What did Nadal prove today?
- Thread starter dudeski
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TennisLovaLova
Hall of Fame
Nadal proved one important thing: sportmanship and class.
The way he left the court means a lot.
The way he left the court means a lot.
SLD76
G.O.A.T.
hmm sportsmanship...like not playing to the server's pace, bumping rosol in the changeover or was it when he complained to the Umpire over nothing?
DeShaun
Banned
That perhaps he gears his training too specifically towards beating just one particular player. First it was Federer to whose game Rafa, fo so many years, seemed to have all the answers while Roger's record versus the field was better than Rafa's. Then emerged 2011 Novak 2.0, besting Nadal at Nadal's own game. Back to the woodshed went Rafa, who would reappear in 2012 with most of the answers to Novak's puzzle.
Could it be that he trains intensively with just a single opponent's game in mind, perhaps to the neglect of other areas in his own game that could definitely come in for improvement? Take his serve, for instance--he has a strong hold record, but does not serve nearly as big as he could given his physical gifts. A bigger serve might have made up the difference for him today. But perhaps in training he was too busy looking into ways of accessing those hitting patterns by which Novak had been most bothered in their previous seven meetings, and so, there may not have been much time left over for Rafa to think about his own general improvement outside of improving his efficacy against Novak.
Could it be that he trains intensively with just a single opponent's game in mind, perhaps to the neglect of other areas in his own game that could definitely come in for improvement? Take his serve, for instance--he has a strong hold record, but does not serve nearly as big as he could given his physical gifts. A bigger serve might have made up the difference for him today. But perhaps in training he was too busy looking into ways of accessing those hitting patterns by which Novak had been most bothered in their previous seven meetings, and so, there may not have been much time left over for Rafa to think about his own general improvement outside of improving his efficacy against Novak.
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Agent Orynge
Professional
This. Very much this.
pds999
Hall of Fame
Rosol was simply too good on the day. He would have beaten anyone playing like that. And yes Djokovic lovers, that includes Djokovic. No one hits the amount of winners he did at the speed he did that consistently. Never seen it before, with the possible exception of Del Potro vs Rafa in US Open 2009, and even then Rafa was well below par physically.
Hood_Man
G.O.A.T.
I really don't think there was anything he could have done today. Rosol was painting the lines with 90-100mph groundstrokes, and more importantly, didn't panic.
Also, hardly anyone knew who Rosol was before today, chances are there probably wasn't much information to go on for Nadal to prepare to play against him.
I think today was just one of those freak occurrences where a low ranked player hits big on everything and almost everything landed in, and he just happened to meet Nadal very early on. I think anyone could have lost against him today.
Also, hardly anyone knew who Rosol was before today, chances are there probably wasn't much information to go on for Nadal to prepare to play against him.
I think today was just one of those freak occurrences where a low ranked player hits big on everything and almost everything landed in, and he just happened to meet Nadal very early on. I think anyone could have lost against him today.
pds999
Hall of Fame
I agree, it can always happen. Rosol did play some absolutely insane tennis though. Rafa didn't play badly at all from the third set onwards.
The Bawss
Banned
Totally this. Once the match is over you can be as classy as you like but while Nadal still has a chance he will try anything to cheat his way out of a losing situation.
pds999
Hall of Fame
Yep, agreed. Look at the stats and, first set and a half apart, Rafa's stats were very good. He lost 5 points all set on serve in the 3rd, but 4 happened to be in that one service game. 0 unforced errors in the 4th set. 20+ aces. But when a guy is tee'ing off on everything and 95% is going in, you just can't get into the match.
tennisboi007
New User
The only thing Nadal proved today is he has trouble dealing with big hitters on grass.
Don't make more of it than what it really is ....
Don't make more of it than what it really is ....
Nadal will unfortunately just start from 2012 USO with the consecutive records, and will be up to 23 slam semis in a row by 2019 or so.
FlashFlare11
Hall of Fame
Watching this match, all I could think about was last year's Federer/Tsonga quarterfinal match at Wimbledon. It played out in almost the exact same fashion, with the favorite coming out to a good start and then slowly giving up the momentum to the underdog. Meanwhile, that underdog was serving out of his mind and making incredible winners from everywhere on the court.
Ultimately, there was nothing Nadal could do. He was fortunate to have not gone out in straights. I believed he could pull it off all the way up until that final ace, though.
I'm still in disbelief that Nadal could lose so early at Wimbledon, but considering how well Rosol played, it shouldn't be too much of a shock.
