Conflicting information about Nadal's retirement

[Obsi]

"...at least one member of his camp did tell Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim recently that Nadal targets a 2016 Rio Olympic Games finale to his tennis career."
http://www.tennis.com/your-game/2012/09/post-us-open-nadal-takes-it-easy-azarenka-takes-shots/39539/#.VTqcFs4iqlI

"Francis Roig: “I think Nadal at 33 will fight for all the titles as Federer is doing [now]”"
http://www.puntodebreak.com/2015/04/21/francis-roig-creo-nadal-podra-luchar-titulos-33-anos-federer

 

[Kieran]

As the man says in the interview, people been speculating about Rafa having a short career since he began. He'll burn out, injuries will get him. Funny enough, injuries have gotten him and forced him to rest, possibly prolonging his career. He looks keen, and he's fit, so it's not an issue. I expect he's going to compete as long as he can...

 

[Fiero425]

As the man says in the interview, people been speculating about Rafa having a short career since he began. He'll burn out, injuries will get him. Funny enough, injuries have gotten him and forced him to rest, possibly prolonging his career. He looks keen, and he's fit, so it's not an issue. I expect he's going to compete as long as he can...

I won't miss him! I sorta hope he hangs on and starts to embarrass himself like losing to F3 twice this season, long strings of losses to Nole, and more disappointments on clay! OMG; I've been the head-cheerleader saying all these things and more about the way he plays! He has and will break down prematurely! I'll put money on it with anyone here! I think he works too hard to win over the most obscure players; same with Andy! It's gotta cost them in the long run! In basketball, even Blake Griffin said he's going to slow down on the slam dunks knowing he only has so much left in his legs! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Denis]

Yes would be nice if he sticks around long enough to give Novak the positve h2h.

 

[tented]

Yes would be nice if he sticks around long enough to give Novak the positve h2h.

In the spirit of Janowicz, "How many times must we go over this?"

Seriously, isn't it obvious Novak will end up with a winning head-to-head against Fedal, given their far-from-peak levels? He wasn't able to do it before now, which would have been extremely impressive, but from this point forward it's virtually guaranteed.

 

[Kieran]

Yes would be nice if he sticks around long enough to give Novak the positve h2h.

In the spirit of Janowicz, "How many times must we go over this?"

Seriously, isn't it obvious Novak will end up with a winning head-to-head against Fedal, given their far-from-peak levels? He wasn't able to do it before now, which would have been extremely impressive, but from this point forward it's virtually guaranteed.

I wouldn't say that.

But you know, I don't know how players decide to retire, it's usually forced on them by age and a terrible drop in ranking. Pete's the only one I know who got out on the day he won biggest. We often hear players say things like, "as long as I feel I can still compete for the big titles, I'll play, but when that day comes when I know I no longer can, then I'll quit."

Who ever quit under these conditions? Really, they play on cos they always think they can win big. I bet John McEnroe still thinks that if he got a good sunny day, he could beat anyone at Wimbledon...

 

[tented]

Yes would be nice if he sticks around long enough to give Novak the positve h2h.

In the spirit of Janowicz, "How many times must we go over this?"

Seriously, isn't it obvious Novak will end up with a winning head-to-head against Fedal, given their far-from-peak levels? He wasn't able to do it before now, which would have been extremely impressive, but from this point forward it's virtually guaranteed.

I wouldn't say that.

But you know, I don't know how players decide to retire, it's usually forced on them by age and a terrible drop in ranking. Pete's the only one I know who got out on the day he won biggest. We often hear players say things like, "as long as I feel I can still compete for the big titles, I'll play, but when that day comes when I know I no longer can, then I'll quit."

Who ever quit under these conditions? Really, they play on cos they always think they can win big. I bet John McEnroe still thinks that if he got a good sunny day, he could beat anyone at Wimbledon...

I'm not implying Rafa or Roger are going to retire soon. I'm simply saying they're getting up there in age, and are already losing more than they used to.

Of course they still think they can win everything. That's integral to how they've become two of the all-time greats. But in reality, this is unrealistic.

 

[Fiero425]

Yes would be nice if he sticks around long enough to give Novak the positve h2h.

In the spirit of Janowicz, "How many times must we go over this?"

Seriously, isn't it obvious Novak will end up with a winning head-to-head against Fedal, given their far-from-peak levels? He wasn't able to do it before now, which would have been extremely impressive, but from this point forward it's virtually guaranteed.

I wouldn't say that.

But you know, I don't know how players decide to retire, it's usually forced on them by age and a terrible drop in ranking. Pete's the only one I know who got out on the day he won biggest. We often hear players say things like, "as long as I feel I can still compete for the big titles, I'll play, but when that day comes when I know I no longer can, then I'll quit."

