What a Weird and Wild Year this is....

[bullfan]

1) Indian Wells Flu affecting many male/female players
2) MC horrible courts where 2 folks got serious ankle problems
3) The Blue Smurf of Madrid that Rafa and Novak have said nothing good about.

What is to come with the drama of the Olympics that Roger has openly said he wants as well as Novak's tears from losing before and his winning streak that started after winning DC last year. How will players adjust to the Olympics if they adjust.

 

[DeShaun]

Add to this that, twice now in a deciding set Rafa was up by at least a break on his opponent yet he could not close it out. He is also complaining more regularly about whatever this year, whereas, he used to be such a mental warrior.

 

[bullfan]

Add to this that, twice now in a deciding set Rafa was up by at least a break on his opponent yet he could not close it out. He is also complaining more regularly about whatever this year, whereas, he used to be such a mental warrior.

Yes he did, we'll see if he wins a GS this year or not. Is his run at RG done? Will we see a new GS winner other than RF, RN, NJ this year?

 

[namelessone]

Add to this that, twice now in a deciding set Rafa was up by at least a break on his opponent yet he could not close it out. He is also complaining more regularly about whatever this year, whereas, he used to be such a mental warrior.

Nadal has been losing his mental focus steadily since he lost all those finals in 2011. He is not the mental giant he once was.

 

[bullfan]

Nadal has been losing his mental focus steadily since he lost all those finals in 2011. He is not the mental giant he once was.

I thought he didn't care after he won 2010 USO. He'd done it, won them all, all that he cared about. In 2011 he seemed to be about making bank off of his achievements rather than worrying about playing the game. Of course, that's my perception, he and I haven't chatted.

 

[Clarky21]

I thought he didn't care after he won 2010 USO. He'd done it, won them all, all that he cared about. In 2011 he seemed to be about making bank off of his achievements rather than worrying about playing the game. Of course, that's my perception, he and I haven't chatted.

I agree with this. I have said the same thing myself. I think Nadal is pre-occupied with too many sponsors,underwear posing,exos,and trying to hawk whatever he can to make more money. He has definitely lost the plot,and I don't think he will ever get back to being great like he used to be. He has lost his passion for tennis,and it has become a chore for him to go out and play. It's all over his face and body language if people just care to pay attention.

 

[srinrajesh]

Nadal has been losing his mental focus steadily since he lost all those finals in 2011. He is not the mental giant he once was.

agree to an extent.. but think that a couple of wins over Djoker in Grand slams or Masters finals would correct that

 

[srinrajesh]

I agree with this. I have said the same thing myself. I think Nadal is pre-occupied with too many sponsors,underwear posing,exos,and trying to hawk whatever he can to make more money. He has definitely lost the plot,and I don't think he will ever get back to being great like he used to be. He has lost his passion for tennis,and it has become a chore for him to go out and play. It's all over his face and body language if people just care to pay attention.

Everyone has different motivations - Maybe Nadal winning the career Golden slam by age 24 was a little easier than he expected and he became more complacent and this helped in the rise of Djoker who will now prove to be his biggest rival for GS and Masters titles

 

[dudeski]

1) Indian Wells Flu affecting many male/female players
2) MC horrible courts where 2 folks got serious ankle problems
3) The Blue Smurf of Madrid that Rafa and Novak have said nothing good about.

What is to come with the drama of the Olympics that Roger has openly said he wants as well as Novak's tears from losing before and his winning streak that started after winning DC last year. How will players adjust to the Olympics if they adjust.

I think the truly horrible thing about MC was that Nadal won it again.