What benefit does Rafa get from playing IW/Miami?

[FedExpress117]

Perhaps he may not play Miami. But why even consider Indian Wells? He won't step foot on a hardcourt until after Wimbledon, which is going to be July/August. He just has 360 points to lose in IW. I think his knees will probably be fine, but why risk it?

-720 points to defend in IW and Miami. He also has to defend Monte Carlo and Rome (but not Madrid). So does he care enough about getting back into the top 4 so he doesn't have to face one of them in the QFs of Roland Garros (Djokovic in the QFs = worst nightmare)

-Match experience. He's gone 12-1 thus far on clay. He will get more experience in the 3 Masters Series leading up to the French (I expect he'll play at least 15-16 matches). So are these matches necessary?

Thoughts anyone?

 

[rdis10093]

more money

 

[citybert]

more money

Yeah there could be pressure from his US based sponsors. Hes outta here for the clay and grass season for months until cincy and toronto.

 

[sureshs]

He loves to compete

 

[Murrayfan31]

He loves to compete

Haha. Good one.

 

[Clarky21]

He doesn't get anything. Him playing either one of these tournaments is just more of his bonehead scheduling. He will never get it no matter if his knees implode or not.

 

[monfed]

To defend his ranking points so he can be seeded in the top 4 for Wimby, perhaps even RG.

 

[Relinquis]

needs to make a point to the rest of the field by trouncing a few players on hard courts.

it's mental.

 

[sbengte]

To defend his ranking points so he can be seeded in the top 4 for Wimby, perhaps even RG.

This. Plus he can easily make the final and gain points beating up all the pigeons in his half. Expect to see Rafa-Fed-Ferrer in the same half as long as he is #5 :lol:

 

[Harry_Wild]

Get more points! Rafa pretty much has all the money he needs for life. I think he is also pretty frugal; since his parents own only a small business and small business owners always teach their child the worth of a dollar and how hard it is to earn but very easy to spend.

 

[CMM]

If he would have skipped IW and Miami he would have had more than a month off before Monte Carlo. That's a lot.
Besides, IW is a special tournament. Players have days off between matches and I think this is the first time in the last couple of years when he's not playing doubles.
If he's feeling well, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't have played here.

 

[spperry]

If he is feeling okay then he should play.

These are big events and he will want to be involved.

Plus if he skips Miami he can have a decent rest before Monte Carlo.

 

[*Sparkle*]

He's been playing well, but in small tournaments, so he needs to test the water in a bigger pond. Just the experience of being surrounded by the whole tour and tennis press will be a shock to the system, so he may as well use this tournament to get used to it.

He also has the potential to gain some points here, but with little risk to his reputation if that doesn't happen.

 

[zapvor]

i would have to go with points. he needs it big time

 

[papertank]

As much as nadal complains about hardcourts I think he knows that he can't avoid them forever. I think playing on them now is a great decision because it means that it won't keep us and Rafa himself in suspense about how he'll adapt to them. Even if he loses early, he can go into the clay court season knowing that he still has the ability to play on them. It's a confidence booster.

 

[The_Order]

What a stupid question, as if Masters 1000 tournaments don't matter to players.

The benefit he gets is match play, particularly and possibly against strong opposition and he is trying to win the titles. He got very close at winning them both in 2011 if it wasn't for super Novak he would've won them, last year he was coming of that gruelling AO campaign and didn't play his best. This year he's coming back from 7 months out, a couple of 250 and 1 500 tournament is not enough in Nadal's mind, to him he needs as much match play as possible to regain his form.

 

[NatF]

After 7 months off he's got a taste for winning again, he's got nothing to lose by playing Indian Wells if his knees are ok. Maybe its for the fans who want to see him too? Either way its a good thing, masters tournaments are supposed to be mandatory and if he's fit he should play.

 

[OddJack]

He can claim knee damage when he makes the next guy famooz

 

[stringertom]

He loves to compete

At poker, no? Fishing? Perhaps. Tennis? Zero matches played from late June to early February...not so much.

 

[vernonbc]

He's been playing well, but in small tournaments, so he needs to test the water in a bigger pond. Just the experience of being surrounded by the whole tour and tennis press will be a shock to the system, so he may as well use this tournament to get used to it.

