Nadalites – Rafa Nadal Talk

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa has lost a couple of steps. It would take a perfect storm just to get him to the round of 16

I hope that I'm incorrect

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Rafa and Roger made an ad for Louis Vuitton. And they made a video. It's rather charming.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on Their âLifelong Friendship,â Favorite Matches Against Each Other, and Shooting with Louis Vuitton

The longtime rivals, friends, and GOATs, starring in a new LV campaign, reflect on their careers and friendship.

www.gq.com

Thanks I saw that the other day, thanks for posting it here
I learnt to ski as a youngster in the Dolomites, I laughed a lot as Rafa isnt a snow bunny at all,some of the expressions on his face were priceless.

 

[Moxie]

Thanks I saw that the other day, thanks for posting it here
I learnt to ski as a youngster in the Dolomites, I laughed a lot as Rafa isnt a snow bunny at all,some of the expressions on his face were priceless.

When he said, "I can't feel my ears."

 

[PhiEaglesfan712]

But I get it. After Roger lost Wimbledon in 2019, I knew it was over. I took a break from tennis for a couple months because I was so bummed out - not as much that it was over, but that he lost his last real chance (and kinda blew it...but in all fairness, Novak is the best ever at making other players blow it). But while I think Rafa might be in a similar place as Roger in 2020-21, he has two things going for him: One, it is Roland Garros and he rules there. Two, it is an open field, with Novak not himself, Alcaraz at least somewhat hurt.

Part of me wants to believe Federer knew this, and had he won the 2019 Wimbledon Final, he would have retired on top.

 

[El Dude]

Part of me wants to believe Federer knew this, and had he won the 2019 Wimbledon Final, he would have retired on top.

I think what was hard for him to get his mind around was that for most of 2017, he played some of the best tennis of his career. I know that 2004-07 were his best years overall, but I think you could make an argument that Roger's most sublime tennis was in 2017, despite a few hiccups.

He did come win the 2018 AO, but it was kind of ugly...not a difficult draw, and he barely defeated Marin Cilic in the final. The rest of the year was more like post-prime Federer ala 2014-15...an elite player, but not quite prime level. 2019 was more of the same - still quite impressive for a player his age, but a distant third behind Rafa and Novak.

But there was always the memory of 2017...my guess is he could probably still feel its echo in his bones, but was never quite able to find that near-perfect form. That Wimbledon loss pretty much ended his career, imo.

Anyhow, after 2012, Roger was pretty much to Djokodal--and the tour as a whole--what Andy was for most of his career (2008-15): a middle region between Djokodal and everyone else. I've describe Andy as being both the "Least of the Best and Best of the Rest." Despite falling behind in 2010-12, he was still very close to Djokodal. After 2012, he slipped further back - except for 2017, when he was the best player in the world, pound for pound. A brief, final supernova that he wasn't able to rekindle again.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I hope that I'm incorrect

Of course Rafa has lost a couple of steps, this year has been stop and start,picking up injury eg Brisbane, which forced him to withdraw from AO., also he hasnt played on clay since 2022,he will be turning 38 in a few weeks, still he comes to a court he knows well and this is his favorite part of the year, how many times has he come into RG with a injury cloud or not great form? and he has found a way to win.I am not saying he will win RG in 2024, knowing Rafa he will give it his all as a fan I cannot ask for anything more.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Of course Rafa has lost a couple of steps, this year has been stop and start,picking up injury eg Brisbane, which forced him to withdraw from AO., also he hasnt played on clay since 2022,he will be turning 38 in a few weeks, still he comes to a court he knows well and this is his favorite part of the year, how many times has he come into RG with a injury cloud or not great form? and he has found a way to win.I am not saying he will win RG in 2024, knowing Rafa he will give it his all as a fan I cannot ask for anything more.

To be honest with you, I think he really should have made the decision to use this year to rebuild his body because it usually takes a full year for the body to heal properly.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

To be honest with you, I think he really should have made the decision to use this year to rebuild his body because it usually takes a full year for the body to heal properly.

