Why did Rafa...

[USERNAME]

not attack Djoker's forehand wing? From what I was seeing, he still hit a vast majority of his forcing shots (however few he actually had) to the backhand side of the court today. The times when he attacked the forehand seemed to go a hell of alot better for him in this match and past matches this year.
PS: Im a tennis fan, not a ******* nor a **** or whatever you call over-the-top Djoko fans...

 

[rommil]

Rafa's plan was to attack it with very powerful moonballs.

 

[jackson vile]

I believe that he was expecting Novak to get tired. Nadal did not try to win the match today, he was hoping Novak would give it away.

 

[rommil]

I believe that he was expecting Novak to get tired. Nadal did not try to win the match today, he was hoping Novak would give it away.

The only ailment Novak suffered was a stiff neck looking up to those multiple moonballs today.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

not attack Djoker's forehand wing?

Nadal was trying to but the virus wouldn't let him. That's why he lost.

 

[Tennis_Monk]

I wasnt sure why Nadal is doing cross court rallies instead of going down the Line. May be Djokovic's game didnt let him.

 

[pound cat]

There is someting missig from Nadal's game right now. He used to hit such low to the net powerful groundies and hit lots of angles. And where has his very effective net game gone? His serve is holding up so far though. He should see that moonballs against Djokovic are not effective and more aggression is needed. Rafa, where are you?

 

[jackson vile]

The only ailment Novak suffered was a stiff neck looking up to those multiple moonballs today.

I disagree, I think the only "aliment" he suffered was a sore foot from kicking Nadal's but LOL

 

[USERNAME]

Im not saying he would have won (doubtful) but its just that he seems to be trying to breakdown Djoko's bh and IT IS NOT WORKING, so why not try to attack the fh more? Djoko was leaning on the bh for most of the match and yet Rafa still hit there... Now the other thing he could have done is what Nole did perfectly today, play first strike tennis! He would just have to strike before Nole :-?

 

[Bendex]

PS: Im a tennis fan, not a ******* nor a **** or whatever you call over-the-top Djoko fans...

I believe the term is "Jotard", or maybe "Notard". Perhaps someone should post a poll so we can settle on one.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

Nadal's BH breaks down more than Djoko's FH so he cannot attack it. Also Nadal cannot push around Djoko with his FH anymore so he has nowhere to go. Djoko's BH is not only defending well against Nadal's FH, it's actually winning against it. Djoko is the only one who can do this consistently. Nalby and Davy can do this also intermittenly but Djoko has it down.

 

[sureshs]

Obviously, Nadal was injured.

 

[USERNAME]

Obviously, Nadal was injured.

lol 10char

 

[jmverdugo]

Djokovic was just too good today, too powerfull, too loose, to accurate

 

[Deleted member 120290]

Obviously, Nadal was injured.

Also don't forget he had a virus. If Nadal played the same 3 hour grueling match as Djoko, of course they'd be saying Djoko only beat him cuz he was tired, injured and had a virus.

 

[USERNAME]

Djokovic was just too good today, too powerfull, too loose, to accurate

Its not just today, everytime Rafa played Djoko this season it was the same ol tune: GO TO THE BH!!! He was beat everytime, how long does it take to realize he needs a new game plan? Once again Im not saying Rafa will win 100% if he does this but I think itll at least be something different and more interesting.

 

[USERNAME]

I believe the term is "Jotard", or maybe "Notard". Perhaps someone should post a poll so we can settle on one.

I like Jotard or Djotard, that sounds about right :lol:

 

[Deleted member 120290]

Its not just today, everytime Rafa played Djoko this season it was the same ol tune: GO TO THE BH!!! He was beat everytime, how long does it take to realize he needs a new game plan? Once again Im not saying Rafa will win 100% if he does this but I think itll at least be something different and more interesting.

That's like telling Fed to stop hitting to Nadal's FH. There is no choice when you are not controlling the points.

