What happened to Nadal?
- Thread starter Jonesy
- Start date
Backspin1183
Talk Tennis Guru
It looked like a mental thing. Age shouldn't make players weaker mentally.
ADuck
Legend
Maybe Nadal was always weak mentally in tiebreaks but covered it up by being good outside tiebreaks.
Tennis_Freak99
Legend
He lost because he played right handed
MadariKatu
Hall of Fame
He made some bad decisions and had some doubts. It could be because of lack of play due to the pandemic. Maybe just a bad day. We need to see more of them to see if if was a fluke, or Tsitsipas can start beating him consistlently
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
Sport evolved and the game has clearly passed him by. Tsitsipas is reaching a level never seen before.
To be fair Tsitsipas didn't play bad for his first time as a lefty.
SecondToNone
Semi-Pro
What happened to the Neo Serve?
Since when this existed?
Sport
G.O.A.T.
A0 2019. Then Djokovic won in dominant fashion and the neo-serve was forgotten.
MeatTornado
Talk Tennis Guru
He was when I went to bed at least.
Im(moral) Winner
G.O.A.T.
Sport
G.O.A.T.
Welcome to reality, Neo.
TearTheRoofOff
G.O.A.T.
Yeah it should.
It just isn't fair, i wanted him in the final.
Born_to_slice
Legend
Young ATG happened.
Hitman
Bionic Poster
I know, so did I, I was even saying it here that I hoped he makes it.
BeatlesFan
Bionic Poster
Age invariably impacts older players. As Laver explained it, "the older you get, the less chances you have, it's like watching the sand drain down from an hourglass. Knowing you're inching towards the ends of your career definitely impacts you mentally. Because you may never get another chance to be a position to win."
Divine powers were invoked.
octobrina10
Talk Tennis Guru
Age invariably impacts older players. As Laver explained it, "the older you get, the less chances you have, it's like watching the sand drain down from an hourglass. Knowing you're inching towards the ends of your career definitely impacts you mentally. Because you may never get another chance to be a position to win."
I noticed that your beloved player Fed is much nearer to becoming empty.
Hitman
Bionic Poster
Lol that would be quite something considering his default return position.
maratha_warrior
Hall of Fame
Better to be beaten by Greek philosopher than to beat Greek philosopher and then get bagelled in finals 
Rafa is smart
Rafa is smart
MichaelNadal
Bionic Poster
Still never heard this lol
titoelcolombiano
Legend
If I had to pick one player to win a match to save my life, it would be Rafa. If I had to pick one player to win a tiebreak to save my life, it wouldn't be Rafa - he's terrible at them.
Harry_Wild
G.O.A.T.
Rafa had a back issues, doing a long R&R now! And why not, the rest of the top 5 are doing the same too!
aliceinpains
Rookie
I watched. Strange match. I couldn't figure out what in the world happened to Nadal starting in that 3rd set TB. He played like he didn't want to be there. Odd indeed.
Beckerserve
Legend
Back injury. Watch Rafa reaction after winning 2nd set. Looks over to his camp shaking his head. Had he won the match i am certain he would have withdrawn for Medvedev match.
I said at the time he was daft playing the event. All i can think of was having got to Australia he just wanted to hit some balls rather than go home. At least the players can hang out together a bit
Beckerserve
Legend
While that post is baiting albeit in a light hearted manner even fully fit Rafa was not beating Djokovic in the final on the form Novak was in and Novak would have been determined to avenge FO final. Sadly their rivalry is not great now as i would say they will beat each other relatively comfortably at two of the 4 Majors. Their games are now suited to polar opposite conditions.Better to be beaten by Greek philosopher than to beat Greek philosopher and then get bagelled in finals
Rafa is smart
zagor
Bionic Poster
It's harder to keep both physical and mental intensity with age/mileage, for the whole match. That's why you see a guy like Nadal have mental letdowns even against the social media gen. There's little doubt in my mind that say 2012 Nadal would have pummeled Tsists into submission, he'd never let him into the match.
Beckerserve
Legend
Rafa back was a an issue but even Stefanos said the empty stadium played a big part as well.
The story for me was Stefanos struggling to beat an injured 34 year old then getting humiliated by his own gemerational rival next round.
Very unlikely Tsitsipas wins a major. Wasted talent. Mentally he is like many of his generation mentally inept.
zagor
Bionic Poster
He's suspect mentally but the biggest thing holding him back is his ROS. You don't become a multiple slam champion with a crappy return, just doesn't happen.
He could improve of course but that would require a specific mindset and dedication that the social media gen just don't have (in tennis atleast). He'd rather make those cringy videos instead of dedicating himself to the game the way true champions do.
You get to the mind through the body ... Pain has a huge impact on ability to play.
That is true.
His movement didn't look to be affected, but if Rafa was in pain it would explain why he started to concede in the third.
You don't usually see him missing such easy smashes a la Djokovic..
Beckerserve
Legend
That ROS is truly horrific and it is one shot if worked on can improve but like u said Insta means more to him.
