantly. Djokovic definately has the game to beat Nadal, that's obvious, but anyone who thinks Nadal won't rise to this challenge and beat Djokovic next year is very mistaken. All this talk about Nadal and Uncle Toni being tactically niave is rubbish, the problem lies in the execution. Next year, you will see a big improvement in Nadal's B/h, this will allow him to stay central on the baseline, not conceding space on his forehand side which Djokovic exploits perfectly. Improving his backhand will take more pressure off his forehand too. How many times did he miss the inside out forehand against Djokovic? he felt he had to end the point quick before Djokovic directed the rally to his backhand again. Nadal gambling? That's not his game. Nadal didn't serve that well, that will improve next year. Djokovic didn't serve well either because of his back strain. 2012 is going to be a very interesting year of tennis, Federer is definately in the mix, and Murray will step up too, but watch out for NADAL!!
 
djokovic wont dominate like he has this year. i predict that australia will be the turning point for the top 4. whoever wins will most likely go on to have a stellar season. hoping fed gets put into rafa's half so that he gets a shot at djoko in the final.
 
3rd to motion, even though I'm not a strong Nadal fan I bieleve he will have a 2010 type season. In the off season, he will work hard and get his confidence back.
 
I just don't see Nadal being particularly dominant next year. Other than Roland Garros, he's not my favorite at any major, and I don't see him winning more than a couple tournaments.
 
Rafa can dominate everyone except djoker - thats been proven this year, after USO he beat Tsonga and Gasquet in Davis cup.
Waited since March2011 - IW/Miami for the "new" Rafa to show up and display his game to beat the Djoker. With each loss, the talk was always there, but in the end it didn't happen all year, so don't expect it to happen next year either.
 
Why will he improve? Because you say so? Then Djokovic will work on his serve and Federer will work on mental strength. See? Same game.
 
Magnificent! said:
I always find these boards amusing, how quickly the top players are written off if they are not firing on all cylinders. Federer's being written off again, this time for being too old. Admittedly, he is the oldest of the top four, but he would have beaten Djokovic at the U.S if he had been mentally tougher. I don't think Federer's strongest asset is his mental strength, I believe he was that much better than the rest of the field, his mental strength was rarely challenged.
Watch out for Nadal next year because whatever anyone says, he hasn't played as well as he is capable this year. He has been struggling with his own game and it has coincided with Djokovic finally fulfilling his potential, consistantly. Djokovic definately has the game to beat Nadal, that's obvious, but anyone who thinks Nadal won't rise to this challenge and beat Djokovic next year is very mistaken. All this talk about Nadal and Uncle Toni being tactically niave is rubbish, the problem lies in the execution. Next year, you will see a big improvement in Nadal's B/h, this will allow him to stay central on the baseline, not conceding space on his forehand side which Djokovic exploits perfectly. Improving his backhand will take more pressure off his forehand too. How many times did he miss the inside out forehand against Djokovic? he felt he had to end the point quick before Djokovic directed the rally to his backhand again. Nadal gambling? That's not his game. Nadal didn't serve that well, that will improve next year. Djokovic didn't serve well either because of his back strain. 2012 is going to be a very interesting year of tennis, Federer is definately in the mix, and Murray will step up too, but watch out for NADAL!!
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Not gonna happen. Nadal simply cannot beat Cvac to save his life. I think we are in for another season like this one if Delpo or Murray don't step up to the plate. Nadal will not win anymore slams,imo.
 