Guess you didn't see what his South American tour was like. He was treated like a king, had to go and meet the President of Chile when he first landed there. In all three cities they had to build more stands to accommodate the thousands of fans who wanted to see him play and the arenas were crammed full every day. At all his tournaments there was media from around the world - long time journalists said they had never seen anything like it. American tv sent a crew just to broadcast his matches plus they were televised all around the world. His first presser in Brazil was held in a big ballroom and it was packed - all just because he is Rafa. I could go on about the reception he got his first month - it was incredible. Indian Wells will be like a vacation for him!

 

[escii_35]

Guess you didn't see what his South American tour was like. He was treated like a king, had to go and meet the President of Chile when he first landed there. In all three cities they had to build more stands to accommodate the thousands of fans who wanted to see him play and the arenas were crammed full every day. At all his tournaments there was media from around the world - long time journalists said they had never seen anything like it. American tv sent a crew just to broadcast his matches plus they were televised all around the world. His first presser in Brazil was held in a big ballroom and it was packed - all just because he is Rafa. I could go on about the reception he got his first month - it was incredible. Indian Wells will be like a vacation for him!

True.... Where is everyone in the complex (vina). Oh watching a rafa / robredo practice match at center.

Rafa playing IW confuses me.

 

[Tmano]

As much as nadal complains about hardcourts I think he knows that he can't avoid them forever. I think playing on them now is a great decision because it means that it won't keep us and Rafa himself in suspense about how he'll adapt to them. Even if he loses early, he can go into the clay court season knowing that he still has the ability to play on them. It's a confidence booster.

Agree!

he also does not care about money or points. he wants to see how he performs on hard courts right now.....it's just a test but that does not mean he is not going to play at 100%

 

[mariecon]

This. Plus he can easily make the final and gain points beating up all the pigeons in his half. Expect to see Rafa-Fed-Ferrer in the same half as long as he is #5 :lol:

I wish there was a way to flag posts so that we could come back after the fact and ask "what were you thinking?"

 

[cknobman]

Building a solid base for an excuse.

 

[mariecon]

As much as nadal complains about hardcourts I think he knows that he can't avoid them forever. I think playing on them now is a great decision because it means that it won't keep us and Rafa himself in suspense about how he'll adapt to them. Even if he loses early, he can go into the clay court season knowing that he still has the ability to play on them. It's a confidence booster.

even if he loses in the 2nd round? :wink:

 

[Paullaconte1]

I think he has 2 benefits. First Money, second he has to test his knee.

It's very plausible that he will retire from IW as soon as he has problems with his knee.

 

[forzamilan90]

He doesn't get anything. Him playing either one of these tournaments is just more of his bonehead scheduling. He will never get it no matter if his knees implode or not.

but what if he wins though? Especially Miami, Miami is a court that has been tailored just right for Rafito.

 

[Cup8489]

What a stupid question, as if Masters 1000 tournaments don't matter to players.

The benefit he gets is match play, particularly and possibly against strong opposition and he is trying to win the titles. He got very close at winning them both in 2011 if it wasn't for super Novak he would've won them, last year he was coming of that gruelling AO campaign and didn't play his best. This year he's coming back from 7 months out, a couple of 250 and 1 500 tournament is not enough in Nadal's mind, to him he needs as much match play as possible to regain his form.

What happened last year?
:twisted:

 

[Clarky21]

but what if he wins though? Especially Miami, Miami is a court that has been tailored just right for Rafito.

Miami is not tailored for Nadal. He has stated that he dislikes the humidity in Miami, and that the conditions are too heavy for his topspin. Just because a court is slow doesn't mean it suits Nadal.

And Nadal is not winning IW or Miami. He will never win another hard court title for the rest of his career.

 

[forzamilan90]

Miami is not tailored for Nadal. He has stated that he dislikes the humidity in Miami, and that the conditions are too heavy for his topspin. Just because a court is slow doesn't mean it suits Nadal.

And Nadal is not winning IW or Miami. He will never win another hard court title for the rest of his career.

wasn't he supposed to lose to Ferrer? Clarky if he wins these events, you got to stop this negative energy, hell I don't even like the guy but I know he is gonna do some damage

 

[Crisstti]

Many good answers. First, he loves the tournament. If he is fit to play, he's going to play it. To test his knee on hc. Points (I doubt he doesn't care at all). Match play. It would be probably too long a break if he skipped both IW and Miami.

Get more points! Rafa pretty much has all the money he needs for life. I think he is also pretty frugal; since his parents own only a small business and small business owners always teach their child the worth of a dollar and how hard it is to earn but very easy to spend.