 

[USERNAME]

Nadal's BH breaks down more than Djoko's FH so he cannot attack it. Also Nadal cannot push around Djoko with his FH anymore so he has nowhere to go. Djoko's BH is not only defending well against Nadal's FH, it's actually winning against it. Djoko is the only one who can do this consistently. Nalby and Davy can do this also intermittenly but Djoko has it down.

Im not saying hit the majority of ALL shots to the fh side, just that when given a chance attack, attack the fh. He isnt even attempting to do that.

 

[DRII]

You're right, few of Rafa's shot had direction or penetration!

I know its not always smart to make 'big' adjustments responding to a 'phase' that may be temporary

...(if it is a phase - personally I think Nadal has been a little sick since the end of last year when he was playing all of those exos against Federer, he has been sweating alot and his face has had a clammy look to it at times - some said he got a slight case of mono and its caused him to be lethargic)...

But, maybe Nadal should go to hybrid set up with the RPM blast strings, so he can get more penetration through the court.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

You're right, few of Rafa's shot had direction or penetration!

I know its not always smart to make 'big' adjustments responding to a 'phase' that may be temporary

...(if it is a phase - personally I think Nadal has been a little sick since the end of last year when he was playing all of those exos against Federer, he has been sweating alot and his face has had a clammy look to it at times - some said he got a slight case of mono and its caused him to be lethargic)...

But, maybe Nadal should go to hybrid set up with the RPM blast strings, so he can get more penetration through the court.

:roll: Why doesn't he just change his FH grip to continental and his string to full gut? That way he can really hit flat and beat Djoko. It might help him with his mono too.

 

[USERNAME]

That's like telling Fed to stop hitting to Nadal's FH. There is no choice when you are not controlling the points.

You always get chances in a match to attack, Rafa is just choosing to attack the bh way to often. Why not try hitting forceful shots to the fh? Maybe Nole will miss more, maybe thatll cause Nole to take a little off, or maybe (and this is the big one) Nole wont be able to sit on the bh corner.

 

[DRII]

Is there a class for sarcasm? Some need a lesson or two.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

You always get chances in a match to attack, Rafa is just choosing to attack the bh way to often. Why not try hitting forceful shots to the fh? Maybe Nole will miss more, maybe thatll cause Nole to take a little off, or maybe (and this is the big one) Nole wont be able to sit on the bh corner.

Because of law of averages and the margin of error, in a full match the person who hits crosscourt (winning those rallies) will beat the person who has to hit down the line to win points.

 

[USERNAME]

You're right, few of Rafa's shot had direction or penetration!

I know its not always smart to make 'big' adjustments responding to a 'phase' that may be temporary

...(if it is a phase - personally I think Nadal has been a little sick since the end of last year when he was playing all of those exos against Federer, he has been sweating alot and his face has had a clammy look to it at times - some said he got a slight case of mono and its caused him to be lethargic)...

But, maybe Nadal should go to hybrid set up with the RPM blast strings, so he can get more penetration through the court.

The did have direction... To the bh. And to the bold, no.

:roll: Why doesn't he just change his FH grip to continental and his string to full gut? That way he can really hit flat and beat Djoko. It might help him with his mono too.

Yeah I cant tell if that was a joke or not. (What DRII said)

 

[USERNAME]

Is there a class for sarcasm? Some need a lesson or two.

Oh sorry, with all the crap going around today I really couldnt tell if you were serious or not.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

Is there a class for sarcasm? Some need a lesson or two.

The fact that you bring up health as an issue when Nadal played earlier and had a much shorter match vs. Djoko who played 3 grueling hours can only be considered a joke.

 

[DRII]

You always get chances in a match to attack, Rafa is just choosing to attack the bh way to often. Why not try hitting forceful shots to the fh? Maybe Nole will miss more, maybe thatll cause Nole to take a little off, or maybe (and this is the big one) Nole wont be able to sit on the bh corner.

When something has worked 90% of the against 95% of the players, its hard to change tactics. But, Rafa's forehand down the line was pretty bad this week! He just didn't have the shot, even against other players and especially against Nole...

 

[USERNAME]

Because of law of averages and the margin of error, in a full match the person who hits crosscourt (winning those rallies) will beat the person who has to hit down the line to win points.

