Does any player every play at his highest level? Ever?!

[Front242]

Nadal's destruction of Verdasco in the Monte Carlo final in 2010 might just be the best display of clay court tennis I've ever seen. I honestly don't think Nadal's played a finer match in his career.

Glad to see I'm not the only one who thought this was the best match he played on clay. I said I'd seen him play better than RG '08 and this is also the match I consider Nadal played his absolute best on clay.

 

[Front242]

That said, he obviously played extremely well at RG '08 too. If we're talking non clay I'd consider the third set of the US Open 2011 to be some of the highest level tennis ever exhibited by Nadal. And Djokovic too.

 

[brokenshoelace]

That said, he obviously played extremely well at RG '08 too. If we're talking non clay I'd consider the third set of the US Open 2011 to be some of the highest level tennis ever exhibited by Nadal. And Djokovic too.

On average, Nadal's best clay court and grass court tennis was in 2008. On clay, it was the year where he found the perfect balance between aggression and defense (he was a little less aggressive on clay in previous years). Later on, he had to be more aggressive due to a decline in movement, which actually benefited his game in general, but made him slightly more beatable on clay.

On grass, his level at Queens and Wimbledon was amazing. Definitely the best sustained stretch of grass court tennis he's had in his entire career. Even the first week of Wimbledon was smooth. It's difficult to explain but just seeing him play, I knew he was going to win it that year. Confidence was obviously a huge factor too.

I think his serve got better on grass in 2010, but that year, it took him a little more time to find his footing.

 

[tented]

Nadal's destruction of Verdasco in the Monte Carlo final in 2010 might just be the best display of clay court tennis I've ever seen. I honestly don't think Nadal's played a finer match in his career.

Glad to see I'm not the only one who thought this was the best match he played on clay. I said I'd seen him play better than RG '08 and this is also the match I consider Nadal played his absolute best on clay.

The 2010 MC final was incredible. I remember Verdasco falling to his knees when he finally won his single game. You'd think HE had just won the final.

That whole 2010 MC tournament was amazing, really. I also remember Rafa coming within 2-3 points of beating Michael Berrer by winning the fewest points needed to win a match. Robbie Koenig was beside himself with delight watching such an amazing level of tennis, and truly disappointed when Berrer spoiled the party.

 

[tented]

On average, Nadal's best clay court and grass court tennis was in 2008. On clay, it was the year where he found the perfect balance between aggression and defense (he was a little less aggressive on clay in previous years).

Yet, in a fascinating display of foreshadowing, it was the '08 RG semifinal against Djokovic which caused Rafa the most trouble the entire tournament.

 

[Front242]

That said, he obviously played extremely well at RG '08 too. If we're talking non clay I'd consider the third set of the US Open 2011 to be some of the highest level tennis ever exhibited by Nadal. And Djokovic too.

On average, Nadal's best clay court and grass court tennis was in 2008. On clay, it was the year where he found the perfect balance between aggression and defense (he was a little less aggressive on clay in previous years). Later on, he had to be more aggressive due to a decline in movement, which actually benefited his game in general, but made him slightly more beatable on clay.

On grass, his level at Queens and Wimbledon was amazing. Definitely the best sustained stretch of grass court tennis he's had in his entire career. Even the first week of Wimbledon was smooth. It's difficult to explain but just seeing him play, I knew he was going to win it that year. Confidence was obviously a huge factor too.

I think his serve got better on grass in 2010, but that year, it took him a little more time to find his footing.

Yeah, he was definitely at his best on grass in 2008 and all round on average level on clay and grass was very high as you said and the smooth first week definitely stood out at Wimbledon.

 

[Kieran]

On average, Nadal's best clay court and grass court tennis was in 2008. On clay, it was the year where he found the perfect balance between counter-punching and counter-punching

There, I fixed that for you...

 

[Moxie]

On average, Nadal's best clay court and grass court tennis was in 2008. On clay, it was the year where he found the perfect balance between counter-punching and counter-punching

There, I fixed that for you...

You are very bad. :laydownlaughing

 

[tented]

Roger's 2008 RG final post-match interview:

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvwaQqQgaUM[/video]

"Today, Rafa was supreme, so it was hard."

 

[Rose]

Rafa has tried to play at his highest level always! Which is why is body is in such poor shape before he has even turned 30 years old!

 

[Front242]

I think it's all blown totally out of proportion tbh. He's moving exceptionally well this week and playing fantastic. He's in perfect shape right now and the main concern for him and his fans is a non issue now it seems. Namely his left knee, which has been fine for a long time now. He had a bit of bad luck in one match at the AO but he seems 100% fine now and is moving like a cat.

