2018 AO Men's QF: Nadal - Cilic

[Federberg]

I like we both like Chung.

After Chung its Berdy and then Edmund for me. All the others I could not care less.

obviously Roger for me. Then Edmund (patriotism yes, but I like his game). But I have to say... I'm liking Chung a lot. Going to follow him from now on. Shapo is still my guy amongst the NextGen but Chung is now in front of Zverev

 

[Moxie]

obviously Roger for me. Then Edmund (patriotism yes, but I like his game). But I have to say... I'm liking Chung a lot. Going to follow him from now on. Shapo is still my guy amongst the NextGen but Chung is now in front of Zverev

I guess Mirka is not allowing Roger anywhere near the children when they're bathing.

 

[Moxie]

I mean, it's a big what if but it's a really easy what if. He was up a break in the second and gifted the set without Cilic doing much. He wins the set, he wins the match. We agree on that right? Then he's in the semi. Sounds straightforward to me.

Rafa says it happened in the 4th set. So, yeah, if only he'd won that second. *sigh*

 

[imjimmy]

Very sad to see Rafa retire. Looks like the AO is cursed for him. He has been injured at least 4 times in different years. 2 of these injuries were in finals - so perhaps 2 of these (at least) were title opportunities lost.

When he's been fit - he's lost 2 finals after being a break up in the 5th. What is it about this tournament that makes Nadal either injured or to choke? Either he doesn't prepare right or there is something about the surface. Maybe it's just crazy dumb luck.

I think the only chance for Nadal today was to think to himself - " I'm not doing too well physically, so I have to be off court in under 3 hours". He could have managed that had he NOT been passive in set 2 , won it and wrapped the match in straights. He would have still lost the final to Fed, but better to lose late than early.

Anyway, bad luck for Nadal. Commiserations to his fans. Obviously feel devastated that Rafa had to go out this way. Stayed up the whole night and gosh the next 10 hours of the work day are going to suck..

 

[Federberg]

I guess Mirka is not allowing Roger anywhere near the children when they're bathing.

haha! that would be the smart play

 

[mrzz]

Stayed up the whole night and gosh the next 10 hours of the work day are going to suck

Good luck with that. This tournament is killing me too...

 

[The_Grand_Slam]

Somebody has picked Cilic in 5. Now, that does seem like the worst bet. Either Cilic gets up on Rafa fast, or he's going down. In 5? Nadal all the way.

I did.
Nadal has been a bit vulnerable in 5 setters in recent years.
Sorry to hear about the injury.

 

[Federberg]

I did.
Nadal has been a bit vulnerable in 5 setters in recent year.
Sorry to hear about the injury.

That's an interesting stat

 

[isabelle]

another retirement for Manacor's bull in the first tourney of the season....bad luck for him but he'll stay N°1 nevertheless

 

[DarthFed]

Didn't even think of it but Rafa's last 5 losses at slams were 5 setters

 

[DarthFed]

Last 6 actually

 

[Federberg]

Hearing that Rafa calling out the tour..

"Somebody who is running the tour should think a little bit about what's going on. Too many people getting injured."

Nadal says he worries the injuries will linger post-career for players.

"There is life after tennis"

I think these guys are grown ups. They're the first ones to go chasing the money. Could players play mandatory tournaments? Yes. But it's not clear to me if they were given that opportunity that they wouldn't play the same number and just get more appearance fee money

 

[Front242]

I did.
Nadal has been a bit vulnerable in 5 setters in recent year.
Sorry to hear about the injury.

That was one helluva prediction. Would've got a nice payout on Betfair for that if you had some money on it.

 

[imjimmy]

Good luck with that. This tournament is killing me too...

Yes. It's been sleepless nights without respite. And all for nothing. (It's the first hour of work and I'm already sleepy).

Anyway, I think this tournament has been a mess. And before, people jump on me, it's NOT because Rafa lost.
The whole state of ATP is just pathetic right now. Imagine if Fed and Nadal had retired on schedule , or played like old men, what would be there to watch? In the past 20+ years, I don't recall ANY other time when tennis looked so FLAT. There are hardly any new big stars. The old ones are either injured or waay past their prime.

 

[Federberg]

Yes. It's been sleepless nights without respite. And all for nothing. (It's the first hour of work and I'm already sleepy).

Anyway, I think this tournament has been a mess. And before, people jump on me, it's NOT because Rafa lost.
The whole state of ATP is just pathetic right now. Imagine if Fed and Nadal had retired on schedule , or played like old men, what would be there to watch? In the past 20+ years, I don't recall ANY other time when tennis looked so FLAT. There are hardly any new big stars. The old ones are either injured or waay past their prime.

by rights not only Rafa and Roger shouldn't be relevant now. Neither should Novak, Andy and Stan. Personally I think there are quite a few interesting new stories out there. We've had quite a few emerging players stepping to the fore in the past 6 months. Shapo and Chung to name a few. So I'm not that down on the whole thing right now. But it does show how necessary Kyrgios will be when all is said and done. Love him or loathe him, he'll keep the ATP relevant and in the news in the years to come

 

[Busted]

OK...just saw that Nadal retired in the 5th with a thigh injury. First the knee, now the thigh. Getting old's a bitch, ain't it? Er...except he's always had injury problems.

Cilic vs. Edmund

Now...Roger needs to go out and TCB tonight and don't screw around. Win in 3 sets and get the hell out of there.

 

[Busted]

Didn't even think of it but Rafa's last 5 losses at slams were 5 setters

Remember when everybody used to shite on Roger for all the 5-setters he lost - and say Nadal has more guts and ALWAYS wins his 5-setters? Well...age ain't just a number. Nadal himself said it was harder to close out matches now than when he was younger because more goes through the brain and the tension sets in. Now look at Nadal, 31, and Djokovic, 30 - losing close 3 and 5 set matches that they used to win in their prime. I think this could finally be the year that a fork will be stuck in the Big 4's dominance.

 

[Busted]

another retirement for Manacor's bull in the first tourney of the season....bad luck for him but he'll stay N°1 nevertheless

Kind of ironic that he retired with a thigh injury when Roger had a thigh/groin injury during last year's tournament after not playing a match for nearly 6 months. Nadal didn't play any warm up events and everyone assumed it was to save the knees...and now he's got a thigh injury. Seriously...he's snakebit. He's always lauded as being the fittest player on tour...but may he should work out a little less and save the body for matches?

 

[Busted]

I guess Mirka is not allowing Roger anywhere near the children when they're bathing.

LOL! She probably sent him of in seclusion with his team...taking no chances that the any of the kids accidentally leaves small toys in his path...

 

[MartyB]

I guess Mirka is not allowing Roger anywhere near the children when they're bathing.

Now that's funny.