2015 French Open QF: Djokovic v. Nadal

[Moxie]

Deservedly so, but dissing the 2008 version of him. Wow.
We may never know, since that match will never happen but Nadal would have beaten him handily, and in this I am sure. His forehand, at the time, would have been too much to handle even for Djokovic I am afraid, and he would have held up nicely in the backhand exchanges.

I didn't diss any version of Rafa. I just think Novak could have beaten Rafa at RG earlier if he had played like he did yesterday. Peak Rafa on clay is still the closest thing I've seen to unbeatable in tennis.

'If he had played like he did yesterday' is a key phrase, and, to be fair, if Rafa also played like he did yesterday, Djokovic might have beaten him sooner. Your last sentence if very true, though.

 

[Carol]

And Rafa says: "I lost in 2009 and it wasn't the end, this one won't be neither" " I'm going to work hard to be ready" "I'm going to play in Sttugartt, Queens and Wimbledon, I will play better"

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

^^he actually said "I'm going to play Stuttgart, queens and Wimbledon PROBABLY"..

hope he isn't keeping the door ajar for a 2009 style dramatic withdrawal from the worlds no1 major.

 

[Carol]

^^he actually said "I'm going to play Stuttgart, queens and Wimbledon PROBABLY"..

hope he isn't keeping the door ajar for a 2009 style dramatic withdrawal from the worlds no1 major.

I haven't read that he has said 'PROBABLY', in 2009 he was INJURED

Moya says "It's going to start a new season for Rafa, he doesn't have almost points to defense, he is healthy, he will do much better"

 

[britbox]

^Other than the points to defend in the early part of the year, Moya's reasoning would also apply on January 1st 2015.

 

[Fiero425]

^Other than the points to defend in the early part of the year, Moya's reasoning would also apply on January 1st 2015.

How low will he have to drop in the rankings for it to sink in that Nadal's on the decline? I'm not trying to pile on, but this is getting real ugly; the losses to players he's owned and not winning tourneys even on clay! Should I make a thread asking/polling about "2013 being his last stand?" It's been all downhill since and was overlooked until he found himself ranked #7, seeded #6 at his beloved FO, then going out in "straights" in the QF! I'm sure his fans think he'll have another "Phoenix" act, but what do other people think? I say he's seeded outside the top 10 at Wimbledon and is lucky to make it to the 3rd round! If he plays a lot of warm-ups events as promised, his confidence won't be enhanced, it will be shakier! :nono :angel: :dodgy:

 

[19USC66]

It's simple. Nadal is going on thirty years old. It happens. Read an amazing article the other day about the age 28 curse in tennis. The guy who wrote the piece backed it up with stats and history. When a player hits the age 28 plateau things start going astray. Rafa's next birthday will be his big 30. I know he just turned 29, but Djokovic handled him and did not seem bothered by Nadal at any time. Djoker had a dip in set one, but big deal Rafa could not sustain his effort. Times change. Father time waits for no man. As Nadal got into Federer's head Novak has gotten into the Rafa Nadal psych. McEnroe got into Borg's head and so on. It's the nature of the game. There is always someone else.

 

[19USC66]

^Wow! You can just imagine what Nike directors are thinking right now then. One of those guys is going to get a huuuuge offer. Probably Novak

I seriously doubt Novak would take it. He is huge in Asia and Uniqlo has done right by him every step of the way. Murray inked a pretty serious deal with UA (just last year?). Jo might get an offer, but he's getting older.

Stan? uzzled Stan?? I don't think the Nike sherbet colors are his cup of tea. He seems to really enjoy playing in his underpants. :cover

Hey nehmeth,
I sent you a private message.

 

[Fiero425]

It's simple. Nadal is going on thirty years old. It happens. Read an amazing article the other day about the age 28 curse in tennis. The guy who wrote the piece backed it up with stats and history. When a player hits the age 28 plateau things start going astray. Rafa's next birthday will be his big 30. I know he just turned 29, but Djokovic handled him and did not seem bothered by Nadal at any time. Djoker had a dip in set one, but big deal Rafa could not sustain his effort. Times change. Father time waits for no man. As Nadal got into Federer's head Novak has gotten into the Rafa Nadal psych. McEnroe got into Borg's head and so on. It's the nature of the game. There is always someone else.

If not that article, I've read others that have stated the same thing! It makes sense and only proves even with the greatness of Federer, it all has to end sometime! He's been in only 3 major finals in the last 4 years, winning 1 almost 3 years ago! I wouldn't mind him taking another Wimbledon (not at the expense of NOLE) to take ownership of that championship like Nadal has in Paris and Nole "down under!" I just can't believe how times have changed! It seems like only yesterday I was making an argument for Sampras being the GOAT; even w/o a FO title! Now we have these 3 great players that have shattered the record books and likely to push things so far, no one will be able to overtake their accomplishments! :clap :angel:

 

[Carol]

It's simple. Nadal is going on thirty years old. It happens. Read an amazing article the other day about the age 28 curse in tennis. The guy who wrote the piece backed it up with stats and history. When a player hits the age 28 plateau things start going astray. Rafa's next birthday will be his big 30. I know he just turned 29, but Djokovic handled him and did not seem bothered by Nadal at any time. Djoker had a dip in set one, but big deal Rafa could not sustain his effort. Times change. Father time waits for no man. As Nadal got into Federer's head Novak has gotten into the Rafa Nadal psych. McEnroe got into Borg's head and so on. It's the nature of the game. There is always someone else.

