Why Nadal has done so much better at Wimbledon than the US Open

[JennyS]

I don't necessarily think Nadal is a better grasscourter than hardcourter. I think it has more to do with the timing of the events. If Wimbledon was on hard and the US Open on grass, I still think Nadal would be having better results at Wimbledon.

I think it's all about momentum. His early loss in Wimby 2005 was understandable given he had just won his first Grand Slam, but from 2006-2008 he came into Wimbledon with a Grand Slam finals win over Federer 2 weeks earlier. That is a HUGE confidence booster.

And now let's consider the number of matches he played during the clay/grass seasons:
2006: 34
2007: 37
2008: 35

That's a ton of matches to play in a 3 month stretch and with his style of game, I think he has been mentally and physically exhausted at the US Open.

In many ways, losing early at RG and missing the grass season could HELP him at the US Open, since he will have been much more rested. Obviously the knee could still be an issue, but he'll be more rested.

So again, I think the timing of the events and not the surface is the #1 reason why Nadal has had superior results at Wimbledon to the US Open.

Thoughts?

 

[Defcon]

USO is the fastest surface and thus Nadal's weakest. Its as simple as that.

 

[Madhoshi22]

I think you have it correct, with the timing and the number of events Rafa chooses to play coming into the Open. He plays a long, arduous season, and giving his playing style, he's usually burnt out by the end of the season. It has been many people's opinions that he should cut down his playing schedule in order to prolong his career and keep playing injury free, you saw an example of that at this year's FO. In essence, he's too tired, both mentally and physically, to really compete at his usually 100% tenacity at the Open.

 

[JennyS]

One of the events he'd have to cut is Barcelona. I know he really loves playing there in his home country, but that could make a big difference.

Remember how Federer used to play Gstaad right after Wimbledon? He finally dropped the tournament from his schedule a few years ago, which was a great decision.

 

[World Beater]

its a combination of ball bounce (uneven & skidding on grass vs predictable and true on hc), speed and movement.

 

[egn]

I think it has to do with the surface honestly. The US Open is a fast high bouncing surface compared to wimbledon and it is not as light on his feet. He is not as comfortable moving hardcourts as he is on grass as you can see from his performance there and there are a lot of players who play well on fast hardcourts that can upset him. My opinion.

 

[Badger]

USO is the fastest surface and thus Nadal's weakest. Its as simple as that.

Agreed. 10 chars.

 

[Nadal_Freak]

Wimbledon is indeed the fastest but Nadal is a very good mover on natural surfaces. They're easier on his knee as well. Also playing lights out as a flat ball hitter is much easier to pull off on a true bouncing surface like hardcourt.

 

[Fedgasm]

I don't think the timing has as much to do with it as the fact that wimbledon plays slower than USO.

 

[Serendipitous]

Nadal has done better at Wimbledon because it occurs earlier in the year and he isn't as tired as he is when he enters the US Open.


If you don't agree with me, please feel free to quote me and bash me.

 

[ambro]

Wimbledon is indeed the fastest but Nadal is a very good mover on natural surfaces. They're easier on his knee as well. Also playing lights out as a flat ball hitter is much easier to pull off on a true bouncing surface like hardcourt.

Wow, just wow. FINALLY, a post of yours I agree with! It's a miracle.

 

[BigServer1]

I think the timing of it is big...I also think that the grass is easier on his body and he's able to just really go all out.

It will be interesting to see how he does this summer HC season, especially in the US Open. My guess is that Federer would win if they were to meet in the final, but if Nadal were able to get their, that alone would be a big achievement for him.

 

[Cenc]

because wimbledon is slow

 

[thalivest]

1. The very hard surface tends to be hardest on his body.
2. It is at the end of the year when he tends to be more fatigued.
3. There are many more really good hard court players than grass courters amongst today field.

 

[tahiti]

Wow, just wow. FINALLY, a post of yours I agree with! It's a miracle.

Although Nadal-Freak has made some questionable posts in the past, he/she makes pretty decent posts quite often; only some people get stuck in the past and continue to hammer him/her continually for past errors.

I think Nadal likes the natural surface and he has also said that it is his favourite tournament and had always wanted to win it. So the game and the will I would suppose is why he has done well there.

 

[Aabye]

Maybe it is the same reason as Borg: didn't/doesn't like the bright lights and big city atmosphere of the Big Apple.

 

[jmverdugo]

I think is a timing thing, lets see this year with his forced off court time maybe he will be fresher for the USO.

 

[galactico]

i just think that nadal has been beaten by an on-form player at the time, something that hasn't happened at wimbledon

 

[tahiti]

Yes he should be fresher for the USO especially coz there are no Olympics and it would nice if he could get that GS too. Knowing that he got the AUO should give him more motivation. Sometimes, besides injury, I thought it was the fact that many matches are played at night & Nadal is better in the heat. But maybe this year he'll be able to get further.

 

[rommil]

USO is the fastest surface and thus Nadal's weakest. Its as simple as that.

This and the fact it's towards the end of the year.

 

[tintin]

he might be fresher but let's say he plays there as his First tournament after this break
he will be sore
he will be rusty
what makes you think he'll get an easy draw like he did last year?