Will this be Nadal’s first year on the ATP tour without a clay title?

[TheMaestro1990]

He even won one back in 2004. Every year since then he has won a clay court title. Even in his horrendous 2015 season. Imo he is playing better now than he was in 2015, but considering only Rome and RG are left... can he win any of them? Of course. But there’s also a chance he won’t.

Discuss.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

He even won one back in 2004. Every year since then he has won a clay court title. Even in his horrendous 2015 season. Imo he is playing better now than he was in 2015, but considering only Rome and RG are left... can he win any of them? Of course. But there’s also a chance he won’t.

Discuss.

There is still Hamburg and a couple of clay events post Wimbledon, should he want to play them.

 

[TheMaestro1990]

There is still Hamburg and a couple of clay events post Wimbledon, should he want to play them.

Will he play them if he doesn’t win Rome and RG, just to get a clay title?

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Will he play them if he doesn’t win Rome and RG, just to get a clay title?

He may play them just to try to build his confidence back up, heading into the summer HC season and the USO. The draws will be weaker.

 

[TheMaestro1990]

He may play them just to try to build his confidence back up, heading into the summer HC season and the USO. The draws will be weaker.

Maybe. Nonetheless it would still be the first time he left the ’official’ clay court season without a clay title to his name. I think he’s gonna win RG, but we’ll see.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

Maybe. Nonetheless it would still be the first time he left the ’official’ clay court season without a clay title to his name. I think he’s gonna win RG, but we’ll see.

Well, if that is the case, he won Buenos Aires in 2015 and nothing during the official clay court season, which I am assuming you are referring to the European clay swing from MC to RG.

 

[Mainad]

There is still Hamburg and a couple of clay events post Wimbledon, should he want to play them.

Hamburg was 1 of the only 2 claycourt titles he won in 2015 (the other being Buenos Aires).

 

[TheMaestro1990]

Well, if that is the case, he won Buenos Aires in 2015 and nothing during the official clay court season, which I am assuming you are referring to the European clay swing from MC to RG.

I am, but I just meant that he had a title to his name on clay already when that part of the season came around. This is the first time in his career he can actually come to grass without a clay title.

 

[jm1980]

He is still the favourite for RG

 

[SavvyStringer]

He is still the favourite for RG

Are you sure? It's not like he's losing to the same guy over and over. It's been 3 different players that have handed him clay losses this year.

 

[Red Rick]

He may play them just to try to build his confidence back up, heading into the summer HC season and the USO. The draws will be weaker.

Can only see it he crashes out of Wimbledon before R3.

 

[rUDin 21]

This is the first time in his career he can actually come to grass without a clay title.

Without title at all. But i would be surprised if he doesn't win Rome or RG or both.

 

[MasturB]

He will either win Hamburg or Kitzbuhel. Don't count him out.

 

[Rafa's Pigeon]

Will win Rome and Roland Garros

 

[MichaelNadal]

Will win Rome and Roland Garros

He betta

 

[Im(moral) Winner]

Or any title?

 

[junior74]

I think everything depends on Rome for Nadal

 

[StannisTheMannis]

Or any title?

If he misses on clay, I doubt he has a shot at anything unless he vultures a 500. Maybe Montreal.

 

[Tennis_Hands]

He will either win Hamburg or Kitzbuhel. Don't count him out.

The chance of ducking it out with Thiem in the final in Kitzbühel.

 

[chjtennis]

Quite unthinkable may happen this year - Nadal without any big titles on clay. He will drop in rankings should that happen. Maybe outside top 5, but he should still earn substantial amount of points at Wimby and from the HC & indoor season. He is still good enough to win some or get to F/SFs.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

Or any title?

That would be fantastic
Long-awaited...

 

[icedevil0289]

watch rafa win rome now and rg easily.

 

[mightyjeditribble]

Nah I think he'll win at least one of Rome and RG.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

He betta

Likely to be bull slayed by Earth's Mightiest.

 

[NEW_BORN]

Nadal's got Rome in the bag. He's on fire.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Likely to be bull slayed by Earth's Mightiest.

More like earth's timeliest. He picks his spots to peak ill give him that.

 

[Deleted member 77403]

More like earth's timeliest. He picks his spots to peak ill give him that.

You got to know when to destroy and when to sit back and watch the self destruction.

 

[Cabeza del Demonio]

Will win Rome and Roland Garros

That is a very likely scenario, and the fact that it's still a very likely scenario (given his results on clay this year) is scary.

 

[Sysyphus]

Ned is winning Rome, upon which this'll be moot

 

[MichaelNadal]

You got to know when to destroy and when to sit back and watch the self destruction.

On this I agree.

 

[Gato]

Rafa will win RG

 

[r2473]

What’s wrong with Nadal? He dropped 2 games in 2 matches today?

Is he injured?

 

[I Am Finnish]

What’s wrong with Nadal? He dropped 2 games in 2 matches today?

Is he injured?

He peaked too early

 

[titoelcolombiano]

I still think that in BO5 at RG, Djokovic in top form is the only one that is taking Rafa out and even then it will be a huge battle for Djoker. Djoker & Nadal went toe-to-toe at Wimby recently in conditions that gave Djoker the edge. You can guarantee that Rafa isn't showing up to a potential RG final like he did at the AO final and in this case the conditions would give Rafa the edge.

It is actually great to see Djoker, Thiem & Fed in good form though. It should be a great tournament, there have been a few snooze-worthy slams in the last couple of years.