Let's Get Real on Rafa's "Decline"

[Luxilon Borg]

Rafa Nadal has not declined. He has stagnated.

To my eyes, he is playing the same level he did back in 2013, during his miraculous comeback.

That is the problem, he is playing the same level.

The level that many of his opponents are playing now was unforeseen several years ago. Nishikori, Fognini, Lopez, and of course Djoker, plus others, have improved at a rate that is nothing short of miraculous, and of course, Lopez, is the biggest surprise.

The fact is when Nadal was at his best there were two players that could hit through him..Del Po and Soldering. Now there are 25 to 30, if not more.

He should feel flattered, like Borg, Lendl, Courier, and Agassi before him, he has pushed the field to heights they never dreamed of.

 

[Kieran]

Seriously bro, we have about seven threads picking over the bones of Rafa, but this is the strangest. He's playing as well as in 2013? :lolz:

 

[brokenshoelace]

Rafa Nadal has not declined. He has stagnated.

To my eyes, he is playing the same level he did back in 2013, during his miraculous comeback.

That is the problem, he is playing the same level.

The level that many of his opponents are playing now was unforeseen several years ago. Nishikori, Fognini, Lopez, and of course Djoker, plus others, have improved at a rate that is nothing short of miraculous, and of course, Lopez, is the biggest surprise.

The fact is when Nadal was at his best there were two players that could hit through him..Del Po and Soldering. Now there are 25 to 30, if not more.

He should feel flattered, like Borg, Lendl, Courier, and Agassi before him, he has pushed the field to heights they never dreamed of.

Yeah you're right, Rafa has stagnated. He's still playing at the same level he did in 2013. It's just that guys like Feliciano Lopez have gotten so much better that they're playing even above Rafa's 2013 level. Unfortunately, the tour has improved so much, that this 2013 level which two years ago was good enough to dominate, is now no longer good enough to get past the 2nd round in Masters 1000 events. The same level which saw him go undefeated on hards for 4 huge tournaments (3 masters and a major), barely breaking a sweat, is now not good enough to win 2 consecutive matches. Makes perfect sense.

Also, of all the compliments handed to Nadal this is the strangest: He played so well in 2013, that a dozen guys who have nothing to do with him improved so dramatically in the space of 2 years that Nadal can now no longer get past the 2nd round. Rafa, single-handedly responsible for the most exponential dramatic field improvement in the history of tennis. And to think that we thought this is an underwhelming field. Thank you lord Rafa.

Phenomenal analysis.

I really hate "hot takes" with a passion. Like "oh hey let me enlighten everyone with a super contrarian view, even if it makes no sense whatsoever."

This thread is among the worst I've seen in the history of the forums. I am not even exaggerating.

 

[Denis]

Rafa Nadal has not declined. He has stagnated.

To my eyes, he is playing the same level he did back in 2013, during his miraculous comeback.

That is the problem, he is playing the same level.

The level that many of his opponents are playing now was unforeseen several years ago. Nishikori, Fognini, Lopez, and of course Djoker, plus others, have improved at a rate that is nothing short of miraculous, and of course, Lopez, is the biggest surprise.

The fact is when Nadal was at his best there were two players that could hit through him..Del Po and Soldering. Now there are 25 to 30, if not more.

He should feel flattered, like Borg, Lendl, Courier, and Agassi before him, he has pushed the field to heights they never dreamed of.

Yeah you're right, Rafa has stagnated. He's still playing at the same level he did in 2013. It's just that guys like Feliciano Lopez have gotten so much better that they're playing even above Rafa's 2013 level. Unfortunately, the tour has improved so much, that this 2013 level which two years ago was good enough to dominate, is now no longer good enough to get past the 2nd round in Masters 1000 events. The same level which saw him go undefeated on hards for 4 huge tournaments (3 masters and a major), barely breaking a sweat, is now not good enough to win 2 consecutive matches. Makes perfect sense.

