2018 French Open Mens QF: Nadal - Schwartzman

[Denis]

Nadal wasn't "vulnerable" in 2015, he was flat out bad. Nobody expected him to win it.

Are you serious? He only lost one match in over a decade at RG up until that point. You are obviously one of the most reasonable and respected posters around, but I think this is the most ridiculous phrase I have ever read by you.

 

[Horsa]

The only thing that offends me in regards to my heritage is that I haven’t figured out how to get compensation from these damn casinos. LOL. Otherwise No worries at All Mate.

Nothing to be offended about. They always get the bad publicity but it was them who were the good guys who just wanted to live their nomadic lives in peace mainly & share land with everyone as they didn't believe land should be owned. It was white man who started causing the trouble. Laughing at your joke. I couldn't just put Lol because where I would have had to put it, it would have looked as though I was laughing about the history & that was serious. I'm the type of person who tries not to judge anyone & gives everyone a chance. We're all people. We're all the same in some ways but different in others. I give everyone the same respect they give me but sometimes today people see people who mention other people's cultures as racist no matter what they say as if you're not allowed to say you're like someone but unlike someone else & vice versa. I mean in some places you're not allowed to tell someone you like their accent. Thanks, Pal.

 

[monfed]

Are you serious? He only lost one match in over a decade at RG up until that point. You are obviously one of the most reasonable and respected posters around, but I think this is the most ridiculous phrase I have ever read by you.

He is right. Wafa had not won a single clay tournament in 2015(or maybe just Farcelona) till he predictably lost to faker at RG. It was a meek surrender from dull.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Are you serious? He only lost one match in over a decade at RG up until that point. You are obviously one of the most reasonable and respected posters around, but I think this is the most ridiculous phrase I have ever read by you.

Wait, what? For the first time in his career, Nadal was NOT the favorite going into RG. Nobody thought he had a chance in hell against Novak. His results that clay season were a semi final straight set loss to Novak in Monte Carlo, a loss to Fognini in the QF at Barcelona, a straight set loss to Andy freaking Murray in the final of Madrid, and a QF straight set loss to Wawrinka in Rome.

Other than Nadal fanboys. people with unshakable faith in Nadal like Kieran, and paranoid Roger fans like Darthfed, nobody thought he'd win Roland Garros, especially once the draw was out. That doesn't mean nobody thought he has a chance in hell to win the tournament, but rather, that it would be unlikely, and if he were to play Novak, he's toast.

For reference, here's the thread from these very forums, along with the poll, and predictions:

https://www.tennisfrontier.com/tennisforum/threads/2015-french-open-qf-djokovic-v-nadal.4265/

This is not revisionist history.

 

[DarthFed]

Wait, what? For the first time in his career, Nadal was NOT the favorite going into RG. Nobody thought he had a chance in hell against Novak. His results that clay season were a semi final straight set loss to Novak in Monte Carlo, a loss to Fognini in the QF at Barcelona, a straight set loss to Andy freaking Murray in the final of Madrid, and a QF straight set loss to Wawrinka in Rome.

Other than Nadal fanboys. people with unshakable faith in Nadal like Kieran, and paranoid Roger fans like Darthfed, nobody thought he'd win Roland Garros, especially once the draw was out. That doesn't mean nobody thought he has a chance in hell, but rather, that it would be unlikely, and if he were to play Novak, he's toast.

For reference, here's the thread from these very forums, along with the poll, and predictions:

https://www.tennisfrontier.com/tennisforum/threads/2015-french-open-qf-djokovic-v-nadal.4265/

This is not revisionist history.

I think even I thought Nole would squash Nadal. The only time I got pessimistic was when Nole blew a 4-0 or 5-1 lead in the first. Once he recovered to win that set everyone knew it was probably over.

 

[DarthFed]

I take it back, I picked Rafa in 4, but probably was hoping I'd jinx his ass.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I take it back, I picked Rafa in 4, but probably was hoping I'd jinx his ass.

You underestimated your paranoia. But I get it, as fans, there are sometimes things that we don't dare say out loud, so it's easier to predict the thing you're dreading.

 

[DarthFed]

You underestimated your paranoia. But I get it, as fans, there are sometimes things that we don't dare say out loud, so it's easier to predict the thing you're dreading.

