Mutua Madrid Open, Madrid, Spain, 2024 - Masters 1000

[MargaretMcAleer]

Well, that was kind of anti-climatic. Maybe he's taking our advice and moving on.

Rafa achieved what he wanted, on to Roma and real clay
Well done to Lehecka!
I think this court does suit his game, I will be interested to see how he goes in Roma, and also RG where the court is much slower

 

[the AntiPusher]

Well, that was kind of anti-climatic. Maybe he's taking our advice and moving on.

He should have played practice level Rafa..if I could ever interview him that would be my inquiry

 

[kskate2]

Rafa achieved what he wanted, on to Roma and real clay
Well done to Lehecka!
I think this court does suit his game, I will be interested to see how he goes in Roma

hopefully he doesn't have the ceremonial letdown most lower ranked players have with a big scalp

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

hopefully he doesn't have the ceremonial letdown most lower ranked players have with a big scalp

Good point!

 

[Moxie]

hopefully he doesn't have the ceremonial letdown most lower ranked players have with a big scalp

It's also hard to follow up when you play the best, or one of the best of your career. To Margaret's point above, I'll be interested to see how he plays on "real" clay.

EDIT: I meant one of the best "matches" of his career. But opponent, too. You're going to dig deep when you play Rafa on clay in Madrid, or Novak, or Roger, in the day, and it takes a mental toll.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

All the men who made the QFs today have a day off tomorrow
Thats why I am a bit miffed with these withdrawal rumors from the Italian press Sinner is going to withdraw
Anyway I will keep my ears to the ground if Sinner does withdraw and post if he does withdraw

 

[kskate2]

It might be good for Jannik to bow out MM if he's not 100%. Let's not lose focus w/ the bigger prize on the line in 3 weeks

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

It might be good for Jannik to bow out MM if he's not 100%. Let's not lose focus w/ the bigger prize on the line in 3 weeks

I see that point as well, he was moving okay to me in his match, though I know he wants to be in good health for RG

 

[kskate2]

I see that point as well, he was moving okay to me in his match, though I know he wants to be in good health for RG

It looks like he has a day to assess whether he should continue and I'm sure the team will make the right decision

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Okay I am off for a run and to get some fresh air

 

[Moxie]

It might be good for Jannik to bow out MM if he's not 100%. Let's not lose focus w/ the bigger prize on the line in 3 weeks

Also, for Sinner, he's got a real chance at reaching #1 at some point this year. If there's a niggle, better to take care of it, for the big picture. He's young, and there are different calculations for Nadal, an aging warrior. But yes, we're close to a Major, so do the math, and do the right thing.

 

[rafanoy1992]

Also, for Sinner, he's got a real chance at reaching #1 at some point this year. If there's a niggle, better to take care of it, for the big picture. He's young, and there are different calculations for Nadal, an aging warrior. But yes, we're close to a Major, so do the math, and do the right thing.

I look at it as half glass full meaning if his injury is really serious then he would have withdrawn already. The fact that he won the match after losing a tight first set means he will be fine in both Rome and RG.

If he does withdraw, I will be okay with it too.

 

[kskate2]

Also, for Sinner, he's got a real chance at reaching #1 at some point this year. If there's a niggle, better to take care of it, for the big picture. He's young, and there are different calculations for Nadal, an aging warrior. But yes, we're close to a Major, so do the math, and do the right thing.

For sure. And Djoke won 3 slams last year, Wimby final and several M1000's. He has a plethora of points coming off this summer. Jannik can make up a lot of ground and create a cushion when he becomes #1 based on what he does at RG and the N.A. HC's.

 

[kskate2]

Order of Play for Wednesday, May 1, 2024

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Also, for Sinner, he's got a real chance at reaching #1 at some point this year. If there's a niggle, better to take care of it, for the big picture. He's young, and there are different calculations for Nadal, an aging warrior. But yes, we're close to a Major, so do the math, and do the right thing.

Actually Sinner was thinking of withdrawing before his match against KK, according to Italian Media, he injured his right hip at the gym last week
Anyway he does have a day off before his QF so at present I have got no any further information.
Seeing he did not pay Madrid last year and he hasnt had a good record at Madrid in previous years, I am happy that he has made the QF
To me Sinner is still ' a work in progress' on the clay, so we shall see.

 

[the AntiPusher]

The short turnaround is tough enough although that kid really played the front court as well as the back court. He really executed a fantastic game plan vs Rafa.Really took the ball out of his hands. When Sampras arrived at his final USO , he was on a very long tournament winning drought. Pete still has those weapons, 1st and 2nd serves plus his running FH. Rafa's final journey will be a lot tougher especially when RG is the most grueling of the GSs. I see why Rafa is uncertain about RG..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The short turnaround is tough enough although that kid really played the front court as well as the back court. He really executed a fantastic game plan vs Rafa.Really took the ball out of his hands. When Sampras arrived at his final USO , he was on a very long tournament winning drought. Pete still has those weapons, 1st and 2nd serves plus his running FH. Rafa's final journey will be a lot tougher especially when RG is the most grueling of the GSs. I see why Rafa is uncertain about RG..

Rafa did say in his press conference he can take positives things from Madrid, quite frankly I think he has to see how he goes in Rome, before being uncertain for RG.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa did say in his press conference he can take positives things from Madrid, quite frankly I think he has to see how he goes in Rome, before being uncertain for RG.

Also Rafa mentioned the altitude and conditions made it tough to return that kid's service..I didn't enjoy watching that match..

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Also Rafa mentioned the altitude and conditions made it tough to return that kid's service..I didn't enjoy watching that match..

Well lets see when he returns to the proper clay at Roma? quite frankly I dont take much notice of players in Madrid, Rune who plays very well on clay, went out in his 2nd match in Madrid, I gave him a pass, like other players that usually play well on clay, even one of your fav players The Greek God
This court usually suits big flat hitters and big servers., different conditions in Roma and even different conditions at RG where the surface is slower.

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

The short turnaround is tough enough although that kid really played the front court as well as the back court. He really executed a fantastic game plan vs Rafa.Really took the ball out of his hands. When Sampras arrived at his final USO , he was on a very long tournament winning drought. Pete still has those weapons, 1st and 2nd serves plus his running FH. Rafa's final journey will be a lot tougher especially when RG is the most grueling of the GSs. I see why Rafa is uncertain about RG..

Even though Pete had a long tournament drought, he was still going deep into tournaments in late 2000 and most of 2001. 2002 was a different story. To say that he sucked in 2002 was an understatement. He was losing in the first or second round everywhere that year before the US Open.

I will say this about Rafa. If he doesn't play the French Open, then we have seen his last grand slam match played. Even if that's the case, we're at least getting some semblence of a final tour with Rafa. We didn't get that with Pete or Roger.