MUTUA MADRID ATP 1000 - May 1st to May 8th 2016

[Puppet Master]

Rafa fan or not, if he happens to win Madrid that's 3 consecutive weeks playing on clay, and there is still Rome and RG. Not even prime Rafa has swept the whole clay season ( Barca, MC, Madrid, Rome, RG) , ever. I just hope he knows what he's doing and that his body won't break down.

 

[kskate2]

No Fedal QF. Fed withdraws citing an injury.

 

[Carol]

I'm not surprised at all same like when he withdrew in Miami, he is not still ready to play, he says that his back is bothering him

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5xgo1z4dD8[/video]

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa fan or not, if he happens to win Madrid that's 3 consecutive weeks playing on clay, and there is still Rome and RG. Not even prime Rafa has swept the whole clay season ( Barca, MC, Madrid, Rome, RG) , ever. I just hope he knows what he's doing and that his body won't break down.

PM. Rafa did have last week off..

 

[the AntiPusher]

I'm not surprised at all same like when he withdrew in Miami, he is not still ready to play, he says that his back is bothering him

I wish Rafa would follow his wise lead.

 

[El Dude]

AP, I think Rafa doesn't want to lose momentum. Madrid and Rome might be a bit much, on the other hand he might know deep down that this might be his last best chance to rack up some big titles. Plus, he'll still have a week off between Rome and Roland Garros to rest up.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

No Fedal QF. Fed withdraws citing an injury.

I like that Fed withdrew from Madrid even though I don't like the reasoning behind it.

Once RG starts, he has a hectic schedule and need to save himself for that. Also, he is not going to achieve anything big on clay this year (and perhaps even for the rest of his life). Having said that he should play in both Rome and RG just to make sure that he gets match practice and remains competitive.

 

[Fiero425]

M Granollers the Madrid "lucky loser" to take Roger's place in the draw! Just added to Wiki anyway! ;-/

 

[the AntiPusher]

AP, I think Rafa doesn't want to lose momentum. Madrid and Rome might be a bit much, on the other hand he might know deep down that this might be his last best chance to rack up some big titles. Plus, he'll still have a week off between Rome and Roland Garros to rest up.

EL Dude, I don't think Rafa or any player really feels comfortable on the clayhard at Madrid. Rafa always says that he likes to "feel the ball, find his calm and confidence " when he is at his competitive best. Being the new champion at MC and Barcelona, That's enough momentum, winning Rome before RG is the tournament he would coveted at this point in his career because it's surface is very similar to RG.IMO

 

[Carol]

If Rafa would keep injury free he has still a couple of years to win some GS
I wouldn't care at all if he would leave Madrid early and then to be more fresh for Roma but who knows what he wants to do or what is in his head uzzled

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Roger is such a nice guy and he loves Rafa so much that he did not want to disrupt Rafa's momentum...
Bad jokes aside, I am not happy that it is his back. Is it going to be like this from now on...one thing after another?

 

[Front242]

Sucks alright as he had a good shot at getting back the number 2 ranking between here and Rome. Still has a chance seeing as Murray defends 1000 points at Madrid but not very likely Roger will reach the Rome final again but who knows. Stranger things have happened.

 

[Mile]

No Fedal QF. Fed withdraws citing an injury.

I think Fed wont put much into clay, he is preparing for his last strike, Wimbledon !

 

[Fiero425]

No Fedal QF. Fed withdraws citing an injury.

I think Fed wont put much into clay, he is preparing for his last strike, Wimbledon!

If he has a brain, that's exactly what he's doing! Maybe Edberg will help him a bit since he still lives just outside England! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Front242]

Guess we're not gonna be seeing Stepanek tonight. Doh. Was looking forward to watching the old fart as I haven't watched him play in ages.

 

[Front242]

Entertaining TB there between Pouille and Goffin.

 

[El Dude]

EL Dude, I don't think Rafa or any player really feels comfortable on the clayhard at Madrid. Rafa always says that he likes to "feel the ball, find his calm and confidence " when he is at his competitive best. Being the new champion at MC and Barcelona, That's enough momentum, winning Rome before RG is the tournament he would coveted at this point in his career because it's surface is very similar to RG.IMO

Fair enough. Regardless, you're getting Madrid.

Sucks alright as he had a good shot at getting back the number 2 ranking between here and Rome. Still has a chance seeing as Murray defends 1000 points at Madrid but not very likely Roger will reach the Rome final again but who knows. Stranger things have happened.

I don't think #2 matters to him at this point. All it really means is that if he makes it all the way to the final, he'll be facing Novak. Maybe he'd do better against Novak earlier?

 

[Front242]

Sucks alright as he had a good shot at getting back the number 2 ranking between here and Rome. Still has a chance seeing as Murray defends 1000 points at Madrid but not very likely Roger will reach the Rome final again but who knows. Stranger things have happened.

I don't think #2 matters to him at this point. All it really means is that if he makes it all the way to the final, he'll be facing Novak. Maybe he'd do better against Novak earlier?

Very valid point. He definitely has a mental block in finals last 2 years so it's definitely a very interesting angle to take alright. Likewise, Nadal gets better in finals (at RG anyway) so it's better for Novak to face him earlier like last year at RG quarters and vice versa. The pressure of finals is immense. If Roger could conjure up that semi performance at Wimbledon last year in the finals no one was beating him. Ridiculously good serving that Karlovic would be proud of. Different opponent though too in that semi But that said, probably the 2nd best returner on tour and still served off the court.

 

[herios]

Guess we're not gonna be seeing Stepanek tonight. Doh. Was looking forward to watching the old fart as I haven't watched him play in ages.

:huh:You lost me here. Radek is playing right now, set 3 with Vasek Pospisil