2017 US Open Semifinals: Nadal vs. Del Potro

[DarthFed]

I agree with you. He's been in a long period of near-irrelevance. Everyone will be looking at how he comes back.

For all of his talent and ambition, I think he is no Rafa or Roger.

I see a lot of hoping and wishing that the guy remains a scrub from here on out. Not just from you but from fellow Fed fans and others as well. The fact is his career arc has followed Fed and Nadal for awhile. Around age 29-30 those guys stunk too. Nadal was completely irrelevant for two years before 2017. Fed stunk from post AO 2010 through 2011, etc.

Talent wise I'd say he sits between Fed and Nadal, and I doubt he's done, he's just unlikely to finish with as many slams as the other two now.

 

[Moxie]

I see a lot of hoping and wishing that the guy remains a scrub from here on out. Not just from you but from fellow Fed fans and others as well. The fact is his career arc has followed Fed and Nadal for awhile. Around age 29-30 those guys stunk too. Nadal was completely irrelevant for two years before 2017. Fed stunk from post AO 2010 through 2011, etc.

Talent wise I'd say he sits between Fed and Nadal, and I doubt he's done, he's just unlikely to finish with as many slams as the other two now.

I said early this evening, on the question of his using the 2-hander more often, that perhaps that meant his left wrist was getting better, and that I hoped so. I slightly resent that you would say I wish him ill. I like JMDP and have wished him well in many posts. I think you're wrong that he "sits between Fed and Nadal" in terms of talent, though I understand that you'd like to think so. Also that his career arc tracks theirs. He's not in a slump in any way that relates to theirs, or nearly anyone else's. He's lost 3 years to injury. He may be coming back to his best, and I think most of us hope so. (It's just been hard to believe, with so much disappointment.) If so, he may get "bonus years," after so much time off of the tour. I hope for that, too.

 

[rafanoy1992]

I said early this evening, on the question of his using the 2-hander more often, that perhaps that meant his left wrist was getting better, and that I hoped so. I slightly resent that you would say I wish him ill. I like JMDP and have wished him well in many posts. I think you're wrong that he "sits between Fed and Nadal" in terms of talent, though I understand that you'd like to think so. Also that his career arc tracks theirs. He's not in a slump in any way that relates to theirs, or nearly anyone else's. He's lost 3 years to injury. He may be coming back to his best, and I think most of us hope so. (It's just been hard to believe, with so much disappointment.) If so, he may get "bonus years," after so much time off of the tour. I hope for that, too.

Moxie, I think Darth is talking about Djokovic not Delpo

 

[Moxie]

Moxie, I think Darth is talking about Djokovic not Delpo

Ah, you're right. I'd left the conversation, and forgotten Djoker came back in. But don't worry, I have a response for that, too.

 

[DarthFed]

I said early this evening, on the question of his using the 2-hander more often, that perhaps that meant his left wrist was getting better, and that I hoped so. I slightly resent that you would say I wish him ill. I like JMDP and have wished him well in many posts. I think you're wrong that he "sits between Fed and Nadal" in terms of talent, though I understand that you'd like to think so. Also that his career arc tracks theirs. He's not in a slump in any way that relates to theirs, or nearly anyone else's. He's lost 3 years to injury. He may be coming back to his best, and I think most of us hope so. (It's just been hard to believe, with so much disappointment.) If so, he may get "bonus years," after so much time off of the tour. I hope for that, too.

Haha late night clearly

I would never say Del Po is of the same cloth as the top 3 guys. Before the wrist injury he probably would've ended up the 4th wheel instead of Murray. Now he is just done. He didn't look remotely good vs Thiem or Roger or Rafa. He can play spoiler but not even a good one at that, Fed would've been done in by 20-30 other guys on Wednesday.

 

[Ricardo]

Ah, you're right. I'd left the conversation, and forgotten Djoker came back in. But don't worry, I have a response for that, too.

a defensive response i am sure?