Also, of all the compliments handed to Nadal this is the strangest: He played so well in 2013, that 25 guys who have nothing to do with him improved so dramatically in the space of 2 years that Nadal can now no longer get past the 2nd round. Rafa, single-handedly responsible for the most exponential dramatic field improvement in the history of tennis. And to think that we thought this is an underwhelming field. Thank you lord Rafa.

Phenomenal analysis.

I really hate "hot takes" with a passion. Like "oh hey let me enlighten everyone with a super contrarian view, even if it makes no sense whatsoever."

This thread is among the worst I've seen in the history of the forums. I am not even exaggerating.

Maybe not the worst, but putting Lopez in the mix certainly doesn't help. If Lopez is better than 2013 Nadal, will he win the U.S. open? I'm getting worried now for Novaks chances. :cover

 

[brokenshoelace]

Rafa Nadal has not declined. He has stagnated.

To my eyes, he is playing the same level he did back in 2013, during his miraculous comeback.

That is the problem, he is playing the same level.

The level that many of his opponents are playing now was unforeseen several years ago. Nishikori, Fognini, Lopez, and of course Djoker, plus others, have improved at a rate that is nothing short of miraculous, and of course, Lopez, is the biggest surprise.

The fact is when Nadal was at his best there were two players that could hit through him..Del Po and Soldering. Now there are 25 to 30, if not more.

He should feel flattered, like Borg, Lendl, Courier, and Agassi before him, he has pushed the field to heights they never dreamed of.

Yeah you're right, Rafa has stagnated. He's still playing at the same level he did in 2013. It's just that guys like Feliciano Lopez have gotten so much better that they're playing even above Rafa's 2013 level. Unfortunately, the tour has improved so much, that this 2013 level which two years ago was good enough to dominate, is now no longer good enough to get past the 2nd round in Masters 1000 events. The same level which saw him go undefeated on hards for 4 huge tournaments (3 masters and a major), barely breaking a sweat, is now not good enough to win 2 consecutive matches. Makes perfect sense.

Also, of all the compliments handed to Nadal this is the strangest: He played so well in 2013, that 25 guys who have nothing to do with him improved so dramatically in the space of 2 years that Nadal can now no longer get past the 2nd round. Rafa, single-handedly responsible for the most exponential dramatic field improvement in the history of tennis. And to think that we thought this is an underwhelming field. Thank you lord Rafa.

Phenomenal analysis.

I really hate "hot takes" with a passion. Like "oh hey let me enlighten everyone with a super contrarian view, even if it makes no sense whatsoever."

This thread is among the worst I've seen in the history of the forums. I am not even exaggerating.

Maybe not the worst, but putting Lopez in the mix certainly doesn't help. If Lopez is better than 2013 Nadal, will he win the U.S. open? I'm getting worried now for Novaks chances. :cover

Your only hope is to pray Lopez stagnates from now until then.

 

[mrzz]

Hey, don't forget about Fognini.

 

[Front242]

And Berrer who will win the USO before he retires this year.

 

[isabelle]

And Berrer who will win the USO before he retires this year.

Oh it's Berrer ? I read Federer and I found it strange, know its' more logical

 

[El Dude]

Must be a troll post.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Rafa Nadal has not declined. He has stagnated.

To my eyes, he is playing the same level he did back in 2013, during his miraculous comeback.

That is the problem, he is playing the same level.

The level that many of his opponents are playing now was unforeseen several years ago. Nishikori, Fognini, Lopez, and of course Djoker, plus others, have improved at a rate that is nothing short of miraculous, and of course, Lopez, is the biggest surprise.

The fact is when Nadal was at his best there were two players that could hit through him..Del Po and Soldering. Now there are 25 to 30, if not more.

He should feel flattered, like Borg, Lendl, Courier, and Agassi before him, he has pushed the field to heights they never dreamed of.