Who ever quit under these conditions? Really, they play on cos they always think they can win big. I bet John McEnroe still thinks that if he got a good sunny day, he could beat anyone at Wimbledon...

I thought Sampras was "done" and was only embarrassing himself, losing to "nobodies & never-weres;" even at Wimbledon! He went over 2 years without a title IIRC! He took Wimbledon in 2000 and didn't get a sniff of another major until his last in 2002 at the USO after allowing his ranking to hit the 20's! Lucky for him, his pigeon was on the other side of the net in the final! Agassi won just a handful of meaningful matches against Sampras with Pete pretty much owning him from their first encounter, slaughtering him in straight sets at 1990 USO! So it began and ended at Flushing Meadows! I had only heard of Pete by way of a 2nd round upset of Wilander the previous year at '89 USO! It didn't mean much to me since Matts had plummeted in the rankings after becoming #1 with a fabulous '88 over Lendl at every turn! :cover :nono :eyepop

 

[Moxie]

"...at least one member of his camp did tell Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim recently that Nadal targets a 2016 Rio Olympic Games finale to his tennis career."
http://www.tennis.com/your-game/2012/09/post-us-open-nadal-takes-it-easy-azarenka-takes-shots/39539/#.VTqcFs4iqlI

"Francis Roig: “I think Nadal at 33 will fight for all the titles as Federer is doing [now]”"
http://www.puntodebreak.com/2015/04/21/francis-roig-creo-nadal-podra-luchar-titulos-33-anos-federer

Obsi, I don't think anyone looked at your links, and perhaps you failed to notice the dates, but the comment about the Rio Olympics is in an article from Aug. 2012, and Roig's comment was from an interview in Barcelona this week, so it hardly qualifies as "conflicting information." Also, as you may remember around back then, both Rafa and Roger were asked about how long they project their careers to last, and both noted that they wanted to play at the Games in Rio. It's not a statement of when they'd quit, only a bland and (at the time) far-off target to assure people they intended to be around for another 4 years, at least. And note the date: Aug. 24, 2012...right after the London Olympics. That's why they were talking about Rio. I would take Roig's comments of the past week with more weight.

 

[Fiero425]

"...at least one member of his camp did tell Sports Illustrated's Jon Wertheim recently that Nadal targets a 2016 Rio Olympic Games finale to his tennis career."
http://www.tennis.com/your-game/2012/09/post-us-open-nadal-takes-it-easy-azarenka-takes-shots/39539/#.VTqcFs4iqlI

"Francis Roig: “I think Nadal at 33 will fight for all the titles as Federer is doing [now]”"
http://www.puntodebreak.com/2015/04/21/francis-roig-creo-nadal-podra-luchar-titulos-33-anos-federer

Obsi, I don't think anyone looked at your links, and perhaps you failed to notice the dates, but the comment about the Rio Olympics is in an article from Aug. 2012, and Roig's comment was from an interview in Barcelona this week, so it hardly qualifies as "conflicting information." Also, as you may remember around back then, both Rafa and Roger were asked about how long they project their careers to last, and both noted that they wanted to play at the Games in Rio. It's not a statement of when they'd quit, only a bland and (at the time) far-off target to assure people they intended to be around for another 4 years, at least. And note the date: Aug. 24, 2012...right after the London Olympics. That's why they were talking about Rio. I would take Roig's comments of the past week with more weight.

Well Rog better hope they continue "best of 3" sets in Rio! It's likely to be on clay and he's already "up there!" I think Nole's on schedule to finally get "his GOLD" medal! He tossed the Bronze! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Front242]

Rio is on hard court not clay.

 

[Fiero425]

Rio is on hard court not clay.

You're kidding? I just thought it made sense; Spain, South America, and the like! Just figured it would be clay! Sorry! :cover uzzled :speechless:

 

[Moxie]

Rio is on hard court not clay.

You're kidding? I just thought it made sense; Spain, South America, and the like! Just figured it would be clay! Sorry! :cover uzzled :speechless:

Also, I'm fairly sure there is no conversation about changing the format to best of 5, so you can relax about that, too. (Maybe give them emoticons a rest, eh?)

It was a bit surprising, but I'm wondering if Rio is positioning itself to get a MS1000 for S. America one day. Not sure how that would work...replace Miami? But it's hard not to think that they wanted to dispel the notion that S. America = clay. (Notice, you just assumed.) Or perhaps its to nurture local players on hards, in the same way that the USTA is trying to put in more clay here.

 

[mrzz]

Rio is on hard court not clay.

