Nadal back to number one how long do you think it will last

[Moxie]

@GameSetAndMath He skipped Barcelona in 2010 only, so as not to crowd the schedule. No injury. And he's only lost there to Fognini, in 2015.

 

[Federberg]

Not injured. He skipped it the inaugural year of Madrid, I think, so as not to crowd the schedule...though that was '09, so he had sore knees that whole spring. And I'm sure there was another one, but I'll look it up. It is the closest he has to a hometown tourney, so it's like Fed skipping Basel, but they do it if they feel they have to.

 

[Moxie]

No, he wore strappings as a fashion choice.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

@GameSetAndMath He skipped Barcelona in 2010 only, so as not to crowd the schedule. No injury. And he's only lost there to Fognini, in 2015.

Yes, that was the only year if I remember right. IIRC, that is the only year in which he did a clay sweep (all three clay masters plus RG).
But, Rafa skipping a clay event is rare. The reason he did it that year was due to the calendar being different in that year. If he had played Barcelona that year, he needed to play three weeks in a row and so decided against that. In fact, the revised clay calendar was basically created so that Rafa can play Barcelona and the three masters without having to play three weeks in a row (at his insistence).

 

[Moxie]

Very well remembered. So, indeed Rafa skipped it for a good reason. IMO, age and wear and tear would be a good reason this year. I've only said I hoped he would. And I do.

 

[Federberg]

No, he wore strappings as a fashion choice.

I did like his fashion sense

 

[Moxie]

I hated those polo shirts for him. Goofy.

 

[Federberg]

I don't know why he doesn't sometimes use the pirate look. Nice strappings by the way

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Very well remembered. So, indeed Rafa skipped it for a good reason. IMO, age and wear and tear would be a good reason this year. I've only said I hoped he would. And I do.

I strongly doubt that he will skip Barcelona. Especially since he skipped Acapulo, IW and M, he would want to make it all up on clay. In fact, expect him to play Hamburg too.

 

[Moxie]

I strongly doubt that he will skip Barcelona. Especially since he skipped Acapulo, IW and M, he would want to make it all up on clay. In fact, expect him to play Hamburg too.

I guess we'll see.

 

[Moxie]

I don't know why he doesn't sometimes use the pirate look. Nice strappings by the way

Look, I listen to more interviews with Nadal, as you do more with Roger. During Rafa's injury break after RG, he gave a long interview to Spanish TV, which I listened to, and translated for this site. He said that he took the strappings off because they stopped working. He knew people assumed that the knees were better, but they weren't, they were worse. He said he took them off because they stopped working. This is from him. If we believe Roger about his mono and his back, which I do, why do you refuse to believe Rafa about his knees?

 

[El Dude]

I highly doubt Rafa minimizes his clay schedule. Unlike some I do think he wants to retain #1, and he definitely wants the titles.

That said, I predict he loses at MC. There are too many possible land-mines - lots of hungry players who could take a rusty Rafa out. In that regards, getting a couple matches in at the DC beforehand is a must.

 

[Moxie]

I highly doubt Rafa minimizes his clay schedule. Unlike some I do think he wants to retain #1, and he definitely wants the titles.

That said, I predict he loses at MC. There are too many possible land-mines - lots of hungry players who could take a rusty Rafa out. In that regards, getting a couple matches in at the DC beforehand is a must.

All the more reason to play DC, I guess...blow off the rust. I'm always astonished when posters decide what they think a player wants. I find that presumptive, in the extreme.

 

[El Dude]

All the more reason to play DC, I guess...blow off the rust. I'm always astonished when posters decide what they think a player wants. I find that presumptive, in the extreme.

Believe it or not, I agree. I was mainly responding to the notion that he doesn't care about #1, that I think one or two folks mentioned above. I would guess that he does, probably more than Roger does.

 

[Moxie]

Believe it or not, I agree. I was mainly responding to the notion that he doesn't care about #1, that I think one or two folks mentioned above. I would guess that he does, probably more than Roger does.

I don't think he cares about #1 more than Roger does. If you take what they've said, and done and the choices they've made, only Roger has demonstrated that he'd make a schedule choice to try to get back #1. Nadal has never said anything other than that the ranking is not important to him. At some point you have to take what they do and say, and believe it.

 

[Andy22]

Not injured. He skipped it the inaugural year of Madrid, I think, so as not to crowd the schedule...though that was '09, so he had sore knees that whole spring. And I'm sure there was another one, but I'll look it up. It is the closest he has to a hometown tourney, so it's like Fed skipping Basel, but they do it if they feel they have to.

No It was 2010 Nadal skipped Barcelona, won all three masters titles Rome, Madrid Monte Carlo but did not play Barcelona, 09 he won it I'm pretty sure. Oh wait sorry just seen your post where you said that sorry.

 

[Andy22]

Ah I see. No clue about Barcelona, I generally don't like that event for some reason

Has federer ever played Barcelona? Does anyone know.

 

[Moxie]

Has federer ever played Barcelona? Does anyone know.

Without checking, I feel confident in saying no.

 

[Andy22]

Without checking, I feel confident in saying no.

Oh OK, I was thinking least at least once, but federer never played wow the Spain fans might enjoy having him where.

 

[Moxie]

Oh OK, I was thinking least at least once, but federer never played wow the Spain fans might enjoy having him where.

They've gotten a fair amount of him in Madrid. Given that he's passing on the clay season for a 2nd year, at 36, I'm pretty sure that Barcelona will have to live without him. Forever.