Yeah you're right, Rafa has stagnated. He's still playing at the same level he did in 2013. It's just that guys like Feliciano Lopez have gotten so much better that they're playing even above Rafa's 2013 level. Unfortunately, the tour has improved so much, that this 2013 level which two years ago was good enough to dominate, is now no longer good enough to get past the 2nd round in Masters 1000 events. The same level which saw him go undefeated on hards for 4 huge tournaments (3 masters and a major), barely breaking a sweat, is now not good enough to win 2 consecutive matches. Makes perfect sense.

Also, of all the compliments handed to Nadal this is the strangest: He played so well in 2013, that a dozen guys who have nothing to do with him improved so dramatically in the space of 2 years that Nadal can now no longer get past the 2nd round. Rafa, single-handedly responsible for the most exponential dramatic field improvement in the history of tennis. And to think that we thought this is an underwhelming field. Thank you lord Rafa.

Phenomenal analysis.

I really hate "hot takes" with a passion. Like "oh hey let me enlighten everyone with a super contrarian view, even if it makes no sense whatsoever."

This thread is among the worst I've seen in the history of the forums. I am not even exaggerating.

You totally and utterly misunderstood my post, and why am I not surprised.

Lopez, or Fogman, Nish,and others can play Nadal's level on A PARTICULAR DAY. Not DAY IN DAY OUT and head to #1.

Lopez could only dream of hitting a cross court forehand winner at full split 3 years ago.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Must be a troll post.

Nice.

 

[nehmeth]

To my eyes, he is playing the same level he did back in 2013, during his miraculous comeback.

Hey Lux,

It may be time to go to the eye doc and have a check up.

I've enclosed a link of when he put a whupping down on my boy. He's regressed, not stagnated. His shotmaking is nowhere near as crisp, clean, confident, or consistent as it was during his summer run of 2013. And his serve then and now???? :nono

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoJvj7ZGKjA[/video]

 

[Luxilon Borg]

To my eyes, he is playing the same level he did back in 2013, during his miraculous comeback.

Hey Lux,

It may be time to go to the eye doc and have a check up.

I've enclosed a link of when he put whupping down on my boy. He's regressed, not stagnated. His shotmaking is nowhere near as crisp, clean, confident, or consistent as it was during his summer run of 2013. And his serve then and now???? :nono

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoJvj7ZGKjA[/video]

Didja stop to think "shotmaking is nowhere near as crisp, clean, confident, or consistent as it was during his summer run of 2013" because his confidence (which is famously as volatile as the stock market) has been devastated due to the fact that playing that same level of tennis as before is not producing the same result because players are now very well assimilated the high bounce, his patterns, and can now step in and take his balls on the rise offensively?

 

[Luxilon Borg]

To my eyes, he is playing the same level he did back in 2013, during his miraculous comeback.

Hey Lux,

It may be time to go to the eye doc and have a check up.

I've enclosed a link of when he put whupping down on my boy. He's regressed, not stagnated. His shotmaking is nowhere near as crisp, clean, confident, or consistent as it was during his summer run of 2013. And his serve then and now???? :nono

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoJvj7ZGKjA[/video]

Let's also not let facts get in the way..

Serve???

2013 first serve points won: 69%, service games won 88%
2015 first serve points won: 71%, service games won 84%

Serving so much worse, eh?

 

[Puppet Master]

To my eyes, he is playing the same level he did back in 2013, during his miraculous comeback.

Hey Lux,

It may be time to go to the eye doc and have a check up.

I've enclosed a link of when he put whupping down on my boy. He's regressed, not stagnated. His shotmaking is nowhere near as crisp, clean, confident, or consistent as it was during his summer run of 2013. And his serve then and now???? :nono

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoJvj7ZGKjA[/video]

Let's also not let facts get in the way..

Serve???

2013 first serve points won: 69%, service games won 88%
2015 first serve points won: 71%, service games won 84%

Serving so much worse, eh?