Then according to that "amazing article" Novak also will start going astray soon, isn't? or maybe the 28 curse is just for Rafa? that writer should find out why Nadal is going through these bad times and it's not exactly because his just turned 29. Nadal got into Federer's head since he was 18 years old and not 28 like Novak is playing this year and Nadal with a lack of confidence after coming back of a wrist injury and appendicitis surgery. Give him time, he is not so old
And it seems that curse has not worked with some players like Stan who has won his first GS at 29, Ferru his first MS at 30 or 31 and both never have been the best ones before

 

[britbox]

It's simple. Nadal is going on thirty years old. It happens. Read an amazing article the other day about the age 28 curse in tennis. The guy who wrote the piece backed it up with stats and history. When a player hits the age 28 plateau things start going astray. Rafa's next birthday will be his big 30. I know he just turned 29, but Djokovic handled him and did not seem bothered by Nadal at any time. Djoker had a dip in set one, but big deal Rafa could not sustain his effort. Times change. Father time waits for no man. As Nadal got into Federer's head Novak has gotten into the Rafa Nadal psych. McEnroe got into Borg's head and so on. It's the nature of the game. There is always someone else.

If not that article, I've read others that have stated the same thing! It makes sense and only proves even with the greatness of Federer, it all has to end sometime! He's been in only 3 major finals in the last 4 years, winning 1 almost 3 years ago! I wouldn't mind him taking another Wimbledon (not at the expense of NOLE) to take ownership of that championship like Nadal has in Paris and Nole "down under!" I just can't believe how times have changed! It seems like only yesterday I was making an argument for Sampras being the GOAT; even w/o a FO title! Now we have these 3 great players that have shattered the record books and likely to push things so far, no one will be able to overtake their accomplishments! :clap :angel:

Nah, somebody will surpass them - nothing stands for ever.

My money is on Tommy Haas.

 

[brokenshoelace]

It's simple. Nadal is going on thirty years old. It happens. Read an amazing article the other day about the age 28 curse in tennis. The guy who wrote the piece backed it up with stats and history. When a player hits the age 28 plateau things start going astray. Rafa's next birthday will be his big 30. I know he just turned 29, but Djokovic handled him and did not seem bothered by Nadal at any time. Djoker had a dip in set one, but big deal Rafa could not sustain his effort. Times change. Father time waits for no man. As Nadal got into Federer's head Novak has gotten into the Rafa Nadal psych. McEnroe got into Borg's head and so on. It's the nature of the game. There is always someone else.

If not that article, I've read others that have stated the same thing! It makes sense and only proves even with the greatness of Federer, it all has to end sometime! He's been in only 3 major finals in the last 4 years, winning 1 almost 3 years ago! I wouldn't mind him taking another Wimbledon (not at the expense of NOLE) to take ownership of that championship like Nadal has in Paris and Nole "down under!" I just can't believe how times have changed! It seems like only yesterday I was making an argument for Sampras being the GOAT; even w/o a FO title! Now we have these 3 great players that have shattered the record books and likely to push things so far, no one will be able to overtake their accomplishments! :clap :angel:

Nah, somebody will surpass them - nothing stands for ever.

My money is on Tommy Haas.

You misspelled "Robin Soderling."

 

[Fiero425]

It's simple. Nadal is going on thirty years old. It happens. Read an amazing article the other day about the age 28 curse in tennis. The guy who wrote the piece backed it up with stats and history. When a player hits the age 28 plateau things start going astray. Rafa's next birthday will be his big 30. I know he just turned 29, but Djokovic handled him and did not seem bothered by Nadal at any time. Djoker had a dip in set one, but big deal Rafa could not sustain his effort. Times change. Father time waits for no man. As Nadal got into Federer's head Novak has gotten into the Rafa Nadal psych. McEnroe got into Borg's head and so on. It's the nature of the game. There is always someone else.

If not that article, I've read others that have stated the same thing! It makes sense and only proves even with the greatness of Federer, it all has to end sometime! He's been in only 3 major finals in the last 4 years, winning 1 almost 3 years ago! I wouldn't mind him taking another Wimbledon (not at the expense of NOLE) to take ownership of that championship like Nadal has in Paris and Nole "down under!" I just can't believe how times have changed! It seems like only yesterday I was making an argument for Sampras being the GOAT; even w/o a FO title! Now we have these 3 great players that have shattered the record books and likely to push things so far, no one will be able to overtake their accomplishments! :clap :angel:

Nah, somebody will surpass them - nothing stands for ever.

My money is on Tommy Haas.

Not with this collection of losers! They're all stunted in different ways; physically, emotionally, etc.! I see most of this new crop breaking down prematurely due to the schedule which is so grueling! They all work so hard to win a simple point; going the distance again and again! I doubt these guys will make it to 28 on the tour! :cover :nono :angel: :dodgy:

 

[GameSetAndMath]

And Rafa says: "I lost in 2009 and it wasn't the end, this one won't be neither" " I'm going to work hard to be ready"

The difference is that in 2009 it was an upset and this time it is expected result. An upset is unlikely to occur again, but an expected result is likely to occur again.

I am not trying to kick him when he is down, but I thought it is important that people keep the difference between 2009 and 2015 in mind.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I am not trying to kick him when he is down

Yes you are, but it doesn't make your point any less true.

 

[Carol]

And Rafa says: "I lost in 2009 and it wasn't the end, this one won't be neither" " I'm going to work hard to be ready"

The difference is that in 2009 it was an upset and this time it is expected result. An upset is unlikely to occur again, but an expected result is likely to occur again.

I am not trying to kick him when he is down, but I thought it is important that people keep the difference between 2009 and 2015 in mind.

The diference is that in 2009 Rafa was injured (even that you don't want to believe it) and now he is healthy. 20015 has been bad for him (until now) but who ever knows a little bit about injuries/surgeries then he should understand how difficult is to come back at 100%. He did in 2013 but it doesn't mean he could do it again and less if his confidence-enthusiasm is not the same. It's just the time factor, and maybe he will surprise you.....and others