Nadalites – Rafa Nadal Talk

[atttomole]

he pulled out of Abu Dhabi after his loss vs tall Kevin, he wants to save his energy for AO

All players want to save energy for the AO, I guess. What is so special about him, that he would like to save energy for the AO?

 

[Moxie]

What is so special about him

17 Majors

 

[atttomole]

17 Majors

17 majors is an amazing achievement, but that would not be the reason for saving energy for the AO. You could be right though. If he saves energy this early, he could win the AO, putting him only 2 behind Roger. The chase is on.

 

[herios]

17 majors is an amazing achievement, but that would not be the reason for saving energy for the AO. You could be right though. If he saves energy this early, he could win the AO, putting him only 2 behind Roger. The chase is on.

It is not 2009.

 

[Moxie]

It is not 2009.

Yeah, but Roger won it in 2017, so nothing is impossible.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Yeah, but Roger won it in 2017, so nothing is impossible.

But, Roger won it in 2010 also.

The last time Rafa won AO was 2009. I am not even sure anyone has won any GS after not winning it for nine years in a row.

 

[Moxie]

17 majors is an amazing achievement, but that would not be the reason for saving energy for the AO. You could be right though. If he saves energy this early, he could win the AO, putting him only 2 behind Roger. The chase is on.

As I pointed out above, both Rafa and Roger have to pick their battles, at this stage of the game. Roger has long been applauded for managing his schedule well. Why not Rafa? If he plays an exho and gets paid well for it, so as to test the waters, why not? And why not stop, when he feels he should? He has fully earned the right. He's a huge money draw, but doesn't have to play more than the body tells him. And yes, he's pacing himself to peak for the AO. At this point, he should be keeping the powder dry for the Majors, as is Roger. And most likely Djokovic. The chase is well on and has been for some time. The shocking thing is that it still is, frankly.

 

[Moxie]

But, Roger won it in 2010 also.

The last time Rafa won AO was 2009. I am not even sure anyone has won any GS after not winning it for nine years in a row.

But Roger is 5 years older. Rafa was a near-miss in 2012, 2014 and 2017. Despite his bad luck there, he has every reason to keep his eye on the prize for that one, and not play matches he doesn't have to beforehand.

 

[atttomole]

As I pointed out above, both Rafa and Roger have to pick their battles, at this stage of the game. Roger has long been applauded for managing his schedule well. Why not Rafa? If he plays an exho and gets played well for it, so as to test the waters, why not? And why not stop, when he feels he should? He has fully earned the right. He's a huge money draw, but doesn't have to play more than the body tells him. And yes, he's pacing himself to peak for the AO. At this point, he should be keeping the powder dry for the Majors, as is Roger. And most likely Djokovic. The chase is well on and has been for some time. The shocking thing is that it still is, frankly.

Not sure if the issue of scheduling is relevant here. He is playing an exhibition tournament, preparing for the new season and already he feels like he has to save himself?

 

[GameSetAndMath]

As I pointed out above, both Rafa and Roger have to pick their battles, at this stage of the game. Roger has long been applauded for managing his schedule well. Why not Rafa? If he plays an exho and gets paid well for it, so as to test the waters, why not? And why not stop, when he feels he should? He has fully earned the right. He's a huge money draw, but doesn't have to play more than the body tells him. And yes, he's pacing himself to peak for the AO. At this point, he should be keeping the powder dry for the Majors, as is Roger. And most likely Djokovic. The chase is well on and has been for some time. The shocking thing is that it still is, frankly.

Whether or not he wants to play the Mudabala exho is his business. However, having chosen to play in it, walking out after losing the first match is in poor taste, especially considering his own admission that he is not injured and is doing it as a precaution. It makes it even silly considering this is the start of the season and Ralph has not played since USO of last year.

 

[Moxie]

Not sure if the issue of scheduling is relevant here. He is playing an exhibition tournament, preparing for the new season and already he feels like he has to save himself?

I don't see why that is mysterious. Play a match, test the waters, keep the powder dry.

 

[Moxie]

Whether or not he wants to play the Mudabala exho is his business. However, having chosen to play in it, walking out after losing the first match is in poor taste, especially considering his own admission that he is not injured and is doing it as a precaution. It makes it even silly considering this is the start of the season and Ralph has not played since USO of last year.

You could take your own comment and make the opposite conclusion as well: he hasn't played since the USO, and so needs to take it slowly. You are very judgmental about what is in "poor taste." You are not Rafa, so you don't know what he's going through. I will say to you what I've said to other people on this thread today: if you want to slag Rafa, why don't you take it elsewhere? This is the Nadal fans thread. We really kind of don't need your negativity. I'm sure there must be another thread where you can call him out for dropping out of an exhibition tournament. Or, if not, you could start one.

 

[atttomole]

I don't see why that is mysterious. Play a match, test the waters, keep the powder dry.

I think I am getting you now. Rafa is being cautious because he wants to avoid nagging injuries, which can be expected due to his muscular approach to the game.

 

[Moxie]

I think I am getting you now. Rafa is being cautious because he wants to avoid nagging injuries, which can be expected due to his muscular approach to the game.

Not sure if it's about his "muscular approach" to the game, but surely because of the many injuries. I should think it was worth being cautious. Even Fed fans appreciate Roger resting his back. So what's different? An older elite athlete is like a vintage race car, or a Stradivarius. Fantastic instrument, but don't abuse it.

 

[atttomole]

Not sure if it's about his "muscular approach" to the game, but surely because of the many injuries. I should think it was worth being cautious. Even Fed fans appreciate Roger resting his back. So what's different? An older elite athlete is like a vintage race car, or a Stradivarius. Fantastic instrument, but don't abuse it.

Which means he could skip the next exho in Brisbane to help him prepare for the AO.

 

[Moxie]

Which means he could skip the next exho in Brisbane to help him prepare for the AO.

Brisbane is an actual ATP tournament.

 

[atttomole]

Brisbane is an actual ATP tournament.

His biggest threat there will be K. Nishikori. Rafa should win it.

 

[Nadalfan2013]

Guys, the fact remains that Rafa is still the most beautiful and most talented athlete in the universe, so let's not forget that.

 

[Moxie]

New service motion for Rafa? https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tenn...ve-motion-is-interesting-says-kevin-anderson/

 

[atttomole]

New service motion for Rafa? https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tenn...ve-motion-is-interesting-says-kevin-anderson/

That is ominous for the rest of the tour. Rafa is on a mission.