Interesting numbers, but the difference between now and 2013 is probably about 20 mph on average lol.

 

[brokenshoelace]

To my eyes, he is playing the same level he did back in 2013, during his miraculous comeback.

Hey Lux,

It may be time to go to the eye doc and have a check up.

I've enclosed a link of when he put whupping down on my boy. He's regressed, not stagnated. His shotmaking is nowhere near as crisp, clean, confident, or consistent as it was during his summer run of 2013. And his serve then and now???? :nono

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoJvj7ZGKjA[/video]

Didja stop to think "shotmaking is nowhere near as crisp, clean, confident, or consistent as it was during his summer run of 2013" because his confidence (which is famously as volatile as the stock market) has been devastated due to the fact that playing that same level of tennis as before is not producing the same result because players are now very well assimilated the high bounce, his patterns, and can now step in and take his balls on the rise offensively?

So you're actually implying Nadal was playing as well as he ever did at say, the AO this year, but the loss to Berdych took away his confidence and it's been a downward spiral, all related to confidence, ever since?

When you say something so insane, please don't condescend by saying something such as "I'm not surprised you misunderstood my post." Trust me, it's better to misunderstand your post because what you're actually stating is ludicrous, laughable and borderline insulting to our intelligence.

Check Nadal's service speed from 2013 and compare it to this year, all year. Watch his movement. Pretty much watch anything related to his game and better yet, watch how he was playing earlier this year.

Did Cali somehow steal your account info?

 

[brokenshoelace]

To my eyes, he is playing the same level he did back in 2013, during his miraculous comeback.

Hey Lux,

It may be time to go to the eye doc and have a check up.

I've enclosed a link of when he put whupping down on my boy. He's regressed, not stagnated. His shotmaking is nowhere near as crisp, clean, confident, or consistent as it was during his summer run of 2013. And his serve then and now???? :nono

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xoJvj7ZGKjA[/video]

Let's also not let facts get in the way..

Serve???

2013 first serve points won: 69%, service games won 88%
2015 first serve points won: 71%, service games won 84%

Serving so much worse, eh?

Oh boy, you're seriously playing this card. You do realize by losing to nobodies this year, Nadal isn't actually making it to the top dogs who can break his serve and win points on his serve more frequently. Nadal isn't even playing Djokovic, Murray or Federer. He's playing inferior players who aren't winning as many points on his serve...and even then he's losing.

Nadal made it to at least the finals of every clay court tournament in 2013, and therefore, played more matches on clay that year (including the first 3 tournaments in South America), not to mention a 5 setter against Djokovic at RG...as you know (probably), you drop serve/lose points on serve more often on clay, so that in large part explains those numbers.

Do you have a first service speed average while you're at it? Oh, you conveniently left that out.

It's OK. You came up with a dumb take. Own up to it. Don't dig a deeper hole.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Must be a troll post.

Nice.

Don't be insulted. Because a troll post is far less offensive than you actually meaning what you wrote.

 

[brokenshoelace]

PS: The biggest sign of a "hot take," or what I'd like to call, a "Cali special," is when you feel the need to create a thread about it.

Because lord knows there aren't enough Nadal threads for you to have shared that idea.

 

[Busted]

Seriously bro, we have about seven threads picking over the bones of Rafa, but this is the strangest. He's playing as well as in 2013? :lolz:

:laydownlaughing Listen...I'm no fan of Nadal, but saying he's playing as well as he played in 2013 is just ridic. He's playing more like he played in 2012 than 2013. I believe he spent most of 2012 injured. Ahem. I saw his match against Lopez and I think he looks a little heavy and about 2 steps slower than usual. His other problem, and probably the biggest, is that his serve has never gotten any better. Sure it's got kick and spin but it's not any faster. Guys are onto his serve and he needs to be more aggressive with it. If he's just going to spin it in he may as well go ahead and resign himself to hovering between 6-10 in the rankings - or just go ahead and retire...which he says is not on his radar.