Magnificent! said:
I always find these boards amusing, how quickly the top players are written off if they are not firing on all cylinders. Federer's being written off again, this time for being too old. Admittedly, he is the oldest of the top four, but he would have beaten Djokovic at the U.S if he had been mentally tougher. I don't think Federer's strongest asset is his mental strength, I believe he was that much better than the rest of the field, his mental strength was rarely challenged.
Watch out for Nadal next year because whatever anyone says, he hasn't played as well as he is capable this year. He has been struggling with his own game and it has coincided with Djokovic finally fulfilling his potential, consistantly. Djokovic definately has the game to beat Nadal, that's obvious, but anyone who thinks Nadal won't rise to this challenge and beat Djokovic next year is very mistaken. All this talk about Nadal and Uncle Toni being tactically niave is rubbish, the problem lies in the execution. Next year, you will see a big improvement in Nadal's B/h, this will allow him to stay central on the baseline, not conceding space on his forehand side which Djokovic exploits perfectly. Improving his backhand will take more pressure off his forehand too. How many times did he miss the inside out forehand against Djokovic? he felt he had to end the point quick before Djokovic directed the rally to his backhand again. Nadal gambling? That's not his game. Nadal didn't serve that well, that will improve next year. Djokovic didn't serve well either because of his back strain. 2012 is going to be a very interesting year of tennis, Federer is definately in the mix, and Murray will step up too, but watch out for NADAL!!
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Nadal has had 6 months now to improve! From the first loss to Djokovic in California, Nadal and his Uncle said it all had to do with the serve. Again Nadal came up short 2 weeks later in Miami. Then on clay where he dominates, he got roasted in straights on fast clay and roasted again on slow clay where even his moonballing effort went to crap. Then at Wimbledon despite serving 90% in the first set, he still loses the set and his confidence along with it and ultimately the match as Djokovic continues to break his serve almost at will.
U.S Open...same thing. Nadal's serve again gains him no free points and he's forced into a slugfest from the baseline. Basically anytime he broke, he got broken back immediately.
Now he's got major confidence issues against Djokovic. Not something which can be easily fixed.
 
sportsfan1 said:
Rafa can dominate everyone except djoker - thats been proven this year, after USO he beat Tsonga and Gasquet in Davis cup.
Waited since March2011 - IW/Miami for the "new" Rafa to show up and display his game to beat the Djoker. With each loss, the talk was always there, but in the end it didn't happen all year, so don't expect it to happen next year either.
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Tsonga and Gasquet are garbage on clay. They were no threat to Nadal on that surface, especially playing in Spain.
 
Mustard said:
That can change :twisted:
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Of course. Although you can't reverse age and Nadal isn't getting younger as he heads into his late 20s. He's got much more mileage on his body than the other guys. If he doesn't start making inroads in 2012, I think we may definitely be seeing the twilight years begin to emerge where loss of focus at key moments, choking, and confidence issues start becoming a norm just like what's been happening with Federer.
 
Mustard said:
Yet they won just 10 games between them, while Djokovic was a total mess from burnout, injuries and jetlag.
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Yep but while Djokovic was out there for 7+ hours playing Federer and Tipsarevic whereas Nadal cruised through Muller, Roddick, and Murray(none who offered any resistance), even still it was Nadal who mentally and physically crumbled in the USO final. And we both know the finals of a Slam is where the real test is.:)
 
Mike Sams said:
Yep but while Djokovic was out there for 7+ hours playing Federer and Tipsarevic whereas Nadal cruised through Muller, Roddick, and Murray(none who offered any resistance), even still it was Nadal who mentally and physically crumbled in the USO final. And we both know the finals of a Slam is where the real test is.:)
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It's a temporary setback. He will rectify the problem in due course ;)
 
Mike Sams said:
Anything's possible.:) Although it's likely going to be the biggest challenge he's ever faced in his entire career by the looks of it.
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Toppling Federer at Wimbledon and getting the world number 1 ranking were his hardest tasks. This Djokovic problem is one of his biggest challenges though, certainly. A few things have shifted this year when they play each other.
 
Mustard said:
It's a temporary setback. He will rectify the problem in due course ;)
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Nadal's lost 6 finals(2 GS finals) across 3 diff surfaces(including clay) and you call it temporary? :lol:

Nadal is a mental midget against Novak. And if you even bothered observing, Nadal went up ahead in the first two sets and lost like 5-6 games in a row to lose those sets in the USO. That is a mental block which Nadal simply can't wish away. Unless Novak is tired/injured, Nadal ain't winning jack against Nole.

RG is Nadal's last stand and you better pray Novak doesn't make the final.
 
monfed said:
Nadal's lost 6 finals(2 GS finals) across 3 diff surfaces(including clay) and you call it temporary? :lol:

Nadal is a mental midget against Novak. And if you even bothered observing, Nadal went up ahead in the first two sets and lost like 5-6 games in a row to lose those sets in the USO. That is a mental block which Nadal simply can't wish away. Unless Novak is tired/injured, Nadal ain't winning jack against Nole.

RG is Nadal's last stand and you better pray Novak doesn't make the final.
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Sorry, but it's not the Nadal way to fear opponents, especially in his Roland Garros domain.
 
Mustard said:
He's beaten "Cvac" 16 times out of 29 meetings.
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That will change as Cvac is only 3 wins from evening up the h2h. I think that Cvac will eventually overtake it as well and end up with w winning h2h with Nadal. It's only a matter of time.
 