I do that all the time. I was more worried Nole would piss it away as he kind of did in the 2014 final after winning the first set.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Nothing to be offended about. They always get the bad publicity but it was them who were the good guys who just wanted to live their nomadic lives in peace mainly & share land with everyone as they didn't believe land should be owned. It was white man who started causing the trouble. Laughing at your joke. I couldn't just put Lol because where I would have had to put it, it would have looked as though I was laughing about the history & that was serious. I'm the type of person who tries not to judge anyone & gives everyone a chance. We're all people. We're all the same in some ways but different in others. I give everyone the same respect they give me but sometimes today people see people who mention other people's cultures as racist no matter what they say as if you're not allowed to say you're like someone but unlike someone else & vice versa. I mean in some places you're not allowed to tell someone you like their accent. Thanks, Pal.

No Worries, thanks Bud

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Wait, what? For the first time in his career, Nadal was NOT the favorite going into RG. Nobody thought he had a chance in hell against Novak. His results that clay season were a semi final straight set loss to Novak in Monte Carlo, a loss to Fognini in the QF at Barcelona, a straight set loss to Andy freaking Murray in the final of Madrid, and a QF straight set loss to Wawrinka in Rome.

Other than Nadal fanboys. people with unshakable faith in Nadal like Kieran, and paranoid Roger fans like Darthfed, nobody thought he'd win Roland Garros, especially once the draw was out. That doesn't mean nobody thought he has a chance in hell to win the tournament, but rather, that it would be unlikely, and if he were to play Novak, he's toast.

For reference, here's the thread from these very forums, along with the poll, and predictions:

https://www.tennisfrontier.com/tennisforum/threads/2015-french-open-qf-djokovic-v-nadal.4265/

This is not revisionist history.

I agree. That year, I watched every single match of Rafa from beginning to end. I was not exactly sure in which round he will lose. I did not want to miss out the fun of viewing the loss of Rafa at RG live.

 

[imjimmy]

Nadal's post-match comments, and his analysis of the match:

“I was a bit lucky yesterday because of the rain stop," Nadal admitted afterward. "I was able to stop, to think, to calm down and see things a bit more with clarity....Psychologically and for tennis, I had totally different feelings. I had more confidence.

“At the beginning yesterday, there were no options to open up the court to win points. Today I moved forward and I had a better backhand. I was able to open the court on his forehand. Yesterday I was not able to do so and I was not gaining ground. When I was able to do that, I was able to win the match.”

Nadal's game appeared more suited to the warmer and quicker conditions on Thursday, although he believes the change in weather did not have a major impact.

"I was playing poorly, and my opponent was playing better. You can't always find the excuses or positive things about the external things," he said.

"You have to find causes within yourself. The changes were not the sun or the rain."

_____________

 

[Horsa]

No Worries, thanks Bud

O.K. You're welcome, Pal.

 

[Chris Koziarz]

Nadal's post-match comments, and his analysis of the match:

“I was a bit lucky yesterday because of the rain stop," Nadal admitted afterward. "I was able to stop, to think, to calm down and see things a bit more with clarity....Psychologically and for tennis, I had totally different feelings. I had more confidence.

“At the beginning yesterday, there were no options to open up the court to win points. Today I moved forward and I had a better backhand. I was able to open the court on his forehand. Yesterday I was not able to do so and I was not gaining ground. When I was able to do that, I was able to win the match.”

Nadal's game appeared more suited to the warmer and quicker conditions on Thursday, although he believes the change in weather did not have a major impact.

"I was playing poorly, and my opponent was playing better. You can't always find the excuses or positive things about the external things," he said.

"You have to find causes within yourself. The changes were not the sun or the rain."

_____________

So the upset (or Diego's "Sod moment") lasted only one set. The way Champion finished the match leaves no questions about his physical shape and my previous injury speculations go to trash.
But it's worth to speculate a bit about how the atmospheric conditions affected his shape and this match, despite his saying "causes [are] within yourself".
Everybody feels uncomfortable in often balmy and sweaty conditions immediately before rain. Mosquitoes/sandflies bite like crazy and the air seems loaded with unhealthy electric charge until the change comes and rain washes everything away. Paris cannot be that different in that regard to the place where I live (Sydney), isn't it?
So, can such conditions impact Rafa's playing style? His loopping balls harder to control and guide with depth? Whereas fresh and sunny conditions with light wind are ideal for such shots. Littleman's style was not affected by the change of weather I think but he was just blown off the court when Rafa's lassos became more biting and deeper. Now, anyone remembers the atmospheric conditions of Sod match from nine y ago, similar or different?