 

[Ricardo]

Moxie, I think Darth is talking about Djokovic not Delpo

 

[Moxie]

I see a lot of hoping and wishing that the guy remains a scrub from here on out. Not just from you but from fellow Fed fans and others as well. The fact is his career arc has followed Fed and Nadal for awhile. Around age 29-30 those guys stunk too. Nadal was completely irrelevant for two years before 2017. Fed stunk from post AO 2010 through 2011, etc.

Talent wise I'd say he sits between Fed and Nadal, and I doubt he's done, he's just unlikely to finish with as many slams as the other two now.

Since I see that you're talking about Djokovic, I'll revise my remarks. I still think you're wrong that even he sits between Roger and Rafa, in terms of talent. You'd just like to put someone there. You have to admit that his slump has been particularly mysterious. It's been more than remarked upon in main-stream journalism, not just forum chat. I think we all believe that he'll come back to some form of full-Novak, but he won't come back to the same world that he once owned. A lot of young players are coming up, and the challenge will be greater. Djokovic and Murray decided to take a gap-year in 2017, and who stepped in to take advantage? The old GOATs. But the youngsters are clearly rattling the cage.

 

[DarthFed]

One which will show that I'm right in that she's praying Djokovic will remain weak and unmotivated forever. And one that will probably say that she thinks Rafa is more talented though I think even Rafa himself would sincerely not agree.

 

[Moxie]

Haha late night clearly

 

[Ricardo]

Since I see that you're talking about Djokovic, I'll revise my remarks. I still think you're wrong that even he sits between Roger and Rafa, in terms of talent. You'd just like to put someone there. You have to admit that his slump has been particularly mysterious. It's been more than remarked upon in main-stream journalism, not just forum chat. I think we all believe that he'll come back to some form of full-Novak, but he won't come back to the same world that he once owned. A lot of young players are coming up, and the challenge will be greater. Djokovic and Murray decided to take a gap-year in 2017, and who stepped in to take advantage? The old GOATs. But the youngsters are clearly rattling the cage.

one is always wrong if he puts anyone above Rafa in terms of talent.....correct? how predictable. you are in the wrong here, several players are actually more gifted in terms of tennis talent than Rafa, but Rafa makes the most of it because he's been brought up and trained the right way. He is a top shelf talent btw, no doubt about it, but you'd be stupid if you think he is more talented than Roger or Djoker.

 

[DarthFed]

Since I see that you're talking about Djokovic, I'll revise my remarks. I still think you're wrong that even he sits between Roger and Rafa, in terms of talent. You'd just like to put someone there. You have to admit that his slump has been particularly mysterious. It's been more than remarked upon in main-stream journalism, not just forum chat. I think we all believe that he'll come back to some form of full-Novak, but he won't come back to the same world that he once owned. A lot of young players are coming up, and the challenge will be greater. Djokovic and Murray decided to take a gap-year in 2017, and who stepped in to take advantage? The old GOATs. But the youngsters are clearly rattling the cage.

That he hit a rough patch after winning RG wasn't surprising at all. The length of it has been surprising though but refer to what I said about Fed and Rafa at the same age. We can forget Murray but it's clear even as a Fed fan how much easier this year was without the big bad wolf around. The youngsters aren't ready yet. Truthfully there is only one that has showed serious promise so far (Zverev) and he's never made a QF at a major yet. Shap has showed something too but still early to declare him a future contender IMO. If Nole doesn't come back strong this year may repeat itself. But I'd be surprised if he doesn't come back strong. He will still want to add to his career and he should, otherwise he's just the third best in his era and as harsh as it is that puts him way down legacy wise if he doesn't come at least close to the other two.

 

[Ricardo]

That he hit a rough patch after winning RG wasn't surprising at all. The length of it has been surprising though but refer to what I said about Fed and Rafa at the same age. We can forget Murray but it's clear even as a Fed fan how much easier this year was without the big bad wolf around. The youngsters aren't ready yet. Truthfully there is only one that has showed serious promise so far (Zverev) and he's never made a QF at a major yet. Shap has showed something too but still early to declare him a future contender IMO. If Nole doesn't come back strong this year may repeat itself. But I'd be surprised if he doesn't come back strong. He will still want to add to his career and he should, otherwise he's just the third best in his era and as harsh as it is that puts him way down legacy wise if he doesn't come at least close to the other two.

he is the third best in this era, always has been. Time has run out for him to surpass Roger, as 8 slams is a bit much to ask for at his age. But possibly he can still catch Rafa, if one is being optimistic.