Djokovic needs to enter his hyperbolic chamber and begin training again at 300Gs. And eat some senzu beans should help his back
 
Mustard said:
Toppling Federer at Wimbledon and getting the world number 1 ranking were his hardest tasks. This Djokovic problem is one of his biggest challenges though, certainly. A few things have shifted this year when they play each other.
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Toppling Federer was indeed a task but it was a match-up which always favoured Nadal from the very beginning as he continued to chip away at Federer's vulnerable backhand and soon his psyche, ultimately spreading the wounds slowly but surely across all surfaces and then laying the hammer down ultimately and never looking back.:)
The Djokovic matchup on the other hand presents a completely different situation altogether. Now it's Nadal who is in Federer's position and is seeing all of his best shots being returned with interest and it's spread out across all surfaces and now has happened in back to back Slam finals.
What's worrying is it's Nadal who is noticeably mentally crumbling and could soon have to live with this mental burden against Djokovic in future matches.
Every player has a style which gives another player issues. Nadal's problem is Djokovic and not even the tennis warehouse members with all their combined knowledge have managed to develop a strategy which can work for Nadal against Djokovic other than to "serve better and hit harder!" :-?
 
Mustard said:
Sorry, but it's not the Nadal way to fear opponents, especially in his Roland Garros domain.
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Not fear but definitely 'worrying' at key moments which can make all the difference. Federer doesn't fear Nadal but he certainly "thinks twice" when they play.:)
 
Unfortunately for his fans, Nadal is toast this time.

Now all the other players gonna go on court and do what Djoker does. If you look at this USO closely you will see that they are already doing it. Golubev served for second and third set. Dodic won. They are just going for their shots now. If only Murray was not a head case like he is. He loses one break point and the world ends for next set.

Nadal played DC to save face, really. He unloaded his frustration on Tsonga. He really shouldnt be complaining, some steam was vented here.

Nadal has always had surprise injuries. We dont know about it untill suddenly it surfaces (FO 2009). The next one will be the same.

Judging from his serve problems I am predicting a major shoulder problem is coming.
 
he will almost certainly win one major next year. i say next year 4 different people win majors. rafa at fo, fed at w, nole at ao and delpo at uso.
 
i understand people want nadal to fail, people here were saying it since he won his first major. people said he'd never win a hc major, he won both. he's a wonderful player and people here get so overcome with hatred that it blinds the fact that nadal has been a consistent major winner every year. he will win possibly 14 majors when he is done. federer will end up with 17-18 and nole is hard to say because he could come back to pre 2011 form and not win another major again, he's very hard to read. delpo will win 5 or 6.
 
...oh, and murray will win 2 or 3. he's a lucky break away from getting one and when he gets one he will be more confident in getting perhaps one or two more.
 
The Great One said:
he will almost certainly win one major next year. i say next year 4 different people win majors. rafa at fo, fed at w, nole at ao and delpo at uso.
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Delpo never, all the others only possible.

The Great One said:
i understand people want nadal to fail, people here were saying it since he won his first major. people said he'd never win a hc major, he won both. he's a wonderful player and people here get so overcome with hatred that it blinds the fact that nadal has been a consistent major winner every year. he will win possibly 14 majors when he is done. federer will end up with 17-18 and nole is hard to say because he could come back to pre 2011 form and not win another major again, he's very hard to read. delpo will win 5 or 6.
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Good thing you understand that they want him to fail, but you didnt say if you understand why.

The Great One said:
...oh, and murray will win 2 or 3. he's a lucky break away from getting one and when he gets one he will be more confident in getting perhaps one or two more.
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Murray remains a big question mark when it comes to majors.Jmc, Pmc, Gilbert, all stupidly picked him to win at one major or the other. Something between his ears is seriously wrong. He needs to act fast, time is running out.
 
The Great One said:
i understand people want nadal to fail, people here were saying it since he won his first major. people said he'd never win a hc major, he won both. he's a wonderful player and people here get so overcome with hatred that it blinds the fact that nadal has been a consistent major winner every year. he will win possibly 14 majors when he is done. federer will end up with 17-18 and nole is hard to say because he could come back to pre 2011 form and not win another major again, he's very hard to read. delpo will win 5 or 6.
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:lol: Nole may never win another major again but yet Del Po will win 5 or 6.:lol:
 
IMO Nadal will need to make some "significant" changes to counter this threat of Djokovic. If he is still stubborn and believes that he can pummel Djoko using his cc forehands, that clearly won't happen. I just get the sense that Nadal has NOT realized this. Because there was no change at all in his tactics in the UsOpen final.