Fact is hes losing. BAD. He needs to try something else and attacking the fh is something. Another is to play first strike, he'll have to attack very early but he cant let Djoko dictate like he is ALL DAY LONG...

 

[DRII]

The fact that you bring up health as an issue when Nadal played earlier and had a much shorter match vs. Djoko who played 3 grueling hours can only be considered a joke.

I've brought up Nadal's health since the beginning of the year. Way before Nole's great run was even being thought of!

So instead of trolling and making lame sarcastic remarks, how about adding something productive to the discussion!

 

[Deleted member 120290]

Basically tennis and boxing are game of match-ups. Now Djoko is to Nadal what Nadal is to Fed. Fed just cannot get by Nadal and Nadal by Djoko.

 

[USERNAME]

When something has worked 90% of the against 95% of the players, its hard to change tactics. But, Rafa's forehand down the line was pretty bad this week! He just didn't have the shot, even against other players and especially against Nole...

He is a pro, he should be capable of hitting most shots AND changing tactics when needed. But you are right by that he really didnt seem confident wth the dtl fh all week.

 

[wy2sl0]

Basically tennis and boxing are game of match-ups. Now Djoko is to Nadal what Nadal is to Fed. Fed just cannot get by Nadal and Nadal by Djoko.

This. Federer I still think can push Djoko harder because he can, when he is at his best, hit winners far easier than Nadal who moonballs every second shot on the backhand

 

[DRII]

Oh sorry, with all the crap going around today I really couldnt tell if you were serious or not.

I'm definitely being serious.

Obviously I'm no Nadal, but I find that the RPM strings to be mushy and cause the ball to fall short at times, even though they have very good spin.

Maybe the hybrid option might work.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

I've brought up Nadal's health since the beginning of the year. Way before Nole's great run was even being thought of!

So instead of trolling and making lame sarcastic remarks, how about adding something productive to the discussion!

I am making productive comments. But when people like you bring up issues like virus, injury, Seve's death, earthquake in Spain, Osama's demise, Euro's decline vs. dollar, etc. as Nadal's "reasons" for losing, it can only be dismissed with sarcasm.

 

[USERNAME]

I'm definitely being serious.

Obviously I'm no Nadal, but I find that the RPM strings to be mushy and cause the ball to fall short at times, even though they have very good spin.

Maybe the hybrid option might work.

He doesnt need to change gear. He is still getting to finals and beating down players who are not Djokovic.

 

[DRII]

I am making productive comments. But when people like you bring up issues like virus, injury, Seve's death, earthquake in Spain, Osama's demise, Euro's decline vs. dollar, etc. as Nadal's "reasons" for losing, it can only be dismissed with sarcasm.

Ridiculous analogies!

Simple fact is Nadal is not playing at peak form. His serve is nowhere close to 2010 USO, his backhand return falls short and his ground strokes lack good direction or penetration. Him being 'mildly' ill would explain some of this, along with his increased perspiration and clammy-cold sweat look at times.

These, less severe ailments, happen to all players at some point: Federer's slight back pain from a couple of years ago or Roddick's mono recently.

It does not take away from Nole's achievements.

 

[DRII]

He doesnt need to change gear. He is still getting to finals and beating down players who are not Djokovic.

I dare say, and have said; that with Nadal's current form he shoud not have been reaching all of these finals. If other top players were in form, they could have defeated Nadal before he faced Nole and got beat (some cases spanked) in the the finals.

 

[Deleted member 120290]

Ridiculous analogies!

Simple fact is Nadal is not playing at peak form. His serve is nowhere close to 2010 USO, his backhand return falls short and his ground strokes lack good direction or penetration. Him being 'mildly' ill would explain some of this, along with his increased perspiration and clammy-cold sweat look at times.

These, less severe ailments, happen to all players at some point: Federer's slight back pain from a couple of years ago or Roddick's mono recently.

It does not take away from Nole's achievements.