 

[Moxie]

I think it's all blown totally out of proportion tbh. He's moving exceptionally well this week and playing fantastic. He's in perfect shape right now and the main concern for him and his fans is a non issue now it seems. Namely his left knee, which has been fine for a long time now. He had a bit of bad luck in one match at the AO but he seems 100% fine now and is moving like a cat.

I'm not sure which thing you think is blown out of proportion, but I agree he's playing well and moving great. Perhaps you're reacting to Rose's post saying that Nadal's attitude/style threatens his future? Personally, I'm not a fan of that attitude. His doctor and his team have worked hard at rehabbing the knees. You should give us a break for hoping he keeps injuries at bay, give past experience, but I agree he's fully healthy now.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I think it's all blown totally out of proportion tbh. He's moving exceptionally well this week and playing fantastic. He's in perfect shape right now and the main concern for him and his fans is a non issue now it seems. Namely his left knee, which has been fine for a long time now. He had a bit of bad luck in one match at the AO but he seems 100% fine now and is moving like a cat.

To be clear regarding his knee: "A long time" in this case is a year. It's been a little over a year since he's returned. Yes, there haven't been signs of knee issues (thank god!) but it actually says a lot when we consider a year going by without a knee problems for Nadal a "long time."

I haven't seen his past matches this tournament but I've seen the highlights. He's looking good.

 

[Moxie]

^ Broken, Rafa does seem to be playing in free-flow. He looks fit and hungry. Good form going into the clay season. And for the extra spice, with a favorable draw, he might finally get Miami.

 

[Front242]

I think it's all blown totally out of proportion tbh. He's moving exceptionally well this week and playing fantastic. He's in perfect shape right now and the main concern for him and his fans is a non issue now it seems. Namely his left knee, which has been fine for a long time now. He had a bit of bad luck in one match at the AO but he seems 100% fine now and is moving like a cat.

To be clear regarding his knee: "A long time" in this case is a year. It's been a little over a year since he's returned. Yes, there haven't been signs of knee issues (thank god!) but it actually says a lot when we consider a year going by without a knee problems for Nadal a "long time."

I haven't seen his past matches this tournament but I've seen the highlights. He's looking good.

I'd consider a year a long time in tennis. 4 slams have passed and all the Masters events that go with the year's schedule. Likewise Roger's movement is leaps and bounds better this year. Considering Nadal turns 28 in June and Roger turns 33 in August their respective movement this tournament in particular is outstanding.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I think it's all blown totally out of proportion tbh. He's moving exceptionally well this week and playing fantastic. He's in perfect shape right now and the main concern for him and his fans is a non issue now it seems. Namely his left knee, which has been fine for a long time now. He had a bit of bad luck in one match at the AO but he seems 100% fine now and is moving like a cat.

To be clear regarding his knee: "A long time" in this case is a year. It's been a little over a year since he's returned. Yes, there haven't been signs of knee issues (thank god!) but it actually says a lot when we consider a year going by without a knee problems for Nadal a "long time."

I haven't seen his past matches this tournament but I've seen the highlights. He's looking good.

I'd consider a year a long time in tennis. 4 slams have passed and all the Masters events that go with the year's schedule. Likewise Roger's movement is leaps and bounds better this year. Considering Nadal turns 28 in June and Roger turns 33 in August their respective movement this tournament in particular is outstanding.

A year is a long time in tennis, but not when talking about injuries. In other words, it shouldn't be a huge accomplishment to go a full year without time on the sidelines.

 

[Federberg]

Interesting thread. I actually tend to think that players achieve highest levels briefly. Whether it's just a set in a match or even a couple of sets, but it's transient, and might not encompass an entire match. Rosols final set against Rafa at Wimbledon is a case in point. Is he ever going to achieve that again? I mean.. ever? I've watched Fed play at a level where he's absolutely faultless, but the older he's gotten the shorter these episodes are. There was a time it could last multiple sets, but now it seems to be for 4 maybe 5 games? It's funny really when Fed is playing at that sort of level it's almost like a magic trick. When I've seen Rafa do it, and I don't recall the year.. perhaps 2010? It was on a hard court.. can't remember who he played. It wasn't like magic.. it was like.. I can only describe it like this.. the end of tennis. It was just appalling power and speed. Not sure if you get my point. He was seriously, intimidatingly impressive. He also seemed able to sustain these periods of excellence for longer. I guess the observation I'm trying to make is perhaps a sign of peak performance is the level of 'highest performance' is sustainable for longer?