2014 Roland Garros QF: Nadal vs. Ferrer

[Denis]

It's funny I didn't hear you be so redundant when Tsonga bent over.

Ah yes, another point directed at me personally. It seems to be a habit of the Fedal camp out here. I will ignore these posts from now on, but for you, as I generally like your posts a lot, I will respond.

I didn't post during that match, so yes you did not hear me. But I have said many times in the past that, although I really like Tsonga, I think his attitude is terrible. I don't think he tanked the match though. He is just horribly out of shape and mentally completely out of it. He was simply not ready at all for this match, which is something different from giving up when you are in the lead. But both attitudes are pretty bad.

Word of advice, don't take things personally. I'll also remind you that I don't think I've ever personally attacked you so I don't get where this "another post directed at me personally" is coming from.

Now, to explain my post, all I said was that you're being redundant. That's no attack. It's just a thing that whenever Nadal beats someone, you tend to post the same things, while ignoring that players "bend over" all the time...to other players too. All I'm asking is for us to be equal opportunity critics. If you're going to criticize a guy for his attitude (and keep in mind I was the one who originally brought up how terrible Ferrer's attitude is, so I'm not disagreeing with you), do it consistently, and not when it's most convenient (ie when it's not your player on the other side of the net).

That does make it personal then doesn't it?

No. Not really. I have a problem with the lack of consistency in criticism. I don't have a problem with you. If that's what you consider personal that's on you.

I can see that. Still you could have said 'other players fold like cheap tents too, like Tsonga', so it's still personal. I'll take your word of advice though, but I'll still be more selective in who to respond to.

 

[crystalfire]

Perhaps you didn't see my post in response to your above. There is no reason to treat Ferrer like a neutered man or a quitter. Perhaps he shouldn't have been so forthcoming about his feelings, but he's always been a valiant competitor. He hit the wall today, but don't crucify him for not having more to give, in this particular match. I'm pretty sure he's not done, and on another day he'll fight Nadal for it.

honestly thought today was the day. maybe not win but go 5 sets. actually test nadal. make him earn the semis of a slam. not just hand it to him.

I'm sure Ferrer would have tested him to 5 if he could have. No one hands anyone anything they don't take…or very rarely, especially at a Slam.

he could have and should have. there was no reason to be eating bagels and breadsticks when rafa isnt even playing to his full potential.

"Could have and should have" done what...tried? I'm sure he did, at first. "Should" he have won? There is a reason that Nadal has won at RG 8 times…he's massively better here than basically everyone, even at less than his best. Ferrer threw everything he had at Nadal for 2 sets. It wasn't enough, and he got increasingly diminished returns. What more can you ask, when even Federer and Djokovic haven't beaten Nadal here? It feels like a cliche to say that Nadal is a tough out at RG…but it's still true, too. Don't beat Ferrer up because he didn't do what almost no one else has done, either. I love that he gets so little credit from most people on these boards, and yet, when he didn't do the near-impossible, he's gutless and blew his chances. I'm sorry, but I'd be more sympathetic with some of this outrage if I weren't one of Ferrer's few champions on these boards. I stand by my comment that, if it weren't for the fact that so many would have liked to see an upset of Nadal at the hands of anyone, no one would have been so outraged that Ferrer went down in 4 to the likes of Djokovic or Murray.

i just meant he should have tried harder and not gave up after being in lead. even after rafa won second set he had a good chance. i never expected him to win this. its true none of us would care even if he went down in 4 to any of the other top guys but if he had said the same things he did im sure it would be the same argument

 

[DarthFed]

Toni complained about court's choice : he said that organizers were wrong to put Nadal/Ferrer on Lenglen instead of CC...but la Monf was the last local hero so he had CC instead of Toni's nephew, that's life unfair Toni !! I guess all countries do the same

Wouldn't be Uncle Homie without a complaint or a 100 :nono

 

[JMASTERJ]

LMAO people here are cracking me up, criticizing Ferrer. Do you hacks who never played even satellite level tournies have any idea what men's tennis is about? Tennis was listed by ESPN as one of the 5 toughest sports in the world, after sports like boxing and ice hockey. The amount of physicality, mental focus and strategy needed to just play and make money on tour, let alone be ranked top 5 in the world for several years is something you can't fathom.