Rafa had hip surgery and because of his age factor it took longer to heal, even if he took a year off, your talking about him coming back at age 38? sorry I could nt see that happening,
Quite frankly we are lucky he has tried to play this year, his body has been telling him for awhile "I Have Had Enough"

 

[the AntiPusher]

Rafa had hip surgery and because of his age factor it took longer to heal, even if he took a year off, your talking about him coming back at age 38? sorry I could nt see that happening,
Quite frankly we are lucky he has tried to play this year, his body has been telling him for awhile "I Have Had Enough"

Still playing in 2025: Rafael Nadal's increasingly likely option

Rafael Nadal closer to keep playing in 2025 and not retire in 2024

www.claytenis.com

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Still playing in 2025: Rafael Nadal's increasingly likely option

Rafael Nadal closer to keep playing in 2025 and not retire in 2024

www.claytenis.com

I will believe that when I see that

 

[the AntiPusher]

I will believe that when I see that

Anything is possible.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Anything is possible.

Come on lets be real, wishful thinking, Rafa has always stated ' he wants to be competitive' going out in tournaments winning 1 match, is not being competitive
BTW Rafa had a training session with Seb Korda today

 

[the AntiPusher]

Of course Rafa has lost a couple of steps, this year has been stop and start,picking up injury eg Brisbane, which forced him to withdraw from AO., also he hasnt played on clay since 2022,he will be turning 38 in a few weeks, still he comes to a court he knows well and this is his favorite part of the year, how many times has he come into RG with a injury cloud or not great form? and he has found a way to win.I am not saying he will win RG in 2024, knowing Rafa he will give it his all as a fan I cannot ask for anything more.

The one that's positive is his fast twitch muscles in his lower core are working as well as when he was in his prime. The bottom line @MargaretMcAleer MM and folks is his pain tolerance and management. I would think the obvious plan is the play some quick 3 setters which means that he would have to abandon his legendary patience ball stroking style of play. I doubt that he will change unless he reviews the tape of his few matches this year and how his opponents are attacking his vulnerabilities.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

The one that's positive is his fast twitch muscles in his lower core are working as well as when he was in his prime. The bottom line @MargaretMcAleer MM and folks is his pain tolerance and management. I would think the obvious plan is the play some quick 3 setters which means that he would have to abandon his legendary patience ball stroking style of play. I doubt that he will change unless he reviews the tape of his few matches this year and how his opponents are attacking his vulnerabilities.

I feel over the years, Rafa has had a good pain tolerance and has played tournaments in pain, sometimes when he should not have quite frankly, though if you -re injure a area eg abs it does take more time to heal.
As a fan I dont want to see him playing on and just making up numbers in any tournament.
Are you aware the day after Rafa defeated Ruud in the final of RG he was on crutches the next day?

 

[the AntiPusher]

I feel over the years, Rafa has had a good pain tolerance and has played tournaments in pain, sometimes when he should not have quite frankly, though if you -re injure a area eg abs it does take more time to heal.
As a fan I dont want to see him playing on and just making up numbers in any tournament.
Are you aware the day after Rafa defeated Ruud in the final of RG he was on crutches the next day?

No I wasn't aware of his post match health challenges.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

No I wasn't aware of his post match health challenges.

Ruud who trains a lot at Rafa's academy said he saw Rafa getting into a car the next day after the final and he was on crutches, he could not believe it the way he played in the final.
Rafa had to go and have treatment for his Muellar Weiss Syndrome just after a few days after his win

 

[the AntiPusher]

Come on lets be real, wishful thinking, Rafa has always stated ' he wants to be competitive' going out in tournaments winning 1 match, is not being competitive
BTW Rafa had a training session with Seb Korda today

I hope he had a good hitting session. I think he and Novak should start hitting with each other..it would be great for the fans

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I hope he had a good hitting session. I think he and Novak should start hitting with each other..it would be great for the fans

Novak is set to play his first rd match tomorrow where is has taken a WC, even when he gets to Paris, I cant see those 2 having a hit up lol!

 

[the AntiPusher]

Novak is set to play his first rd match tomorrow where is has taken a WC, even when he gets to Paris, I cant see those 2 having a hit up lol!

Oh I wasn't aware Novak playing a tune up

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Oh I wasn't aware Novak playing a tune up

Well seeing his form was poor in the clay tournaments he played, he was offered a wild card to play in Geneva, he accepted it, usually if his form was good he would not play at tournament so close to a major, he is the defending champion at RG