2021 ATP General News

[MargaretMcAleer]

Belgrade will host a second ATP250 in the week prior to RG.The clay court tournament will be held at the NovakTennis Centre,the same venue as the next week's Serbia Open.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Roger Federer just announced on Twitter,
Roger will play Gonet Geneva Open (clay) May 16-22,before playing at RG
Roger has withdrawn from Madrid and Rome

 

[Moxie]

Barcelona update: Nadal loses first set to Ivashka. jServing percentage low and he's grumbling, not moving great. All as in his lost last week. I'm worried about the back. In other Barcelona news, Fognini defaulted for abusing an official.

 

[napo]

Barcelona update: Nadal loses first set to Ivashka. jServing percentage low and he's grumbling, not moving great. All as in his lost last week. I'm worried about the back. In other Barcelona news, Fognini defaulted for abusing an official.

What did he say?
Did Nadal say something about an injury? In MC he didn’t mention something like that afterwards.
Tsitsipas and Rublev continue cruising. They are right now the guys to beat on the dirt.

 

[Moxie]

What did he say?
Did Nadal say something about an injury? In MC he didn’t mention something like that afterwards.
Tsitsipas and Rublev continue cruising. They are right now the guys to beat on the dirt.

No, I was just speculating on the back. His footwork isn't what it should be, nor is the serve.

 

[napo]

No, I was just speculating on the back. His footwork isn't what it should be, nor is the serve.

You don’t have to worry if it’s not an injury. Enough time left to warm up, till RG.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

No, I was just speculating on the back. His footwork isn't what it should be, nor is the serve.

Rafa to me has been 'over practicing' he has had 2 practice sessions every day,I think losing at MC really has got to him mentally.He finally won in 3 sets,it was not pretty.....we shall see.

 

[don_fabio]

Rafa almost always wins the double, MC and Barcelona. On a few occasions when he did not win MC he didn't win Barcelona either. Same could happen this year.

In any case, only the Rome will show his true form, all before is warm up at this stage of his career.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa didn't look good today ..I agree with Margaret..I think he is just practicing too much ..He not showing a lot of confidence on his serve or with his bh

 

[Moxie]

Rafa almost always wins the double, MC and Barcelona. On a few occasions when he did not win MC he didn't win Barcelona either. Same could happen this year.

In any case, only the Rome will show his true form, all before is warm up at this stage of his career.

While I agree it doesn't mean a lot to his RG that he doesn't win MC or Barcelona, it's not going to do his game or his confidence a lot good if he goes out early in both.

 

[Jelenafan]

..He not showing a lot of confidence on his serve or with his bh

That BH to me is always a barometer of his confidence....

 

[the AntiPusher]

That BH to me is always a barometer of his confidence....

It's takes a true commitment on his part to keep his feet moving and be willing to create those beautiful angles.

 

[napo]

While I agree it doesn't mean a lot to his RG that he doesn't win MC or Barcelona, it's not going to do his game or his confidence a lot good if he goes out early in both.

Barcelona isn’t over yet.
Nadal Fans exaggerate a bit.
I think the Next two matches against Kei and probably Marty will show a different picture of Rafa.
Even if playing subpar, he is too much for most of them on clay!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Barcelona isn’t over yet.
Nadal Fans exaggerate a bit.
I think the Next two matches against Kei and probably Marty will show a different picture of Rafa.
Even if playing subpar, he is too much for most of them on clay!

LOL! we do not exaggerate at all,just being realistic,I have followed Rafa since he began playing on the ATP.
Rafa is nearly 35 years young,quite frankly I am surprised he is still playing.,Rafa has always been a confidence player,he also needs matches to get his rhythm,yes even on his beloved clay.If Rafa puts in the same performance he displayed in his first rd match against Kei,he will lose.
BTW good to see umpire Carlos Bernades officiating in Barcelona after his heart attack in Melbourne before the AO.One of my favorite ATP umpires on tour.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

wut ?..so i'm updating the barca wiki singles page and 1st set rafa/nish 6-0 seems fine, but then i see a 2-6 reverse for set2..odd match seemingly..

 

[Moxie]

wut ?..so i'm updating the barca wiki singles page and 1st set rafa/nish 6-0 seems fine, but then i see a 2-6 reverse for set2..odd match seemingly..

Neither one playing their best, by far.

 

[Moxie]

Rafa played better towards the end and got it done, but there was escaping in there, too.

 

[napo]

Rafa played better towards the end and got it done, but there was escaping in there, too.

Told you. Rafa is Rafa, even at this level enough for most of them on clay.
The glass samurai is not even a shadow of what he once was. I liked his game a lot.

 

[Front242]

Told you. Rafa is Rafa, even at this level enough for most of them on clay.
The glass samurai is not even a shadow of what he once was. I liked his game a lot.

Yup, I watched highlights and the only thing he has going for him now is his shot making skills. His movement is shocking. He barely moves and just changes direction of the ball. Doesn't chase after balls even close to him. Taking the ball as early as he does and hitting winners will win him sets against good players but not matches as today showed.

Edited to point out I'm talking about Nishikori not Rafa.

 

[napo]

Yup, I watched highlights and the only thing he has going for him now is his shot making skills. His movement is shocking. He barely moves and just changes direction of the ball. Doesn't chase after balls even close to him. Taking the ball as early as he does and hitting winners will win him sets against good players but not matches as today showed.

Edited to point out I'm talking about Nishikori not Rafa.

Next round is a free ride for Nadal. SF and F will be interesting ones.
I’m looking forward to see him play against this current level of Tsitsipas.