Nadal is simply in a different league. Then how did Ferrer win a set you ask? Well he hit harder and more accurate than I ever seen him hit. Keep in mind to hit such offensive shots against the best clay courter in history means u also have to run and have that much more footwork. And Ferrer did it for two sets. At his age and physical capability, his red line taps out at that point, no matter what he "wills" to happen. If you physically cannot hit the ball with a certain racquet speed against Nadal, u might as well go home, thats reality, this aint the movies. For those of you who are at least a 5.5 player, all u have to do is play vs Nadal one game, not one set, one GAME, and you will understand the meaning of "hopeless". If you are not even that level, just listen while the adults talk while u watch on your comfy couches.

As for "perspective" on the physicality of tennis, I have hit with top high school juniors recently, and they are amazed how I am not even breathing hard after a twenty minute warm-up with them. Then I hit with someone playing in the world ITF championships who lost in the second round, and I was huffing and puffing after 30 minutes. Versus Nadal, give me about 10 minutes, if that, before I raise the white flag.

Most top players are physical freaks. Nadal, Fed, Novak and Murray are a step above even freaks. The amount of stress their wrists, rotator cuffs, abs, quads, knees and ankles go through are unimaginable by 99.99999% of the population, let alone they can stress them to near 100% for 4+ hours. Bottom line, if u have no idea what it really takes to be a top ten ATP tour player, then just be the spectator u r and just watch the big boys play.

If the debate is whether Ferrer should have said that in the interview or not? Who the $^#$% cares, stop creating drama and just watch tennis, or else go work for the press and create drama for money.

 

[brokenshoelace]

^^ You're going to fit right in!

 

[Denis]

LMAO people here are cracking me up, criticizing Ferrer. Do you hacks who never played even satellite level tournies have any idea what men's tennis is about? Tennis was listed by ESPN as one of the 5 toughest sports in the world, after sports like boxing and ice hockey. The amount of physicality, mental focus and strategy needed to just play and make money on tour, let alone be ranked top 5 in the world for several years is something you can't fathom.

Nadal is simply in a different league. Then how did Ferrer win a set you ask? Well he hit harder and more accurate than I ever seen him hit. Keep in mind to hit such offensive shots against the best clay courter in history means u also have to run and have that much more footwork. And Ferrer did it for two sets. At his age and physical capability, his red line taps out at that point, no matter what he "wills" to happen. If you physically cannot hit the ball with a certain racquet speed against Nadal, u might as well go home, thats reality, this aint the movies. For those of you who are at least a 5.5 player, all u have to do is play vs Nadal one game, not one set, one GAME, and you will understand the meaning of "hopeless". If you are not even that level, just listen while the adults talk while u watch on your comfy couches.

As for "perspective" on the physicality of tennis, I have hit with top high school juniors recently, and they are amazed how I am not even breathing hard after a twenty minute warm-up with them. Then I hit with someone playing in the world ITF championships who lost in the second round, and I was huffing and puffing after 30 minutes. Versus Nadal, give me about 10 minutes, if that, before I raise the white flag.

Most top players are physical freaks. Nadal, Fed, Novak and Murray are a step above even freaks. The amount of stress their wrists, rotator cuffs, abs, quads, knees and ankles go through are unimaginable by 99.99999% of the population, let alone they can stress them to near 100% for 4+ hours. Bottom line, if u have no idea what it really takes to be a top ten ATP tour player, then just be the spectator u r and just watch the big boys play.

If the debate is whether Ferrer should have said that in the interview or not? Who the $^#$% cares, stop creating drama and just watch tennis, or else go work for the press and create drama for money.

Right. So why even bother playing then? uzzled