Actually, the business of his parents is not a small one, I think his parents were rich from it before Rafa was even born or when he was little anyway.

 

[cork_screw]

If i were Nadal I would skip Miami. Heavy conditions, hot, humid, wears you out. Ball doesn't bounce as high with heavy conditions, so it takes one of your assets away and it's going to be a grind fest on a hardcourt (bad on the body). If I were nadal I would skip this. Indian Wells is a much better tournie. I would save myself for the clay season and just go to Indian Wells. Never really liked Sony Ericsson.

 

[Crisstti]

I agree, I hope he skips Miami.

 

[Murrayfan31]

If i were Nadal I would skip Miami. Heavy conditions, hot, humid, wears you out. Ball doesn't bounce as high with heavy conditions, so it takes one of your assets away and it's going to be a grind fest on a hardcourt (bad on the body). If I were nadal I would skip this. Indian Wells is a much better tournie. I would save myself for the clay season and just go to Indian Wells. Never really liked Sony Ericsson.

A grind fest would suit Nadal's style perfectly assuming his knee can handle it. But if you want him to lose early, speed up the courts.

 

[TennisCJC]

He will play golf in Indian Wells and hit the night clubs in Miami

 

[Bartelby]

He may prefer that there were fewer hardcourt events, but since when did he say he will play fewer?

 

[zapvor]

Guess you didn't see what his South American tour was like. He was treated like a king, had to go and meet the President of Chile when he first landed there. In all three cities they had to build more stands to accommodate the thousands of fans who wanted to see him play and the arenas were crammed full every day. At all his tournaments there was media from around the world - long time journalists said they had never seen anything like it. American tv sent a crew just to broadcast his matches plus they were televised all around the world. His first presser in Brazil was held in a big ballroom and it was packed - all just because he is Rafa. I could go on about the reception he got his first month - it was incredible. Indian Wells will be like a vacation for him!

so true. the reaction from fans is amazing

 

[big ted]

the benefit is that hes a professional tennis player and this is what pros do: play professional tournaments. and it is a masters series, isnt it required?

 

[heninfan99]

I think he loves Indian Wells and maybe is staying in the owner's private villa. He may take in a bit of golf as well. IW is a fav. for most players.

He's a huge draw in Miami and probably enjoys it.
Both are a good test for his knee but I would have proceded with caution and skipped both if I were him though I'll be glad to watch him play.

 

[Mike Sams]

Nadal needs the #4 ranking. He can't be playing guys like Federer or Djokovic in a quarterfinal. Even though today's Federer is nowhere near as tough as he was in 2005-2007 where he grinded with Nadal, he's still a threat.

 

[Mike Sams]

There's more to gain from the Masters including more money than playing little insignificant tournies like Mexico.

 

[sbengte]

This. Plus he can easily make the final and gain points beating up all the pigeons in his half. Expect to see Rafa-Fed-Ferrer in the same half as long as he is #5 :lol:

I wish there was a way to flag posts so that we could come back after the fact and ask "what were you thinking?"

What were you thinking ? ;-)

 

[spinovic]

More match play, which he needs. And, maintaining or improving his ranking. IW and Miami (and Madrid) are the only chances he has to gain points until Wimbledon. I'm sure he'd like to get to #4 so he can avoid a QF matchup against one of the other 3 guys.

 

[Backbored]

Rafa is so set in his ways I think he needs to play for his mental health. This is what he has done since early childhood. So until injury prevents him from competition, he will always keep to his everyday schedule.

 

[Alchemy-Z]

He has a semi final streak at indian wells for like what 7 years now?

yeah it's worth showing up.

and I think Miami is special to Rafa because of his first meeting with Fed there. it takes him back when he was just comming up and I think he finds the spark to re-light the fire there some seasons

 

[PureTennis]

He is going for Numero Uno. Anyone who belives that Nadal is not interested in being at the top again is mistaken. He is far too competitve to be haffy with being anything other than the GOAT, his ultimate goal.

 

[sbengte]

Hope the OP will get his answer when Ralph wins the title tomorrow :lol:

 

[Relinquis]

hilarious thread...

 

[single_handed_champion]

Lets see if he wins. Even if not, I think the wins over Federer and Berdych in straights must be a huge morale booster for him. Winning against these guys on clay might not have given him a true indication of where his comeback is at.

If he'd bombed out after 2 matches, I'd have called it boneheaded.

 

[sbengte]

bumping again for lulz.