After 2009 WTF (in what was probably the worst performance of Nadal's career) Rafa got the message, practiced hard and got new strings which gave him more depth in general and more pace on his serve.

He needs to do something similar. That is perhaps get a frame with a heavier swing weight so that he stops floating short balls. Then also he would need some tactical changes which include closing in to the net to finish pts, improving his backhand etc etc.

I mean I cannot count the nunber of times when Rafa got a sitter short ball against Djoko, but didn't win the point. The reason: he just stayed back pummeling cross court forehands until Djoko took control of the rally with his backhand. If Nadal is NOT prepared to be aggressive and finish of short balls from Djoko, he might as well not turn up for their future matches...
 
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BTW there was news today that Federer is switching to a heavier racquet with the intention to counter the power of Djoko and the spin of Nadal. This could be a watershed moment, as it will help Fed ramp up the mphs on his groundies and serve.

Be afraid. Be VERY AFRAID. The Dark Lord Rises again in 2012 !!!! :)
 
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TennisFan3 said:
BTW there was news today that Federer is switching to a heavier racquet with the intention to counter the power of Djoko and the spin of Nadal. This could be a watershed moment, as it will help Fed ramp up the mphs on his groundies and serve.

Be afraid. Be VERY AFRAID. The Dark Lord Rises again in 2012 !!!!
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Nadal will continue to moonball Fed's BH all day, doesn't change a thing.
 
TennisFan3 said:
BTW there was news today that Federer is switching to a heavier racquet with the intention to counter the power of Djoko and the spin of Nadal. This could be a watershed moment, as it will help Fed ramp up the mphs on his groundies and serve.

Be afraid. Be VERY AFRAID. The Dark Lord Rises again in 2012 !!!!
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Yes,be very afraid! Grandpa Fed is coming to get you! You can run but you can't hide.
 
zagor said:
Yes,be very afraid! Grandpa Fed is coming to get you! You can run but you can't hide.
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Grandpa Fed is the only one who beat Djoko in a slam this year (and it could have been twice) . Even a way past his prime Fed is beating all these younger guys.
 
TennisFan3 said:
BTW there was news today that Federer is switching to a heavier racquet with the intention to counter the power of Djoko and the spin of Nadal. This could be a watershed moment, as it will help Fed ramp up the mphs on his groundies and serve.

Be afraid. Be VERY AFRAID. The Dark Lord Rises again in 2012 !!!! :)
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change raquet?
 
anyway, next year is gonna be awesome
Djoko at the top of the hill tryin to defend it
Rafa and Fed striking back
and the rest of the wild bunch just behind waiting for the top 3 to fall
Maybe Rafa had too much pressure this year
Maybe Roger will adopt this new challenger position

so i'd say watch out for Fedal
 
rdis10093 said:
second the motion, nadal will come back in 2012 with fire
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rommil said:
Oh no not again!! The Nadal is still trying to recuperate from the hotplate incident.
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:)

isn't the right moment...
rafa-fingers-rafael-nadal-11379010-120-120.jpg
 
(Why will he improve? Because you say so? Then Djokovic will work on his serve and Federer will work on mental strength. See? Same game)

If you look at how Nadal has become the player he is today, it is obvious. He knew if he wanted to win on other surfaces he had to move up to the baseline, take the ball earlier/on the rise, and sometimes hit flatter. He hit flatter balls earlier in his career, mostly inside out and down the line. He may find a flat ball across court to Djokovic maybe more affective and get some half court balls to attack. Nadal has added a decent backhand slice and is now a competant volleyer too.
It's difficult to change your game midseason. To come out of your comfort zone when all is on the line is unwise and creates uncertainty. Now the majors are over, time to groove some changes, takes courage.
 
What a bunch of *******s. They needed a few weeks to forget the humiliation that took forth but their back in swarms again showing us how clearly delusional they are about their man. If anyone was ever OVERRATED, it was Rafa, and this year has proven it. He's not only going to get spanked for the remainder of the indoor season as he usually does at this point in the year but he'll lose to Novak, Potro and others next year with more dismal consistency. Were going to see someone being owned in the likes of how Roddick and Davydenko were owned by Fed. I'm talking about 12-15 consecutive losses. By this time next year the majority of the tennis world (outside a very few select *******s) will...
1. Question is legacy and his H2H with Fed
2. Question his clay court game and his accomplishments on the surface
3. Question his overall talent and capabilities on a court
4. Take him out of the GOAT debate (he will not be in contention ever again)
5. Leave his fan base (leaving only middle aged females)
6. Question his so called modesty (He'll handle the losses with contempt as he's been doing)
I could go on. As a fan of his i'd stay far away from being even cousiously optimistic, just my advice.
 
