ATP World Tour Finals

[GameSetAndMath]

Tomorrow, Federer plays second. Thiem vs. Nishi is the first match. So, when he goes on the court, Fed will know exactly what he needs to do to qualify.

 

[herios]

If Rafa's fit, it's not a matter of other players underperforming. They're simply not even close.

Novak did underperform a few times .

 

[Moxie]

Novak did underperform a few times .

Not really against Rafa...OK, he didn't play well in the 2014 final, but neither did Nadal.

 

[Denis]

Novak did underperform a few times .

I agree. Def in 2012 and 2014. 2013 was good.

 

[Moxie]

I agree. Def in 2012 and 2014. 2013 was good.

You're welcome to believe that, of course, but it isn't why he lost. He lost because Rafa is far superior at RG, even to Novak.

 

[herios]

Nobody did well after 35 with one exception, Roger. He had one more hooray at 36, but look at him now, his downhill has also started.
Roger did so well, probably for his style of play and lack of many injuries. But I am not expecting Rafa to pull the same at 36 .

 

[Denis]

You're welcome to believe that, of course, but it isn't why he lost. He lost because Rafa is far superior at RG, even to Novak.

It was about Novak underperforming, not saying Novak would have won. Although in 2014 it should have been way more close than it was.

 

[herios]

I thought he was imitating Safin. He always wore bling during matches.

Did Safin also had multiple chains on his neck? Cannot recall.

 

[Fiero425]

Did Safin also had multiple chains in his neck? Cannot recall.

Back in the day a lot of players wore chains; even BORG IIRC! Victor Pecci of Paraguay the 1st with an earring in '79! :whistle:

 

[DarthFed]

Nonsense? Read what you just wrote. Logic tells us that any player with that many fans has to have a lot of male fans. This is sports, you remember, right? And you're still dragging out the old Sampras people? You really built up a story that suits you a long time ago and it has ossified in your brain. Just think back to the old days of tennis.com, when Rafa was young and dishy...these were the Rafa fans: Kieran, broken, tented, nehmeth (before he converted), Samson/ClayDeath and me...the stalwarts, anyway. I know that Kieran was a Sampras man, but he's still a Rafa fan. Still, that's one woman. You have some goofy theories, but your personal conviction about the make up of the Nadal fanbase is the goofiest.

Everyone you listed aside from Broken and maybe Samson (in a class of himself when it comes to wackiness) hated Roger due to being Sampras fans. i remember those boards well, it was either Roger fans or anyone but Roger and we all knew there was only one threat for only a couple months of the year up until 2008. Most of those guys became Rafa "fans" by default.

 

[atttomole]

It is a bit exaggerated to say everyone misses Rafa. Maybe all his fans and some fans of other players. I do not miss Rafa.

 

[Fiero425]

It is a bit exaggerated to say everyone misses Rafa. Maybe all his fans and some fans of other players. I do not miss Rafa.

If he never came back it wouldn't bother me you all well know!

 

[Denis]

I miss Rafa losing to Novak at RG.

 

[Fiero425]

I miss Rafa losing to Novak at RG.

Rafa was smoked during that match in Paris! His fans barely acknowledge it saying, "Rafa wasn't Rafa!" Like I care; still 1of 7 straight losses for the 2nd time! I wonder how they rationalize 2011-12 as well? :whistle: :cuckoo:

 

[herios]

It is a bit exaggerated to say everyone misses Rafa. Maybe all his fans and some fans of other players. I do not miss Rafa.

Ditto .

 

[Moxie]

Everyone you listed aside from Broken and maybe Samson (in a class of himself when it comes to wackiness) hated Roger due to being Sampras fans. i remember those boards well, it was either Roger fans or anyone but Roger and we all knew there was only one threat for only a couple months of the year up until 2008. Most of those guys became Rafa "fans" by default.

No, tented had been a Roger fan and crossed over. Samson was originally Rafa, I think. Anyway, I don't know how you convince yourself that Rafa gets a huge worldwide fanbase cobbled together with Roger haters, ex-Sampras people and besotted women. Doesn't add up, by any stretch. You just need to tell yourself that.

 

[DarthFed]

If he never came back it wouldn't bother me you all well know!

I can't wait till that day comes. There will be a big party at my place when he is finally off the tour once and foreva!

 

[Moxie]

Did Safin also had multiple chains on his neck? Cannot recall.

He did. Funnily enough, when I saw him practice, he didn't wear them, but then when he went on court, he had them all on. I think they were part of his "war paint."

 

[DarthFed]

No, tented had been a Roger fan and crossed over. Samson was originally Rafa, I think. Anyway, I don't know how you convince yourself that Rafa gets a huge worldwide fanbase cobbled together with Roger haters, ex-Sampras people and besotted women. Doesn't add up, by any stretch. You just need to tell yourself that.

Alright, it is an overstatement to say that they make up the majority, but I do think he, more than other male players, has a huge amount of "alterior motive" fans. You don't find it odd that a lot of Sampras fans quickly latched onto him? Can you pick two great players in the game that are more different than Sampras and Nadal?

 

[El Dude]

The problem with the 4-5 more RGs for Rafa prediction is that it both assumes a steady state of performance level from him and that no one will rise to the challenge. First of all, he'll turn 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37 at the end of the next five RGs. Do we think he'll maintain the same level we've seen in 2017-18, at age 31-32? And that he'll just happen to be healthy for all five? Secondly, Novak has resurged and while a healthy Rafa would still have the edge at RG, it isn't by much and is not a foregone conclusion that he'll beat this version of Novak - which is pretty damn good.

And then you've got the young guys. Hard to imagine Thiem or Zverev beating Rafa at RG, but what about in a few years when Zverev is 24-25 and Rafa 35-36? Or what about Tsitsipas?

Even if we assume that Rafa plays five more RGs, I think we have to give at least one of the next few to Novak, and one or two to young guys. And this doesn't even touch upon possible injury for Rafa. That makes Rafa's range more like 1-3, and I personally think 3 is too optimistic; 1-2 is more likely, imo.