When you lose once to someone you can say you had a bad day, was sick or tired. You lose twice and you can say the guy got lucky. 4 times in a row? The guy OWNS you.

 

[DRII]

When you lose once to someone you can say you had a bad day, was sick or tired. You lose twice and you can say the guy got lucky. 4 times in a row? The guy OWNS you.

No argument there. Currently Nole owns everybody, including Nadal. At least Nadal is trying to put up some resistance, although I still say he is not playing very well - for whatever reason (i think illness has something to do with it).

 

[Bendex]

Im not saying hit the majority of ALL shots to the fh side, just that when given a chance attack, attack the fh. He isnt even attempting to do that.

Have you SEEN his forehand lately?? What's he supposed to attack it with?

 

[Bendex]

:roll: Why doesn't he just change his FH grip to continental and his string to full gut? That way he can really hit flat and beat Djoko. It might help him with his mono too.

And he should go back to his right hand, so he can go fh to fh with him.

 

[DRII]

Rookie comment!

 

[USERNAME]

Have you SEEN his forehand lately?? What's he supposed to attack it with?

No, I just posted this because I think everybody should hit to everybody elses forehand... Have YOU seen his backhand? Have YOU seenthe last 4 finals between them? Djoko has a harder time returning the (few) heavier shots hit by Rafa with some stick when they are directed to the forehand, he is eating up anything and everything to the backhand so something needs to change.

 

[Stvwndr219]

I think Belluci and Murry showed that the weakness to Nole's game is pace. Nole isn't missing much when he has time to set up - i.e. when Nadal hits that floaty forehand or backhand (high margin of error shots). On the shots where nadal added pace, be it forehand or backhand - Djokovic was more prone to errors.

I'm not saying he should go completely flat with regards to his hitting (countless years of spin are hard to change) but from what I saw, when he whipped his forehand or slapped the cross-court backhand with more pace, Nole had less time to prepare and was more vulnerable to be out of position.

Rafa's game is even more exposed on clay because the bounce along with the slow arc of the topspin ball allows Nole to get into position before th ball bounces up into his strike zone.

Interested to hear people's take on this.

 

[Deleted member 3771]

not attack Djoker's forehand wing? From what I was seeing, he still hit a vast majority of his forcing shots (however few he actually had) to the backhand side of the court today. The times when he attacked the forehand seemed to go a hell of alot better for him in this match and past matches this year.
PS: Im a tennis fan, not a ******* nor a **** or whatever you call over-the-top Djoko fans...

That's how Bird man beat Joke man at Wimbledon, he exploited Joke man's western grip whip forehand by going hard and deep to it on serve and in rallies. Maybe Nadal just needs to use a better racket to hit harder.

 

[dominikk1985]

I believe the term is "Jotard", or maybe "Notard". Perhaps someone should post a poll so we can settle on one.

It's Joketard.

 

[dominikk1985]

I think Belluci and Murry showed that the weakness to Nole's game is pace. Nole isn't missing much when he has time to set up - i.e. when Nadal hits that floaty forehand or backhand (high margin of error shots). On the shots where nadal added pace, be it forehand or backhand - Djokovic was more prone to errors.

I'm not saying he should go completely flat with regards to his hitting (countless years of spin are hard to change) but from what I saw, when he whipped his forehand or slapped the cross-court backhand with more pace, Nole had less time to prepare and was more vulnerable to be out of position.

Rafa's game is even more exposed on clay because the bounce along with the slow arc of the topspin ball allows Nole to get into position before th ball bounces up into his strike zone.
Interested to hear people's take on this.

could be true. novak is owning him even harder on clay than on hardcourt.

 

[8PAQ]

not attack Djoker's forehand wing? From what I was seeing, he still hit a vast majority of his forcing shots (however few he actually had) to the backhand side of the court today. The times when he attacked the forehand seemed to go a hell of alot better for him in this match and past matches this year.
PS: Im a tennis fan, not a ******* nor a **** or whatever you call over-the-top Djoko fans...

His Majesty Royal Guards.

 

[MixieP]

Rafa has lost his confidence, so he can't attack - he can only defend.