TennisFan3 said:
BTW there was news today that Federer is switching to a heavier racquet with the intention to counter the power of Djoko and the spin of Nadal. This could be a watershed moment, as it will help Fed ramp up the mphs on his groundies and serve.

Be afraid. Be VERY AFRAID. The Dark Lord Rises again in 2012 !!!! :)
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I even found a picture of the heavier racket wilson is coming out with.
GreatGama.jpg
 
MichaelNadal said:
Rafa just needs to practice, maybe lose about 5lbs, work on his fitness, SERVE and BACKHAND, and he will be formidable.
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Completely vague post there, MichaelNadal.
There are players out there with MUCH better serves and better backhands than Nadal who still got routinely destroyed by Djokovic. Look at Del Potro, Nalbandian, Monfils, Tsonga, Tipsarevic, etc. Most if not all of them have equally good or better serves than Nadal and equally or better backhands and forehands and still were taken to the woodshed.
Nadal needs to develop a STRATEGY! And he needs a new bloody serve! That serve is killing him. You can't rely on that WTA serve against possibly the greatest returner in the sport.:lol:
Having to face 26 break points is all you need to know regarding Nadal's junk serve. No wonder he was physically dead after the third set.

What Nadal always relied on was his superior fitness and ability to grind and fight for a win. His tenacity and determination brought him many victories. Remember Nadal/Nalbandian Indian Wells 2009? Nadal was outclassed but he fought like a warrior until Nalbandian was toast.

Now he's met his equal which means Nadal now needs to develop something in his game to get any kind of advantage over somebody who can fight as hard as him.
 
tenniselbow1 said:
What a bunch of *******s. They needed a few weeks to forget the humiliation that took forth but their back in swarms again showing us how clearly delusional they are about their man. If anyone was ever OVERRATED, it was Rafa, and this year has proven it. He's not only going to get spanked for the remainder of the indoor season as he usually does at this point in the year but he'll lose to Novak, Potro and others next year with more dismal consistency. Were going to see someone being owned in the likes of how Roddick and Davydenko were owned by Fed. I'm talking about 12-15 consecutive losses. By this time next year the majority of the tennis world (outside a very few select *******s) will...
1. Question is legacy and his H2H with Fed
2. Question his clay court game and his accomplishments on the surface
3. Question his overall talent and capabilities on a court
4. Take him out of the GOAT debate (he will not be in contention ever again)
5. Leave his fan base (leaving only middle aged females)
6. Question his so called modesty (He'll handle the losses with contempt as he's been doing)
I could go on. As a fan of his i'd stay far away from being even cousiously optimistic, just my advice.
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We obviously disagree and only time will tell how 2012 will unfold. Nadal doesn't doubt his ability on a tennis court, he knows he is one of the best ever, because of what he has already achieved in a tough era. He also knows he isn't playing his best tennis at the moment. Djokovic is definately the main man at the moment and it will be interesting to see if he can continue playing at this level, because so far in his career, his level of play has been erratic. My money is on Nadal improving in time for next season and Djokovic failing to maintain this seasons level of play due to his higher expectations and extra pressure. Djokovic is likely to get more injuries.
 
Magnificent! said:
We obviously disagree and only time will tell how 2012 will unfold. Nadal doesn't doubt his ability on a tennis court, he knows he is one of the best ever, because of what he has already achieved in a tough era. He also knows he isn't playing his best tennis at the moment. Djokovic is definately the main man at the moment and it will be interesting to see if he can continue playing at this level, because so far in his career, his level of play has been erratic. My money is on Nadal improving in time for next season and Djokovic failing to maintain this seasons level of play due to his higher expectations and extra pressure. Djokovic is likely to get more injuries.
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Nadal is playing the best he's ever played. He can't play any better than how he's playing now. He's good enough to beat everybody else. He just can't beat Djokovic. Simple truth.
 
Mike Sams said:
Nadal is playing the best he's ever played. He can't play any better than how he's playing now. He's good enough to beat everybody else. He just can't beat Djokovic. Simple truth.
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Complete and utter bullsh*t and you darn well know it. If we were to compare his stats from this year to last year he would no doubt have much worse numbers this year than last. This crap about Nadal playing the best tennis of his life this season is beyond delusional.
 
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