Will Nadal try his best in Rome?

[stringertom]

That suggests he is throwing out some fake news practice wise as FH is fine as is BH. It is the serve and return that needs work.
There is no way Rafa is going to show his A game 3 weeks before FO, well 4 weeks before the QF at RG.
At 35 it is all about peaking at the right time.

I’m gonna believe an expert on site and watching their practice. You can believe it’s a smokescreen if you wish.

 

[Beckerserve]

I’m gonna believe an expert on site and watching their practice. You can believe it’s a smokescreen if you wish.

No you miss my point. Shannesy a great guy and he definitely is reporting what he saw. What i am saying is Team Nadal are likely practicing things they actually do not need much work on but the real practice will be behind closed doors. Apologies for the confusion.

 

[Checkmate]

Craig O’Shannessy (BrainGame Tennis) tweeted twice today there was extra practice today performed by Camp Nadal and the time was dedicated to fixing a faulty forehand that was either flying or landing woefully short.

The Nadal is indeed trying very hard at Rome and is thankful he will not begin play until Wednesday.

True! Very True! The FH has not been adequate, this season. Falling woefully short of Rafa's golden standard.

Shades of 2015!

 

[stringertom]

No you miss my point. Shannesy a great guy and he definitely is reporting what he saw. What i am saying is Team Nadal are likely practicing things they actually do not need much work on but the real practice will be behind closed doors. Apologies for the confusion.

If that is the case then The Nadal will be drained by Wednesday...extra time on the FH and closed doors sessions on the other strokes that need privacy to protect the 9x IBI champion’s chances to fix it all and win. He may burn out quite a bit earlier than Sunday with all that on his plate.

O’Shannessy’s team put together a slo mo vid from a high baseline stands angle with some nice complementary techno soundtrack to accent the grind and then imbedded these 2 minutes of practice images into their tweet. All FHs and nothing but FHs.

 

[terribleIVAN]

He went into RG last year with zero momentum, almost no competitive match play and still beat the stuffings out of everyone.

His perf in the final was good of course, but the first set score didn't reflect the closeness of the set, and he was coming in fresh ; had he been forced to battle Tsitsipas or Thiem in the semis, and it was Novak who played Schwarzie, it could have been a very different story all together in that final.

If a youngster like Zverez, able to blow him off the court, manages to push him to a fifth set Rafa will have to battle not only father time but also his increasingly falling nerves.

I believe it's the draw that will decide the winner of RG 2021.

 

[irishnadalfan1983]

If only we could all be as fat as Nadal

Do you not think he looks a bit heavier since last year????! I am not saying he is fat - of course not...I just 100% believe he looks bigger around the stomach....Was discussing this only last night with a few tennis buddies - he just look chunkier!! He's never being a Nole/Fed type figure....Either way he still looks like a beast on court and I LOVE it!

 

[RoS]

His perf in the final was good of course, but the first set score didn't reflect the closeness of the set, and he was coming in fresh ; had he been forced to battle Tsitsipas or Thiem in the semis, and it was Novak who played Schwarzie, it could have been a very different story all together in that final.

If a youngster like Zverez, able to blow him off the court, manages to push him to a fifth set Rafa will have to battle not only father time but also his increasingly falling nerves.

I believe it's the draw that will decide the winner of RG 2021.

Good post.

Nadal is still the big favorite, but I think it will be much harder for him this time.
If he meets Zverev or Tsitsipas, they won't go down without a hard fight.

 

[irishnadalfan1983]

Are people really debating whether Rafa will try his best at Rome????!! He will go all out 100%.....Pretty much like he always does.....He finished up early last week so should be reasonably fresh...

 

[Nadal_King]

I just want him to spank Zverev in quarters, just don't like that German

 

[MichaelNadal]

Do you not think he looks a bit heavier since last year????! I am not saying he is fat - of course not...I just 100% believe he looks bigger around the stomach....Was discussing this only last night with a few tennis buddies - he just look chunkier!! He's never being a Nole/Fed type figure....Either way he still looks like a beast on court and I LOVE it!

I really don't see it at all lol.

 

[irishnadalfan1983]

I really don't see it at all lol.

Fair enough - we shall have to agree to disagree

 

[mike danny]

Federer would have choked as usual. He has not the mental fortitude to beat Nadal at FO. Never had, will never have. The psychologic hold is too strong. He barely beat him in Melbourne while the Spaniard had a grueling SF against Dimitrov.

Fed was mostly bothered by young Nadal's insane speed. Old Nadal would simply be a different match-up.

 

[Beckerserve]

If that is the case then The Nadal will be drained by Wednesday...extra time on the FH and closed doors sessions on the other strokes that need privacy to protect the 9x IBI champion’s chances to fix it all and win. He may burn out quite a bit earlier than Sunday with all that on his plate.

O’Shannessy’s team put together a slo mo vid from a high baseline stands angle with some nice complementary techno soundtrack to accent the grind and then imbedded these 2 minutes of practice images into their tweet. All FHs and nothing but FHs.

I think Sinner will beat him for some reasons stated above by you.

 

[stringertom]

I think Sinner will beat him for some reasons stated above by you.

Brain Game update for Tuesday: more of the same practice routine with lots of FHs. The shot is “not shaping” as it normally would, flying quite often. More work, more coaching, much discussion. No video from today yet.

 

[Beckerserve]

Brain Game update for Tuesday: more of the same practice routine with lots of FHs. The shot is “not shaping” as it normally would, flying quite often. More work, more coaching, much discussion. No video from today yet.

Surprised flying at sea level. Good stuff enjoying your updates.

 

[stringertom]

Surprised flying at sea level. Good stuff enjoying your updates.

I have followed Craig on Twitter for 7 years now. Phenomenal insights belong to him; I just share his wealth when appropriate. BTW, one other follower asked about Camp Nadal adjusting the serve but Craig stayed mute on that.

 

[aldeayeah]

one other follower asked about Camp Nadal adjusting the serve

Goran with a fake mustache, mayhaps?

 

[stringertom]

Goran with a fake mustache, mayhaps?

Costume disguises not required on Twitter

 

[stringertom]

Nadal vs Sinner #2 is on the schedule: NB 1800 local time in Rome.