 

[DarthFed]

^ Agreed. Right now he is a pretty distant 3rd. After winning RG he was very very close to Nadal career wise and seemed to have a small chance at Fed's record. Now zero chance at that and I wouldn't expect him to hit 16. And also Rafa isn't staying stuck at 16 and as long as Fed stays motivated and understands the threat he's under he won't stay stuck at 19. He totally took his eyes off the big picture and it cost him badly at this USO. He better not make a habit of it

 

[isabelle]

very sad for Juanito he ate a bagel, terrible for him, I'ld have loved to see him clinch the title

 

[brokenshoelace]

one is always wrong if he puts anyone above Rafa in terms of talent.....correct? how predictable. you are in the wrong here, several players are actually more gifted in terms of tennis talent than Rafa, but Rafa makes the most of it because he's been brought up and trained the right way. He is a top shelf talent btw, no doubt about it, but you'd be stupid if you think he is more talented than Roger or Djoker.

I don't buy the argument that "several" players are more talented than Rafa. Are Wawrinka and Murray more talented? I'm calling bull on that. And if they're not, who are these several players?

However, I will agree with you and Darth in that I do think Djokovic is more talented. Talent is always difficult to define but the game definitely comes a little easier to Novak.

 

[Front242]

I think Dimi started smelling himself a few years ago when he was dating Maria. Hasn't done anything consistently since then

Yeah, some waft of stale Meldonium off him I'd say.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Some people don't bother to read the posts before responding. Also, some people don't bother to watch a match before commenting on it.

 

[Carol]

one is always wrong if he puts anyone above Rafa in terms of talent.....correct? how predictable. you are in the wrong here, several players are actually more gifted in terms of tennis talent than Rafa, but Rafa makes the most of it because he's been brought up and trained the right way. He is a top shelf talent btw, no doubt about it, but you'd be stupid if you think he is more talented than Roger or Djoker.

More stupid is to say that Roger and Novak are more talented than him. The first one is so "more talented" that until this year he never found how to resolve for years his losses against Nadal until he got a new coach and even that and surprising us in that fifth set in the AO he couldn't to resolve how to beat Delpo either, he played to him very erratic. And the second one what I can say.... changing coach by coach, first hiring a famous doctor and his chinese medicine, then a coach that I don't remember his name, then Boris and Pepe to find "the peace of his soul" (whatever) then another coach and giving a lay off to all his team. Agreed that he had some good years but because so many effort and so many changes to find "the power source" trying to improve his game he has paid it pretty badly.
They are very talented otherwise they never could got all those achievements, no doubts about it but to measure the talent is not easy at all because the three of them have a great game and their own specialties but none of them have everything perfect. For example I've always said if Rafa would have had the Roger's serve he would have been unstoppable but then maybe he wouldn't have had others good abilities that he has

 

[Ricardo]

More stupid is to say that Roger and Novak are more talented than him. The first one is so "more talented" that until this year he never found how to resolve for years his losses against Nadal until he got a new coach and even that and surprising us in that fifth set in the AO he couldn't to resolve how to beat Delpo either, he played to him very erratic. And the second one what I can say.... changing coach by coach, first hiring a famous doctor and his chinese medicine, then a coach that I don't remember his name, then Boris and Pepe to find "the peace of his soul" (whatever) then another coach and giving a lay off to all his team. Agreed that he had some good years but because so many effort and so many changes to find "the power source" trying to improve his game he has paid it pretty badly.
They are very talented otherwise they never could got all those achievements, no doubts about it but to measure the talent is not easy at all because the three of them have a great game and their own specialties but none of them have everything perfect. For example I've always said if Rafa would have had the Roger's serve he would have been unstoppable but then maybe he wouldn't have had others good abilities that he has

Hi Carol please limit your stupidity to a bearable level, you embarrass your fellow Nadal fans