Ultimately, there was nothing Nadal could do. He was fortunate to have not gone out in straights. I believed he could pull it off all the way up until that final ace, though.
I'm still in disbelief that Nadal could lose so early at Wimbledon, but considering how well Rosol played, it shouldn't be too much of a shock.
Sephiroth619
Rookie
Nadal proved that he's vulnerable. He also proved that the end is near. He may as well retire.
F L O B B E R
Rookie
I think it proved that there is a very small difference in talent between the #100 player in the world and the #1 player.
It proved that ALL the guys who consistently win the big titles are truly worthy of our awestruck admiration.
It proved that ALL the guys who consistently win the big titles are truly worthy of our awestruck admiration.
He proved that he has recently edged Borg as the greatest clay-court player who ever lived, and will surpass him even further.
Being the greatest in history at anything takes a lot out of a human. That's why he said "I am going to get some rest that I need - and deserve".
Being the greatest in history at anything takes a lot out of a human. That's why he said "I am going to get some rest that I need - and deserve".
Nadalgaenger
G.O.A.T.
only the last 10-15 years???
Nadalgaenger
G.O.A.T.
I had the same thought when I was watching it. I've been watching Pete a lot lately on Youtube (never saw him in the day regrettably, so have to watch youtube) and I think that on grass he would have kicked Nadal's arse.
rosewall4ever
Semi-Pro
nadal has been saying it all along...'best in the history' in fact, yet stll there is doubt
Murrayfan31
Hall of Fame
I learned that Nadal is not that good on other surfaces where the ball bounces low and skids.
GOAT BAAH!!!
Professional
Proved that he 's not really lying when he gives his usual "...very tricky, difficult player and I'm going to have to play my best tennis to have chances..." speech when facing lower ranked opponents.
Towser83
G.O.A.T.
We have just grown used to seeing the top players making the semis all the time, especially Federer. Back before Fed was number 1 upsets like this happened to the best of players, so it's not a big deal. Nadal has had many 5 set scares, I predicted he would again and could even lose though I didn't expect it this early at all.
That was some insane tennis from Rosol. Reminds me of a peak Krajicek / Safin hitting winners off everything and anything. Fast conditions (roof closed) and the tennis is 100x more exciting than the monotonous pushing we have become accustomed to today. Im just relieved we dont have to sit through another tournament with the same 4 guys in the semis again.
Richie Rich
Legend
i learned nadal must have been injured. :lol:
what nadal could learn - true class and sportsmanship like the guy I saw hanging out in the players box this week - Edberg.
what nadal could learn - true class and sportsmanship like the guy I saw hanging out in the players box this week - Edberg.
SLD76
G.O.A.T.
ssssshhhhhhhhhhh.........
D
Deleted member 3771
Guest
Nadal proved that wanted to give his buddy Murray the chance to win his first slam. Murray will take it now.
It also reminds us all that Sampras is the goat by winning the most prestigious tournament in the world 7 times in 8 years and being 7-0 in Wimbledon finals.
It also reminds us all that Sampras is the goat by winning the most prestigious tournament in the world 7 times in 8 years and being 7-0 in Wimbledon finals.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Nadal proved that hitting flat >>> hitting loopy topspin. 
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Exactly! And there are actually *********s on this board who claim that Nadal would have no trouble beating guys like Raonic, Isner or Karlovic at Wimbledon. I hope this result woke them up to reality.
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Nadal proved that hitting flat >>> hitting loopy topspin.
On a grass court, correct.
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
On any court. Witness what Soderling did to Nadal at RG '09, what Del Potro did to Nadal at USO '09, and what Tsonga did to Nadal at AO '08.
namelessone
Legend
Nadal beat Karlovic in Queens and I'm pretty sure Queens is a bit faster than WB.
namelessone
Legend
As were all of his 5 finals.
ViscaB
Hall of Fame
I think he needs to skip all non-tennis activities. I feel he has too many distractions. It was a good lesson for him. But it's good for Spain as he will be fresh for the Olympics.
I don't think it's surprising in a sense that he did so badly after his best RG in years. He had completely tuned his game to clay,
I don't think it's surprising in a sense that he did so badly after his best RG in years. He had completely tuned his game to clay,
BreakPoint
Bionic Poster
Yes, and Nadal had absolutely no trouble beating Karlovic in that match, right? Wasn't it a double bagel? :roll:
RF20Lennon
Legend
Djokovic is an unbelievable player no doubt but the possiblity of him reaching 13 GS is unlikely
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