You're kidding? I just thought it made sense; Spain, South America, and the like! Just figured it would be clay! Sorry! :cover uzzled :speechless:

Also, I'm fairly sure there is no conversation about changing the format to best of 5, so you can relax about that, too. (Maybe give them emoticons a rest, eh?)

It was a bit surprising, but I'm wondering if Rio is positioning itself to get a MS1000 for S. America one day. Not sure how that would work...replace Miami? But it's hard not to think that they wanted to dispel the notion that S. America = clay. (Notice, you just assumed.) Or perhaps its to nurture local players on hards, in the same way that the USTA is trying to put in more clay here.

The move to hards was strictly commercial. They did it after Acapulco decided to do it, in order to try to attract players wanting to warm up to the incoming MS events.

 

[Moxie]

You're kidding? I just thought it made sense; Spain, South America, and the like! Just figured it would be clay! Sorry! :cover uzzled :speechless:

Also, I'm fairly sure there is no conversation about changing the format to best of 5, so you can relax about that, too. (Maybe give them emoticons a rest, eh?)

It was a bit surprising, but I'm wondering if Rio is positioning itself to get a MS1000 for S. America one day. Not sure how that would work...replace Miami? But it's hard not to think that they wanted to dispel the notion that S. America = clay. (Notice, you just assumed.) Or perhaps its to nurture local players on hards, in the same way that the USTA is trying to put in more clay here.

The move to hards was strictly commercial. They did it after Acapulco decided to do it, in order to try to attract players wanting to warm up to the incoming MS events.

I did think about Acapulco. The move by the Mexicans was very smart, IMO. But do they plan to have a tournament there on hards, or just provide a facility?

 

[Fiero425]

Rio is on hard court not clay.

You're kidding? I just thought it made sense; Spain, South America, and the like! Just figured it would be clay! Sorry! :cover uzzled :speechless:

Also, I'm fairly sure there is no conversation about changing the format to best of 5, so you can relax about that, too. (Maybe give them emoticons a rest, eh?)

It was a bit surprising, but I'm wondering if Rio is positioning itself to get a MS1000 for S. America one day. Not sure how that would work...replace Miami? But it's hard not to think that they wanted to dispel the notion that S. America = clay. (Notice, you just assumed.) Or perhaps its to nurture local players on hards, in the same way that the USTA is trying to put in more clay here.

Why would it replace Miami? It's huge and smack dab in the middle of the tennis community! I'm still shocked they got the Olympics! With all that chaos going on, it's just inconceivable that they'll be ready! Russia's supposed to be more civilized and it was a disaster with water, toilets, malfunctioning equipment, doors, etc.! Seemed to be a nightmare! Why would Rio fare better? uzzled :eyepop :ras:

 

[mrzz]

I did think about Acapulco. The move by the Mexicans was very smart, IMO. But do they plan to have a tournament there on hards, or just provide a facility?

It seems the idea is for the tournament to use the same facilities that are being built to the Olympic games.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

You're kidding? I just thought it made sense; Spain, South America, and the like! Just figured it would be clay! Sorry! :cover uzzled :speechless:

Also, I'm fairly sure there is no conversation about changing the format to best of 5, so you can relax about that, too. (Maybe give them emoticons a rest, eh?)

It was a bit surprising, but I'm wondering if Rio is positioning itself to get a MS1000 for S. America one day. Not sure how that would work...replace Miami? But it's hard not to think that they wanted to dispel the notion that S. America = clay. (Notice, you just assumed.) Or perhaps its to nurture local players on hards, in the same way that the USTA is trying to put in more clay here.

The move to hards was strictly commercial. They did it after Acapulco decided to do it, in order to try to attract players wanting to warm up to the incoming MS events.

What do you mean? I thought Rio is currently being and will continue to be played on clay.

I understand that Olympics will be on hard courts at Rio.

Are you saying that after Olympics, the Rio 500 will be played on hardcourts? I never saw
such an announcement so far.

 

[mrzz]

Are you saying that after Olympics, the Rio 500 will be played on hardcourts? I never saw
such an announcement so far.

As I replied to Moxie, yes. I believe I posted this information, which I got from brazilian media, a long time ago, maybe even on the tennis.com forums. For about a month, it was widely (as widely a tennis subject can be discussed here) discussed in the media, with some interviews, etc.

Why would it replace Miami? It's huge and smack dab in the middle of the tennis community! I'm still shocked they got the Olympics! With all that chaos going on, it's just inconceivable that they'll be ready! Russia's supposed to be more civilized and it was a disaster with water, toilets, malfunctioning equipment, doors, etc.! Seemed to be a nightmare! Why would Rio fare better? Puzzled Eyepop Ras

It won't. It will be a nightmare.

 

[Carol]

It's not just a conflicting information about that alleged Rafa's retirement but totally absurd eyepop: