Nadal: Fear Factor

[Fiero425]

Just caught end of Thiem and Ferrer; WOW, is he going to be this season's Fabio and be a thorn in Rafa's side? Very impressive win by the kid! Can he leapfrog the others in next gen. or is this just a temporary "zone" thing? :ras:

 

[Kieran]

Just caught end of Thiem and Ferrer; WOW, is he going to be this season's Fabio and be a thorn in Rafa's side? Very impressive win by the kid! Can he leapfrog the others in next gen. or is this just a temporary "zone" thing? :ras:

Hopefully it's a start of something significant. I wouldn't have thought clay would be his best surface either. Great win for the kid!

 

[nehmeth]

Just caught end of Thiem and Ferrer; WOW Very impressive win by the kid! Can he leapfrog the others in next gen?

Hopefully it's a start of something significant. I wouldn't have thought clay would be his best surface either. Great win for the kid!

Like old Stan, he seems to like the extra time to prepare clay gives him.

 

[Front242]

Just caught end of Thiem and Ferrer; WOW, is he going to be this season's Fabio and be a thorn in Rafa's side? Very impressive win by the kid! Can he leapfrog the others in next gen. or is this just a temporary "zone" thing? :ras:

Hopefully it's a start of something significant. I wouldn't have thought clay would be his best surface either. Great win for the kid!

All 4 of his titles have been won on clay actually so it's definitely his best surface. Hopefully it'll be 5 by Sunday He has awesome power and was mighty impressive against Ferrer last night.

 

[Front242]

You've been watching since Borg and Mac? So you're in your forties or fifties? Really? I always thought that you're in you're twenties.

And then you proceed to agree with me while deciding that you know what Carol meant, even though she never mentioned Federer. Brother, you can't ride two horses at the same time, unless your name is Zorro. If you read her post dispassionately, and maybe pretend it's written by Fiero and not Carol, you would never say that none of her post could be related to fear.

Which is to say, of course, that your earlier reply should have reflected more thought that was suitable to your years...

I'm 41 But most people are shocked when they hear this as they usually think I'm 27/28. Lifting heavy weights to keep the testosterone levels high is what keeps me young. My family all look way younger than they are. You and I both know that whole post of hers was ALL about Federer. When
someone slags Nadal her natural reaction is to slag Federer. Everyone here can see that.

Ok "Benjamin Button" then you obviously have fear to lose the muscles and to look older......
And yes, I have a very good idea what is fear, every single player has fear to lose and they try whatever can to avoid it, sometimes works well, sometimes not, but FEAR is part of their professional sport life, otherwise they would be robots, they are not
Hey, if you don't like to see someone slagging your fav then try don't do it to others, remember, nobody is perfect!

Every good/great player should hate to lose but that's not the same thing as being scared of losing. There's no fear factor for many of them and some of them could actually do with having fear of losing because they clearly don't care about the result of their matches. I'd actually like to see more fear factor out there but for me there's none. The guys up against Novak for the most part know they are going to lose but they're not scared of that (there's no fear), they've succumbed to their fate before they hit the first ball.

Still don't agree with this assessment of the word fear 'cos hoping to win but knowing you'll probably lose is not fear in any way in the case of guys going up against the best, eg. players facing Novak. I hope to lift more in the gym each week but I'm not scared if I don't. Disappointed maybe but fear? Scared? No. You hope to win your tennis match when you play but fear of losing? I don't think so. Wanting to win is fine and the way anyone with any self respect should be (many players lack this mentality of even trying hard enough to win) but that's way different than being scared of losing.

 

[Luxilon Borg]

Unless Nadal figures out a few things, it is looking bleak.

-return of serve is horrendous

-forehand is reverted back to 2003/2004 with loopy, service line landing puff balls

-break point conversion % is awful

-cannot raise the level of his game on important points.

-and this is NEW..distressed by opponents winners...looking to the sky asking "why me?"
where before he would just erase them from the memory bank.

Sigh. Wow.

 

[10isfan]

Watched Nadal v Cuevas. He looks like he is tightening up, which causes his shots to land short. His unforced error count was way too high to give him the win. He had better let go of his fear of missing and just hit the ball with confidence. Otherwise, making any kind of progress in the top tournaments will be a steep, uphill climb.

 

[Fiero425]

Watched Nadal v Cuevas. He looks like he is tightening up, which causes his shots to land short. His unforced error count was way too high to give him the win. He had better let go of his fear of missing and just hit the ball with confidence. Otherwise, making any kind of progress in the top tournaments will be a steep, uphill climb.

Will be? It already is; starting last season when losing a grip on his pet major in Paris! We all knew it was coming, but for it to happen so abruptly is unnerving the Rafa fans! IMO, they should have been prepared already with my constant warnings and his precipitous fall last season in matches lost when in commanding positions! No lead was safe, no amount of MP's in his favor would save him! After USO with loss to Fabio for the 3rd time and holding onto a 2-0 lead in sets, you would think most w/b jumping off that bandwagon! Why are people hoping for something that isn't possible; sorta like Roger continuing to dominate at Wimbledon? Sooner or later the next gen. will take over; bout time for Nole who's lost half of his major finals to the preeminent GOAT's! Love how he's denting their legacies and making his own! :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Kieran]

you would think most w/b jumping off that bandwagon!

Well, we all ain't like you, baby... :dodgy: :nono :cover :ras:

 

[Carol]

This is the best and right article I've read for long time and any 'fear' at all

https://www.thetennisbase.com/?enlace=blog&bg=4&post=Nadal-at-the-crossroads

 

[El Dude]

You know, one thing I don't think gets mentioned is that maybe Nadal just isn't that into it anymore. Maybe he's satisfied with what he's accomplished and doesn't really have the drive or interest to fight his way back, especially through the larger obstacle of physical decline. Maybe he's thinking, "I'll give it another go this year, see if I can win one more at Roland Garros, and then coast through the season and call it a career."

That article that Carol posted mentioned that Nadal seems rather resigned. I almost wonder if he is even at peace. I haven't watched any recent matches, but I'm wondering if people see a player who is struggling internally, or if they see a guy who is just going through the motions.

In other words, he might simply not want it anymore, or not want it enough.

 

[Fiero425]

You know, one thing I don't think gets mentioned is that maybe Nadal just isn't that into it anymore. Maybe he's satisfied with what he's accomplished and doesn't really have the drive or interest to fight his way back, especially through the larger obstacle of physical decline. Maybe he's thinking, "I'll give it another go this year, see if I can win one more at Roland Garros, and then coast through the season and call it a career."

That article that Carol posted mentioned that Nadal seems rather resigned. I almost wonder if he is even at peace. I haven't watched any recent matches, but I'm wondering if people see a player who is struggling internally, or if they see a guy who is just going through the motions.

In other words, he might simply not want it anymore, or not want it enough.

It's called "being BROKEN!" Again, why are people surprised? All that training, those long unnecessary matches vs lower ranked players, the travel, the weight of his family on his back; surprised he lasted this long truthfully! :cover

 

[Carol]

You know, one thing I don't think gets mentioned is that maybe Nadal just isn't that into it anymore. Maybe he's satisfied with what he's accomplished and doesn't really have the drive or interest to fight his way back, especially through the larger obstacle of physical decline. Maybe he's thinking, "I'll give it another go this year, see if I can win one more at Roland Garros, and then coast through the season and call it a career."

That article that Carol posted mentioned that Nadal seems rather resigned. I almost wonder if he is even at peace. I haven't watched any recent matches, but I'm wondering if people see a player who is struggling internally, or if they see a guy who is just going through the motions.

In other words, he might simply not want it anymore, or not want it enough.

It's called "being BROKEN!" Again, why are people surprised? All that training, those long unnecessary matches against lower ranked players, the travel, the weight of his family on his back;
surprised he lasted this long truthfully! :cover

Sshhhhh, say something reasonable at least for once!

 

[Fiero425]

:ras: :chillout: :violins: :deadhorse

 

[Kieran]

You know, one thing I don't think gets mentioned is that maybe Nadal just isn't that into it anymore. Maybe he's satisfied with what he's accomplished and doesn't really have the drive or interest to fight his way back, especially through the larger obstacle of physical decline. Maybe he's thinking, "I'll give it another go this year, see if I can win one more at Roland Garros, and then coast through the season and call it a career."

That article that Carol posted mentioned that Nadal seems rather resigned. I almost wonder if he is even at peace. I haven't watched any recent matches, but I'm wondering if people see a player who is struggling internally, or if they see a guy who is just going through the motions.

In other words, he might simply not want it anymore, or not want it enough.

It's not impossible. For me, Rafa hasn't been the same player mentally since he won the US Open in 2013. The intensity and fury that drove him through that historic summer then evaporated somewhat in the autumn, and he's never really gotten it back. Physically, he hasn't been the same since his back went in Oz. He's fit now, but he's not the same.

And who can blame him if he was satisfied with his career? 14 majors, 27 MS titles, 2 slams each on grass, clay and hards. He's put every ounce of sweat and pain into being the great player he was, and when he was at his very best it could be generally said that he was the best: but it's a rough game and players get weary of travel, practice courts, gyms, drills. Matches. Travel. Pressure. It all adds up. In recent years he's been forced to the sideline through injury and he's used the time to flop off his yacht and swing his honey girl around in the warm blue Mediterranean waters, and who could blame him for thinking, it's okay to enjoy life a little too, now he's gotten the taste for it?

That's not to say it's true, but it's certainly a possibility...

 

[the AntiPusher]

You know, one thing I don't think gets mentioned is that maybe Nadal just isn't that into it anymore. Maybe he's satisfied with what he's accomplished and doesn't really have the drive or interest to fight his way back, especially through the larger obstacle of physical decline. Maybe he's thinking, "I'll give it another go this year, see if I can win one more at Roland Garros, and then coast through the season and call it a career."

That article that Carol posted mentioned that Nadal seems rather resigned. I almost wonder if he is even at peace. I haven't watched any recent matches, but I'm wondering if people see a player who is struggling internally, or if they see a guy who is just going through the motions.

In other words, he might simply not want it anymore, or not want it enough.

It's not impossible. For me, Rafa hasn't been the same player mentally since he won the US Open in 2013. The intensity and fury that drove him through that historic summer then evaporated somewhat in the autumn, and he's never really gotten it back. Physically, he hasn't been the same since his back went in Oz. He's fit now, but he's not the same.

And who can blame him if he was satisfied with his career? 14 majors, 27 MS titles, 2 slams each on grass, clay and hards. He's put every ounce of sweat and pain into being the great player he was, and when he was at his very best it could be generally said that he was the best: but it's a rough game and players get weary of travel, practice courts, gyms, drills. Matches. Travel. Pressure. It all adds up. In recent years he's been forced to the sideline through injury and he's used the time to flop off his yacht and swing his honey girl around in the warm blue Mediterranean waters, and who could blame him for thinking, it's okay to enjoy life a little too, now he's gotten the taste for it?

That's not to say it's true, but it's certainly a possibility...

Rafa was okay afterwards he won the US Open 2013.He took the foot the "gas pedal" or it was pushed off by Djoker during the Asian swing and his WTF was the same ole usual results. Going into AO 2014, that's when he lost his confidence in his body and his game. As you recall he had never surrender a set to Stan previously. However, the combination of the injured upper part of his turso and his back , getting trounced by Stan sent Rafa into his current state. Kieran our mutual good friend Miss SH told me she feared that the AO14 lost to Stan would have major implications on the rest of his career. At the time I said Ney and he would shake it off. I was very wrong.

 

[Kieran]

Then we were both wrong, buddy, our friend was certainly right... :nono

 

[Fiero425]

You know, one thing I don't think gets mentioned is that maybe Nadal just isn't that into it anymore. Maybe he's satisfied with what he's accomplished and doesn't really have the drive or interest to fight his way back, especially through the larger obstacle of physical decline. Maybe he's thinking, "I'll give it another go this year, see if I can win one more at Roland Garros, and then coast through the season and call it a career."

That article that Carol posted mentioned that Nadal seems rather resigned. I almost wonder if he is even at peace. I haven't watched any recent matches, but I'm wondering if people see a player who is struggling internally, or if they see a guy who is just going through the motions.

In other words, he might simply not want it anymore, or not want it enough.

It's not impossible. For me, Rafa hasn't been the same player mentally since he won the US Open in 2013. The intensity and fury that drove him through that historic summer then evaporated somewhat in the autumn, and he's never really gotten it back. Physically, he hasn't been the same since his back went in Oz. He's fit now, but he's not the same.

And who can blame him if he was satisfied with his career? 14 majors, 27 MS titles, 2 slams each on grass, clay and hards. He's put every ounce of sweat and pain into being the great player he was, and when he was at his very best it could be generally said that he was the best: but it's a rough game and players get weary of travel, practice courts, gyms, drills. Matches. Travel. Pressure. It all adds up. In recent years he's been forced to the sideline through injury and he's used the time to flop off his yacht and swing his honey girl around in the warm blue Mediterranean waters, and who could blame him for thinking, it's okay to enjoy life a little too, now he's gotten the taste for it?

That's not to say it's true, but it's certainly a possibility...

Rafa was okay afterwards he won the US Open 2013.He took the foot the "gas pedal" or it was pushed off by Djoker during the Asian swing and his WTF was the same ole usual results. Going into AO 2014, that's when he lost his confidence in his body and his game. As you recall he had never surrender a set to Stan previously. However, the combination of the injured upper part of his turso and his back , getting trounced by Stan sent Rafa into his current state. Kieran our mutual good friend Miss SH told me she feared that the AO14 lost to Stan would have major implications on the rest of his career. At the time I said Ney and he would shake it off. I was very wrong.

Sorry guys, I am so tired of hearing about Rafa's injuries; who isn't hurting these days? That's what happens when you push your body to do something it doesn't want to do! All the experts laud his results, but most comment on how the stroke production is "ugly" and not worth teaching to someone else! This is a sport; if he pushes himself into injuries, that's on him! He has money and fame to go and do something else! Please stop it; few care! Does he care when he's playing against an injured player? I think not; usually running them to death! Now he knows how it feels when he's barely able to get to balls! :nono :angel: :dodgy:

 

[Kieran]

It's a wonder your exclamation mark is never injured, you overuse it so much! :lolz: :ras::dodgy: :angel:

Injuries have punctuated Rafa's injury, and when he's long gone but not forgotten, it'll still be said that he was unfortunate with injuries. Let me put it this way: you weren't complaining when you were a Fedfan! :dodgy: :laydownlaughing :devil :ras:

 

[Fiero425]

It's a wonder your exclamation mark is never injured, you overuse it so much! :lolz: :ras::dodgy: :angel:

Injuries have punctuated Rafa's injury, and when he's long gone but not forgotten, it'll still be said that he was unfortunate with injuries. Let me put it this way: you weren't complaining when you were a Fedfan! :dodgy: :laydownlaughing :devil :ras:

I have no idea what you're talking about! Roger had the results, but I still made mention of his being Rafa's pigeon! All I do is acknowledge who's the best; no matter who it is! I can like or hate the player, but IMO, the true GREATS are from a "bygone" era; sorry! Things have gotten easer for today's stars with technology, homogenized courts, training, coaches on court, and many big tourneys going to best of 3! I don't think even Nole would win 6 Masters if he had to play Bo5! I don't have the reverence of today's players; even Roger in comparison to Laver, Borg, Tilden, Gonazales, and Sampras! :cover :nono :angel: :dodgy: