Did that just happen? and what does it mean? (Rafa's 1R loss)

[Kieran]

Nadal today was no worse than he has been on many, many occasions at Wimbledon. The difference was that his opponent had his act together and consistently executed superior flat shots, while taking the ball early.

That's the truth, actually. How often we see the journeymen fade, but Darcis was splendid. I enjoyed watching him, funny enough, because he handled every personal crisis very well and on the few points that decide these things, he was calm, where Rafa wasn't so sure of himself...

 

[Mastoor]

Commiserations to my fellow Rafatards. As you know, like you guys I too put my money, my house and my reputation on Rafa in the final. But sadly it wasn't meant to be and I lost it all.

I only hope that this loss won't result in another 7 months abstinence from tennis because for some perverse reason I more enjoy reading about top spin than all those spins about the knee.

Well, life goes on. Tipsy lost too, now Troicki has to make the final instead.

 

[tented]

Nadal today was no worse than he has been on many, many occasions at Wimbledon. The difference was that his opponent had his act together and consistently executed superior flat shots, while taking the ball early.

That's the truth, actually. How often we see the journeymen fade, but Darcis was splendid. I enjoyed watching him, funny enough, because he handled every personal crisis very well and on the few points that decide these things, he was calm, where Rafa wasn't so sure of himself...

Kieran, I'm disappointed you bought into that propaganda. You know Rafa was worse today. In fact, arguably his worst ever. Hence, he lost. First round. Grand Slam. First time ever. Two-time Champion. Straight sets.

This doesn't mean Darcis didn't play a terrific match. He did. But that was a shadow of Rafa out there today.

 

[Denis]

Well, life goes on. Tipsy lost too, now Troicki has to make the final instead.

His fourth round match might be a bit tricky though. The QF and semis too for that matter.

 

[Mastoor]

I don't know. From what I hear, Rafa's semi with No1e is arguably the best clay court match ever played. Now, from that to not even a shadow of himself and all what happened in between was the final with Ferrer, I just don't know how to explain that.

---

Well, life goes on. Tipsy lost too, now Troicki has to make the final instead.

His fourth round match might be a bit tricky though. The QF and semis too for that matter.

i had to have a look at the draw before replying, I didn't have a clue what Troicki's draw was. Well, I think he may be due to revenge in round 4 that Murray loss after which his career started going downhill.

 

[calitennis127]

But that was a shadow of Rafa out there today.

How so? Because the opponents' offensive shots were landing in for winners and not sailing long or wide?

 

[Riotbeard]

Nadal today was no worse than he has been on many, many occasions at Wimbledon. The difference was that his opponent had his act together and consistently executed superior flat shots, while taking the ball early.

That's the truth, actually. How often we see the journeymen fade, but Darcis was splendid. I enjoyed watching him, funny enough, because he handled every personal crisis very well and on the few points that decide these things, he was calm, where Rafa wasn't so sure of himself...

Kieran, I'm disappointed you bought into that propaganda. You know Rafa was worse today. In fact, arguably his worst ever. Hence, he lost. First round. Grand Slam. First time ever. Two-time Champion. Straight sets.

This doesn't mean Darcis didn't play a terrific match. He did. But that was a shadow of Rafa out there today.

Come on Tented. Rafa was not his best today, but he has played worse. Darcis played top 10 tennis today to say the least. Rafa's movement didn't really appear to suffering until well into the second set, and he had been outplayed for an hour and a half. Darcis looked incredible would love to see him make it back to the top 50.

 

[Ricardo]

Nadal today was no worse than he has been on many, many occasions at Wimbledon. The difference was that his opponent had his act together and consistently executed superior flat shots, while taking the ball early.

That's the truth, actually. How often we see the journeymen fade, but Darcis was splendid. I enjoyed watching him, funny enough, because he handled every personal crisis very well and on the few points that decide these things, he was calm, where Rafa wasn't so sure of himself...

Kieran, I'm disappointed you bought into that propaganda. You know Rafa was worse today. In fact, arguably his worst ever. Hence, he lost. First round. Grand Slam. First time ever. Two-time Champion. Straight sets.

This doesn't mean Darcis didn't play a terrific match. He did. But that was a shadow of Rafa out there today.

There is no propaganda. Rafa has played worse many times before, make no mistake about. You can't blame his bad losses to that he played like crap, because he didn't. Was he close to his best? no, it's his first match on grass so being a little rusty was expected. What really surprised, was Darcis played such good tennis exceeding all expectation of even himself.

Did you even look at the breakdown of the match? Darcis was all winners, very few errors and even Rafa himself didn't make that many errors, it was high quality tennis that ended the day - Rafa didn't lose because he shot himself in the foot, and attributing the loss to 'playing his worst' is disrespectful to a player who everyone saw today, played simply brilliantly. If anything else, the condition was good for Darcis today. The grass was green and slippery, Rafa's fh cannot jump the way it can in later rounds when grass gets worn out. Another fact was that Darcis played excellent on big points, and usually a player of his position doesn't.

---

I don't know. From what I hear, Rafa's semi with No1e is arguably the best clay court match ever played. Now, from that to not even a shadow of himself and all what happened in between was the final with Ferrer, I just don't know how to explain that.

---

Well, life goes on. Tipsy lost too, now Troicki has to make the final instead.

His fourth round match might be a bit tricky though. The QF and semis too for that matter.

i had to have a look at the draw before replying, I didn't have a clue what Troicki's draw was. Well, I think he may be due to revenge in round 4 that Murray loss after which his career started going downhill.

---

Troicky's doing fine, but going reaching QF should be beyond him. What you should worry about, is if the only player you really care for, Djoker who plays first round tonight. An unknown can catch fire and if you are not in form, things happen..... look what Darcis did today.

 

[BalaryKar]

But that was a shadow of Rafa out there today.

How so? Because the opponents' offensive shots were landing in for winners and not sailing long or wide?

 

[Moxie]

Nadal today was no worse than he has been on many, many occasions at Wimbledon. The difference was that his opponent had his act together and consistently executed superior flat shots, while taking the ball early.

So many people have been fair about the loss by Rafa today. This response is hard to take seriously. It only takes a player having his "act together" and executing "superior flat shots" to beat Nadal?! Really? So how come they didn't do it in the 5 years that he made the finals and won two? (By my calculation, that would be 32 rounds of other players not having their "act together.") The anomaly is beating him in early rounds. The odds don't work with your theory.

 

[BalaryKar]

Nadal today was no worse than he has been on many, many occasions at Wimbledon. The difference was that his opponent had his act together and consistently executed superior flat shots, while taking the ball early.

So many people have been fair about the loss by Rafa today. This response is hard to take seriously. It only takes a player having his "act together" and executing "superior flat shots" to beat Nadal?! Really? So how come they didn't do it in the 5 years that he made the finals and won two? (By my calculation, that would be 32 rounds of other players not having their "act together.") The anomaly is beating him in early rounds. The odds don't work with your theory.

Just above your this post is my post, a reply to the GPOT (greatest poster of all time). Please tell me what you understand from it

 

[Andrew William]

I didn't get a chance to catch this particular match, so I can't really break anything down, but It amazes me that Nadal lost in the very first round on a surface that has been very kind to his style of play over the years. From what other posters are describing, it sounds as though Nadal was not able to impose his will on proceedings and that is quite shocking given how Nadal is very much like a pit bull once he pin points a weakness to attack. Oh well, I'll have to catch a rerun. Toodles!

 

[Ricardo]

Nadal today was no worse than he has been on many, many occasions at Wimbledon. The difference was that his opponent had his act together and consistently executed superior flat shots, while taking the ball early.

So many people have been fair about the loss by Rafa today. This response is hard to take seriously. It only takes a player having his "act together" and executing "superior flat shots" to beat Nadal?! Really? So how come they didn't do it in the 5 years that he made the finals and won two? (By my calculation, that would be 32 rounds of other players not having their "act together.") The anomaly is beating him in early rounds. The odds don't work with your theory.

actually it's rare for a player to put his act together. Usually he is missing something, bad serving day, bad play on big points, not feeling the forehand etc. Obviously Darcis put his act together for the win today, and he DID execute superior flat shots.

Isn't that what he did?

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

I don't know. From what I hear, Rafa's semi with No1e is arguably the best clay court match ever played.

nah, it wasn't. far from it, tbh. great fifth set, though.

 

[Ricardo]

I didn't get a chance to catch this particular match, so I can't really break anything down, but It amazes me that Nadal lost in the very first round on a surface that has been very kind to his style of play over the years. From what other posters are describing, it sounds as though Nadal was not able to impose his will on proceedings and that is quite shocking given how Nadal is very much like a pit bull once he pin points a weakness to attack. Oh well, I'll have to catch a rerun. Toodles!

Technically a big reason today was that, Nadal's high bouncing fh did not break down Darcis's single handed bh. The grass was too fresh, it ate away the effect of the top spin and the ball sat up just high enough in Darcis's hitting zone. Of course he also had a great day, especially when it comes to playing big points and staying in it mentally.

