Monte Carlo Masters 2018

[brokenshoelace]

I hope Roger is watching this. Any reason to believe Nadal isn't winning the next 4 RG's at least? Fed needs to win a few more to protect his career from this clay grunt.

4 FO's is a hall of fame career on its own. There's a lot of reason to believe that a man who will turn 32 before this year's FO is even concluded, with a history of injuries and plenty of mileage on his body who relies a lot on movement won't win the FO for 4 years to come.

 

[DarthFed]

4 FO's is a hall of fame career on its own. There's a lot of reason to believe that a man who will turn 32 before this year's FO is even concluded, with a history of injuries and plenty of mileage on his body who relies a lot on movement won't win the FO for 4 years to come.

I don't think his movement matters much at RG, at least compared to other slams. Obviously it helps a lot, don't get me wrong, but if he doesn't move well on grass or hards he has no chance in the big events. On clay his movement can be poor and there simply isn't anyone who can handle his rally forehand now that Nole is done (for now at least). Even his serve is a big weapon on clay. He will still be around and trying to hunt down Roger's legacy unless the latter extends it greatly in the near future or if Rafa has a serious injury.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

At the beginning of the clay season, the general consensus seemed to be that among all the folks, the person who would give Rafa a run for the money is Thiem. ....... and he gets crushed. Oh Lordy Lord!

 

[Moxie]

I don't think his movement matters much at RG, at least compared to other slams. Obviously it helps a lot, don't get me wrong, but if he doesn't move well on grass or hards he has no chance in the big events. On clay his movement can be poor and there simply isn't anyone who can handle his rally forehand now that Nole is done (for now at least). Even his serve is a big weapon on clay. He will still be around and trying to hunt down Roger's legacy unless the latter extends it greatly in the near future or if Rafa has a serious injury.

I really don't know how you can say that with a straight face. But Rafa will very likely to win again at other Majors, too, so it may not have to be the next 4 RG only.

 

[Moxie]

At the beginning of the clay season, the general consensus seemed to be that among all the folks, the person who would give Rafa a run for the money is Thiem. ....... and he gets crushed. Oh Lordy Lord!

Certainly that was as much hopeful as anything, especially with Wawrinka and Djokovic injured/still coming back. Thiem is a bit over-rated, and he's not an especially imaginative or diverse player. Also, I don't think anyone foresaw Rafa coming into the clay season this ready and in-form. Djokovic is still the best chance to stop Rafa on clay, with his 2hbh, match-up trouble for Nadal and excellent movement, when he's on song. I just don't think he'll pull his game together enough before the clay season is over. And with Rafa playing this well, he wouldn't get him at RG, anyway. Maybe best of 3 somewhere.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Thiem got taken to pound town, that's what happened. I sadly tuned in for 10 minutes before work and that was about half the match. The evil one looks good, especially his backhand.

I just watched the replay of the match vs Thiem

Rafa played like Kieran vs a Fed Fan on the message boards..He was strategic, methodical, and hit his points with laser like precision..

 

[the AntiPusher]

I don't think his movement matters much at RG, at least compared to other slams. Obviously it helps a lot, don't get me wrong, but if he doesn't move well on grass or hards he has no chance in the big events. On clay his movement can be poor and there simply isn't anyone who can handle his rally forehand now that Nole is done (for now at least). Even his serve is a big weapon on clay. He will still be around and trying to hunt down Roger's legacy unless the latter extends it greatly in the near future or if Rafa has a serious injury.

Speaking of movements, Rafa hair growth is making some advancements..Good for him..

 

[Andy22]

And they say the king of clay will not def his clay court season points, yea right after that I just seen nadal to future number one, thiem Nadal has to be very unlucky just to lose one match on the surface.

 

[Andy22]

I can watch Nadal play on clay and no matter how much his skill on the surface is extraordinary it doesn't mean I enjoy watching it. Do I recognize what an achievement it is for Nadal yes I do but it really is a snooze fest for me. Let me reiterate the skills needed to be successful or great on clay are admirable but watching it doesn't do much for me. And yes I would still feel the same even of Fed had a great GS record at RG.

So you don't watching one of greatest players of all time at the top of his game on his favorite surface, how can you even call yourself a tennis fan? Also watching federer on grass is really boring at times as well for some people.

 

[the AntiPusher]

What happened..I just woke up

This is the best in form Rafa I have seen in years., This Rafa would give 2017 RG Rafa a real run for his money.. He is returning serve a ton better and his backhand was being hit very aggressively.. This is the Rafa we (Well, Carol and I ) have been begging for.

 

[Moxie]

This is the best in form Rafa I have seen in years., This Rafa would give 2017 RG Rafa a real run for his money.. He is returning serve a ton better and his backhand was being hit very aggressively.. This is the Rafa we (Well, Carol and I ) have been begging for.

I think you're right. He's come out of the blocks looking more unbeatable than he has in years. Stay healthy, Rafa, and keep it up!

 

[Moxie]

And there is nothing wrong with that. I get Moxie's point but at the end of the day the style of play often dictates the players and surfaces we as fans enjoy.

I have fully said that everyone is welcome to their tastes and preferences. And I know you, Darth, are rather half-kidding when you make it out to be some alternative Hell in the tennis calendar. But there is a weird prejudice against clay, and some notion that it's ok to denigrate it, as opposed to the other surfaces. God forbid that anyone should speak ill of grass tennis. (Or except for the slowing down of it.) And this well pre-dates Fedal. Hasn't it always been a bit Anglo-Tennis v. Franco/European-Tennis?

