I bet you meant the first one, though? He was good, solid, but tbh, Shapo also got irritated by crowd support for Rafa and unraveled a bit at the end (of the first set tb.) Which Annacone said was a pointless waste of energy because he should expect that.
We will have to disagree on that stat 41 for 2 sets of tennis,Rafa UFE is usually much cleaner than that,I realize that high stat is because of his lack of match practice over months.I hope he does play the ATP 250 event in Melbourne before the AO next year.
Maybe I was saying it clearly..For an average ATP players, 41 UFE s in two sets is the normal. But not for Rafa who averages 5-9 range is what he is targeting at maximum.
Thanks for clearing that up......I just read Rafa is non committal regarding Australia,says he has to speak to his team to figure out what's next.Says Abu Dhabi was positive overall.
Non committal my ass..that's like expecting to go to the prom with young James Bond's Halle Berry but old fat ass Rozanne Barr gets out of the limo..Rafa can't ruin the first part of the New Year.. is he nuts, No?
Rafa has always been cautious when coming back from a lay off from tennis in the past,so I am not surprised when he said that to a journalist in Abu Dhabi.Rafa is still on the entry list for the Melbourne ATP250 event and the AO in 2022.
I only worry if that means his foot isn't feeling great after the two matches. But he did say he did what he needed to in Abu Dhabi, which was play 2 competitive matches with top players, which he did.
murray is no longer a top player though..i checked his rank history yesterday and it was even grimmer than i thought..
Yes, but there is a difference between being an elite player and the ranking. JMDP is an example. To call them "lesser" by their ranking and to ignore their resume I think is a bit short-sighted. Andy has been having a very good late 2021. He's not yet what he was, and may never be again. But point is, for Rafa, say, to come back from a major lay-off and play much more in-form Murray and Shapo is a reasonable test. Not the same as playing low-ranked players are you work yourself into a tournament. Like the 250 that Rafa might play in Brisbane, say. To compare apples to apples is not merely a rankings game.
Read my post again I received more information as to why he has decided not to play the ATP Cup and Sydney TournamentAnother player who thinks he can just show up "any old time" to play and win a major! What an a-hole; just like Federer saying "maybe I can get back for Wimbledon!" To do what; serve strawberries and creme to his kids? The monumental audacity of it all!
Dominic has had a major injury to his wrist which takes time to heal,any setback's to his physical training,like a cold he picked up in Abu Dhabi,where he could not train at all,probably makes him hesitant to play ATP Cup and Sydney tournament.,quite frankly I understand his decision not to play,I am certain his team also advised him to withdraw from both tournaments.I just resent players who not only get protected rankings, but do come back when they please taking a spot in the draw only to be knocked out early! At least Murray's had some matches and tournaments under his belt, but today we have top players making their return during a major event! I'm disgusted!
First of all, he hasn't yet said he's going to play the AO, and I won't be surprised if he doesn't. I don't think is about returning "when he pleases," but when his injury is healed. Plus, who would he be taking a spot from...someone lesser who will just be cannon fodder for better players in the early rounds? I have a hard time working up the same disgust at the idea.I just resent players who not only get protected rankings, but do come back when they please taking a spot in the draw only to be knocked out early! At least Murray's had some matches and tournaments under his belt, but today we have top players making their return during a major event! I'm disgusted!
I thought short steps were otherwise thought of as good footwork. You know who acts like he should never lose a point is your man Djokovic. He can be blowing the other player away, and yet screams at his box when he misses. Or breaks a racquet. So you can give that a rest.He was doing a little more of those mincing, short steps after a point that lets us know "I'm not all there!" Typical! It's like Rafa doesn't believe he should lose a point the way he acts at times! "I was hurtl I was tired! I had a tough match the previous day!" (YAWN)
Oh Contraire my dear friend...I just spoke with the team( I'm lying) and Rafa is on his way to AO.
www.tennisworldusa.org