 

[Mastoor]

Troicky's doing fine, but going reaching QF should be beyond him. What you should worry about, is if the only player you really care for, Djoker who plays first round tonight. An unknown can catch fire and if you are not in form, things happen..... look what Darcis did today.

I know, I already soiled my pants. Djoker is playing a guy who never took a set of him before, so I don't know why I should be worried in advance, but Rafa losing is certainly not the reason.

 

[Ricardo]

Troicky's doing fine, but going reaching QF should be beyond him. What you should worry about, is if the only player you really care for, Djoker who plays first round tonight. An unknown can catch fire and if you are not in form, things happen..... look what Darcis did today.

I know, I already soiled my pants. Djoker is playing a guy who never took a set of him before, so I don't know why I should be worried in advance, but Rafa losing is certainly not the reason.

Darcis also never took a set off Nadal before yesterday, until he decided to take a match.

 

[herios]

I didn't get a chance to catch this particular match, so I can't really break anything down, but It amazes me that Nadal lost in the very first round on a surface that has been very kind to his style of play over the years. From what other posters are describing, it sounds as though Nadal was not able to impose his will on proceedings and that is quite shocking given how Nadal is very much like a pit bull once he pin points a weakness to attack. Oh well, I'll have to catch a rerun. Toodles!

Technically a big reason today was that, Nadal's high bouncing fh did not break down Darcis's single handed bh. The grass was too fresh, it ate away the effect of the top spin and the ball sat up just high enough in Darcis's hitting zone. Of course he also had a great day, especially when it comes to playing big points and staying in it mentally.

Beside what you just said, Darcis adopted a grass court strategy, like serving smart and placing it well, then moving into the net, whenever had opportunities, while Rafa stuck to his habit, tried to defend well beyond the baseline like on clay.
And if you listened to his interview, Steve said that he knew he had a chance coming into this match, being Wimbledon first round, thus his mental fortitude throughout te whole match, very unusual, for a guy ith such a poor resume (2 titles to date and never been higher than 44 in the world)

 

[Andrew William]

I appreciate the feedback. Caught the match early this morning on Tennis Channel.

Darcis played well. I think grass serves as a catalyst for his game in that the things he excels in: variety, net play, movement; really shine for him on this surface and increases his confidence exponentially (even playing against a superb player like a Nadal).

That said, Nadal was off this match. Some of it was his opponent and some of it had to do with his left knee. I don't want to make excuses for Nadal, but if you watch the match closely you can see he's having trouble planting with the left leg. I don't know why this didn't crop up when he won Roland Garros, but grass is an entirely different animal; you really have to get low and bend your legs to be successful whilst on clay you can slide. At one point in the match Nadal was avoiding his BH to such a degree that he ran around it awkwardly and mishit a forehand as a result.

Credit Darcis though, the guy was prepared and took it to Rafa.

 

[tented]

And if you listened to his interview, Steve said that he knew he had a chance coming into this match, being Wimbledon first round, thus his mental fortitude throughout te whole match, very unusual, for a guy ith such a poor resume (2 titles to date and never been higher than 44 in the world)

True. He also said: "Of course, he didn't play his best tennis," "Of course, you don't beat Nadal if he's playing his best tennis, I think," "Of course, Rafa didn't play his best tennis, like I said. I could see it. So I took advantage of it," and "Maybe he was not in the best shape ever. Maybe he didn't play his best match. But I have to be proud of me, I think."

The propagandists (not you) would have everyone believe this was all on Darcis' racquet. Please. Rafa is a two-time Wimbledon champion, five-time finalist, not to mention all of his other accomplishments. He was way, way off, so Darcis took advantage and won. And even Darcis repeatedly mentioned how Rafa wasn't playing well. But, as the expression goes, why let the truth get in the way of a good story?

I appreciate the feedback. Caught the match early this morning on Tennis Channel.

Darcis played well. I think grass serves as a catalyst for his game in that the things he excels in: variety, net play, movement; really shine for him on this surface and increases his confidence exponentially (even playing against a superb player like a Nadal).

That said, Nadal was off this match. Some of it was his opponent and some of it had to do with his left knee. I don't want to make excuses for Nadal, but if you watch the match closely you can see he's having trouble planting with the left leg. I don't know why this didn't crop up when he won Roland Garros, but grass is an entirely different animal; you really have to get low and bend your legs to be successful whilst on clay you can slide. At one point in the match Nadal was avoiding his BH to such a degree that he ran around it awkwardly and mishit a forehand as a result.

Credit Darcis though, the guy was prepared and took it to Rafa.

Exactly.