 

[DarthFed]

I really don't know how you can say that with a straight face. But Rafa will very likely to win again at other Majors, too, so it may not have to be the next 4 RG only.

I can say it easily, basically everything about his game is perfect for clay. So even if he's moving much worse in 4 years he is still going to be at the top of the list of favorites or close to it. Off clay if he isn't moving great he isn't a threat.

And Roger still has a few slams in him at least, I still count 8 and 5 at Wimby and USO as major unfinished business. Mirka will push the right buttons.

 

[Moxie]

I can say it easily, basically everything about his game is perfect for clay. So even if he's moving much worse in 4 years he is still going to be at the top of the list of favorites or close to it. Off clay if he isn't moving great he isn't a threat.

And Roger still has a few slams in him at least, I still count 8 and 5 at Wimby and USO as major unfinished business. Mirka will push the right buttons.

For sure his game is perfectly suited to clay, but that does include his movement. One of the reasons RG works so perfectly for him is that the courts have a lot of room to move. Emphasis on "move." Also, the best of 5. I do agree, however, that he can beat most people on offer on one leg on clay. By the same token, and with adjustments to his game and serve, he's lethal on HCs, as well. You only like to think that his game otherwise depends on movement. That's a funny double-blind from you.

Roger may or may not have more Slams in him. His age and back will tell. At a certain point, no amount of Mirka nagging him or you wanting it will push him past Father Time. But both Roger and Rafa are sitting well in that their strongest competitors are not in good shape.

 

[DarthFed]

For sure his game is perfectly suited to clay, but that does include his movement. One of the reasons RG works so perfectly for him is that the courts have a lot of room to move. Emphasis on "move." Also, the best of 5. I do agree, however, that he can beat most people on offer on one leg on clay. By the same token, and with adjustments to his game and serve, he's lethal on HCs, as well. You only like to think that his game otherwise depends on movement. That's a funny double-blind from you.

Roger may or may not have more Slams in him. His age and back will tell. At a certain point, no amount of Mirka nagging him or you wanting it will push him past Father Time. But both Roger and Rafa are sitting well in that their strongest competitors are not in good shape.

Not everything I say is meant to be a dig at Nadal believe it or not. Rafa needs elite movement way more on non-clay surfaces because his whole game is way more suited for clay. There's no way he can hit and defend well enough off clay if his movement isn't at its best or near it. On clay his rally forehand and serve are just way more effective, that goes without saying.

And I know you're rooting for Roger's back to give out from here on out. Let's just say it wouldn't be the worst day in my life if Rafa gets derailed by his knees so we are on even ground there. I will say for Roger I'm more worried about motivation than age/health. If he stays focused and takes these as life and death (this is where Mirka factors in) then he will be winning many more.

 

[Carol]

I don't think Nadal is moving worse than years ego but I think his game has changed through all these years, he plays more aggressive and having better tactics and consequently he doesn't need to move so much. It's a shame that he plays so many tournaments on clay because it doesn't help him to play better on grass otherwise having his knee in good conditions I'm sure he could do much better. Last AO? he was playing well but that stupid injury didn't let him to advance more, otherwise who knows what would have been the final result

 

[Moxie]

Not everything I say is meant to be a dig at Nadal believe it or not. Rafa needs elite movement way more on non-clay surfaces because his whole game is way more suited for clay. There's no way he can hit and defend well enough off clay if his movement isn't at its best or near it. On clay his rally forehand and serve are just way more effective, that goes without saying.

And I know you're rooting for Roger's back to give out from here on out. Let's just say it wouldn't be the worst day in my life if Rafa gets derailed by his knees so we are on even ground there. I will say for Roger I'm more worried about motivation than age/health. If he stays focused and takes these as life and death (this is where Mirka factors in) then he will be winning many more.

I think it's rather mean of you to suggest that I hope Roger's back goes. It's a feature of his aging body, by the same way you, or I, speak of Rafa's knees. Based on how they've been playing, and past examples, they are still good enough to beat most of the field, if healthy, and that is the key phrase. Interesting that you think Roger's self-motivation isn't enough and that he needs Mirka to kick his ass. By all accounts, he loves the game still, and finds his own motivation.

 

[DarthFed]

I think it's rather mean of you to suggest that I hope Roger's back goes. It's a feature of his aging body, by the same way you, or I, speak of Rafa's knees. Based on how they've been playing, and past examples, they are still good enough to beat most of the field, if healthy, and that is the key phrase. Interesting that you think Roger's self-motivation isn't enough and that he needs Mirka to kick his ass. By all accounts, he loves the game still, and finds his own motivation.

It'd be understandable if Roger's motivation wavered especially after #20 and getting back to #1. I do think Mirka is more instrumental than she gets credit for especially in these later years.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I can see guys like Del Potro, Nishikori, Cilic, etc... giving Nadal trouble on clay. I can't see them giving him trouble at Roland Garros though.

 

[Moxie]

It'd be understandable if Roger's motivation wavered especially after #20 and getting back to #1. I do think Mirka is more instrumental than she gets credit for especially in these later years.

I would be the first one to credit Mirka for being a stalwart for Roger. But I have never seen any evidence that his motivation wavers. Going for the #1 earlier this year was a big clue. And it has sort of solidified the notion that Roger and Rafa are actually going at each other for history. I didn't really believe it, before. But now I think they are. Roger doesn't need Mirka to motivate him.